Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
Bird droppings can damage car paint within hours; soak them with water or quick detailer, lift them with microfiber, and use matte-safe products on matte paint.
Read moreRats chewing car wires cost thousands to repair. The viral cures (Irish Spring, peppermint, ultrasonic repellers) mostly fail. Here is what actually works.
Read moreWinter driving changes how your vehicle performs. Whether you drive a gas car, hybrid, electric, or hydrogen vehicle, cold weather brings new challenges. Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Battery-Only Electric Cars Electric vehicles rely entirely on battery power. Cold temperatures drain that battery faster than warm weather. How Cold Affects Your Battery Your EV’s battery contains chemical reactions that create and release energy. When it gets cold, these reactions slow down significantly. Your battery becomes less efficient at the same time your car needs extra power to heat the cabin. Real-world data from 2024-2025 shows that the average EV keeps about 80 percent of its range at freezing temperatures. On days when it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, you might see
Read moreIf you’ve ever wondered what causes tires to turn brown – the science has a few nuances. Tires that gradually shift from deep black to dull chocolate-brown are not failing, they are “blooming.” Brown sidewalls are produced when protective antiozonant chemicals inside the rubber migrate to the surface and oxidize. Although visually unappealing, blooming shows the tire’s self-preservation system is working. Consistent cleaning, dedicated rubber cleaners, and modern water-based dressings keep sidewalls dark while avoiding sling or long-term damage. The Science of Tire “Bloom”: Antiozonants and 6PPD Manufacturers blend antiozonants, most commonly N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), into sidewall compounds to fight ozone cracks and UV degradation. As a tire flexes, microscopic pores open, allowing 6PPD to migrate (“bloom”) to the surface where
Read moreLearning how to read tires is a valuable skill to have many reasons. Whether you are in the market for new tires, checking their recommended tire pressure, or making sure they aren’t expired, there are many numbers and codes to know. Reading the Date Code on Tires Even if your tires don’t have high mileage on them or still have tread it is still a good idea to monitor their age. After seven years, many companies will no longer rotate and balance tires because of the degradation of rubber becoming a safety issue. Most tire manufacturer warranties cover the brand’s tires for four years from the date of purchase or five years from the week the tires were manufactured. If
Read moreCOLLABORATIVE CONTENT By Tarek Salem Regular glass maintenance is equally important as maintaining any other part of a car. Clean windows and mirrors can help ensure drivers avoid road mishaps. Malfunctioning mirrors or a large crack on the windshield can hinder visibility. It can leave you vulnerable on the road to an unfortunate situation. Collisions are globally among the most common traffic accidents. In Canada, thousands of people die annually from injuries suffered in traffic collisions; thousands more are seriously injured. Visibility hindrance is among the leading reason for collisions. Proper Car Maintenance Is Imperative To help ensure road safety, here’s a list of glass maintenance tips to help keep your car windows and mirrors in proper condition. Tips for
Read morePlanning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are integral components of following the best winter driving safety tips. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in severe rain. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy condition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 2 of a four-part series on winter driving safety tips: Battery When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline and diesel engines, it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather. For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, the driving range is reduced when the battery is cold, and battery systems work better after they warm
Read moreWith the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in severe rain, snow, and icy conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 1 of a four-part series of winter driving safety tips: Get Your Car Serviced No one wants their car to break down in any season, but especially not in cold, icy or snowy winter weather. Start the season off right by ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition. • Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and
Read moreThe added traction of a specialized winter tire is amazing. If you drive in snow and ice, you need winter tires. Winter tires will reduce your stopping distance, allow faster acceleration and provide better steering. The typical tire on your car or truck is a general purpose tire labeled “all-season” or “mud and snow.” These tires perform well in many conditions, but they under perform in cold temperatures and on slippery surfaces. A winter tire is optimized for these conditions through special tread designs and advanced rubber compounds. Bridgestone gave me the opportunity to drive and compare tires at its “Tire Rack Winter Driving Experience” in Denver. The “test track” was the ice hockey rink in the Pepsi Center, home
Read moreTo help keep car owners “green” their auto repair and maintenance, AutoMD.com’s mechanics identified common repair and maintenance activities and applied a simple formula, the “Four R’s”: Recycle, Repair, Re-use and Be Resource-Friendly. A. OIL After re-filling with new oil, simply pour the used oil into the empty container and return it to your local parts/repair shop store. B. ANTIFREEZE Most repair shops will also take your recycled antifreeze. Dumping antifreeze is not only illegal, it can cause serious water quality problems. C. PARTS If you can’t rebuild or repair a failing part (such as a starter or alternator), recycle it at your local repair shop. Typically, you pay a “core” charge when purchasing a new or rebuilt part, but
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