The Used Car Blog

We want consumers everywhere to feel confident about their ability to engage in the used car process on their own terms. We’re going to be posting articles about every aspect of buying used cars, from giving you tips on how to judge the condition of a used car to knowing your way around financing options to what you should look for when test driving a vehicle.

Category: Service and Maintenance

Fuel Economy Fact and Fiction

The highest prices for gasoline are almost always being paid by drivers in the state of California. Right now the average price of gasoline in the state is around $3.80/gallon, though it's well above $4/gallon in Los Angeles. Lots of people are looking for ways to get more miles out of every gallon of gas they buy. But this is when you need to bust myths and learn the truth. This article will separate fuel economy fact from fiction so you know what really works.

The Quick and Dirty "How to Maintain Your Car" Guide

So, you bought a car. Congratulations, you're well on your way to increased freedom and mobility! It's a great feeling starting out in a new car or used car - everything is new, or at least new to you. Still, if you don't maintain your car, those good feelings won't last very long, as neglected and abused cars quickly degrade. If you don't take care of your car, performance will suffer, fuel economy will plummet, and it'll cost you more to drive. A neglected car could even become unsafe for you and those around you. Fortunately, maintaining your car isn't all that difficult. Indeed, it starts before you even turn the key, educating yourself on how to maintain your car.

What Exactly is the Check Engine Light?

In the movies featuring airplanes, the "flashing red warning light" is a thematic indicator that "something has gone wrong" and "the hero must save the day." Granted, a warning light in the real world doesn't usually mean your life is at stake, but the check engine light (CEL) can be worrying, particularly if everything else seems to be working fine. What exactlyisthe check engine light or malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)?

Car Maintenance of the Future: Disrupting Car-Care

Cars have changed in all kinds of profound ways in past couple decades thanks to the tireless forward march of technological change. There was a time when a lot more people performed many regular car maintenance tasks themselves, and even handled minor repairs as well. But nowadays cars have become so technologically advanced and complicated that very few people feel like they can engage in DIY vehicle maintenance or repairs. In this article, we gaze into our crystal ball to see what the future holds for car maintenance and repairs, and how it will impact you as a car owner.

Does it Matter Where You Get Your Oil Change?

It used to be that you'd have auto service and repair done by the shop you bought the car from or your local mechanic. However, the more urban you get, you have many more auto repair shops to choose from. Increased competition does a couple of things that might surprise you. To stand out in a crowd of auto repair shops, all offering oil change and auto repair services, someone has to do something extraordinary to garner attention. Offering while-you-wait service, free loaner cars, or a great warranty are a few ways to stand out. After all, who wants towaitorworryabout something going wrong with the repair?

Basic DIY Auto Repair Every Guy and Girl Should Know and Practice

Cars have indeed gottenmore complicatedover the years, and for the better. All this advancement has led to better fuel economy, more power, and higher reliability. At the same time, it's made it harder for the average DIY to maintain, diagnose, and repair their own cars. Still, an engine is an engine, and a tire is a tire, so many basic DIY auto repair and maintenance steps haven't changed all that much. Here are a fewbasic DIY auto repair stepsthat every car owner can take and should take. You don't have to be a master mechanic, just a driver who wants the best for their car and their family.

Shop Auto Repair Quality, Not Price!

If we made the statement, "Auto repair is expensive," this would come as a shock to exactly no one. With our budgets stretched every which way, setting aside funds for auto repair and regular maintenance can be difficult. In fact, a recent study revealed that at least a third of American driversdo nothave sufficient funds on hand for an unexpected car repair. It's a good idea to set aside at least $50 per month for such unexpected problems. Otherwise, you might end up with one of severaladditionalproblems:

Are Fuel Additives Necessary?

Take a walk through any auto parts store or read any automotive magazine, and you're likely to see any number of fuel additives or oil additives touting to "improve fuel economy," "increase oil change intervals," and "save you money." Automakers, fuel distributors, and oil manufacturers are in the business of producing vehicles, fuels, and oils that work for hundreds of thousands of miles - millions of miles for over-the-road truckers. When you see oil additives marketed so, it makes one wonder if there something additive-manufacturers aren't sharing with them or if they're just marketing modern snake-oil.

What's the Difference Between Conventional and Synthetic Oil?

Engine oil changes are perhaps one of the first things that come to a person's mind when they think of regular maintenance, and indeed it is the most-common maintenance item every single car needs,every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Aside from oil viscosity, usually specified by the automaker, another common question is often raised: "Conventional or synthetic oil?" What is the difference between conventional and synthetic oil? Are there any benefits one way or the other? Is it worth the extra cost? To start with, the difference between conventional and synthetic oil is all about origins.

Why is Auto Repair So Expensive?

May auto repair shops now charge north of $100 per hour. However, when it comes to counting the costs of driving, whether it's to work, school, or whatever you're doing this weekend, auto repair and regular maintenance are often the most forgotten. Even drivers who plan for maintenance may not plan for unexpected repairs, such as a check engine light or flat tire. While most drivers simply consider cost of gas, insurance and car payment as core cost of ownership, auto repair is often left out of this list.

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