Honest Car Advice, No Bull*&@!

From Real Mechanics, Owners and Knuckleheads

Car Talk Doubles Down on Podcasting! Read more.

Trade-In Value and the Newest Safety Features

Ray Magliozzi
10/15/2021

Vehicle Subscriptions Eclipse Cost of Car Itself

If you're thinking of getting a new vehicle, pay close attention to the possible subscriptions that might come with it. Car Talk takes a look at the h ...

How To Reply When Dealers Ask To Buy Your Car

A car dealer wants you to sell them your car, crossover, or truck. Here’s how you should rely on them.

Man and woman inside the car wearing a medical face mask

Adapting Car Air Circulation in Age of COVID-19

I'm retired but had been driving with Uber for the past couple of years. I haven't driven since COVID-19 started but plan to resume.

Safety Features Abound on the Suburu Outback

I talked to you and your brother years ago on your radio show and ended up taking your advice and selling my ancient VW Squareback for a slightly used ...

When to Know the Right Time to Replace Timing Belt

My daughter was given a 1995 Toyota Corolla by a family friend, who inherited it from a late relative. The car has 65,000 miles.

White Toyota Prius on autumn road in rainy day

Towing With Prius is Possible, At Your Own Risk

I have a 2013 Toyota Prius V hybrid with 68,000 miles that I love. It has been trouble-free. It has hauled me, my dog and all our gear on many fun vac ...

Jeep's Big Bang Issue is Exhausting All Options

I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 6-cylinder engine and 4-wheel-drive. I never had any problems with it until recently.

Woman in the middle of a snowy road with a broken car

Jump Starts Can Be More Complicated in Newer Cars

We live in Minnesota and have two 2009 cars, which we park on the street. Last winter, the battery failed on one of our cars when the temperature had ...

A World Without Gas Caps is Here

In a recent column, you talked about how a vehicle's emissions system monitors itself for leaks. And that if a gas cap is loose and lets vapors escape ...

Two cars collided with the owners beside it

Better Options in Aftermarket Warning Systems

I have a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. It is in great condition and has low miles. I would like to install (or have installed) one of the latest ...

Aerosol Flat Fixers Should Be Used as Last Resort

We were on vacation and got a flat tire that was caused by a screw. A good Samaritan saw our dilemma and offered us a can of aerosol flat fixer and ai ...

Car Talk Doubles Down on Podcasting

Car Talk switches to twice-weekly podcast offerings in October!

For Phantom Car Issues, Check the 'Pending Codes'

I have a 2004 Saturn Vue with a Honda V-6 engine and 150,000 miles. I bought the car with 54,000 miles on it.

Electric Vehicles Will Lessen But Not Road Noises

I was wondering how much traffic noise comes from engines and how much from tires on pavement? My house is near an urban expressway.

Close up image of a windshield and steering wheel

Shiny Dashboards - Common Plague of Newer Cars

Toyota recently had a recall on Toyota Camrys for melting dashboards. I did not respond to the recall, because my car did not have this problem.

Don't Reinvent Wheel, Overpay for Cosmetic Issue

I own a 2005 Honda CR-V with 125,425 miles. It's in good shape. The worst feature on the car right now is rusted wheels.

Internet Can Be a Useful Tool for Every Mechanic

My 2007 Honda Ridgeline has 123,000 miles on it. For over a year, I've been trying to get a small oil leak repaired.

Taillights Cheap, Effective Safety Enhancement

We have occasional days of poor visibility -- be it fog, rain, snow or just that half-light we get at dusk and dawn. During these times, I have follow ...