We’ve long departed from the 3,000-mile oil change; most automakers now suggest longer oil change intervals, usually every 5,000, 7,500 or 10,000 miles. These longer intervals are possible thanks to both tighter engine-manufacturing tolerances and high-tech, low-viscosity engine oils, which make for more efficiency and better performance. Changing an oil filter has always been recommended along with the oil change, yet some suggest that changing the filter less often could sa

Car batteries work in tandem with the rest of your starting and charging system to ensure your engine reliably turns over when you want it to. But the winter months can be especially tough on a battery. Here are a few cold-weather battery care precautions you can take to avoid unfortunate surprises on freezing-cold mornings. Powering Through The battery is primarily used to get your car up and running; after that, the alternator takes over and basically runs things while also

Having to recharge a dead car battery after turning the key in your vehicle and hearing not even a click from the starter is a frustrating experience — but don’t worry, because you’ve got options. In fact, there are many ways to deal with getting juice back into your car battery, but not all are appropriate for every situation. Check out these tips on recharging that will protect both your battery and your car from further damage. How Dead Is the Battery? When you recharge a

Bad brake pads aren’t the most difficult components on your car that you’ll ever need to replace, but they’re definitely among the most important. Your brake pads play a critical role in bringing your car to a safe and controlled stop, and over time they gradually wear down to the point where you can no longer rely on them to do so. When the moment comes to change your pads, you shouldn’t hesitate — and here’s how to know that you should be making that appointment with your m

There are many, many different types of automotive tape, along with grades for each. While we would not attempt to discuss all the many glorious flavors of tape in the world, we can break down the most commonly use tapes found in the automotive world, and we bet there are a couple that you didn’t even know were a thing. Electrical Tape The most common automotive tape is electrical tape. This PVC-backed tape is pressure-sensitive, meaning you have to press it down to make it s

Tires are, unfortunately, considered consumable material on a car. Along with things like filters, windshield wipers and fluids, you should expect to replace them several times during the life of a vehicle, as the more they are used, the more worn they become. Actually, considering all that we demand from them, it’s kind of a miracle they last as long as they do. But how can you tell the difference between regular tire wear and something abnormal? And what might your tire wea

Vehicle electrical problems mean you’re not going anywhere. Most such issues often have something to do with the car battery, although the alternator, starter, fuses and wires may also cause problems. Other possible culprits are the battery terminal ends, which are tasked with connecting the battery cables to the battery. Here’s a look at some symptoms that may indicate failing battery terminal ends and how to replace them. Recognize the Symptoms You turn the ignition switch

As important as the engine is to your vehicle, it’s the battery that routes voltage to the starter, which turns over the engine. The battery also supplies electricity to power all the lights, the audio and navigation systems, computers and various electrical-dependent parts. On occasion, a car battery won’t hold a charge. If that happens, your vehicle won’t go anywhere. Here’s how to diagnose and fix the problem so you’re never left stranded. 1. Check the Headlights To confir