Cars & Driving

Essential knowledge about owning, maintaining, and understanding automobiles.

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Car Maintenance for First-Time Owners
Car Maintenance

Car Maintenance for First-Time Owners

Just got your first car? This plain-language guide covers the fundamental upkeep tasks you'll need to understand from day one.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 30, 2023 · 8 min read

Latest In Cars & Driving

DIY Maintenance vs. Taking Your Car to a Shop
Car Maintenance

DIY Maintenance vs. Taking Your Car to a Shop

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 30, 2023 · 6 min read
Engine Oil Types and What the Numbers on the Label Mean
Car Maintenance

Engine Oil Types and What the Numbers on the Label Mean

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 30, 2024 · 4 min read
Fluid Levels Every Driver Should Know How to Check
Car Maintenance

Fluid Levels Every Driver Should Know How to Check

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 6, 2023 · 6 min read
Getting the Most from Every Service Appointment
Car Maintenance

Getting the Most from Every Service Appointment

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 19, 2026 · 6 min read
Keeping a Car Maintenance Log: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Car Maintenance

Keeping a Car Maintenance Log: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 6, 2024 · 5 min read
Seasonal Car Maintenance: Preparing for Winter and Summer Driving
Car Maintenance

Seasonal Car Maintenance: Preparing for Winter and Summer Driving

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 10, 2024 · 5 min read
Signs Your Car Battery Is Nearing the End of Its Life
Car Maintenance

Signs Your Car Battery Is Nearing the End of Its Life

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Skipping Routine Maintenance: What Actually Goes Wrong
Car Maintenance

Skipping Routine Maintenance: What Actually Goes Wrong

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 5, 2025 · 5 min read
Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil: What's the Real Difference?
Car Maintenance

Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil: What's the Real Difference?

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 10, 2025 · 5 min read
The Myths Around Car Maintenance That Cost Drivers Money
Car Maintenance

The Myths Around Car Maintenance That Cost Drivers Money

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 7, 2024 · 6 min read
The Pros and Cons of Extended Oil Change Intervals
Car Maintenance

The Pros and Cons of Extended Oil Change Intervals

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 23, 2025 · 5 min read
Tire Care from the Ground Up
Car Maintenance

Tire Care from the Ground Up

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Aug 8, 2024 · 8 min read
Warning Lights on Your Dashboard and What They're Actually Telling You
Car Maintenance

Warning Lights on Your Dashboard and What They're Actually Telling You

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 5, 2023 · 6 min read
Why Your Brakes Are Telling You Something (And How to Listen)
Car Maintenance

Why Your Brakes Are Telling You Something (And How to Listen)

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 15, 2025 · 9 min read
Your Car's Maintenance Schedule, Explained
Car Maintenance

Your Car's Maintenance Schedule, Explained

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Oct 15, 2023 · 8 min read
Defensive Driving: What It Actually Means Behind the Wheel
Safe Driving

Defensive Driving: What It Actually Means Behind the Wheel

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Nov 28, 2024 · 7 min read
Driver Fatigue and the Illusion of 'Just a Few More Miles'
Safe Driving

Driver Fatigue and the Illusion of 'Just a Few More Miles'

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Nov 15, 2025 · 9 min read
Driving in Bad Weather Without Panicking
Safe Driving

Driving in Bad Weather Without Panicking

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 18, 2025 · 6 min read
Following Distance Explained: The Gap That Could Save Your Life
Safe Driving

Following Distance Explained: The Gap That Could Save Your Life

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 25, 2025 · 7 min read
Hands-Free vs. Phone-Free: The Distraction That Doesn't Go Away
Safe Driving

Hands-Free vs. Phone-Free: The Distraction That Doesn't Go Away

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 14, 2023 · 5 min read
Highway Driving vs. City Driving: Adapting Your Habits for Each
Safe Driving

Highway Driving vs. City Driving: Adapting Your Habits for Each

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 23, 2024 · 6 min read
Night Driving: Why Darkness Changes Everything
Safe Driving

Night Driving: Why Darkness Changes Everything

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Road Rage Is a Safety Issue, Not Just a Bad Mood
Safe Driving

Road Rage Is a Safety Issue, Not Just a Bad Mood

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 14, 2024 · 7 min read
Roundabouts, Four-Way Stops, and Yield Signs: Who Actually Goes First
Safe Driving

