No matter which way you slice it, car ownership can get really expensive. From monthly finance or lease payments to high insurance rates, the cost of owning a car can skyrocket depending on the car’s age and condition. However, an even larger factor is the cost of repairs, especially if you own an older car. …
Losing your car keys is one of the most annoying and nerve-wracking experiences when it comes to owning a car. Back in the day, it wasn’t that big of a deal as car keys could be easily replaced, but as cars have become more advanced nowadays, so have their keys. So what do you do …
Considering its relatively low cost of entry, excellent range, and phenomenal performance stats, the Tesla Model 3 is practically the poster child for electric cars. However, it’s still relatively new to the market and some prospective buyers might be wary when it comes to the longevity of these Teslas. After all, there’s no true test …
All engines eventually lose some power, but regular maintenance helps regulate the loss. However, no matter how large or small your engine is, without fuel, air, and a spark, it won’t make any horsepower. Clogged fuel injectors and air filters cause problems for trucks, cars, and motorcycles—and so can broken spark plugs. But they’re not …
Whether you’re working on a car or a motorcycle, proper maintenance or repair work requires the right tools. However, even tasks like replacing a water pump or a clutch don’t require filling your toolbox with specialist equipment. Nevertheless, setting up your first toolbox can understandably be a little intimidating. But with the guide below, you’ll …
One of the worst feelings when owning a car is walking out to in a parking lot and seeing a new dent on the side of it. Was it from the car next to you? Was it the rogue shopping cart that just happened to end its parking lot journey in the side of your …
You may have seen trending videos of an old body-work trick some people would try to use on their car. It features a rather unsanitary tool that most people have in their homes, even they don’t work on vehicles: a toilet plunger. The theory behind using a toilet plunger is that you can use suction …
Besides 0-60 times, one of the most common ways you can compare two cars’ performance is horsepower. And owners often install mods like performance exhausts and turbochargers in an effort to give their engine more power. However, not only is your engine’s quoted horsepower not always accurate, but it’s also not static. Over time, no …
Coolant is just as important as oil when it comes to car maintenance. But so is where the coolant resides—the radiator. Compared to moving wear items like timing belts, brake pads, and clutches, your car’s radiator is fairly long-lived. But nothing on or in your vehicle lasts forever, not even the radiator. Air-cooling vs. liquid-cooling …
Oil and coolant aren’t the only fluids involved in car and motorcycle maintenance. But even if you change your transmission fluid, if your vehicle isn’t electric, it’s not going to run without gasoline or diesel. Or rather, it won’t run unless the fuel makes its way into the combustion chamber. Which, in modern vehicles, is …
Next to checking your oil and tires, one of the most vital maintenance tasks is looking after your brakes. If brake pads wear too much, not only does stopping safely become more difficult, you risk damaging the rotors themselves. But even with modern brake technology, sometimes the pads just don’t wear evenly. However, sometimes that’s …
Even outside of oil, a significant part of vehicle maintenance involves taking care of fluids. And while EVs don’t have motor oil, they do still need coolant. However, just like it’s easy to be overwhelmed by oil grades, it can be challenging to know what coolant to pick. Especially when it’s available in such a …
Vintage and classic cars’ styling isn’t the only thing that can make them more appealing than modern vehicles. Their simpler designs typically make for more straightforward maintenance. Provided, of course, you can get classic car parts. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, new technology, loyal fanbases, and rising auction values, finding these parts has gotten significantly …
The Subaru Outback is one of the most popular AWD crossover SUVs in America. The Toyota RAV4 is also a popular choice. But does the price to buy the Subaru wagon come with expensive maintenance costs that the dealer didn’t tell you about? How expensive is Outback maintenance? The investment in buying a car is …
Summer heat requires more from your car than just swapping on dry-weather performance tires. Although it isn’t a usual maintenance item, your car’s A/C can also degrade over time. And no one wants to be stuck in a hot car while you’re going on a road trip. One of the simplest ways to keep cool …
Driving wears away at your car, and not just through paint chips and scratches. Your tires work through friction, and eventually, they’re worn to the point they need replacement. Normally, that takes tens of thousands of miles, especially with regular rotation. But if you’re replacing your tires after just a few months, you may need …
Color isn’t the only thing your car paint is good for. It’s a key component in protecting the body from rust. And, just like any other component, it can be damaged, even from something like a car wash or bug splatter. But scratches and chips can be repaired. In fact, a lot of car paint …
If you are a frequent Harbor Freight tool-buyer like I am, you’ve probably snagged yourself a handy and inexpensive set of jack stands for your home DIY projects. If you buy tools at Harbor Freight often, you have realistic expectations as to what you are buying, but you may not realize your safety could be …
It’s not entirely incorrect to say cars run on carefully-timed explosions. That’s why regular maintenance is so important. But your car’s engine doesn’t just rely on mechanical parts. Without vital fluids like engine oil and coolant, the motor wouldn’t run properly, if it ran at all. And as Carwow recently demonstrated, improper oil and coolant …
Purchasing a brand new vehicle is an experience that a person generally feels good about. But, as a vehicle ages, there is a growing need for repairs and maintenance. Even a new vehicle with a warranty is going to need to be in the shop sooner or later. Well, Consumer Reports recently found complaints about …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, most understand the basics. Change the oil, check the brakes, regular washes, etc. But not every vehicle on the road works the same way. A diesel engine doesn’t work like a gasoline engine, for instance. Also, some wear items, like the clutch are hidden from easy sight. Or, they …
A cracked windshield on your car is always an annoying problem. However, as technology evolves, the problem gets even more complicated.
Regular car, truck, and motorcycle maintenance and inspection can often prevent or catch problems before they become catastrophic. However, it’s relatively easy to inspect your brakes or check your oil level. Not every vehicle component is so easily examined, especially the transmission. And apart from the transmission fluid—which isn’t actually a ‘lifetime fluid’—there’s one component …
Many people love to work on cars, but aren’t professional mechanics. When it comes to buying tools, you want professional quality without the professional investment. Depending on the vehicle, you could easily spend the same amount for tools that you paid for the car itself. Add this to the list of things your mechanic wishes …
Nowadays, it’s not unusual nowadays to see cars, trucks, and SUVs travel 200,000 miles or more. But, generally speaking, most used buyers look for low-mileage cars, which have seen less wear-and-tear on their components. This is especially true when looking at classic cars. That 1971 Datsun 240Z that recently sold for over $300,000 only had …
Car headlights in the US can be a major headache, even if you know not to be fooled by blinker fluid. Headlights were arguably the first major automotive safety feature, but today they’re often side-lined compared to advanced driver-assistance systems. The result is that many modern headlights simply don’t do an adequate job of illuminating …
Of all the regular maintenance items your car or truck requires, brakes are perhaps the most vital non-engine component. Especially now that so many cars come with automatic emergency braking. Many owners know to regularly inspect and change their brake pads. However, it’s also important to pay attention to your brake rotors. After all, the …
Adding airbags into cars was one of the best moves in making vehicles safer. Today, they’re just one part of a vast array of safety features installed in cars. Although increased vehicle weight has blunted some of the progress, and distracted driving threatens more pedestrians, in terms of pure technology, there’s a lot more than …
