Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

AI-generated image of a man worried about his self-driving car telling him to take a break.

My car keeps warning me to take a break even when I'm fully alert. How does it decide I'm tired?

Many newer vehicles, including some with advanced driver-assistance or self-driving features, now monitor driver attention in an effort to reduce fatigue-related crashes. But while these systems can be remarkably sophisticated, they aren't mind readers.
July 21, 2026 Peter Kinney

I moved from a rural town to the city, and owning a car suddenly became much more expensive. How do people in the city do it?

Moving from the country to the city can make car ownership shockingly expensive. Discover why urban drivers pay more and how city residents cut parking, insurance, fuel, and transportation costs.
July 21, 2026 Jack Hawkins

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
AI-generated image of a man crouched down next to a teal Jeep Wrangler

I replaced my tires with the exact same size, but now my fuel economy has changed. How is that possible?

Replacing your tires with the same size can still change fuel economy. Learn how rolling resistance, tire pressure, tread design, weight, and construction affect gas mileage and overall driving efficiency.
July 21, 2026 Jane O'Shea
My dealer keeps emailing me about 'mandatory software upgrades

I bought a new car last year, but the dealer keeps emailing me about "mandatory software upgrades." Can they force me to install them?

If your dealer keeps emailing about a “mandatory software upgrade,” it is easy to wonder whether you actually have a choice. In most cases, a dealer cannot simply force you to install routine software updates on your own car. The big exception is when the update is tied to a safety recall, because recalls are governed by federal safety rules and carry more legal weight.
July 20, 2026 Carl Wyndham
Facebook  Internal

My friend says buying the first model year of any car is asking for trouble. I'm tempted this year, but is that still true?

Your friend is repeating one of the oldest rules in car shopping, and it exists for a reason. A first model year often means new parts, new software, new suppliers, and real-world testing that is only beginning once customers start driving the car every day. That does not mean every redesigned or all-new car is a mistake, but history shows the risk is usually higher when a vehicle is brand new.
July 20, 2026 Carl Wyndham
AI-generated image of a man worried about his seat covers affecting safety features.

I installed seat covers to protect my interior, but now I'm hearing they could interfere with safety features. Should I remove them?

Seat covers are one of the easiest ways to keep a vehicle's interior looking new, but modern car seats contain far more technology than they did a generation ago. Depending on how they're designed, some seat covers can interfere with important safety systems.
July 21, 2026 Marlon Wright
AI-generated image of a man worried that he's using his adaptive headlights incorrectly.

I bought a vehicle with adaptive headlights, but they don't seem to work the way I was told they would. Am I using them incorrectly?

Adaptive headlights are one of those features that sound incredible on paper. So when you buy a vehicle equipped with them and nothing seems to happen, it's easy to wonder whether they're broken or whether you're simply using them incorrectly.
July 20, 2026 Quinn Mercer
AI-generated image of a woman with a rusty car.

My insurance company declared my rust damage to be normal wear and tear, but my mechanic says it's become a serious safety issue. Who is right?

Rust often starts as little more than an eyesore. But over time, what looks like ordinary corrosion can become a genuine structural problem.
July 20, 2026 Quinn Mercer
AI-generated image of a man seeking compensation after his mechanic cracked his windshield.

My mechanic insists my windshield was already cracked before replacing my wipers, but I know it wasn't. How do I get them to pay for this?

A cracked windshield is expensive enough on its own. It's even more frustrating when it appears immediately after a routine service and nobody wants to accept responsibility.
July 20, 2026 Peter Kinney