Flipboard 2025 Car Tips

I thought buying a former lease car was one of the smartest ways to save money on a nearly new vehicle. It was only a few years old, had reasonable mileage, and looked like someone had taken good care of it. The dealership made its previous lease history sound like another reason to feel confident. But after bringing it home, I started wondering whether being leased actually meant it had been properly maintained.

My car has been parked for six months, and now I'm ready to start driving it again. It looks exactly the way I left it, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is ready for the road. Batteries can discharge, tires can lose pressure, and brakes can develop corrosion while a vehicle sits unused. Before turning the key and heading out, there are several important things worth checking.

I thought I had found a great deal on a vacation rental car, but the insurance options nearly doubled the price. Suddenly, that affordable getaway was becoming much more expensive than expected. Was I being overcharged, or is this simply how rental car insurance works? The answer is more complicated than the rental company's daily rate suggests.

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…

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.

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?

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.

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?

“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.