Remember when cars had enormous front bench seats, shiny chrome bumpers, and steering wheels that looked like something from a spaceship? Many of those familiar features gradually disappeared as automakers adapted to new crash protection standards and changing safety expectations. Some were directly affected by regulations, while others became impractical as vehicles incorporated airbags, stronger structures, and electronic safety systems. Here are the automotive features that helped define an earlier era, and why so many became harder to find.
RV adventures come with freedom, but not paying attention to the law could turn that freedom into a costly mistake. Many RVers unknowingly break local laws, which can lead to fines or worse.
Dive into the enduring charm of the Volkswagen Beetle, a cultural icon that transcends time with its distinctive design and unwavering reliability. Explore how this emblem of freedom continues to captivate hearts, from its counterculture roots to its exciting electric future.
Many great vehicles got their start in the 90s, but some were ahead of the curve when it came to style and performance. Here are the decade’s best cars.
Bought a used car with only one key? Discover whether dealerships must provide a spare, your legal rights, replacement costs, and ways to avoid paying hundreds for another key.
You probably have a favorite mechanic. But have you ever wondered whether your mechanic has favorite customers—and whether you’re one of them? Technicians and repair shops have offered plenty of clues. Some habits seem obvious. Others involve little things most drivers wouldn’t think twice about.
Remember when car dashboards had mysterious knobs, switches, and levers? Discover forgotten dashboard controls from classic 1970s cars that Baby Boomers remember but younger drivers might struggle to identify.
From muscle-bound American haulers to performance-tuned imports, today’s pickup trucks can move far faster than you’d expect from a vehicle built for work.
You bought a used car, signed the paperwork, and headed home. Before you even reached your driveway, the transmission gave up. Now the seller keeps repeating two little words: “As is.” Surely those words can’t cover a car that barely survived the trip home. Can they?
Everyone wants to squeeze a few extra miles out of a tank of gas, especially when prices keep climbing. Unfortunately, some supposedly clever fuel-saving tricks can actually make your car less efficient. From questionable driving habits to expensive products promising miraculous results, plenty of popular advice doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Here are 29 things that might be doing your gas mileage more harm than good.
I thought replacing my car battery would solve my starting problems for several years. Instead, almost exactly two years later, I'm standing in a parking lot with another dead battery and another replacement bill. The mechanic says batteries wear out, but this is becoming an expensive pattern. Am I just unlucky, or is something about my car or driving habits causing the problem?
The whole point of paint protection film is to prevent expensive cosmetic damage, so it can sound backwards when a dealership warns that installing it could put the factory paint warranty at risk. Before abandoning the idea or accepting a future warranty denial, you've got to figure out exactly what the factory warranty covers and what an aftermarket modification actually changes.
