Cars & Driving

Everything drivers need to know about vehicles, maintenance, and road life.

Battery Health and the Electrical Systems That Depend on It
Featured · Car Maintenance

Battery Health and the Electrical Systems That Depend on It

Your car battery does more than start the engine. Understand its role in the broader electrical system and how to monitor its condition over time.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Mar 14, 2025
Brake Pads, Rotors, and Fluid: How the Braking System Works Together
Car Maintenance

Brake Pads, Rotors, and Fluid: How the Braking System Works Together

A clear explanation of the relationship between brake pads, rotors, callipers, and fluid — and what happens when any one component is…

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 20, 2024
Car Maintenance From the First Year of Ownership
Car Maintenance

Car Maintenance From the First Year of Ownership

Everything a first-time car owner needs to know about routine upkeep, service intervals, and building good maintenance habits from day one.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Aug 14, 2023
Car Maintenance Myths That Keep Circulating — and the Reality Behind Them
Car Maintenance

Car Maintenance Myths That Keep Circulating — and the Reality Behind Them

From the 3,000-mile oil change rule to warming up your engine in winter — separating entrenched automotive folklore from current mechanical reality.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Jun 28, 2026
DIY Maintenance vs. Workshop Servicing: Weighing the Trade-Offs
Car Maintenance

DIY Maintenance vs. Workshop Servicing: Weighing the Trade-Offs

Some maintenance tasks suit capable home mechanics; others genuinely require specialist tools or training. Here's how to think through the decision.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Mar 31, 2023
Fluid Checks Every Driver Should Understand
Car Maintenance

Fluid Checks Every Driver Should Understand

From coolant to power steering fluid, learn what each vehicle fluid does, how to check levels safely, and what warning signs look like.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Jun 16, 2023
Keeping Maintenance Records: Why Documentation Matters More Than Most Owners Realise
Car Maintenance

Keeping Maintenance Records: Why Documentation Matters More Than Most Owners Realise

A complete service history affects resale value, warranty claims, and your mechanic's ability to diagnose problems accurately. Here's how to manage it.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Jan 5, 2026
Reading Your Tyres Before They Fail
Car Maintenance

Reading Your Tyres Before They Fail

Uneven tread, bulges, and cracking each tell a different story. Learn to interpret tyre wear patterns and what they reveal about your vehicle.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 9 min · Mar 5, 2023
Scheduled Servicing vs. Condition-Based Maintenance: Two Approaches Compared
Car Maintenance

Scheduled Servicing vs. Condition-Based Maintenance: Two Approaches Compared

Modern vehicles increasingly use sensors to flag service needs. Understand how condition-based maintenance differs from fixed-interval schedules.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Aug 15, 2025
Seasonal Vehicle Maintenance: Preparing Your Car for Changing Conditions
Car Maintenance

Seasonal Vehicle Maintenance: Preparing Your Car for Changing Conditions

A structured checklist covering what to inspect and address as temperatures, road conditions, and driving demands shift across the year.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Apr 23, 2026
Synthetic vs. Conventional Motor Oil: What the Difference Means for Your Engine
Car Maintenance

Synthetic vs. Conventional Motor Oil: What the Difference Means for Your Engine

Synthetic and conventional oils differ in more than price. Learn how each is made, how they perform, and which conditions favour one over the other.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 9, 2023
The Hidden Costs of Deferred Car Maintenance
Car Maintenance

The Hidden Costs of Deferred Car Maintenance

Putting off minor repairs rarely saves money. A clear look at how small neglected issues compound into expensive failures over time.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Mar 16, 2024
The Logic Behind Preventive Maintenance — and Why It Saves Money
Car Maintenance

The Logic Behind Preventive Maintenance — and Why It Saves Money

Understand how preventive maintenance works, why it matters for vehicle longevity, and which tasks deliver the most value over time.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Nov 6, 2024
Vehicle Maintenance Across the Lifespan: What Changes as Mileage Climbs
Car Maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance Across the Lifespan: What Changes as Mileage Climbs

A high-mileage vehicle has different needs than a new one. Explore how maintenance priorities evolve as age and kilometres accumulate.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 6, 2023
What Your Car's Warning Lights Are Actually Telling You
Car Maintenance

What Your Car's Warning Lights Are Actually Telling You

Decode the dashboard symbols that most drivers ignore until it's too late. A plain-language guide to what each warning light means.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 23, 2024
Why Skipping Oil Changes Costs More Than You Think
Car Maintenance

