Keep your car working reliably with practical guides for maintenance, warning lights, controls, ownership and common problems. Browse clear help before booking a repair.
To trailer a boat, first confirm the tow vehicle, hitch, and trailer are rated for the loaded boat. Prepare the boat away from the ramp, connect the coupler, safety chains, wiring, and breakaway system, then secure the boat with its bow and stern restraints. Test the lights and brakes before driving slowly through turns and stops.
To prevent rust on a classic car, keep it dry, wash salt and mud from the underside, clear drain holes, inspect seams and hidden cavities, and repair paint chips before corrosion spreads. Store the car in a ventilated, low-humidity garage rather than sealing a damp vehicle under a cover. Use cavity wax or a compatible rust inhibitor only on clean, dry, rust-free or properly repaired surfaces.
To tow a trailer safely, first confirm your vehicle, hitch and trailer are rated for the loaded weight. Distribute cargo evenly with heavier items toward the front, then secure the coupler, pin, safety chains, wiring and breakaway cable. Check tires, lights and brakes before moving, practice slowly in an open area, and stop immediately if the trailer sways, a connection loosens or braking feels abnormal.
To change a car air filter, park safely, switch off the engine, and find the engine air-cleaner housing under the hood. Open its clips or screws, lift out the old filter, clean loose debris without letting it enter the intake, fit the replacement in the same orientation, then close and secure the housing.
Park on level ground, switch off the car, and inspect all four tires in good light. Look for tread-wear indicators across the grooves, then measure the main grooves with a tread-depth gauge at several points around each tire. Replace a tire at the wear bars or when the measured tread reaches the applicable minimum; stop driving immediately for exposed cords, a bulge, deep damage, or a rapidly leaking tire.
To clean car seats, first check the vehicle manual and identify whether the seats are cloth, leather, or vinyl. Vacuum loose dirt, test a mild cleaner on a hidden area, then work in small sections with minimal moisture. Blot rather than saturate, wipe away residue, and leave the seats fully dry before driving.
To change a cabin air filter, park the vehicle, switch off the ignition, confirm the correct filter for your model, and locate the housing—usually behind the glove box or under the dashboard. Remove the cover and old filter, clear loose debris, install the new filter with its airflow arrow facing the same direction, then refit the cover and test the fan.
To check brake pads, look through the wheel spokes for the friction material beside the brake rotor. If the pad is difficult to see, safely raise the vehicle, support it on jack stands, and remove the wheel. Inspect both the inner and outer pads for thin or uneven material, cracking, contamination, or metal contact. Stop driving if braking is noisy, weak, pulling, or unsafe.
To change a flat tire, park safely on firm, level ground, switch on the hazard lights, apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks if available. Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car, raise it only at the manufacturer’s jack point, install the spare, lower the car and tighten the nuts in a star pattern.
To check automatic transmission fluid, park on level ground, set the parking brake, and follow the owner’s manual for engine temperature and gear position. With the engine running when specified, find the transmission dipstick, remove and wipe it, reinsert it fully, then remove it again and read the correct marks. Do not add fluid unless the level is low and the manual confirms the fluid type.