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Taking your car to the dealership for routine maintenance can get expensive surprisingly quickly. AAA's 2026 research estimates that owning and operating a new vehicle costs American drivers an average of $12,863 annually, including maintenance and other ownership expenses. While professional mechanics are essential for complicated repairs, many everyday maintenance tasks require only basic tools and a little patience. Learning which jobs you can safely handle yourself could save money throughout the year.

Modern cars are packed with features that make driving easier, safer, and more comfortable. Heated seats, panoramic roofs, automatic parking systems, and electronic controls can make an ordinary vehicle feel luxurious. But when these features stop working, owners sometimes discover that a seemingly simple convenience requires specialized parts, expensive labor, or complicated repairs.

I brought my car in for a routine oil change, expecting a straightforward appointment. Instead, my mechanic found several additional problems and handed me an estimate that was much higher than expected. This wasn't the first time it happened, and now I'm wondering whether my car really needs all this work or whether someone is taking advantage of my trust.

You probably remember the family car, the road trips, and Dad refusing to stop for directions. But what about the name above the gas pumps? These brands served American drivers during the 1960s. But do any of them ring a bell? Do you remember at least 5 of them?

Backed by Jeff Bezos and fueled by viral buzz, it quickly claimed 100,000 reservations and secured a factory in Indiana. With investor support and a production site, Slate is moving beyond hype—but where does it stand currently? What is the latest news on this buzzy automobile?

Your neighbor's giant inflatable pumpkin blocks your driveway view. Here's when the city may be able to make him move or remove it.

Discover forgotten car safety inventions, from disappearing steering wheels and glowing tires to unusual airbags and experimental seat belts, and see how automakers tried to protect drivers before modern technology.

If your city painted a parking space right next to moving traffic, it is fair to wonder whether “legal” also means “safe.” In practice, the answer is no. A marked curbside space can comply with local parking rules and still expose drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians to real risk if the street design leaves too little room.

A one-owner car often sounds like the holy grail of used-car shopping. Your friend is not completely wrong, because fewer owners can mean a simpler history and fewer chances for neglect or abuse. But it is not a rule, and the records behind the car matter more than the number of names on the title.

One nail. Four tires. That's the frustrating math your dealer has presented, but before you agree to replace an entire set, there's something important you should know about how all-wheel-drive vehicles actually work.

It barely looked damaged. Your first car suffered what seemed like a minor accident, but now your insurance company says it's a total loss, and the explanation has less to do with the crash itself than you might expect.