Maintenance

A car’s thermostat typically requires replacement only if it fails, but more complex systems in modern cars may require assistance from a mechanic.

Asking your mechanic for a general tuneup isn’t really a viable request anymore — nor is it likely to be the fix for a running problem.

A bad tank of gas can be caused by a variety of issues, and it can prevent a car’s engine from running as well as it should.

While having too little oil in your engine can understandably cause problems, having too much oil can be just as bad.

VVT-i is short for Variable Valve Timing-Intelligence, an early version of Toyota’s variable valve-timing system that came to be offered on many of the company’s engines.

Powertrain control modules determine how much fuel to inject into the cylinders and when that fuel should be ignited.

High-mileage oil can include additives to reduce wear, corrosion and leaks, but stick with the manufacturer's recommendation and only switch if such signs appear.

Most defrosters rely on the heat from a car’s engine, but some vehicles have electrically heated windshields, while EVs rely on electric sources for their heating and cooling systems.

Conventional wisdom typically sets no time or mileage interval to replace drive-axle boots, but that's the simplified answer.

If your car is making a squealing or squeaking sound when you turn the steering wheel, there could be any of several culprits at play.