Even if your vehicle is off-road-ready from the factory, going off-pavement requires the requisite set of accessories. That means protective skid plates, snorkels for easier breathing and occasional water-crossing, and, depending on the destination, light bars. Plus, off-road-rated tires, of course. BFGoodrich could already help out with that last part. But the tire company recently …
Even if they’re used and depreciated, luxury cars from marques like BMW are still luxury cars. That means maintenance and repair bills, especially for engine-related issues, can cost a pretty penny. However, not only can used BMWs be reliable overall, but so can their engines. It’s all a matter of understanding what’s under the hood. …
The 2021 Toyota Highlander has grown to be a favorite among growing families. And why not? It offers three-rows of seating, is available with a long list of tech-savvy features, and comes standard with a V6 engine under the hood. But as revered as this three-row SUV may be, can you count on this year’s …
Time affects your car’s engine just as much as its body. That’s why the maintenance on higher-mileage cars doesn’t just stop at oil and air filter changes. Timing belts, spark plugs, ignition coils, head gaskets—these are just some of the things that need attention as the odometer climbs. One item that sometimes goes overlooked, though, …
Out of all of the things that you use in your daily life, your car is probably the most important. It takes you everywhere you need to go, including work, and it allows the rest of your family to live their lives as well. So it’s a good idea to take care of your car …
If you’re looking for a reliable used BMW, the E90 3 Series is arguably your best modern bet. Especially the non-turbocharged 325i, 328i, and 330i models, which have the N52 BMW inline-6 engine. However, no car is immune from maintenance or reliability issues, including BMWs. And the same goes for the N52-equipped E90 cars. The …
Picking your car insurance deductible is a highly personal decision. It will not only depend on your personal comfort level but also how much of a risk you’re willing to take financially. Read on to learn more about how to choose your car insurance deductible and what you should be taking into consideration in the …
Being an auto mechanic can be challenging. In a way, mechanics are vehicle doctors that find, diagnose, and fix problems and perform maintenance. But they also must communicate effectively with vehicle owners. They must possess both technical and customer service skills. And if you asked a service technician to talk about his or her day, you’d probably …
Shopping for car insurance can be confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. Once you have a good understanding of the most common car insurance types and how buying it actually works, buying car insurance really isn’t such a confusing process. The most common types of car insurance coverage First things first, it’s important to …
Many consumers have a general idea of how to take care of a car, truck, van, or SUV. Yet, electric bike or scooter maintenance is often bewildering to the same consumers. Keeping any vehicle operating in tip-top shape is important. Doing so prevents many unhappy surprises. So, here are a few easy tips to keep …
Getting an internal-combustion engine up and running requires a lot of moving parts. And without proper maintenance, the entire process can grind (sometimes literally) to a halt. Hence why fuel injectors sometimes need cleaning and spark plugs need changing, and so on. But some maintenance items need attention even if the part in question isn’t …
When’s the last time you checked your tires? If you’re not sure if you need new ones, try using the Penny Test to measure your tread depth.
Ownership brings extra responsibilities, and vehicle ownership is no different. Owners will periodically need to replace the tires on their vehicles, but when can you expect to need to do that? Here’s a look at how long tires generally last, how maintenance can make them last as long as possible, and how you’ll know it’s …
Have you ever seen that episode of Seinfeld? The one where Jerry wants a Saab and somehow everyone ends up at the dealership. Then, you know, Kramer is suddenly behind the wheel with a car salesman, the car’s gas tank is below empty, and with the dealership in sight? The two decide to pass by …
Regularly rotating and changing your car’s tires are important parts of your maintenance schedule. But even if you’re not buying the most expensive car tires, quality ones don’t come cheap. So, naturally, most people want to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth when it comes to longevity. Especially if they’re buying all-seasons, even though …
A car’s mileage is a big deal. Low-mileage cars typically have a higher value than higher-mileage cars, and depending on the type and year of the car, the difference between the two values can be pretty dramatic. We also view mileage as a car’s lifespan, and even consumers with minimal car knowledge understand that a …
If you’re torn between repairing your old car and replacing it, we’ll help you choose the best option.
