Auto Basics

All-electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, so it’s easy to forget that old fashioned, gas-powered cars and trucks are still reliant on electric batteries for their operation. Easy to forget, that is, until those batteries die, either permanently or temporarily. So, it’s only natural to ask: How long do car batteries last?

By Zach Taras

If you drive, you definitely need to know how to jump start a car battery. We'll tell you how.

By Cherise Threewitt

We have to get our car's regular oil changes and replace our car's tires. But how do we have to do routine maintenance on our car's transmissions?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Most car companies will rent to people aged 21 and up, but they'll charge big fees to do so. So how can you get around them? And which companies will rent to people over 18?

By Alia Hoyt

Is your car's deep black trim now a dingy gray? You can change that with a little elbow grease and a few hours of your time.

By Cherise Threewitt

Why is one road named I-5 while another is I-480? We take a closer look at the digits on those red, white and blue shield-shaped signs.

By Nathan Chandler

We're here to debunk the myth that matte finish paint is super- high maintenance. It just needs proper upkeep to truly shine.

By Cherise Threewitt

Is hotwiring a car as easy as it looks in those heist flicks? Yes and no. We'll explain.

By Cherise Threewitt

You might be a stickler about washing your car every week. But if you're not washing your car's undercarriage at least a few times a year, you may as well not wash your car at all.

By Cherise Threewitt

HowStuffWorks heads to Old Car City to check out owner Dean Lewis' incredible collection of classic junk cars and folk art, including thousands of pieces of Styrofoam cup art.

Don't let your mechanic fool you. Most late-model cars are super-advanced and don't require this service.

By Cherise Threewitt

Your new shoes aren't at their most comfortable until you break them in. Does the same hold true for your new car?

By Cherise Threewitt

The interior of your car is a breeding ground for bacteria. But it's your steering wheel that is the dirtiest surface around.

By Cherise Threewitt

Does anybody really need 19 cupholders in their car? Automakers seem to think so.

By Cherise Threewitt

You sure can, on many models. You just have to locate the right battery.

By Cherise Threewitt

Could this new technology prompt the country's toll authorities to all grow up, agree on a mutually beneficial business model and let drivers use one system across the board?

By Cherise Threewitt

Some people love to do it, others hate it, but washing your car could add years to its life.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler & Sascha Bos

Those irregular black tar drizzles that seem to scar the surfaces of roads aren't the result of haphazard work by a paving crew.

By Patrick J. Kiger

The "zipper system" of merging lanes of traffic cuts back on congestion and car crashes, but it also seems a lot like cheating to American drivers.

By Jesslyn Shields

When it comes to buying a used or second hand car, it is always “buyer beware.” You never really know until you take a vehicle home if you’ve bought a solid and reliable car or if you’ve got a lemon on your hands. That said, there are some telltale signs you can look for that […] The post 10 Signs The Car You Want To Buy Is A Lemon appeared first on Goliath.

By Jack Sackman

With the rising cost of car repairs, a growing number of people are taking matters into their own hands and fixing their vehicles themselves. They are helped by countless “do it yourself” videos posted on YouTube and other websites. While this makes sense in certain situations, it is not always advisable for people to repair […] The post 10 Car Repairs You Should Never Do Yourself appeared first on Goliath.

By Jack Sackman

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about half of all motor vehicle accidents are the result of driver fatigue. Some statistical agencies estimate that a quarter (25%) of all motor vehicle fatalities are due to people falling asleep at the wheel of their car. People who are planning a long road trip this spring […] The post 10 Tips For Avoiding Driver Fatigue appeared first on Goliath.

By Jack Sackman

A vehicle is a big investment. One of the biggest investments most people make in their lifetime. And no car, truck, minivan or sport utility vehicle (SUV) holds its value. They start depreciating the moment you drive them off the dealership lot. However, this is not to say that a vehicle does not have some […] The post 15 Tips for Maintaining Your Car’s Value appeared first on Goliath.

By Jack Sackman

Most people seem to enjoy the smell of a new automobile. But is it possible that the fresh-off-the-dealer's-lot odor could also make you sick?

By Christopher Lampton

Nobody wants to be stuck with an automotive lemon. And truthfully, the odds are pretty slim that you'll ever need lemon law protection; but it never hurts to know the law -- just in case.

By Christopher Lampton