car
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Blog
Expert Tips on How to Inspect a Used Car
Body condition: Check each panel and the roof, looking for scratches, dents, and rust. Watch out for misaligned panels or large gaps, which can indicate either sloppy assembly at the factory or shoddy repair work. The paint color and finish should be the same on every body panel. If you think the body or other parts of the car have…
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Evenflo Car Seat Recall: 20 Models Missing Safety Registration Card
The recalled car seats are still safe to use for your little one, but it is important to register your car seat as soon as possible with the manufacturer so you don’t miss out on any safety updates. “Filling out the registration form for your car seat allows the manufacturer to easily contact you in the case of a recall,”…
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How to Get a Great Deal on Your Next New Car
You may already be aware that the price on a vehicle’s window sticker (or the one in a car ad) isn’t necessarily the final price you’ll pay, says Gabe Shenhar, associate director at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, who has purchased hundreds of the cars CR has tested (all of them anonymously so that dealerships don’t know it’s CR doing…
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How to Find a High-Quality Car Repair Shop
Check for certification. A quality mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, technicians need to pass one or more of ASE’s 52 tests. To remain ASE certified, the technician must be retested every five years. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Auto repair shops rank 16th on the Better…
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How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Used Car
What you should do: Listen for squeaks and rattles, and pay attention to any items that need to be repaired. A car that pulls to one side might be showing signs of previous damage. Paint overspray on the back of body panels and doorjambs can signal bodywork from a wreck. The smell of mildew or mold could indicate water damage, which you…
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Stop Your Car From Collecting and Sharing Your Driving Data
For years, some car insurers have offered their customers the option of getting a discount on their premiums for agreeing to share their driving data. To collect it, insurance companies would typically have you install a plug-in device on your car dashboard or download a smartphone app that tracked your location and speed. By the 2020s, these telematics programs were…
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CR’s Guide to Car Lingo and Terminology
ACN: Automatic Crash NotificationDon’t have your phone in hand when you’re in a crash? (Not surprising.) This vital safety system automatically alerts first responders and tells them where you are. (Learn about cars that come with free ACN.) All-Wheel Drive vs. Four-Wheel DriveNope, not the same thing. Both give you traction on all four wheels, but 4WD is more slip-resistant,…
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Secrets to Electric Car Charging Revealed
DC fast chargers aren’t as ubiquitous as gas stations or as quick to use as a gas pump, but they’re becoming more common off major highways and at rest stops. Apps such as PlugShare and A Better Routeplanner will help you find them and provide charging speeds and costs. Many in-car navigation systems will do the same. To minimize the…
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How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates
Start by asking your current insurer to adjust your plan to account for the tweaks you are making—driving fewer miles, accepting a higher deductible, etc. Once they’ve given you a new price, follow the advice below to reach out to several other insurers to see whether they can do better. According to CR’s 2024 survey of over 40,000 Americans with…
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How to Buy a Safe Used Car
When you’re shopping for a used car, we advise doing so at a reputable dealership—usually one that also sells new cars. Look for a business with top reviews and ratings online from Google, the Better Business Bureau, and other user review sites. (If you buy from an individual, make sure they have vehicle maintenance records.) Once you pick a dealership,…
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