Tips & Advice
Browse the latest Tips & Advice stories, analysis, and automotive guidance for readers in the U.S. market.
Featured Story
Windshield Replacement on a Used Car: What to Ask About Cameras, Sensors, and Documentation
Buying used and seeing "new windshield" in the listing? Pause for 2 minutes. A windshield replacement can be totally routine. It can also be the moment a modern car quietly loses s…
Jul 24, 2026
Tips & Advice Articles
Page 1 of 15Flood-Damaged Used Cars: The Paperwork and Inspection Clues to Check Before You Start the Engine
Flood cars are not rare, and they are not always obvious After big storms, flood-damaged vehicles have a way of popping up far from where the water was. They get moved, cleaned up,…
Jul 21, 2026
Used-Car Recall Check: A VIN-First Checklist Before You Negotiate
I am Brian O'Connor, based in Chicago, and I have watched enough used-car deals go sideways to know this: the best time to think about recalls is before you fall in love with the c…
Jul 20, 2026
Tire Date Codes on a Used Car: What the Four Digits Tell You-and What They Do Not
The four digits tell you one thing: when the tire was made If you are shopping a used truck or SUV, the tires are one of the easiest places to get a quick reality check. Not on the…
Jul 16, 2026
Used-Car VIN Check: How to Match the Listing, Dashboard, and Title Before You Drive Away
I am going to save you a headache up front. Verifying a used car VIN is not about proving the car is perfect. It is about making sure the car, the listing, and the paperwork all de…
Jul 14, 2026
Buying a Used Plug-In Hybrid Without Home Charging: The Checks That Matter Before You Commit
Can you buy a used plug-in hybrid if you cannot charge at home? Yes, plenty of shoppers can make a used plug-in hybrid (PHEV) work without home charging. The catch is that a PHEV o…
Jul 08, 2026
After a Windshield Replacement: Why ADAS Calibration Records Matter Before You Trust the Car
By Brian O'Connor, Chicago. Automotive design engineer turned car writer. After a windshield swap, the glass is not the whole story Windshield replacement used to be simple. New g…
Jul 08, 2026
Before You Buy a Used EV: Check the Battery Warranty, Recall Status, and Charging Reality Together
Why used EV listings need extra verification I like used EVs for the same reason a lot of Chicago shoppers do: they can make a brutal daily commute feel cheaper and calmer. Quiet c…
Jul 07, 2026
Cold Tire Pressure Before a Summer Road Trip: The 10-Minute Check That Prevents Guesswork
I’m Brian O’Connor, based in Chicago. I love a good road trip, but I like them even more when I’m not wondering if a tire is slowly bleeding air somewhere between Joliet and the ne…
Jul 03, 2026
Before You Buy a Used Car From a Dealer: How to Read the Buyers Guide, VIN, and Recall Record Together
What you’re really verifying at the dealerA dealer listing and a quick walkaround can feel convincing, especially when the car is clean and the salesperson is talking fast. But the…
Jul 03, 2026
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