Car Maintenance

Just when you thought the world had recovered from the Great Chip Shortage of 2021–2023, here we go again. The auto industry’s nerves are fried once more, thanks to another global spat over... yep, semiconductors! Welcome to the 2025 chip shortage. This time, it’s not a pandemic or a boat stuck in a canal causing chaos. It’s politics. Because of course it is.

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? ...

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) isn’t just a flashy name. It’s a seismic shift in how the U.S. government approaches electric vehicle incentives, car financing, and trade relationships. And if that wasn’t enough, the week wrapped up with a surprise: steep new tariffs on Japanese and Korean vehicle parts and components, adding fuel to an already volatile market. Here’s what it all means for car buyers, automakers, and the dealerships caug

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

Welcome to the latest automotive apocalypse, brought to you by a new 25% tariff on imported vehicles and car parts. In this blog post, adapted from a recent episode of The Straight Shift podcast, we’re unpacking what these tariffs actually mean for you, your wallet, and the entire car industry. Spoiler alert: it’s not great.

...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.

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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

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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