Stan Markuze

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule.

While the inside of your car might not seem like the most welcoming place to live, it's not uncommon for critters to climb in your engine compartment or behind your dashboard.

Put these six tools in your garage and you can safely and efficiently take on most DIY automotive repairs.

When the sun shines and it's warm outside, everybody wants to have a car with shiny, beautiful paint. Like everything else on your car, its paint job needs to be maintained if you want it to look the same way it did when it rolled off the assembly line. Fortunately, keeping your ride's coat sharp isn't particularly difficult or expensive. Follow these five simple steps.

Many of us rely on our cars for some of the most important day-to-day tasks. If something goes wrong, it can be a very scary and stressful experience. Some -- not all, of course -- unscrupulous mechanics prey on that fear in order to make unnecessary repairs that drivers don't need. Watch out for these five unnecessary repairs and upsells the next time you take your car in for service.

Some replacement parts can be found much cheaper from your local warehouse store or auto parts outlet. These are five items that you can buy aftermarket without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip or visit friends and relatives who live far away. Your car is a gateway to visiting the big city, going on a fishing trip, taking a hike in the woods or just barbecuing at the lake. Before leaving for a trip, you should ensure that your vehicle is in proper working condition. After all, nothing ruins a warm sunny day like getting stranded on the side of the road waiting

Many people dream of buying an iconic classic car and returning it to its former glory. Whether you're in high school or retired, the idea of a long-term restoration project can be romantic and exciting.

By taking proper care of your car, keeping it looking good and running smoothly, you can ensure it fetches as much money as possible when it comes time to sell or trade in. Following these five simple steps will work wonders in maintaining your vehicle's value.

By spending money on maintenance and some upgrades, you can improve your car's reliability and overall life expectancy. You can also reduce safety risks and expensive repairs. Changing the oil regularly, replacing worn-out tires, and getting your wheels aligned periodically are all no-brainers.

It may be hard to picture right now, especially if you live in the Midwest or Northeast, but spring is right around the corner. This means it's time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for warmer weather.

Whether you're buying a truck for everyday driving or for occasional use, there are five important factors to take into consideration to make sure you get the most out of your vehicle. This checklist will help you determine which features are worth the extra money, and which you can go without.

Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. With millions of drivers on the road every day, many of them distracted by phone calls, a messy burrito, bad weather or lack of sleep, crashes are inevitable. Luckily, most of these accidents are relatively minor and nobody gets injured. However, even a minor accident can cause some serious damage to the outside your car.

Even the most sophisticated braking systems won't work if the tires aren't gripping the road. Maintaining your tires and replacing them when necessary is vital to safety.

Cars can be complex machines, but even if you can't tell a transmission from a tailpipe, you should be more than capable of changing your own oil.