car maintenance

Ah, the auto repair shop. A place where the dreaded check-engine light flicks on, price estimates soar, and suddenly you’re convinced your old sedan is about to explode. Some repair shops are honest; others…well, let’s just say creativity with your wallet is part of the job description. In this slideshow, we’ll expose 10 of the most common repair rip-offs—doing what mechanics might hope you don’t: reading the fine print, asking questions, and keeping your guard up.

We've all bought things that didn't turn out the way we imagined. Unlike other purchases, these problematic cars will stick around and frustrate you with frequent and costly repairs.

Every mechanic has that one thing (or two, or three) that makes them want to scream when they see it—drivers treating their cars in ways that guarantee expensive repairs later.

Having a basic set of tools around is an essential responsibiity for any car owner.

The truth is, not changing your oil is one of the worst things you can do to your car. It might seem fine at first, but you’ll be in for some big, ugly surprises later.

Worried about your mechanic trying to rip you off? These are the red flags you need to watch out for.