Before setting a budget, be clear about what you need the car for. A budget car purchase goes wrong in one of two ways: you buy something cheap that turns out expensive to keep running, or you stretch for a monthly payment that leaves no room for repairs. Setting the budget carefully at the start … Read more
On a road trip, the car is where you spend most of the holiday. The best road-trip cars are not necessarily the fastest or the most expensive; they are the ones in which you still feel fresh after six hours. What makes a good road-trip car Comfortable seats and a quiet cabin come first, followed … Read more
Tires are the only part of the car that touches the road. Braking, cornering, comfort, noise and fuel economy all depend on them, so it is worth choosing them carefully instead of buying whatever is cheapest. Read the sidewall A typical tire size looks like 225/45 R17 94V: Use the size, load index and speed … Read more
Battery problems are one of the most common reasons for roadside assistance calls. The good news is that a weak battery usually gives some warning, and a flat one can often be started again in a few minutes. Signs of a weak battery If you just hear a rapid clicking when you turn the key … Read more
Car audio is an area where a modest, well-planned upgrade can make a big difference, while a big budget spent on the wrong parts can disappoint. Start by deciding what bothers you about the current system. Is the problem features or sound? If your car lacks Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the first step … Read more
Most campsites can be reached in an ordinary car. The question is less about getting there than about carrying everything comfortably, and maybe sleeping inside if the weather turns. Space and a flat floor Cargo volume is the first thing to check, but the shape matters as much as the number. A wide, square opening … Read more
A breakdown is stressful, especially on a busy road. The first minutes matter most, and they are about safety, not about fixing the car. Get to safety At the first sign of trouble (a warning light, smoke, a loss of power, a strange noise), turn on your hazard lights and pull over as far as … Read more
Car insurance is a product where cheapest is not always best and most expensive is not always safest. The goal is to protect yourself against the losses you could not afford, without paying for coverage you do not need. Here is how the pieces fit together, using the US system as an example. The main … Read more
Accessory shops and online marketplaces are full of things for your car. A few of them make daily life easier or protect the car; many end up rattling in the glove box. Starting from a real need is the simplest filter. Accessories worth having Fitted floor mats. All-weather rubber mats made for your model protect … Read more
Car safety used to be about surviving a crash: seat belts, airbags, crumple zones. Most recent progress is about avoiding the crash in the first place. Here is what the main systems do and what we know about how well they work. Automatic emergency braking Automatic emergency braking (AEB) uses cameras and radar to detect … Read more
