"Rubber, Meet Heat: The Summer Love Affair That's Tough on Your Car"

Rubber may be great for bouncing balls, but it can't handle the heat like we can. Here's what can happen when the temperature rises:

• Belts and Hoses - The heat can turn your car's belts and hoses into limp noodles. They can get so soft, they feel like cause the battery's fluid to evaporate, damaging the internal structure and reducing its ability to hold a charge...

Hot Wheels: How Heat Messes With Your Car (and Your Cool)

Your car loves the warm sunshine, the feeling of the wind in its grille, and the freedom of the open road. But, just like you, it can also get a little cranky in the heat. Here's how:

• Battery Life - High temperatures can drain your car's battery faster than a toddler with a juice box. Heat can cause the battery's fluid to evaporate, damaging the internal structure and reducing its ability to hold a charge.

Alternator, Battery, or Starter

When you have problems starting your car, how do you know if it's your alternator, battery, or starter?

Here's a quick guide to help you narrow down your specific problem. Keep in mind this is not a definitive diagnostic. There are three standard components when it comes to a no-start.

Starter

When your starter goes bad, your dash lights will come on when you turn the key but won't start.

The Myth of the Code

"Plug this scanner in and it will tell you exactly what's wrong with your vehicle!"

Scanners for your car are not like getting a x-ray or CT scan. They rarely provide a specific answer. What you get is a grouping of numbers known as "codes." Your vehicle's computer is programmed to "throw a code" for anything outside of a particular range or parameter.

How Cars Have Changed

Can't find your dipstick? It's not you; your car may not have one.

The ole dipstick is quickly becoming a thing of the past. With manufacturers removing dipsticks, drivers will have to depend on the oil sensor to detect when oil is low...

Chilly Air, Empty Tire?

Chilly temperatures don't just usher in a warm bowl of soup and heated blankets, but that pesky tire pressure light. Did you know that temperature affects the density of air? Warm air causes air to expand. Air molecules are spaced out, filling your tire.

As temperatures become cooler, the air molecules...