Roundabouts, Four-Way Stops, and Yield Signs: Who Actually Goes First

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 29, 2024 · 6 min read
Safe Driving From Start to License: A First-Timer's Roadmap
Safe Driving

Safe Driving From Start to License: A First-Timer's Roadmap

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 23, 2026 · 9 min read
Safe Driving Habits That Experienced Drivers Often Drop Over Time
Safe Driving

Safe Driving Habits That Experienced Drivers Often Drop Over Time

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 31, 2023 · 5 min read
Safe Driving on US Roads: The Complete Reference
Safe Driving

Safe Driving on US Roads: The Complete Reference

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 12, 2025 · 8 min read
Speed Limit Myths That Put Drivers at Risk
Safe Driving

Speed Limit Myths That Put Drivers at Risk

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 1, 2026 · 6 min read
What Distracted Driving Actually Covers
Safe Driving

What Distracted Driving Actually Covers

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Oct 20, 2024 · 5 min read
When New Drivers Get Into Trouble: Patterns Worth Understanding
Safe Driving

When New Drivers Get Into Trouble: Patterns Worth Understanding

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 23, 2023 · 5 min read
Your Pre-Trip Safety Walkthrough
Safe Driving

Your Pre-Trip Safety Walkthrough

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 20, 2024 · 6 min read
A Running Checklist for Responsible Vehicle Ownership Throughout the Year
Auto Ownership

A Running Checklist for Responsible Vehicle Ownership Throughout the Year

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 2, 2025 · 6 min read
Auto Loans Explained: What You're Actually Agreeing To
Auto Ownership

Auto Loans Explained: What You're Actually Agreeing To

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Car Insurance Coverage Types: A Plain-Language Reference
Auto Ownership

Car Insurance Coverage Types: A Plain-Language Reference

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Nov 13, 2023 · 5 min read
Everything First-Time Car Owners Need to Know Before Driving Off the Lot
Auto Ownership

Everything First-Time Car Owners Need to Know Before Driving Off the Lot

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 1, 2024 · 8 min read
Financing Through a Dealership vs. a Bank or Credit Union
Auto Ownership

Financing Through a Dealership vs. a Bank or Credit Union

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 16, 2025 · 6 min read
How Vehicle Depreciation Works — and Why It Matters for Owners
Auto Ownership

How Vehicle Depreciation Works — and Why It Matters for Owners

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 4, 2023 · 8 min read
Keeping Ownership Costs Manageable Over the Life of a Vehicle
Auto Ownership

Keeping Ownership Costs Manageable Over the Life of a Vehicle

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Nov 17, 2025 · 7 min read
Leasing vs. Buying a Car: Understanding the Financial Trade-Offs
Auto Ownership

Leasing vs. Buying a Car: Understanding the Financial Trade-Offs

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 2, 2023 · 6 min read
Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage Auto Insurance
Auto Ownership

Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage Auto Insurance

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Owning an Older Car: The Financial Case For and Against Holding On
Auto Ownership

Owning an Older Car: The Financial Case For and Against Holding On

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Registering a Vehicle in a New State: What the Process Actually Involves
Auto Ownership

Registering a Vehicle in a New State: What the Process Actually Involves

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 9, 2025 · 6 min read
The Real Cost of Owning a Car Goes Well Beyond the Sticker Price
Auto Ownership

The Real Cost of Owning a Car Goes Well Beyond the Sticker Price

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 14, 2026 · 8 min read
Things People Get Wrong About How Car Insurance Premiums Are Set
Auto Ownership

Things People Get Wrong About How Car Insurance Premiums Are Set

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 17, 2025 · 7 min read
What Happens if You Drive with Expired Registration
Auto Ownership

What Happens if You Drive with Expired Registration

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 5, 2023 · 7 min read
What a Vehicle Title Is and Why It's the Most Important Document You Own
Auto Ownership

What a Vehicle Title Is and Why It's the Most Important Document You Own

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Aug 6, 2024 · 8 min read
Why New Car Owners Underestimate Their Insurance Needs
Auto Ownership

Why New Car Owners Underestimate Their Insurance Needs

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Aug 12, 2024 · 5 min read

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