Why Skipping Oil Changes Costs More Than You Think

Delaying oil changes doesn't just risk engine wear — it can trigger a chain of damage. Here's what actually happens inside the engine over time.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 5, 2025
A Century of Italian Coachbuilding: The Carrozzerie That Shaped Car Design
Car Brands & Makes

A Century of Italian Coachbuilding: The Carrozzerie That Shaped Car Design

Italy's design houses gave the world some of its most celebrated car bodies. Here's how the coachbuilding tradition evolved over 100 years.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 20, 2023
Automaker Alliances and Mergers: The Corporate Structures Behind the Badges
Car Brands & Makes

Automaker Alliances and Mergers: The Corporate Structures Behind the Badges

Many car brands share platforms, engines, and ownership. This guide explains the major automotive groups and what connects the brands within them.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Jun 12, 2026
Car Marques That Disappeared: A History of Discontinued Automotive Brands
Car Brands & Makes

Car Marques That Disappeared: A History of Discontinued Automotive Brands

Pontiac, Oldsmobile, DeLorean — a look at car brands that no longer exist, why they folded, and what they left behind.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Jul 23, 2023
German Engineering vs. Japanese Reliability: Two Philosophies Behind the Wheel
Car Brands & Makes

German Engineering vs. Japanese Reliability: Two Philosophies Behind the Wheel

A look at how German and Japanese automakers approached car design differently and what those philosophies mean for drivers today.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Feb 2, 2024
How Car Brands Reinvent Themselves Without Losing Their Identity
Car Brands & Makes

How Car Brands Reinvent Themselves Without Losing Their Identity

From near-bankruptcy revivals to electric pivots, explore how automakers navigate radical change while staying true to their founding character.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Dec 31, 2025
How Country of Origin Still Shapes a Car Brand's Global Reputation
Car Brands & Makes

How Country of Origin Still Shapes a Car Brand's Global Reputation

National stereotypes about reliability, performance, and craftsmanship influence how consumers perceive car brands — even when assembly happens elsewhere.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Dec 20, 2023
Luxury Marques Explained: Why Some Car Brands Exist Only at the Top of the Market
Car Brands & Makes

Luxury Marques Explained: Why Some Car Brands Exist Only at the Top of the Market

Understand what separates luxury automotive marques from mainstream brands — from manufacturing philosophy to positioning and heritage.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Apr 14, 2024
Mass Market vs. Premium Brand: What Actually Separates Them
Car Brands & Makes

Mass Market vs. Premium Brand: What Actually Separates Them

Is the distinction between a mainstream and a premium car brand purely about price? A closer look at engineering, positioning, and perception.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Dec 16, 2023
Motorsport Heritage and Road Cars: How Racing Shapes What Reaches the Showroom
Car Brands & Makes

Motorsport Heritage and Road Cars: How Racing Shapes What Reaches the Showroom

Discover how a brand's racing history filters into everyday road car development, from aerodynamics to suspension tuning and engine design.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 9 min · Apr 13, 2025
Reading Between the Lines of a Car Brand's Model Naming Convention
Car Brands & Makes

Reading Between the Lines of a Car Brand's Model Naming Convention

Numbers, letters, animal names — car model naming follows distinct internal logic. Here's how to decode the naming systems used by major manufacturers.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · May 4, 2023
The Electrification Challenge: What the EV Transition Means for Legacy Car Brands
Car Brands & Makes

The Electrification Challenge: What the EV Transition Means for Legacy Car Brands

Legacy automakers face a complex shift to electric vehicles. Explore the strategic and identity pressures reshaping brands with combustion-era roots.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 12, 2024
The Myths Surrounding German Cars That Drivers Still Believe
Car Brands & Makes

The Myths Surrounding German Cars That Drivers Still Believe

Are German cars really the most reliable? Do they hold their value better? Common beliefs about German automotive brands examined against the facts.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Sep 21, 2024
The Origins of Mass Production: How Ford Reshaped the Automobile Industry
Car Brands & Makes

The Origins of Mass Production: How Ford Reshaped the Automobile Industry

Explore how Ford's assembly line transformed car manufacturing and set the template for modern automotive production worldwide.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 9 min · Aug 17, 2023
The World's Major Automotive Brands: A Reference Guide to Makes and Their Histories
Car Brands & Makes

The World's Major Automotive Brands: A Reference Guide to Makes and Their Histories

A concise reference covering the founding dates, home countries, parent groups, and key heritage milestones of the world's major car manufacturers.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Apr 28, 2023
Understanding Car Nameplates: Why Manufacturers Use Multiple Brand Names
Car Brands & Makes

Understanding Car Nameplates: Why Manufacturers Use Multiple Brand Names

What is a nameplate strategy and why do automakers sell near-identical vehicles under different brand names in different markets?

