Car Care

Pumpkin spice season is upon us — that magical time of year when coffee shops smell like dessert and our cars smell like… last month’s takeout. As the weather cools and holiday travel looms, your car could use a fall refresh of its own. No, we’re not talking about a pumpkin-scented air freshener (please, just don’t). Here’s how to give your car a real fall tune-up — with fall car maintenance tips that actually make a difference.

There’s nothing quite like the joy of climbing into a blazing hot car on a 100-degree day, only to find that your air conditioning is blowing lukewarm disappointment. Trust me, I feel your pain—especially after my 25-year-old home A/C system recently kicked the bucket during a Southern heat dome. That little domestic disaster got me thinking: how much do people actually know about their car's A/C system? ...

When summer turns savage and the asphalt feels like it’s trying to cook your tires, both you and your car need some extra TLC. Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it can actually be dangerous for your vehicle (and your sanity). Here's how to beat the heat like a pro, even when it's hot as f@&# out there:

If you’ve noticed your brand-new ride already has swirls, chips, or paint that seems softer than a marshmallow in the sun—you’re not crazy. You’re just driving a car made in the 21st century. In this article, we'll explore why modern car paints suck and what you can do... But there’s a big buzzkill lurking beneath that shiny (or flat) surface: modern car paint is thinner, weaker, and more frustrating than ever before. If you’ve noticed your brand-new ride already has swi

...Naturally, because I’m The Car Chick and my husband is both a master mechanic and a sound engineer, we started comparing the sounds of our kittens to engine types. Belle? A silky inline-four. Bert? Full-on muscle car. So that got me thinking: Why do different engines sound so different? Why can gearheads identify a car just by its exhaust note? Let’s talk about it.

There’s nothing quite like the open road, windows down, music up, and snacks within arm’s reach. But nothing kills that summer road trip vibe faster than your car breaking down… preferably in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal and three cranky passengers demanding answers. If you’d rather not spend your vacation waiting for a tow truck off some sketchy backroad, a little vehicle prep can go a long way. Think of it like sunscreen for your car — preventive, possibly an

Because "stranded on the side of the road" isn't the vacation memory you're going for. Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or just making the dreaded trek to visit your in-laws two states away, having a well-stocked roadside emergency kit is one of the smartest (and cheapest) ways to keep a bad situation from turning into a total disaster...

The Car Chick talks with Chuck Rhodes and the crew of Fox 46 Good Day Charlotte about the most common causes of a breakdown and how to prepare your vehicle for a summer road trip.

The Car Chick appears on the Fox46 News morning show, Good Day Charlotte, talking with Chuck Rhodes and Rochelle Metzger about how to prepare your vehicle for snow, ice and other winter weather, including what to put in your emergency kit and safe driving tips!

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