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Auto Tips

How to Repair, Maintain and Care for Your Car
Maintenance and Repairs
Don't be afraid of the word "maintenance." You don't have to be a certified auto technician, have a vehicle lift in your garage, or own a tool chest full of expensive wrenches to handle the simple tasks that will keep your vehicle running reliably and safely for years to come. For simple things, like fluid checks, you won't need tools. But once you start taking care of your vehicle, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish by following simple directions like those in these accompanying how-to stories. And as you get more adventurous you can try a couple of the more advanced operations that do take a few tools. Doing it yourself will save you money as well.
Oil and Other Fluids
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine. If your engine's oil level is properly maintained and the oil and filter are changed at the recommended intervals engines can last an amazingly long time. Your car's other fluids—including brake fluid, antifreeze, and diesel exhaust fluid—need to be maintained and occasionally replaced as well. Here's everything you need to know about how to maintain your vehicle's oil supply and its other key fluid levels.
Tires
It's easy to take your car's tires for granted. Today's rubber lasts for tens of thousands of miles and rarely fails, so tires don't need to be top-of-mind. But understanding how and why to keep them properly inflated, when they should be rotated, and how to change them safely should you have a tire failure out on the road is knowledge every driver should be armed with. When you're ready for a new set of tires, there are several important things to consider above and beyond cost. Our New Tire Buying Guide explains the different types of tires, and what each has to offer in terms of performance and wear. We even have some recommendations for tires that we can vouch for from our own experience and testing.
Battery and Jump Starts
Everyone knows what happens when a car's battery dies, and more than a few of us have experienced that annoying situation firsthand. But not everyone knows exactly how to jump-start a car with a dead battery safely. And if you vehicle needs a new battery, you'll want to know how to choose the right one and how to install it.
Driving Tips
Driving a car is complicated. That's why companies that have spent billions developing cars that drive themselves—and have yet to perfect them. Knowing how to drive safely in snow and on wet, slippery roads, how to parallel park, or how to use high beams politely—and all of the other things it takes to be a good driver—takes time and experience to learn. We have some shortcuts for you here born out of our extensive experience driving and testing automobiles in all kinds of conditions. If you're a new driver, we recommend taking more than just the standard driver's ed classes. If at all possible, we encourage parents to send their kids to a defensive-driving course where they can get experience with accident avoidance techniques—including how to use anti-lock brakes—in a safe track environment.
Keeping it Clean
The final ingredient in car ownership can be both the easiest and most satisfying: keeping it looking great. Beyond the local automatic car wash, there's an entire industry devoted to supplying you with cleaning supplies, paint-restoring-and-enhancing polishing compounds, waxes, and protectants—and all of the associated paraphernalia needed to keep your car gleaming brighter than when new.