Rick Cotta
Contributor Rick Cotta has been in the automotive industry for more than 35 years, 30 of which were spent as an editor at Consumer Guide Automotive. He is also a former mechanic and earned ASE technician certification.
While tracking down the source of the squeal can be difficult, a good place to start is by identifying the circumstances under which the squeal occurs.
By Rick Cotta
July 21, 2024
A vibration felt in your car while driving is almost always caused by something that’s rotating — most often the wheel-and-tire combination.
By Rick Cotta
July 7, 2024
Although most engine oil and gasoline varieties work fine on their own, sometimes they could use a little help with an additive.
By Rick Cotta
June 23, 2024
A ceramic coating is supposed to be better, tougher and longer-lasting than traditional wax, but that can be both good and bad.
By Rick Cotta
June 9, 2024
Electric vehicles tend to wear out tires more quickly compared to similar gasoline cars, and it can be worse on performance-oriented models that are fitted with softer tires for better grip.
By Rick Cotta
May 26, 2024
Traditional hybrids, such as the popular Toyota Prius, do not need to be plugged in to recharge their battery. In fact, they can’t be plugged in.
By Rick Cotta
May 12, 2024
The beauty of automatic climate control is that you simply set the temperature you want, and the system will do whatever’s best to get to and maintain that temperature in the cabin.
By Rick Cotta
April 28, 2024
How long brakes last depends on factors like how the car is driven and the condition of the rest of the braking system.
By Rick Cotta
April 14, 2024
Although original-equipment tires can last for 50,000 miles or more, how long any tire lasts is dependent not only on the tire itself, but on how that car is maintained.
By Rick Cotta
March 24, 2024
Mild-hybrid vehicles work on the same principle as traditional hybrids, but with less power from the electric motor, which assists the gas engine.
By Rick Cotta
March 10, 2024