Index of Articles

The following articles are derived from the Car Care Council library to help you better understand how to take care of your car. Organized by subject area, they include a word count and brief description. If you'd like to suggest a topic, please contact info@carcare.org.

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High Water Headaches
While your vehicle may not have been flooded or completely covered in water, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should not be concerned about water damage. If you drove through high water, there's a chance that you may have damaged your vehicle. It all comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it reached.

Botox For Your Car?
Automotive upholstery and interior repair shops, known as trim shops, can fix a drooping headliner, replace worn carpeting, repair torn upholstery and replace a weathered convertible top.

Rust: A Nasty Four Letter-Word
How to prevent rusting due to minor dings and scratches. 

Your Car Looks Like New. What's Your Secret?
Tips on the latest techniques to help keep car looking new.

A Clean Car Is Cool
An excellent car washing guide, which includes advice on a few commercial products that make the job easier.

An Automotive Gift for Mother's Day? You Bet!
Describes several non-traditional Mother's Day gifts from the automotive industry. This type of unexpected, yet practical gift may be what Mom really wants.

Dad's "Automotive Type" Helps Decide Father's Day Gift
Whether your dad is a do-it-yourselfer (DIY) or a Do-It-For-Me type (DIFM), consider an automotive gift for dad this Father's Day.

"Bells & Whistles" Enhance
Considering the cost of trading in your vehicle vs. investing in enhancement accessories, the latter decision may be a "no brainer."

Proper Washing And Waxing Add Value To Vehicle
More than one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products when washing their cars-products that could contain harmful detergents, abrasives and additives. And almost half of motorists don't ever wax their vehicles.

Economy

Maintaining Present Vehicle May Make Financial Sense
Although you may want to get rid of your present vehicle in favor of a new car, taking better care of your current set of wheels may make much more sense in the long run-helping you achieve a goal of financial freedom.

147 Million Gallons of Wasted Gas? It's a Drop in the Bucket
Loose gas caps are among many reasons for wasted fuel.

How to Shop For A Battery
Knowing the terminology of battery ratings helps in this buying decision.

Keeping Your Leased Car or Buying an Off-Lease? Check It Out
An off-lease vehicle can be a good deal if you know what you're getting into.

The Road to a Long-Lasting Automobile
Auto technicians say the key to keeping vehicles running well-today and down the road-is routine maintenance. 

Fuel Savings Tips as Gas Prices Soar 
With gas prices exceeding two dollars a gallon in many parts of the country, the Car Care Council is offering gas-saving maintenance and driving tips that really work.

Stress Management Works for Holidays and Automobiles
Take care of your car's seasonal services immediately and make plans to get ahead of the game next year. An early visit to your repair facility provides the opportunity to budget for unanticipated repairs.

Mechanical

Are Dirty Cabin Air Filters Preventing You From Breathing Easily in Your Car?
During the hot summer months, contaminants, such as pollen, dust, mold spores and smog, can easily enter a vehicle's passenger compartment through the air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, making the air in the car six times dirtier than the air outside.

Bad News: An Engine "Totaled," Good News: A Remanufactured Engine Ignoring warning lights can lead to ruining an engine. But don't be too quick to get rid of an otherwise good vehicle because the engine is shot. Here's good information on other options.

It's All in the Timing
The timing belt: what it is, what it does, why it should be replaced as recommended and what could happen if it should fail.

Drivetrain Quiz
 Drive train maintenance is the subject of this multiple choice quiz. Material includes drive train components, including clutch, CV joints, etc.

Check Your Cool Quotient With a Cooling System Quiz
This five-question, multiple choice quiz will help you brush up on your knowledge of your vehicle's cooling system.

Hot Weather the True Culprit Behind Car-Battery Trouble
Summer is the season for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council.

Cold Facts About A/C Refrigerant
How did we ever get along without air conditioning in our cars.  It's a feature we take for granted until, suddenly, it's blowing hot air.

Remanufacturing: The Original Recycling
Ten or 15 years ago, auto technicians would rebuild hard parts for customers right in the shop. Today, that system doesn't work, because consumers don't have time to wait and don't want to pay for the additional labor. Remanufacturing now solves these problems, and as such, it is one of the largest product categories in the automotive aftermarket.

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Safety

Vehicle Prep for Daylight Savings Time
Proper vehicle lighting will be vital to safety when daylight-savings time ends on October 26. To prepare for fewer hours of daylight and the extra hours of darkness, the Car Care Council encourages motorists to take a few minutes to inspect their vehicles to ensure that all of the lights are working properly.

Replace Wiper Blades for Safety
Why put up with worn wipers? They're so easy to replace. 

Does "On the Road Again" Mean "On the Phone Again"?
A cell phone, like so many other things in a vehicle can be a life saver...or a dangerous distraction. Here are some points to consider.

Connecting Jumper Cables
This article explains how to connect jumper cables safely.

Comprehensive Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off
This article explains why motorists would give their vehicle a complete physical before a vacation trip. It includes the items to check.

A Change for the Better? Just Ask Your Brakes
Most motorists don't realize that contaminated brake fluid creates a dangerous situation. System should be flushed and fluid changed periodically.

Brake Safety Compromised With Contaminated Brake Fluid
Brake fluid, which can become contaminated, should be replaced periodically as a safety measure.

For Safer Teen Drivers, Read This Before Handing Over The Keys
Here's valuable advice on teaching young drivers about preventive maintenance.

Consumers Can Avoid Problems by Watching for Warning Signs
When it comes to your car's safety, brakes top the list of systems that need monitoring. However, many people are unaware of the signs that indicate a car's brakes may need maintenance or repair.

Spring Showers Bring Driving Safety Hazards
Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the typically rainy months of spring.