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Maintenance

Reasons to Avoid Car Air Fresheners Might Surprise You

Air fresheners have been a part of car ownership for as long as I can remember. You see them casually in the check-out lanes of the local market, hanging from more than a handful of rearview mirrors in a parking lot, and even see fancier ones at a high-end candle and scent stores. They seem …
An image of a 2021 Kia Sorento driving down the road.

What Does it Mean When a Car is a Good Daily Driver?

The phrase “daily driver” is quite common in the car community, and the phrase itself is relatively self-explanatory. The car that you drive every day, or mostly every day when it comes to the ins-and-outs of your weekly routine, is your daily driver. So, when it comes to talking about whether or not a car …
2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition off-roading

Is the Toyota 4Runner Expensive to Maintain?

Do you have your heart set on the new Toyota 4Runner? If you do, you might be wondering how much the 4Runner actually costs to own. Fortunately, we’ve got the inside scoop on how much the Toyota 4Runner costs to maintain. How reliable is the Toyota 4Runner? The Toyota 4Runner is pretty reliable. According to …
Various cars with their headlights on driving down a city road at dusk

LED or Halogen, Color Temperature Matters for Headlights

Even if you’re not planning on installing some LEDs, headlights are a common car maintenance item. And even if you’re sticking to halogen ones, making sure your headlights are clean and clear is an important safety concern. But how bright the lights are isn’t the only thing to pay attention to when picking out bulbs. …
BFGoodrich Off-Road Wiper blades on a rain-streaked gray-blue Jeep Wrangler

Do Off-Roaders Need These New BFGoodrich Wiper Blades?

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 …
A burgundy 2004 BMW Z4 showing its M54 inline-6 engine

Which Used BMW Engines Are the Most Reliable?

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. …
2021 Toyota Highlander parked

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Safe?

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 …
A 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata's throttle body

Your Throttle Body Could Use a Clean-Out

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, …
Car wash extras

5 Everyday Things That You Shouldn’t Let Touch Your Car

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 …
The N52 engine in the bay of a blue 2006 E90 BMW 325i Touring

The Most Reliable E90 BMW Models Still Have Some Engine Issues

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 …
Traffic moves along 42nd Street at sunset on June 2, 2019 in New York City

The Smart Way to Choose Your Car Insurance Deductible

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 …
An auto mechanic performs maintenance on a car

There Are 4 Words Every Car Mechanic Absolutely Dreads Hearing

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 …
A young man driving a car through the mountains

Buying Car Insurance Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing

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 …
The intake manifold, throttle body, and throttle cable of a 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Your Throttle Cable Could Use an Adjustment

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 …
Technician Dave Serdar rotates the tires on a Chevy Traverse

How Long Do Tires Last?

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 …
A car's fuel tank on empty

Don’t Tempt Fate by Driving on an Empty Gas Tank

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 …
Nokian Tyres One all-season tire mounted on a silver wheel

Can Nokian’s New All-Season Tire Really Last for 80,000 Miles?

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 …