Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

I recently replaced my catalytic converter but now my gas mileage is noticeably worse. Is that even possible?

If anything, replacing the catalytic converter should give the car better mileage. If mileage gets worse, something is clearly amiss.
March 31, 2026 Marlon Wright
Older woman at auto repair shop

I recently lost my husband and know nothing about cars. Now I’m scared to go to the mechanic—how can I tell if I’m being taken advantage of?

Losing a partner is hard enough—suddenly handling things they used to manage can feel overwhelming. For many people, car repairs are one of those stress points. Walking into a garage can feel like stepping into the unknown. The good news? There are clear signs that help you spot honesty—and avoid being taken advantage of.
March 31, 2026 Jesse Singer
Driveway

My neighbor keeps using my driveway to turn around multiple times a day, after I asked him not to. It's driving me crazy. Do I have any legal way to stop him?

If your neighbor keeps swinging into your driveway to turn around, you are not overreacting by finding it irritating. What looks like a harmless three-point turn can feel like a small invasion when it happens multiple times a day. The good news is that property law in many places does give homeowners tools to push back, but the exact answer depends heavily on where you live and what kind of rights may already exist over your driveway.
March 31, 2026 Miles Brucker
Car wash conversation in the driveway

My HOA says I can't wash my car in my own driveway. I don't trust the car wash, is that rule enforceable?

You pull out the hose, grab a bucket, and suddenly your HOA says no. That sounds petty, but the issue usually is not soap or spotless paint. It is stormwater runoff, and in many communities that brings HOA rules, city codes, and even state water regulations into the picture.
March 31, 2026 Miles Brucker
Man getting ticket for texting

I was at a red light and used my phone to text my wife. A cop next to me pulled me over and gave me a ticket. How is that illegal if I wasn’t driving?

You’re stopped at a red light. The car isn’t moving. You quickly glance down, fire off a text to your wife, and look back up. Harmless, right? Then a few seconds later, you’re getting pulled over. You know that texting while driving is illegal—but you weren’t even driving?
March 30, 2026 Jesse Singer

My rental truck got stuck in deep snow. They say we need to pay for the tow. I say they should've warned me there were not winter tires. Who's right?

A rental truck stuck in deep snow can turn moving day into a nightmare—but are you really responsible for the tow bill? Here’s what renters need to know about roadside help, liability, and who usually pays.
March 31, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I was pulled over for doing 60MPH in a 90MPH zone in bad conditions. I protested, but got a ticket. Why am I paying for being a safe driver?

Got ticketed for driving 60 MPH in a 90 MPH zone during bad weather? Here’s why “driving safe” can still get you pulled over, and how minimum speed, traffic flow, and road conditions really work.
March 31, 2026 Jack Hawkins

My dad says I should drive as slowly as I have to on the road to feel safe. My girlfriend said I could get a ticket for being too slow. Who's right?

Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly? This fun, beginner-friendly article explains when slow driving is safe, when it becomes dangerous, and how new drivers can find the right speed with confidence.
March 30, 2026 Jack Hawkins

My car was valet-parked at a hotel I was staying at. When it came back, it had a scratch on it. The hotel claims it was there before. What can I do?

Your car came back from hotel valet service with a scratch and the hotel says it was already there. Here is what to do next, from photos and incident reports to insurance claims and small claims court.
March 31, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I was recently pulled over because officers said my high-beams were too high. There was heavy fog and I had no choice. Do I have to pay the fine?

Got ticketed for using high beams in heavy fog? Here’s when you may have to pay, when you can fight it, and how traffic laws usually treat fog-lighting violations.
March 30, 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
Internalfb Image (3)

The dealership added a pricey "VIN etching fee" I didn't agreed to. I've never even heard of VIN etching, do I have to pay it?

You are ready to sign, and then a line item appears that nobody mentioned before: VIN etching. It often shows up as an extra charge for marking the car’s windows with the vehicle identification number as an anti-theft measure. If you never agreed to it, the big question is simple: do you actually have to pay it?
March 30, 2026 Carl Wyndham