Tires and wheels

A combination of costs, changing consumer tastes and packaging is why you hardly see spare tires in new cars anymore.

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.

Because many tire-leak repairs require taking the tire off the wheel, taking the car to a tire shop is often your best option. However, there are some simple things you can check and correct at home.

Although a typical interval is 5,000 to 10,000 miles, you may want to have tires rotated before it’s called for if you notice uneven tread wear that results in vibration or noise.

Each type of tire has strong points and weak ones, and none is probably ideal for every situation or time of year, so it pays to know their strengths and weaknesses.

A problem in the traction control system will usually illuminate a dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled, in some cases, ABS is disabled as well.

Proper tire pressure is much more crucial to your car than you may think, and it results in a safer and more economical experience on the road.

A vibration felt in your car while driving is almost always caused by something that’s rotating — most often the wheel-and-tire combination.

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.