Under the Hood

The alternator in your car or truck has a difficult job. It attempts to maintain your battery's charge despite the number of electrical devices you choose to operate. But how long do alternators last?

By Patrick E. George

It used to be fun sitting in the back of the bus and feeling the jolt of a bumpy ride. Now you're older and want a smooth ride. Paying attention to your car shocks might help you with that.

By Robert Lamb

Frequent engine oil changes are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep your car running smoothly. But do you know how to do the job yourself?

By Christopher Neiger

It may seem like a daunting challenge to lift a vehicle that weighs a few thousand pounds, remove a flat tire and replace it with a spare. But it doesn't have to be -- if you know what you're doing.

By Eric Baxter

A clogged fuel filter could be causing your car trouble. You might be able to tackle this routine automotive task, depending on what kind of vehicle you drive.

By Jonathan Atteberry

Changing your spark plugs is one of those automotive maintenance tasks that many people leave until there's a problem. But it's not difficult to do, and it doesn't take much time.

By Jonathan Strickland

Does your car smell like gas? If so, a leaking fuel line may be to blame. But before you rush to call your local mechanic, you might want to consider tackling this somewhat simple repair at home.

By Patrick E. George

Rust isn't your car's friend. It's unappealing to see and what's worse, it can cause serious structural damage. What exactly causes rust and what can you do to keep it from eating away your car's metallic parts?

By Jonathan Strickland

If you have a car with a battery that needs replacement, follow the steps outlined in our article. We'll show you how to change your car battery easily.

By Josh Clark & Talon Homer

If you pay careful attention, your car can give you vital information about how it's currently running and if service might be required in the near future. You just have to watch for the signals it sends.

By Christopher Neiger

Oil changes top the to-do list of most amateur auto mechanics. But are you brave enough to try switching out the transmission fluid? It's just as important as that engine oil.

By William Harris

Your vehicle's timing belt is a strip of rubber that keeps everything in your car running right on time. But belts wear out and need replacing. You can do it yourself, with a little help.

By Elizabeth Sprouse

Your cabin air filter helps keep pollutants and allergens out of your car's cabin, and consequently, out of your respiratory system. How do you change this often-neglected filter?

By Jessika Toothman

The 3,000-mile oil change is part of the American consciousness. But where did the figure come from, and is it even right?

By Julia Layton

You probably don't think much about your car's battery -- as long as it's working well. But even the best battery eventually transforms from a chemical powerhouse to a chemical paperweight.

By Eric Baxter & Cherise Threewitt

Thumbing through old copies of People while you wait for your car to be serviced probably doesn't sound like the best way to spend your day. Suck it up, though. Your car will thank you.

By Robert Lamb

Tire rotation isn't hard: It won't take you long and it's cheap to have done professionally. Still, it's something we often neglect to do. How often should you rotate your tires?

By Ed Grabianowski

Bald heads are OK. Bald tires are not. How can you tell when your car's rubber road-huggers need to be retired?

By Jonathan Atteberry

Most people take pretty good care of their cars' insides, but they may neglect the outside. Why is it important to wax your car and how often should you do it?

By Charles W. Bryant

Wouldn't it be awesome if your car wore some kind of protective armor that warded off scuffs and dings? Well, maybe it can.

By Charles W. Bryant

Your car's transmission is very complex and can be more expensive to repair than your engine. That means you better pay attention if any of these 10 transmission problems appear.

By Akweli Parker, Christopher Neiger & Sascha Bos

It's rare that a car's engine suddenly stops working altogether. Usually there are warning signs to indicate engine trouble is on its way. But what are the signs?

By Akweli Parker & Kristen Hall-Geisler

When your car's alternator begins to fail - or has already failed - there are certain warning signs that you can expect to see along the way. But do you know what they are?

By Eric Baxter & Cherise Threewitt

Most everyone sees that small, menacing glare appear on their car's dash from time to time: the check engine light. What does it mean, and what should you do when it comes on?

By Jessika Toothman

You can apply the Kaizen philosophy to the maintenance you perform your own car; however, some auto manufacturers make Kaizen a crucial part of the assembly process, too. But does it really work?

By Jamie Page Deaton