Maintenance

Maintenance
Performing car maint on a Lada Niva | YURI KADOBNOV/AFP via Getty Images
Maintenance
Maintenance is an essential aspect of the dependability of your vehicle. Basic maintenance like routine oil changes, brake inspections, tire rotations, and complete inspections of your vehicle can help avoid costly repairs down the road and allow your car to last longer. Knowing basic mechanic know-how can help you take care of your car better, like changing your car battery. It's also important to know when to seek professional help, like what it could mean when your engine is knocking and weak or why your car is rumbling on the highway. Complicated procedures like painting your car should be left to the professionals. At the same time, simple tasks like removing a bumper sticker can be done on your own. There are other aspects of maintenance, such as what you should look at and fix when buying a classic American car. It is also important to maintain additional equipment, such as lawnmowers. These steps can ensure that your vehicle remains in good shape with few future repairs and increase its longevity.
Read the latest articles about maintenance
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A woman’s pristine Mustang sustained almost $1,200 in damages from concrete overspray

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Car Power Outlet Can’t Charge Anything? Here’s How to Replace It

If your car's 12-volt power outlet breaks, you can easily replace it yourself.

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Land Rover SUVs Are a Maintenance Nightmare

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Gray Mercedes-Benz with foggy and clouded-over headlight lenses in a shop

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How to Clean and Restore Foggy Headlights

When brand new, modern headlights can seem almost too bright. But, like almost everything in and on a car, they’re still maintenance items. And not just the bulbs. Over time, headlights can become foggy or cloudy. In some cases, they may start to yellow. However, unlike a burned-out or broken bulb, foggy headlights don’t always …

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What’s the Best Way to Remove Bugs From Your Car?

Cleaning your car properly is a surprisingly important part of regular maintenance. It doesn’t just keep your vehicle looking good, though. Improper washing techniques can lead to rust because they damage your paint. There are actually quite a few things that can damage your car’s paint over time. UV rays, chemicals, even rainwater. And, as …

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How To Easily And Efficiently Disinfect A Car Seat

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What Is Brake Stiction And How Do You Avoid It Post-Quarantine?

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Improve Your Car and Save Some Money by Changing Your Own Engine Mounts

Although leaking oil is a clear sign of trouble, not every vehicle maintenance item makes itself none quite so easily. For example, clutch wear is a gradual process. And timing belts last so long, some owners may forget about them entirely. Until they break, of course. However, maintenance doesn’t have to be just about maintaining …

by Matthew Skwarczek

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The Worst Mistake You Can Make Buying a BMW

Here's a look at the essential information you need when shopping for a new or used BMW luxury car or SUV to avoid costly mistakes down the line.

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Motor car on hydraulic lift repair workshop

Trends

Why Do Cars Leak Oil and What Should You Do About It?

We’ve all been there: you’re walking up to your car in the parking lot and you notice fresh drops of liquid under it. Your car has been running great, so you quickly dismiss the possibility of it being anything concerning. You notice an ever-growing collection of dark droplets on your driveway over the next several …

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Toyota RAV4 problems are mostly absent from its most recent model year, with the pictured 2022 Toyota RAV4 XSE

Crossovers

The Most Frustrating Issues Toyota RAV4 Drivers Deal With

The most frustrating Toyota RAV4 problems that owners and drivers deal with include fuel economy ratings, transmission issues, coolant leaks, and steering problems.

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A pickup truck with a sign in the bed turning in a parking lot

Trends

Why Does My Truck Squeak When I Turn?

Hearing your car or truck squeak is almost never a good thing. But what are the issues that could cause it to squeak while turning?

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Should You Really Replace Your Filter Each Time You Change Your Oil?

Changing your oil is one of the most important pieces of maintenance you can do on your car. But does your filter need to be replaced every time?

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Should I Be Worried About the Water Coming From My Car Exhaust?

Cars have an interesting relationship with water. Standing water, combined with road salt, leads to rust. And depending on where you live, rainwater can even cause paint damage. But we also need water to keep cars clean and prevent other kinds of damage. And water mixed with antifreeze helps keep modern engines cool. But it …

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Car Care Tips for When You’re Parked at Home

Shelter-in-place orders through much of the country mean cars are collecting dust in driveways. Drivers encouraged to stay home right now may be wondering “What should I be doing with my car if I can’t drive it?” The longer a car sits unmoved there more issues there are to be discovered later. A few simple …

by Alice Chase

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How to Keep Your Car or Motorcycle Battery From Going Flat

Regardless of how it happens, sometimes your vehicle can sit idle for an extended period of time. Usually, that’s to protect it from winter’s salt. However, if done improperly, just parking your car or bike can actually damage it. And one of the earliest casualties is your car’s or motorcycle’s battery. However, at its core, …

by Matthew Skwarczek

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When Do I Have to Replace All Four Tires?

We might not think about them much, but tires are a central part of how our vehicles perform overall, and what most evidently connects us to the road. When it comes to considering a used vehicle to purchase, the tires for the model you choose should be considered just as important as the vehicle’s body …

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Maintenance

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