For those looking to start riding a classic motorcycle, know that it comes with some unique, and more frequent, maintenance needs. These bikes have manually-adjusting carburetors, for example, and shorter overall service intervals. Plus, those used to modern computerized ignition systems might be overwhelmed when it comes time to fixing a classic motorcycle’s system. But …
Tire pressure is pretty important. After all, without properly inflated tires, your car isn’t going to go very far. That’s why it’s important to know the correct tire pressure for your car, and how to properly inflate your tires. Here’s how to know the correct tire pressure for your car and how to keep your …
Winter is upon us. Depending on where you live and what you drive, you may have varying levels of experience with “winterizing” your home, RV, Motorcycle, or even car. Winterizing, for those who may not know, is the process of preparing your gear for sustained low temperatures. Diesel-powered vehicles are particularly vulnerable to low temperatures. …
If one has used a golf cart to get around the campground or golf course, then they know how handy such a vehicle can be. Unfortunately, not everybody knows how to take care of them. So, some of the poor creatures won’t last very long. Regular maintenance, however, will elongate the service lives of electric …
Regularly changing your oil is a classic and constant part of vehicle maintenance. One that, with modern engineering capabilities and the rise of synthetic engine oil, has dropped in frequency somewhat. However, some people go beyond simply replacing their engine oil and send it off for analysis. But why do they do it? And should …
Maybe you’ve got big weekend plans coming up. Perhaps you just want your car looking like the day you drove it off the lot. You know you miss that brand spanking new shine your vehicle used to have. Or maybe your car is just a bit dirtier than you’d like. Whatever the reason might be, …
If you plan on riding a classic motorcycle, you’ll naturally notice several differences compared to a modern bike. Carburetors instead of fuel injectors, for example, and fewer electronics. And depending on how old the motorcycle is, it may have a kickstarter instead of an electric starter. So, how does it work—and is it worth keeping …
If you’ve been eyeing a classic car or motorcycle, know that their maintenance schedules are typically shorter than their modern counterparts. Oil changes are more frequent, for example. Plus, even the best-kept vintage vehicles are, well, vintage—and time decays all eventually. And one of the biggest changes is learning to live with and adjust a …
Let’s set the scene. You’ve just put on your jacket, grabbed your keys, and are ready to head out the door. You get to your car, get comfortable in the driver’s seat, and place your key into your car’s ignition. The good news is that you didn’t forget your keys. The bad news is that …
Adding more power via something like a turbocharger is a common-enough idea. But some modifications, rather than increasing raw performance, are about tweaking a car’s character in subtler ways. You can install a short shifter, for example, or swap your transmission’s gear ratios. Or you can give your car a lighter engine flywheel, or a …
Your brake pads, like your rotors, aren’t just maintenance items. As with your tires, wheels, intake, and exhaust, you can swap them out for upgraded versions. And when it comes to high-performance cars, carbon-ceramic brakes are a common feature. But are these ceramic brakes a modification worth pursuing? What’s different about carbon-ceramic brakes? Although a …
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected companies large and small. While much attention has gone to small businesses struggling to keep their operations afloat, the giants are also grappling with flagging sales. Walmart says it’s one of those companies. In March 2020, it shut down all 2,500 of its auto care centers to focus on the retail …
Finding the perfect used car can come with a lot of headaches and crossed fingers depending on what kind of shape it’s in. And while we always advise getting a pre-purchase inspection done when you purchase a used car, there could be hidden issues that you might find out about later on. One such issue …
Your gas-powered vehicle uses an engine with tons of moving parts. To keep this expensive unit running, you need to change the oil every few thousand miles, whether you do it yourself or have someone else perform the maintenance. If you don’t, you run the risk of ruining the motor. And replacing it isn’t cheap. …
Whether you’re working on a car or motorcycle, some things stay the same. There are fluids to change, tires to replace, and brakes to bleed. But one of the biggest differences is that motorcycles have chains, and cars don’t. Except, not every bike has a chain. Many BMW models, for example, are shaft-driven. And cruisers …
There’s almost nothing worse than getting into your car in the morning and turning the key, only to hear the clattering of the interior lights and the whine of the starter, but the car won’t start. Clearly, the battery is dead and the other problem is that no one else is around to help you …
‘Tis the season! Yes, it’s time for the holidays and hot cocoa. But wintry conditions are also here for many parts of the country. Snow, sleet, and sub-zero temps are expected in many states this winter. And no matter how beefy your snow tires or powerful your vehicle, you won’t leave your driveway if your …
Drive-on beaches are something we often see in older movies, and it seems like the perfect summer adventure. Not all beaches around the country offer the ability to drive your car down the water’s side, but when you get the opportunity it’s hard to deny it. There are plenty of reasons why drive-on beaches can …
Waxing your car is just a standard part of maintenance, but there are plenty of other uses for automotive wax. While you obviously can’t put wax on materials like your tires, there are some surfaces you may not be aware are good to wax, like your car’s windows, mirrors, and windshield. In fact, there are …
Proper maintenance is important when it comes to keeping your car running well for as long as possible. And while routine oil changes, tire rotations, and coolant flushes throughout your car’s life are imperative, it’s the little details, like using OEM parts, that can make a big difference in the long run. But is using …
Have you ever had a car that offered some really cool features you never ended up using much? For example, maybe you thought for sure you’d love those heated seats, only to count on one hand the number of winters you used them. Or it could be you opted for satellite radio and later had …
Jaguar is unmatched when it comes to complimentary maintenance offered on new cars. What will the company cover when you buy a new car?