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Oct 15, 2024
What the Logo Actually Tells You About a Car Brand's Identity
Car Brands & Makes

What the Logo Actually Tells You About a Car Brand's Identity

From the prancing horse to the four rings, discover what the symbolism behind iconic car manufacturer logos reveals about brand heritage.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Jun 21, 2023
Automotive Terminology Every Driver Should Know
Car Knowledge

Automotive Terminology Every Driver Should Know

A practical glossary of car terminology — from understeer and camber to compression ratio and regenerative braking.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Feb 7, 2025
Car Fluids You Should Know Beyond Engine Oil
Car Knowledge

Car Fluids You Should Know Beyond Engine Oil

Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid — what each one does, why it degrades, and what to watch for.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Dec 14, 2023
Caring for a Car Battery: What Shortens Its Life and What Extends It
Car Knowledge

Caring for a Car Battery: What Shortens Its Life and What Extends It

Short trips, extreme temperatures, and parasitic drain all affect battery health. Learn what genuinely protects your car's battery.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 6, 2023
Common Myths About Running on Low Fuel
Car Knowledge

Common Myths About Running on Low Fuel

Does a near-empty tank really damage your fuel pump? Separating fact from fiction on low-fuel driving habits.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 12, 2023
Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel, and All-Wheel Drive: What Changes Behind the Wheel
Car Knowledge

Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel, and All-Wheel Drive: What Changes Behind the Wheel

Drive layout shapes how a car handles, accelerates, and responds in different conditions. Here's what distinguishes FWD, RWD, and AWD.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 6, 2024
How a Manual Gearbox Works (And Why the Technique Matters)
Car Knowledge

How a Manual Gearbox Works (And Why the Technique Matters)

Manual transmissions are mechanical elegance in action. Understand the clutch, gear selection, and synchromesh — and why smooth shifts matter.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 22, 2025
Modern Driver-Assistance Systems: What ADAS Actually Does
Car Knowledge

Modern Driver-Assistance Systems: What ADAS Actually Does

Lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring — how modern ADAS technologies work and what their limits are.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Sep 15, 2025
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, and Electric: How Each Powertrain Works
Car Knowledge

Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, and Electric: How Each Powertrain Works

A clear breakdown of how petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains differ in operation, efficiency, and everyday driving experience.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 7 min · Nov 3, 2025
Pre-Long-Journey Vehicle Check: What to Inspect Before You Set Off
Car Knowledge

Pre-Long-Journey Vehicle Check: What to Inspect Before You Set Off

A practical pre-trip checklist covering tyres, fluids, lights, brakes, and load to help you set off with confidence.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 1, 2023
Reading a Tyre Sidewall: What Those Numbers and Letters Actually Mean
Car Knowledge

Reading a Tyre Sidewall: What Those Numbers and Letters Actually Mean

That string of numbers on your tyre isn't random. Learn how to decode tyre size, load rating, speed index, and more.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 6 min · Feb 26, 2026
The Anatomy of a Car Engine
Car Knowledge

The Anatomy of a Car Engine

From pistons to camshafts, explore the key components inside a combustion engine and understand what each one does.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 9 min · Jan 18, 2026
The Real Difference Between Adaptive and Standard Cruise Control
Car Knowledge

The Real Difference Between Adaptive and Standard Cruise Control

Standard cruise control holds speed. Adaptive cruise control does much more. Here's how each system works and what separates them.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · May 10, 2026
Torque vs Horsepower: Why Both Numbers Matter When Reading a Spec Sheet
Car Knowledge

Torque vs Horsepower: Why Both Numbers Matter When Reading a Spec Sheet

Torque and horsepower measure different things. Here's what each figure really tells you about how a car performs on the road.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · Mar 8, 2026
Understanding Your Car's Suspension System
Car Knowledge

Understanding Your Car's Suspension System

Suspension is what keeps your wheels on the road and your ride comfortable. Explore how springs, dampers, and linkages work together.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Dec 30, 2025
What Your Engine Warning Light Is Actually Telling You
Car Knowledge

What Your Engine Warning Light Is Actually Telling You

Dashboard warning lights decoded: what each symbol means, which ones need urgent attention, and when to see a mechanic.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 8 min · Oct 20, 2023
Why Your Brakes Feel Different — And When That's a Problem
Car Knowledge

Why Your Brakes Feel Different — And When That's a Problem

Spongy, squeaky, or pulsing brakes each point to different causes. Understand what brake feel tells you about your stopping system.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · 5 min · May 19, 2026