Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

man next to car tire with nail in it

A nail punctured my tire and the garage says I need a brand-new tire that costs hundreds. Can't they just patch a nail hole anymore?

Finding a nail in your tire is frustrating enough. Then you head to a garage expecting a quick repair, only to hear that you need a brand-new tire that costs hundreds of dollars. At that point, most drivers have the same question: Can't they just pull the nail out and patch the hole?
June 5, 2026 Jesse Singer
Shocked man at the DMV

I sold my car privately, and months later I found out it was never transferred out of my name. How do I fix this?

Sold a car but it’s still in your name? Learn how to fix title transfer issues, protect yourself, and avoid legal and financial problems.
June 5, 2026 Allison Robertson

My car was repossessed even though I thought I was caught up on payments. Can they just take it that quickly?

Wondering if your car can be repossessed even when you thought you were caught up? Learn why repossession can happen fast, what default means, what rights you may have, and what steps to take next.
June 4, 2026 Jack Hawkins
man in dirty car getting ticket

There was some dirt on my license plate and a cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket. I thought that was just supposed to be a warning?

Most drivers assume a dirty license plate is the kind of thing that earns a warning and maybe a suggestion to visit a car wash. So when a cop hands you an actual ticket, it can feel completely ridiculous. After all, cars get dirty. That's normal. But depending on where you live, that officer may have had more legal authority than you think.
June 4, 2026 Jesse Singer
Man in a muddy jeep being pulled over by police.

I got pulled over because my truck was “too muddy.” They let me off with a warning—but is dirt seriously illegal?

Can you get a ticket for a muddy truck? Learn when dirt becomes a legal issue, including fines for blocked plates, lights, and road hazards.
May 22, 2026 Allison Robertson

I installed a tracking app for insurance discounts, and now my rates are going up. Did I make a big mistake?

Installed a driving-tracking app for an insurance discount, only to see your rates go up? Here’s what telematics apps track, why premiums can rise, and whether signing up was a mistake.
June 5, 2026 Jack Hawkins
White man and adult daughter standing beside broken down car

I helped my daughter buy a used car, but it broke down immediately. The dealer told her there was nothing they could do. Is that really legal?

You found a used car, liked the condition, trusted the dealer, and imagined your daughter driving it for years. Then the check engine light came on, the car broke down, and the dealership suddenly stopped sounding so helpful. When you're told "there's nothing we can do" just days or even hours after a sale, it's natural to wonder whether that's really the law or just a convenient excuse.
June 3, 2026 Penelope Singh
Woman with white hair talking on phone

I canceled my car insurance, but they kept charging my bank account for months, and their customer service is a nightmare. How do I get that money back?

You canceled your car insurance, got the confirmation email, and thought you were done. Then another payment hit your bank account, followed by another, leaving you trapped in a customer service nightmare over charges that never should have happened. It is more common than many drivers realize, but there are ways to stop the withdrawals and fight to get your money back.
June 2, 2026 Penelope Singh
Frustrated upset young man looking sitting on his broken car

The rental car company blamed me for damage I didn’t cause. Can I prove that they're lying?

You return your rental car feeling victorious after surviving highway traffic, questionable coffee stops, and a GPS that seemed emotionally exhausted by your driving choices. Then comes the email claiming you damaged the vehicle. Suddenly, you’re staring at photos of a dent you swear wasn’t there and a bill that looks suspiciously like a second vacation payment.
June 2, 2026 J. Clarke
Concerned woman with young man in car behind her.

I let my adult son borrow my car from time to time, and now my insurance premium has skyrocketed. Do I really have to disclose that?

Do you have to list your adult child on your car insurance? Learn when to disclose drivers, how it affects premiums, and what happens if you don’t.
June 3, 2026 Allison Robertson

My self-driving car decided to lock my brakes and caused a fender-bender. Can I sue the company for the damage?

A self-driving car slammed the brakes and caused a fender-bender—now what? Here’s a plain-English guide to whether you can sue the automaker, what evidence matters, and why “autonomous” does not always mean “company is automatically liable.”
June 2, 2026 Jack Hawkins