There’s almost nothing worse than being in a rush to get somewhere only to find out that your car won’t start. That dreadful chattering or ticking sound that’s only associated with a drained battery is the last thing you want to hear when you have to get to work on time or make it over …
Unless you have a rat for a pet, you probably don’t want one in the house. The same goes for rats in your vehicle, and it can lead to huge repairs when it’s time for car maintenance. So are rodents getting into your car, and more importantly, how do you keep them out? Consumer Reports …
We have smartphones, smart buildings, and now smart cars. Because of onboard diagnostic tools such as Fixd, even an older vehicle can tell you what’s wrong with it. Whether the check engine light just flickered on or your car needs scheduled service, this tool can help you know when your vehicle needs maintenance. Fixd sends …
The color black is defined as a color that is void of any other color or light. True black is not a shade. It is absent of shades. A paint shop may disagree because they see that every auto manufacturer has a black color choice that is different from other automakers. None-the-less, the color black, …
Do you like to show up for the occasional “Cars and Coffee” car meets or simply just want to keep your car’s maintenance and keep it as clean as possible? In either case, you might want to clean up your car’s engine bay, since there’s nothing more embarrassing than having a pristine-looking car, only to …
Whether you’re preparing your car for winter or simply doing regular maintenance, air filters are rarely at the top of the list. And when they are, it’s usually the air filter in the engine. However, with relatively few exceptions, cars also have cabin air filters. And yours probably needs to be changed. What does your …
Maintaining your car is a little more involved than changing its oil and rotating the tires, especially if the car is older. So what about the bigger maintenance requirements like replacing your car’s shock absorbers? Is there a prescribed mileage or time required for those? Replace your car’s shocks as needed You might not be …
Most people who own a recreational vehicle know that RV roofs leak. It is one of the most common problems in the industry, yet many first-time buyers aren’t even aware of this ongoing issue. While a car can go a lifetime without a leaky roof, that isn’t the case for recreational vehicles. Most RV roofs …
The winter months can be brutal on people, but it can be even worse for cars. The build-up of ice and snow can ruin your car’s paint and windows, and even cause major structural problems like rust. The dropping temperatures can hinder our car’s performance or even cause mechanical problems, and if that isn’t enough, …
Thanksgiving might look a little bit different this year. Personal preferences on social distancing combined with gathering guidelines might stop us from having you standard extended-family get together, but that doesn’t mean people won’t still travel for the holidays. Keep your car from getting decked out with the family Thanksgiving meal this year with these …
Car problems are one of those feelings that are universal to all car owners. Whether it’s the rhythmic thumping of a flat tire or the *click click click* of a refusal to start, most of us have had that sense of dread and frustration. It can certainly serve to ruin your day, but some problems …
Some aspects of car and motorcycle maintenance differ noticeably between the two vehicles. A car, for example, doesn’t have to worry about chain lubrication. However, both bikes and cars need their engine oil changed. If your bike is water-cooled, it needs a coolant flush, just like a car. And both motorcycles and cars have brakes, …
