Maybe forever, if you rely on an overly liberal interpretation of the maintenance schedules set by some vehicle manufacturers. That doesn't mean you should ignore them or even accept the manufacturer's recommendations, though; instead, add them to your list of items that should be...
Companies that make shock absorbers used to recommend they be replaced every 50,000 miles, but in most cases that’s unnecessary. Shocks and struts (which are mounted inside coil springs on cars with strut-type suspensions) often last the life of a vehicle. They should be replaced if they...
If your car bounces like it’s on a pogo stick or bottoms out over railroad tracks, it’s probably because of worn shock absorbers or struts (“shocks” that are mounted inside coil springs on strut-type suspensions). Worn shocks can also allow excessive body lean. Shocks...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — Sustainability has been a buzzword for cars, with several of the more eco-minded models offering features like bio-plastics and manufacturing processes with less environmental impact in mind. Michelin is looking to extend this concept to the tires that the car drives...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — Suspension components, including springs, shock absorbers (or struts on some vehicles), anti-roll bars, control arms and other parts, are like combat troops serving on the frontlines: They take a pounding daily from potholed streets, railroad tracks, rain, snow, road...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — Larger wheels give cars a more aggressive stance and greater stage presence, which is why automakers install king-size rims on concept cars. They look cool. Whether you move to a larger-diameter wheel as an option on a new vehicle or as an aftermarket upgrade on the...
If a thorough inspection of a leaking tire, which will probably require removing it from the vehicle, doesn't find a nail or puncture, the leak could be caused by a pinhole in the tread or sidewall. The tire might not be the problem, though. The air valve stem might have a leak and need to...
Oh, the pain of hearing one of your expensive alloy wheels scrape against a curb because you slightly misjudged a parking maneuver. But unless you scored a direct hit that damaged the wheel structurally, the "curb rash" you caused probably can be fixed and the wheel restored to a...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — The B1 service indicator popped up on our 2015 Honda Fit at around 14,000 miles, signifying it was time for the Fit's second oil change following the A1 oil change at 6,800 miles. The Fit's maintenance minder system sends an alert when certain services are...
All cars and light trucks since the 2012 model year have come with standard traction control, and many vehicles from earlier years that had antilock brakes also got traction control. That’s because traction control piggybacks on the antilock brake system and uses the same wheel-speed...
Flat tires can happen at any time, so it pays to make like a Boy Scout and be prepared. A small box in the cargo area of your car that’s loaded with useful stuff can be as valuable as free roadside assistance -- and available much sooner when an emergency arises. Subaru recently ran a...
When one of your tires goes flat, your first order of business should be to steer to a safe location for changing it. Because driving more than a short distance can destroy a tire and damage the wheel, the sooner you get off the road, the better. On the other hand, you don't want to try to...
In many parts of the country, a bent rim is the most common problem drivers experience with wheels, especially during the late winter/early spring pothole season in the Snow Belt. That’s why dealers now sell tire and wheel insurance for new cars. We’ve seen claims that alloy...
It's possible, and that's why it pays to buy a well-known brand from a retailer concerned about quality and safety. Buying aftermarket wheels isn't as simple as replacing one 17-inch rim with another — or, if you're upsizing, going from 17-inch wheels and tires to 18...
Tire pressure monitoring systems have been required on all vehicles since the 2008 model year and can be found on many earlier vehicles, as well. They detect when the air pressure in any tire falls 25 percent or more below the recommended level and alert the driver through a dashboard warning...