Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

Winona Ryder on Set of ''The Ten'', 2006

Baby Boomers Remember When Car Speedometers Actually Stopped At 85 MPH—But Most Millennials Don't Know Why. Do You?

Get into certain old cars, look at the dashboard, and there it is: 85 mph. That’s as far as the speedometer goes. But why did so many different cars end up with that same peculiar stopping point? Well, there’s a very interesting story behind that…
November 13, 2026 Jesse Singer
AI-generated image of a woman at a car wash

My car was damaged at an automatic car wash, but the owner pointed to a sign saying they're not responsible. Does that sign really protect them?

Can a car wash avoid liability for vehicle damage with a disclaimer sign? Learn your legal rights, who's responsible for repairs, and how to claim compensation for car wash damage.
November 13, 2026 Miles Rook
1953: A girl pumps gas for a customer at a local gas station in Los Angeles

Forgotten 1950s Gas Station Brands—Even Baby Boomers Can't Remember 5 Of These

You probably remember the car your dad drove. But what about the name on the pump when he filled it up? These gas brands were around in the 1950s, and some stayed for decades afterward. Others disappeared before the kids in the back seat were old enough to drive. How many have these names ring a bell?
November 12, 2026 Jesse Singer
a-man-getting-out-of-a-car

I Get Roadside Assistance With Both My Insurance And My Credit Card. Am I Paying For The Same Thing Twice?

You discover that your car insurance includes roadside assistance, but your credit card advertises the same benefit. Are you paying twice for identical protection? Possibly, but the answer depends on what each program actually covers and charges.
November 11, 2026 J. Clarke
That Little Sticker Can Start A Real Fight

My dealership wants a fee to remove its own advertising sticker. Can they really charge me for their oversight?

You finally bought the car, signed the papers, and drove it home. Then you notice the dealer’s badge or decal stuck on the trunk, liftgate, or bumper. If the store later says it will charge to remove that advertising, it is fair to ask a simple question: can it really do that?
November 10, 2026 Miles Brucker
The Fine Print Tells The Real Story

My dealership says its service contract covers everything except "wear items." That makes me nervous, what counts as wear?

“Covers everything except wear items” sounds reassuring right up until something expensive breaks and the service advisor says it is not covered. This is where a lot of car owners discover that “wear” can be broader than they expected. The key is not the slogan on the brochure, but the exact contract language that defines what a wear item is and what failures are excluded.
November 10, 2026 Miles Brucker
The Big Screen Debate

My daughter wants a giant infotainment screen in our new car. Bigger screens feel more distracting, are they less safe?

Your daughter is not alone. Giant infotainment screens have become one of the hottest selling points in new cars, with dashboard displays now stretching 15 inches, 17 inches, and even wider in some models. The real question for parents and shoppers is not whether they look cool, but whether they pull a driver’s eyes and mind away from the road.
November 10, 2026 Miles Brucker
The Fantasy Is Real

My husband wants a right-hand-drive import, but he's going to be commuting every day. Isn't that a terrible idea?

A right-hand-drive import can feel like the coolest possible commuter. It stands out in a sea of crossovers, and for some drivers that alone is enough to make the idea irresistible. But once you move past the novelty, daily commuting brings questions about safety, legality, insurance, parts, toll booths, and simple left turns.
November 10, 2026 Carl Wyndham
Why Your Car Suddenly Brakes In A Garage

My car's automatic braking activates constantly in parking garages. Is it safe if I just turn it off?

If your car suddenly hits the brakes in a parking garage, you are not imagining things. Automatic emergency braking and low-speed parking sensors can react to tight walls, steep ramps, cross traffic, shiny pipes, or vehicles that appear suddenly around blind corners. These systems are designed to err on the side of caution, which is great on the street but sometimes annoying in concrete mazes.
November 10, 2026 Carl Wyndham


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