Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels We all like to think our gleaming new automobile is going to remain pristine than ever. But the elements and Father Time will take their toll. Eventually, you’ll see telltale red-brown spots that bloom into patches when they’re left to their own devices. Soon or later, every driver needs to learn how to fix major rust on a car. What Causes Cars to Rust?

Photo by Perry Fel on Unsplash A lot of the cars we talk about are built for the digital age. Even basic trims on today’s vehicles come equipped with the latest infotainment systems, designed for wireless connectivity and functionality. And that’s great, if you’re in the market for a new vehicle that doubles as a smartphone. But what if you just want to be able to listen to your favorite playlists without investing in a new vehicle, or going through the trouble of making a mixtape?

Photo by Karla Alexander on Unsplash Do you have a beautiful old vehicle in your life that needs a little extra love? Classic cars (for our purposes, anything built before 1990) can become difficult to maintain with a regular mechanic as parts go out of production, engine systems become outdated, and the vehicles themselves become more and more difficult to find. So if you’re trying to fix up an oldie, chances are you’ve been asking questions about restoration and specialty maintenance.

Photo by Tobias Seward on Unsplash You’ve probably let your friend, neighbor, relative, or kid borrow your car before. Or you might have a family car that you regularly share with other people in your household. If it’s your car, your name will be on all the paperwork - title, registration, and insurance. But did you know that other people who regularly drive your vehicle should be on your insurance too?

Photo by Jesse Collins on Unsplash Black cars are currently the most common color of all cars in the U.S. and can give a vehicle a sleek, modern, and elegant look. With a little bit of effort and maintenance, black cars can continue to look brand new for years. The downside to driving a black car is that they typically do require a little more care than other colors, and even the most minor scuff, dent, or scratch can stand out and ruin the look of your car.

Photo by Parvez AzarQaderi on Unsplash The timing belt is a very intricate part of your engine. This is something that most automobiles can‘t run without, and why you should at least have an idea to the question, “When should I replace my time belt?” The timing belt’s duty is to keep the crankshaft and camshaft synchronized. If you don’t know what those things are, no worries: you don’t have to learn them, you just have to know that they are also very important parts of the engine.

Source: Pixabay If you’re reading this article you are more than likely experiencing some recent challenges with your vehicle. Hopefully they’ve been minor and you’re just looking to know more! But let’s start with the basics: what is a sensor and what does a car do when an oxygen sensor is bad? What is an oxygen sensor? The oxygen sensor in your car monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases as it leaves the engine.

Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash The average person doesn’t know the answer to the question “When should I replace my shocks and struts?” In fact, a lot of people might not even know what they are - or where they are - but that’s OK. We’ll take a few moments to go over where they are, what they do for your car, what kind of damage they can cause to your car, and when to replace them before they cause that damage.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash The light turned on again! That, or you’ve been paying careful attention to your car’s odometer, and you know it’s time for another oil change. Getting the engine lubricant drained and replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is a hugely important part of regular car maintenance. Done right and often enough, it will keep your vehicle happy and running for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Photo by Benjamin Brunner on Unsplash You need your car to have brakes. This may be an eye-rollingly obvious statement, but it’s true! Brakes are arguably the most important part of any road-safe vehicle (besides maybe the wheels) and they work very hard every time we drive to keep us safe – our brakes deserve to be treated with care and respect. But unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car, and you may wonder - how do you know if your brakes need to be replaced?