Author: Aldino Fernandes

Small SUVs have become a favorite in the U.S. because they combine the seating position and cargo flexibility of an SUV with the manageable running costs of a smaller vehicle. But fuel economy is only…

If you have ever put a car, truck, motorcycle, classic vehicle, boat, or other seasonal machine into storage with a tank full of gasoline, you have probably heard a familiar warning: ethanol fuel will separate…

A catalytic converter is designed to last a long time, but it is not immune to premature failure. The important distinction is that there is no manufacturer rule saying these cars’ converters routinely fail before…

Few rivalries in automotive history were as personal, competitive, and consequential as the battle between Carroll Shelby and Ferrari. It produced one of America’s most famous sports cars, helped transform Ford’s international racing ambitions, and…

Today, a touchscreen in a car barely attracts attention. A new vehicle can have a 12-inch or larger display controlling navigation, climate settings, audio, vehicle functions, and connected services. In 1986, however, even the idea…

Pennsylvania has plenty of rules governing what can and cannot be driven on public roads, but some cars run into a much bigger problem than paperwork. Certain high-performance machines were never designed or certified as…

A motorcycle can look perfectly healthy after spending months parked in a garage, yet long periods of inactivity can cause serious mechanical problems. Fuel systems, batteries, tires, seals, fluids, chains, and electrical components can deteriorate…

Buying a hybrid with 100,000 miles can be a smart way to get excellent fuel economy without paying new-car prices. Mileage alone does not tell the whole story, though. Battery condition, service history, drivetrain design,…

Every spring and summer, the stretch of the Great Plains where Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming come together takes on a notorious reputation. Locals know it as Hail Alley. The region, along with nearby states such…

For drivers in states such as Minnesota and Massachusetts, winter road salt can be one of a vehicle’s biggest enemies. It may keep icy roads usable, but repeated exposure can eat away at unibody structures,…

For someone who drives to work before sunrise or heads home after midnight, headlights are not a cosmetic feature. They determine how much of an unlit road, pedestrian, animal, or unexpected obstacle can be seen…

Texas has a strong reputation for pickup trucks, SUVs, and practical vehicles built for long drives, busy highways, family travel, and demanding work. The state’s large distances, growing cities, rural communities, and diverse lifestyles influence…

Buying a new car in 1956 could come with an unusual option that seemed more appropriate for a living room than a dashboard. Chrysler actually offered a real record player for its cars. Called Highway…

A used car that leaves an American driveway may have a much longer journey ahead. Each year, close to one million used vehicles leave the United States for buyers in other countries. At the same…

The V8 engine has been an American obsession for generations, that deep rumble under the hood tied to muscle cars, luxury sedans, and full-size trucks alike. That era is closing faster than most drivers realize.…

Detroit’s identity is inseparable from the automobile. Long before the city became known as the Motor City, it was already developing the manufacturing expertise, engineering talent, and industrial infrastructure that would eventually transform personal transportation.…

When most car buyers think about a dealership’s profit, they picture the markup on the vehicle itself, the gap between invoice price and sticker price. But for many dealerships, one of the most lucrative parts…

Whenever drivers activate cruise control and allow their cars to maintain a constant highway speed, they are relying on an idea developed by a man who never experienced highway driving himself. Ralph Teetor, one of…

Most drivers rarely consider the origins of seatbelt laws, brake shift interlocks, or roof crush standards. Many of these rules emerged after particular vehicles revealed serious safety risks that became impossible for regulators, courts, or…

Most drivers rarely consider what happens to an old car after it leaves the road. That worn-out sedan behind a repair shop could eventually become part of a bridge, a washing machine, or even another…

Car vibrations are easy to dismiss, especially when they appear briefly or only at certain speeds. Yet the location, timing, and intensity of a vibration can provide useful clues about what is happening beneath the…