In just a few days, we’ll all be turning back our clocks to coincide with the end of another daylight saving time (DST). Regardless of your sentiments toward this annual ritual, it’s important to be prepared for the time change. In particular, with the extended hours of darkness, you should take measures to maximize visibility during the end of DST. Here are a few to consider: Read more

Throughout most of the year, Bay Area residents enjoy exceptionally pleasant weather, exemplified by mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. The problem is, in this characteristically comfy climate, it’s easy to forget about preparing for when the weather isn’t so nice. Take winter road safety, which many Northern California drivers neglect to prepare for due to the relatively brief rainy season. However, with the slick roads and diminished visibility winter weather often brings, it’s necessary to address this crucial concern. To help you do this, we’ve created the following checklist of areas to assess on your vehicle. Read more

For many people, a car represents more than a mere means of conveyance. It might be a status symbol, a passion project or simply the result of long-term hard work and frugality. If any of these applies to you, you’re likely as concerned about your car’s outward appearance as you are about its internal components, in which case you’ll want to know how to effectively maintain it. To that end, we’ve asked six Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to provide their auto body care tips. Read more

A vehicle has several components that need to be maintained, from tires to brakes to suspension. However, the most critical of these components are found under the hood—namely the engine and transmission. We’ve asked eight Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to give their tips on caring for these vital organs of vehicle operation.

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Followers of our Facebook page know that we post daily tips for Bay Area consumers. Whether these tips concern home improvement, auto care, health or something else completely, we strive to make them relevant, practical and helpful. Here’s a sample of 10 noteworthy tips from 2016. For more, be sure to “like” our page at www.facebook.com/diamondcertified.

Tip of the Day: While materials and workmanship are crucial factors in a fence’s longevity, another important aspect is preventative maintenance. To protect your fence from rot and premature wear, make sure fence posts are kept out of contact with the soil, and adjust sprinklers so their streams don’t hit the fence. Read more

Window tint can make a car look cooler, but did you know it can also make a car literally cooler? Fortified with light- and heat-rejecting properties, tint (aka film) blocks incoming solar energy from entering car windows, keeping the interior environment more comfortable and protecting drivers from harmful UV rays.

Unfortunately, California’s legal limits on tint darkness can make it challenging to get these benefits where you need them most—namely, your windshield and front side windows. Read more

Nine times out of 10, driving is as simple as getting from point A to point B, but every so often, things don’t go according to plan. Whether a minor collision, a mechanical failure or a dead battery, vehicle emergencies are an inevitable part of driving, so it’s important to be prepared. To gain insight on how to do this, we’ve asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to weigh in on some common scenarios. Read more