Ownership
How to Read a Tire Date Code—and What Tire Age Cannot Tell You
Decode the DOT tire date code, separate manufacture from installation, and record every tire. Includes a clear diagram and manufacturer age guidance.
Roadfelt / Ownership
Ownership
Useful answers for the car you own, and the one you might buy.
Ownership
How to Check Car Recalls by VIN
Check open safety recalls by VIN, understand a zero result, and prepare the dealer call. A practical U.S. guide with official tools and a decision table.
Ownership
How to Identify a Car’s Model, Trim and Engine
Identify a car’s model, trim and engine using its VIN, equipment records and manufacturer specifications. Know what a VIN decoder can and cannot confirm.
Ownership
A Pre-Purchase Inspection: What to Agree Before You Pay
Book a used-car inspection with clear scope, access, fees and a written report. Seven questions to ask, including what an EV battery check actually covers.
Ownership
Choosing Engine Oil: Viscosity, Specifications and Approvals Explained
Learn how to match engine oil viscosity, API or ILSAC specifications and manufacturer approvals to your car's manual before buying or booking a service.
Ownership
Which Tire Pressure Should You Use? Read the Placard Before the Sidewall
Find the right cold tire pressure for your car, read front and rear settings, and avoid common mistakes with warm tires, TPMS and changed wheel sizes.
Ownership
What It Really Costs to Run Your Car: A Worksheet
Build a useful car budget with a simple worksheet for fuel, charging, maintenance and ownership costs—without counting your loan twice.
Ownership
How to Read Your Car’s Maintenance Schedule
Turn a maintenance chart into a clear plan by checking the exact vehicle, the action required, the timing and the conditions that change it.
Ownership
How to Describe a Car Problem Before Paying for Parts
Build a useful symptom log with dates, conditions, warning messages, and observations to help a repair shop investigate your car's problem.
Ownership
What a Used Car’s Service History Can Actually Prove
Turn invoices, dealer records and vehicle history reports into a useful timeline, without mistaking missing entries for proof of neglect or good condition.
Ownership
What a Repair Estimate Should Actually Tell You
Read a repair estimate with confidence: separate diagnosis from repairs, compare parts and labor, and make the approval process clear before work begins.
Ownership
Five Things to Check on Your Next Test Drive
A practical five-part test-drive checklist to help you compare fit, everyday driving, and the questions a used car still needs to answer.