Auto Body Guides


Before You Buy a Used Car
Whether you buy a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car.Car Maintenance Check List
It is important to diligently maintain your car every month, every 3 months and every 6 months. Each threshold marks significant checkpoints that are vital for the longevity of your car. Explore what action you need to be taking at every checkpoint to ensure the health of your car.Cars.gov Terms of Service: What Glenn Beck Gets Right and Wrong
There's an entertaining clip from Glenn Beck's Fox News program making the rounds on the Internet lately, featuring this language from the Terms of Service for the "Cash for Clunkers" program.Cash for Clunkers Wrap Up Report
The CARS program came to a close late August with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.Clean Cars - Clean Air
Maintaining your car will help you protect your investment, help your car run better, improve your gas mileage -- and also help fight smog. Come learn about why you should worry about air pollution, what causes air pollution and how cars create air pollution.Driving More Efficiently
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.Frontal Air Bags Quick Facts
Frontal air bags have saved 25,782 lives between 1987 and 2008. However, they are supplemental safety devices. Always wear your seat belt. Check out some facts about frontal airbags.How Hybrids Work
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.Keeping Your Car In Shape
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.Planning & Combining Trips
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.Tire Maintenance
There is a close working relationship between your tires and other mechanical systems in your vehicle, such as the wheels, brakes, shock absorbers, steering and suspension systems. To ensure you have a safe, comfortable ride and good tire mileage, click on the areas of interest below.How to Change a Car Battery
Automotive batteries don't last forever, so if you notice your headlights dimming, it's been 3-7 years since you got a new battery, or the car needs a jump-start, it might be time for a change. You can bring it to an experienced and trusted auto mechanic, or you can get the job done yourself. Changing a battery is a quick and easy job in most cars and vans and can be done with minimal tools.How to Change Your Oil
Regularly changing your car's engine oil and filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time your oil breaks down and your filter becomes clogged with contaminants. Depending upon your driving habits, this may take as few as 3 months or 3,000 miles or be as long as 20,000 miles or 24 months.How to Paint Your Car
Too often, people find the perfect car to drive, only to realize that the color is definitely not one they would ever choose. If you take the car to a body shop, however, and pay to have that color changed, you probably will lose any extra money you saved in purchasing the car. Painting the car yourself is a perfect solution to your dilemmas. Rather than spending money for a manual, follow these easy directions to create the perfect automobile masterpiece you’re longing for!