Car Basics - Behind the Wheel

What That Noise Means: Diagnosing Common Car Sounds

Cars talk to you through sound, and learning their basic vocabulary helps you catch problems early and describe them accurately

At the pump you choose between regular, mid-grade and premium, and plenty of drivers assume premium is simply better gas.

A child car seat is one of the most effective safety devices ever made, but only when it's

The 0-to-60 mph time is the performance figure everyone quotes, the headline that separates a brisk car from a slow

Few topics generate more outdated advice than oil changes. The 3,000-mile rule lingers from decades ago, but modern engines

Every spec sheet lists horsepower and torque, and plenty of buyers nod along without knowing the difference. Understanding what each

Parallel parking intimidates new drivers and rattles plenty of experienced ones, but it isn't about feel or luck.

Phone mirroring put a familiar, always-updated interface on the dashboard, replacing clunky built-in systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both

Most crashes aren't freak events; they're the predictable result of small lapses stacking up. Defensive driving

Tires wear unevenly because each corner of the car does a different job. Rotating them on a schedule spreads that

In a gas car, every time you brake you throw away energy as heat. Electric and hybrid cars claw some

A glowing symbol on the dash can mean anything from a loose gas cap to an engine about to seize.