Preparing Your Kid for Driving

The time has come: your kid has finally become old enough to operate a moving vehicle (yikes). Learning to drive is rather necessary, especially if you live somewhere without public transit. As we focus on getting our kids a good education in the classroom, we also need to focus on the skills that will prepare […]

What’s That Fluid?

Cars are tricky, unnerving things. They creak, they jostle, they bang, and they leak. It always seems like when they do leak, they pour. For those of you out there who aren’t too educated on the different types of fluids running through your car, it’s time to study up. Or maybe you’re already experiencing a […]

Brake Maintenance

Stop a minute and think about this. The brake system in your vehicle is perhaps the most important system; at very least, if the brakes don’t work properly, nothing else matters. Your brakes keep you safe by allowing you to control when and how quickly you stop. In order to keep that system functioning properly, […]

Get Your Bike Ready for Spring

The weather is warming up, and you want to get out on your motorcycle. You can’t just roll it out of storage and ride off, though. The cold winter months and the snow that comes with them mean that your bike has been sitting for quite some time. Here’s what you need to do to […]

What’s That Sound?

Problems with your vehicle seldom come out of nowhere. Usually, there’s some kind of warning, which can come in the form of a sound or sounds. Although it can be hard to identify what’s wrong just by the sound, keep your ears open for particular noises. If you hear any of the following sounds in […]

What’s That Smell?

Although some smells in your car can just be the leftovers you forgot to put in your refrigerator, other smells can be a sign that it’s time to take your car in to see a mechanic. Here are some smells to sniff for. Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell A sulfurous or rotten egg smell, especially […]

Car Terms to Know

In the automotive industry, you’ll hear a lot of terms and phrases that you may not know. Here are a few for you to brush up on before taking your car, before buying a new vehicle, or before attempting any home repairs. Knock A “knock” occurs when the leftover fuel and air mixture detonates in […]

What Does the 150-Point Inspection Really Cover?

Many dealerships these days are talking about the 150-point inspection. This is supposed to give consumers peace of mind about the vehicles on the lot, but you may ask yourself: “What do service technicians inspect during a 150-point inspection?” Here’s what the technicians are inspecting, and keep in mind: any damaged or unacceptable parts will […]

What to Expect in a Car under $10,000

When you purchase a vehicle under $10,000, you’re probably buying a used vehicle that has more than a few miles on it. This means that your new-to-you vehicle may need some specific attention. Although it usually depends on the age of the car and how many miles the previous owner put on the vehicle, any […]

Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

It’s like nails scraping across a chalkboard. You’re out for a drive on a nice day with your windows down, and a car pulls up next to you at a stoplight with brakes squealing their awful squeaks. Squeaky brakes are a fairly common occurrence in cars, but they’re still annoying. Not only that, they may […]