Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

A young man taking a pillow into his car.

I’m going on a road trip and plan to just sleep in my car when I’m tired—but my mom says that’s “illegal.” Is that true?

Is it illegal to sleep in your car? Learn where overnight car sleeping is allowed, where it’s banned, and what fines you could face in the U.S.
May 20, 2026 Allison Robertson

My wife and I were pulled over and ticketed for me being on my phone while she was the driver. I thought that was legal? Can we fight this?

Can a passenger use a phone while the driver is behind the wheel? Here’s what to know if you were ticketed for distracted driving even though your spouse was driving—and how you may be able to fight it.
May 20, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I leased a car but moved to a city with great transit. What’s the cheapest way out?

If you leased a car and now don’t need it, the goal is pretty simple: get out with the least amount of money left on the table. The tricky part is that leases are designed to keep you locked in, and the “easy” exit options are often the expensive ones. The good news is you usually have more than one path out.
January 26, 2026 Penelope Singh

My lease is up next month and the car has a few scratches. Will I be charged for them?

That little scrape on the door you got in the parking garage? Those light scratches from everyday use? It’s easy to worry about whether a few cosmetic imperfections will turn into an unexpected bill. The good news is that with most leasing companies, whether you’ll be charged depends on how deep the damage goes and whether it crosses the line into “excessive” territory.
January 13, 2026 Kaddy Gibson
Young man with a car with an under-glow.

I added under-glow lights to my car, and my mom says I’ll get pulled over constantly. Is that true?

Are underglow lights illegal in the US? Learn when car underglow can get you pulled over and how to stay within the law.
May 19, 2026 Allison Robertson
Young man and his father with a black car with tinted brake lights.

I got my brake lights tinted, but now my dad says it’s illegal and I can get a ticket for it. Is this true?

Are tinted brake lights illegal? Learn how laws work, when you can get a ticket, and whether dark tail lights are worth the risk.
May 19, 2026 Allison Robertson
Woman with electric vehicle in garage.

After a small accident, the shop says my EV battery may have hidden damage and needs an expensive replacement. Is that really necessary?

You were in a small accident, but the visible damage doesn’t look too bad. Then the body shop calls and says something that makes your stomach drop: your EV battery may have hidden damage, and replacement could cost thousands of dollars. Now you’re stuck wondering if this is a legitimate safety concern, or are you being steered toward an unnecessary (and wildly expensive) repair?
March 3, 2026 Peter Kinney
Woman displeased with body shop repairs.

The body shop repaired my car’s damage, but the paint doesn’t match and there’s a noticeable gap between panels. Can I demand a redo?

You finally picked up your car after an accident repair. You expected to feel relieved but instead, you notice the paint doesn’t quite match in certain light, and one of the body panels doesn’t sit flush like it used to. So, what are your rights here? Can you actually demand that the body shop redo the work, or are you stuck with a repair that looks almost right but not quite?
February 24, 2026 Peter Kinney

My extended warranty won’t cover a known defect. Isn’t that what extended warranties are for?

Discover why extended warranties often refuse to cover known defects—and what you can do about it. This in-depth automotive guide breaks down warranty loopholes, TSBs vs. recalls, consumer rights, and effective strategies to get your repair approved. Learn how to fight back, document your case, and understand your true coverage so you’re never caught off guard at the service counter again.
December 15, 2025 Jack Hawkins
Surprised, young man getting a speeding ticket in the mail.

I got a speeding ticket from a traffic camera, but the sign was completely hidden from the road. My Mom says I can fight it. Is this true?

Can you fight a traffic camera speeding ticket if the warning sign was hidden? Learn how camera ticket challenges work, what evidence helps, and when drivers may successfully dispute automated traffic fines.
May 15, 2026 Allison Robertson
Insurance Stress. A woman looking worried after a car accident, waiting for assistance.

I was charged for partial damages when I wasn't at fault in the accident. Is that really legal?

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but things become even more confusing when you find out you’re expected to cover part of the damages despite believing the crash wasn’t your fault at all. Many drivers assume accidents work like courtroom dramas where one person is completely innocent and the other takes all the blame, but insurance companies across the US often see things very differently. Depending on the state and the details of the crash, fault can be divided between multiple drivers, which can leave people paying for damages they never expected to handle.
May 17, 2026 J. Clarke