Testing Autos: Know your car - Car care explained

When does a car battery need to be replaced?

The most important function of a battery is to start your car. A car won't start if a battery is low on charge. When can a low battery be re-charged and when should it be replaced? How can a battery be tested? How long does an average car battery last? What are the early signs that the battery is failing? Read more »

Are your tires safe?

Tires are what's holding your car to the road. Worn out tires increase the risk of an accident. We all know that, but at what point should tires be replaced? How do you know if your tires are worn out? Should you opt for different tires or stick with the same brand that came with your car? What can you do to make your tires last longer? Read more »

How often should tires be rotated?

Tires need to be rotated to even up the wear between front and rear tires. Most cars on the road today have front wheel drive. The heaviest components of the vehicle, such as the engine, transmission and the battery are placed in the front. This causes front tires to wear faster than the rear ones. Read more »

When struts and shock absorbers should be replaced?

Shock absorbers and struts are parts of the vehicle suspension that absorb shocks from the bumps and potholes and keep your vehicle riding smooth and stable. What is the difference between a shock absorbers and a strut? When struts / shock absorbers should be replaced Read more »

How often should the wheel alignment be done?

Why does a car even need an alignment? It's because over time, wheel angles change, whether as a result of normal wear or after hitting large potholes speed bumps. Improper alignment causes poor handling and increased tire wear. The wheel alignment is a process of adjusting wheel angles. How often does it need to be done? Read more »

When do spark plugs need to be replaced?

Spark plugs deliver an electric spark that starts combustion inside the cylinders of a gasoline-powered engine. Without a spark, a gasoline engine would not start. As a part of regular maintenance, spark plugs need to be replaced at some point, but when? Read more »

When does the timing belt need to be replaced

Does your car have a timing belt? It's the most important belt in the engine. If it breaks, the engine will stall. In some cars, the engine might get damaged if the timing belt breaks while driving. How often does the timing belt need to be replaced? Read more »

What about the timing chain?

We all know that a timing belt in a car engine needs to be replaced at recommended service intervals, but what about the timing chain? What is the difference between a timing belt and a chain? Read more »

Drive belt: how long can it last?

Your engine has a number of mechanical accessories attached to it, such as an alternator, water pump, power steering pump and an air conditioner compressor. What makes the belt wear sooner? When should it be replaced? Read more »

How often should you change oil in your car?

There were times when engine oil was recommended to be changed every 3,000 miles. Gradually, car manufacturers have been extending oil change intervals to 5,000 miles, then to 8,000 and in some cases even to 15,000 miles. So, how often should you change oil in your car? Read more »

How to check the oil level in a car

To last longer, your engine must always have the proper level of oil. As you drive, some amount of oil is consumed and the oil level drops. As a result, the friction increases and the engine wears faster. By checking the oil level, you can catch if it's getting low and top it up. You also can see how dirty your oil is and if it's time for an oil change. Read more »

When should you change your automatic transmission fluid?

In many today's cars changing of the transmission fluid is not even included in the maintenance schedule. Should you still change the transmission fluid? How can you check the transmission level if there is no dipstick? Is it safer to do a drain and refill or flush the transmission with a flush machine? Read more »

How often does a car need a tune-up?

Your car needs regular oil changes, we all know that, but when does it need a tune-up? A tune-up is a major service that includes an oil change, replacement of an engine air filter, spark plugs and possibly a few additional items. A tune-up is not a solution for all car problems, but rather a preventative maintenance for your engine. Read more »

When does the valve cover gasket need to be replaced?

A valve cover gasket is one of the common sources of oil leaks in your engine. Sometimes it may need to be replaced. How it's diagnosed and how expensive is the replacement? Read more »

Why a phone won't pair with a car Bluetooth?

With any new technology we are getting new problems. Why my phone doesn't connect to the car? How to pair your phone to the car. Read more »

How often should an engine air filter be changed?

The air filter is the part that filters the air entering your engine, protecting it from sand and dust. As you drive, the air filters becomes contaminated. At some point, it will need to be replaced, but when? Can a dirty air filter affect your gas mileage? Is there a way to check its condition? Read more »

When transfer case oil should be changed?

If your SUV or truck has AWD or 4WD system, it probably has a transfer case. This is often the most neglected maintenance item. In modern car-based SUVs and crossovers it's called a "power transfer unit" or PTU. A transfer case or PTU is filled with special oil that needs to be changed in regular intervals. Read more »