The DriveSense Journal
Browse the latest Tips & Advice stories, analysis, and automotive guidance for readers in the U.S. market.
142 stories · Page 2 of 12
The teen-driver problem: predictable mistakes, expensive consequencesShopping for a first car for a teen tends to start with the obvious questions: How big is it, how much fuel does it use, and can it survive a parking lot. Safety technolog
Why an airbag light deserves your full attentionAn illuminated airbag light, sometimes labeled “SRS,” is not a cosmetic warning. It is the vehicle telling you the Supplemental Restraint System has detected a fault. In many vehicles, that ca
Why mileage still matters in 2026Mileage is not just a number that helps you compare listings. It is a shorthand for wear, depreciation, and the maintenance schedule most owners and shops follow. A 60,000-mile car and a 160,000-mile car can
The false either-or: LATCH is not automatically “safer”Parents often walk up to a three-row SUV with a simple question: Should I use LATCH or the seat belt? The more useful framing is different. Both methods can be safe when they are used c
Why spares get ignored (until the worst moment)Most of us treat the spare tire like a smoke alarm. We assume it is “there,” and we only think about it when something goes wrong. The spare lives under the cargo floor, on a rear door, or slun
Why flood-damaged cars can slip through a normal used-car searchAfter a major storm, the used-car market often gets noisy. Inventory moves across state lines, sellers rush to replace totaled vehicles, and buyers feel pressure to “grab a dea
The confusing “minor crash” total-loss moment You’re standing at the curb, looking at what feels like a cosmetic problem. A scraped bumper cover, a cracked corner lamp, maybe a parking sensor that got pushed in. You can still drive home. Th
I’m Michael Turner, based in Detroit. I’ve watched lease returns turn friendly fast when there’s a surprise charge on the final invoice. With EVs, the anxiety tends to orbit one big, expensive question: “Are they going to blame me for the b
The quick answer (the “what do I do right now?” checklist)If you suspect your modern diesel is doing a DPF regeneration, your safest, most practical move is usually to keep driving for a bit, as long as the truck or car feels normal and you
The honest answer: when it works, and when it’s miseryYes, you can realistically own a used EV without home charging. Plenty of apartment dwellers and street parkers do it. The difference between “this is fine” and “why did I do this” usual
A practical guide to diagnosing steering wheel shake only under braking. Learn symptom patterns for rotor runout, uneven pad transfer (pad deposits), hub corrosion issues, and when wheel balance is actually responsible.
A safety-focused guide explaining park-outside recall guidance: why distance from structures matters, EV/PHEV charging restrictions, what to document, what to ask dealers, warning signs to watch for, and why DIY fixes can be unsafe.
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