Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

Few things are more frustrating than coming back to your car and finding a parking ticket sitting on the windshield even though you already paid the meter. The good news is that these situations happen more often than people realize, and many cities do allow drivers to dispute tickets successfully when they can prove payment was made.

Most people assume electric vehicles are automatically the cheapest thing on the road to operate. But a handful of gas-powered and hybrid cars get such incredible fuel economy that the math isn't always that simple.

You took your electric vehicle in for diagnosis and got bad news. The battery pack has failed or degraded enough to require major repairs. Then you discover the warranty expired only weeks or months ago. That situation is frustrating, but it does not always mean you are out of options. Automakers sometimes help customers even after the official warranty has ended.

You walk out to your car, start the engine, and suddenly it sounds like a race car. Then comes the bad news. Your catalytic converter has been stolen, and the repair estimate is much higher than expected. Many drivers assume insurance will take care of the problem. Unfortunately, that is not always how things work out. Deductibles and coverage limits can leave you paying a significant portion of the bill.

Having your car stolen is awful. Getting it back should be the part where everything works out. But some drivers get the call they've been waiting for and then discover they have a brand-new problem on their hands.

Can your HOA fine you for parking a car in your own driveway? Learn why ignoring HOA parking fines can be risky, what rules to check, how to appeal, and when to get legal help.

Paid for a lifetime warranty on a used car, but the company disappeared? Learn what documents to gather, who may still be responsible, when to file complaints, and when hiring a lawyer makes sense.

A lot of people assume there must be some kind of grace period for major purchases. After all, you can return plenty of things to a store a few days later—why not cars? So if you bought a vehicle two days ago and already hate it, can the dealer really refuse to take it back?

Bought a used car with a lien still on it? Learn what a lien means, your risks, and how to fix the situation and secure ownership.

Most people drop their car off at a repair shop assuming the parts being installed match what was discussed or authorized. Then the vehicle develops a problem, a warranty claim gets denied, or another mechanic points out that aftermarket parts were used instead of factory components.