Buying new tires can be a confusing chore. What do all those numbers mean? Should I go with winter tires or all-season? And, of course, how do I know when I need new ones? Taking care of your tires and maintaining good driving habits can help extend the life of your tires, but eventually you’ll...
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Today’s cars have many different dashboard lights designed to alert drivers to possible problems and to make sure you can take care of those problems quickly. Here’s a quick guide to common car dashboard icons and what they mean. 1. Check engine light In newer cars, the lit icon will look like an engine. It...
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It’s one of the worst things that can happen to a driver. You turn the key in your car’s ignition, perhaps hear a few alarming noises, and then…nothing. Whether in the parking lot after dinner, in your driveway before work, or even at the rest stop after you’ve stopped for snacks, there’s never really a...
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If you haven’t bought a new car in a few years, you may be in for a surprise the next time you need to change your tire. For about the past four years, most car manufacturers have been leaving an old standard off of new cars: the spare tire. “It’s been a slow, progressive change,”...
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The automotive market, online and off, is saturated with new and used cars that you can review with just a few clicks. Often overlooked during car research, the total cost of ownership is essentially a calculation of all the costs involved in buying and using a car over a period of time.1 This total cost of...
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When it’s time to buy a new car, we all have our own ideas about what makes it the right fit. Some of us want more legroom, others want more cargo space. Then there are those who just want a killer sound system and great rims. While many of the features offered by manufacturers may...
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A revocable living trust, or simply a living trust, is legal entity created to hold ownership of assets generally used to determine how their assets will be handled after they die. The person who creates this living trust is called the grantor or the trustmaker and typically also serves as the trustee, meaning they handle...
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Figuring out what would happen to your loved ones if something happened to you may seem stressful and time-consuming. But if you want a say in who gets what — and most importantly who cares for your kids (or your pets) — then you need an estate plan. You may think you don’t need one...
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Despite their relatively easy operation, cars are actually very complex machines. Cars need fuel to operate, but what does the engine actually do with it? In general, a standard internal combustion engine — what the majority of fuel-powered vehicles have today — uses air combined with gasoline to produce power.[1] Of course, it gets more...
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At one point or another, you’ve probably had to drive through some kind of bad weather. While driving in fog isn’t the same as driving in a thunderstorm or blizzard, it can still create problems for your commute if you’re not careful. Foggy conditions in particular can greatly reduce your visibility, potentially causing dangerous driving...
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When it comes to getting car help, there’s no shortage of things that owners want to know. And there’s no shortage of important vehicle-related information to learn. Start with the essentials. Take a look at five of the most common car questions drivers ask car mechanics — and their answers. 1. Why does my “check...
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Staying on top of your car’s maintenance can prolong the life of your vehicle. It can also save you money by avoiding costly repairs and keep you and your family safe on the road. You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to keep your car well-maintained; all you need is a checklist and the...
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Working headlights are essential for driving any car safely, but they occasionally go out. Knowing how to change a headlight and what to look for when the front of your car goes dark can help you quickly remedy the problem. Check if the headlight bulb is out Determining the cause of a headlight issue begins...
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Paying attention to detail during a test drive can save you a headache later, even if you’re only test driving new cars. Still, nearly 50% of Americans say they spent 30 minutes or less test driving a car before they buy. Whether you’re buying new or used, test driving a car is an important part...
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Buying a new vehicle is an exciting prospect for car owners. Who doesn’t like the thought of driving away in a shiny new model with the latest bells and whistles? But for some, stepping into a dealership can be daunting. Options seem endless and confusing, and negotiating can be stressful. On top of that, there’s...
Read more about 6 Tips for Trading in a Car (and Getting a Good Deal)