Let’s face it: in this day and age, a vehicle is more than just a means of transportation—it’s an investment, and a substantial one at that. From the price of engine repair and body work to ongoing fuel and insurance costs, owning a vehicle constitutes a major financial obligation, which is all the more reason to be proactive about maintenance. With this in mind, we asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to weigh in on key areas where maintenance matters most. Read more

Watch this video to learn how to minimize rust damage to your vehicle. Read more

Watch this video to learn when you should pay attention to automobile recalls. Read more

Shock replacement continues to be one of the most commonly neglected aspects of vehicle maintenance. Most people put off replacement until their shocks are completely worn down or leaking fluid, but the average lifespan of most shocks is only 50,000 miles, so they should be replaced proactively rather than remedially.

The fact that shock replacement is so frequently overlooked may be due to a lack of appreciation for the role they play in vehicle operation. The primary function of shocks is to control a vehicle’s suspension system. As shocks become worn, however, their ability to fulfill this role becomes diminished, resulting in more movement of the suspension and its related components. Read more

Sometimes when an auto body shop fixes a damaged car, the color of the newly painted bumper may not appear to perfectly match the color of the body. Considering the complex nature of paint matching, there are a few possible explanations that may account for this:

• The character of paint often differs between metal and plastic surfaces due to dissimilar rates of evaporation during the drying process.

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Do you know what to look for when shopping for a used car? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more

Whether from force of habit or misinformation, many drivers still think it’s necessary to let their cars idle and warm up before driving in the morning. While this may have been important 30 years ago, modern technological advancements have made warming up a car before driving a thing of the past.

Prior to the 1980s, the fuel delivery systems in most cars were regulated by carburetors. With a carburetor, an engine needed to be warm in order to get the correct fuel mixture, which was why letting a car idle for several minute before driving was so important. By the end of the ’80s, however, a new kind of system was introduced: fuel injection. Read more