Cars & Driving

Essential auto knowledge for owners, drivers, and first-time car buyers.

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Add-Ons That Dealers Pitch—and What They're Actually Worth
Buying a Car

Add-Ons That Dealers Pitch—and What They're Actually Worth

Paint protection, gap insurance, extended warranties—a clear breakdown of common dealership add-ons and when they make sense.

By Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 9, 2023 · 7 min read

Latest In Cars & Driving

Before You Visit the Dealership: A Pre-Purchase Checklist
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Before You Visit the Dealership: A Pre-Purchase Checklist

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 4, 2025 · 5 min read
Car-Buying Myths That Cost Shoppers Real Money
Buying a Car

Car-Buying Myths That Cost Shoppers Real Money

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 21, 2023 · 6 min read
Certified Pre-Owned vs. Regular Used: What the Label Actually Gets You
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Certified Pre-Owned vs. Regular Used: What the Label Actually Gets You

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Financing a Car Through a Dealer vs. Your Own Bank
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Financing a Car Through a Dealer vs. Your Own Bank

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Feb 25, 2024 · 6 min read
How to Judge Whether a Used Car's Asking Price Is Fair
Buying a Car

How to Judge Whether a Used Car's Asking Price Is Fair

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 7, 2024 · 7 min read
Key Terms in a Car Purchase Contract
Buying a Car

Key Terms in a Car Purchase Contract

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Sep 12, 2025 · 5 min read
Leasing vs. Buying: A Side-by-Side Look at Long-Term Cost
Buying a Car

Leasing vs. Buying: A Side-by-Side Look at Long-Term Cost

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 22, 2025 · 6 min read
Negotiating a Car Price When You Hate Negotiating
Buying a Car

Negotiating a Car Price When You Hate Negotiating

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 10, 2024 · 6 min read
New Car vs. Used Car: What the Numbers Actually Tell You
Buying a Car

New Car vs. Used Car: What the Numbers Actually Tell You

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Oct 10, 2023 · 6 min read
Reading a Vehicle History Report Without Getting Lost
Buying a Car

Reading a Vehicle History Report Without Getting Lost

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Nov 1, 2024 · 7 min read
The Car-Buying Process, Start to Finish
Buying a Car

The Car-Buying Process, Start to Finish

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 4, 2023 · 8 min read
Trade-In or Private Sale: Getting the Most From Your Current Vehicle
Buying a Car

Trade-In or Private Sale: Getting the Most From Your Current Vehicle

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Aug 19, 2023 · 6 min read
What 'Out-the-Door Price' Really Means—and Why It's the Only Number That Matters
Buying a Car

What 'Out-the-Door Price' Really Means—and Why It's the Only Number That Matters

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Oct 25, 2024 · 7 min read
Why Buyers Regret Their Car Purchase—and How to Avoid It
Buying a Car

Why Buyers Regret Their Car Purchase—and How to Avoid It

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Your Credit Score Changes the Car Deal More Than the Sticker Price
Buying a Car

Why Your Credit Score Changes the Car Deal More Than the Sticker Price

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 9, 2023 · 7 min read
Buying vs. Leasing a Car: What the Numbers Actually Tell You
Car Ownership

Buying vs. Leasing a Car: What the Numbers Actually Tell You

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 3, 2025 · 6 min read
Car Maintenance Myths That Are Costing You Money
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Car Maintenance Myths That Are Costing You Money

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Oct 8, 2023 · 6 min read
Car Ownership from Day One: A Practical Introduction
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Car Ownership from Day One: A Practical Introduction

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 28, 2024 · 6 min read
Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage: Knowing When Each Applies
Car Ownership

Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage: Knowing When Each Applies

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 24, 2023 · 5 min read
Depreciation and the Smart Driver: What Every Car Owner Should Know
Car Ownership

Depreciation and the Smart Driver: What Every Car Owner Should Know

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 26, 2024 · 8 min read
Extended Warranties on Used Cars: Protection or Waste of Money?
Car Ownership

Extended Warranties on Used Cars: Protection or Waste of Money?

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 2, 2024 · 6 min read
Fuel Economy Habits That Make a Measurable Difference
Car Ownership

Fuel Economy Habits That Make a Measurable Difference

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · May 19, 2026 · 6 min read
Keeping a High-Mileage Car Running Without Breaking the Bank
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Keeping a High-Mileage Car Running Without Breaking the Bank

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 3, 2023 · 6 min read
Managing Car Ownership Costs: A Complete Overview
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Managing Car Ownership Costs: A Complete Overview

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 27, 2024 · 7 min read
New Car vs. Used Car: What Trade-Offs Are Worth It?
Car Ownership

New Car vs. Used Car: What Trade-Offs Are Worth It?

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Reading a Mechanic's Estimate Without Getting Lost
Car Ownership

Reading a Mechanic's Estimate Without Getting Lost

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Seasonal Car Care: What to Check Before Winter and Summer
Car Ownership

Seasonal Car Care: What to Check Before Winter and Summer

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 14, 2023 · 5 min read
The Hidden Costs First-Time Car Owners Often Miss
Car Ownership

The Hidden Costs First-Time Car Owners Often Miss

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 12, 2024 · 5 min read
The Real Cost of Owning a Car Beyond the Sticker Price
Car Ownership

The Real Cost of Owning a Car Beyond the Sticker Price

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 23, 2025 · 8 min read
What's Actually in Your Car Warranty — and What Isn't
Car Ownership

What's Actually in Your Car Warranty — and What Isn't

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 20, 2023 · 5 min read
Why Your Car Insurance Premium Keeps Climbing
Car Ownership

Why Your Car Insurance Premium Keeps Climbing

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Before You Merge: Understanding Highway On-Ramp Technique
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Before You Merge: Understanding Highway On-Ramp Technique

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 27, 2026 · 6 min read
Driving Safely Across Every Season: A Year-Round Preparedness Guide
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Driving Safely Across Every Season: A Year-Round Preparedness Guide

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Aug 21, 2025 · 8 min read
Driving With a Suspended License: What the Consequences Actually Look Like
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Driving With a Suspended License: What the Consequences Actually Look Like

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Mar 30, 2025 · 7 min read
Emergency Roadside Kit: What to Keep in Your Car Year-Round
Driving & Safety

Emergency Roadside Kit: What to Keep in Your Car Year-Round

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jan 29, 2025 · 6 min read
Following Distance: The Gap Between You and a Collision
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Following Distance: The Gap Between You and a Collision

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jul 26, 2023 · 8 min read
Hands-Free vs. No Phone: What the Research Says About Distracted Driving
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Hands-Free vs. No Phone: What the Research Says About Distracted Driving

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How to Respond When Your Brakes Stop Working
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How to Respond When Your Brakes Stop Working

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Night Driving Is Statistically Deadlier — Here's Why
Driving & Safety

Night Driving Is Statistically Deadlier — Here's Why

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Jun 7, 2023 · 9 min read
Road Signs Decoded: A Field Guide for Everyday Drivers
Driving & Safety

Road Signs Decoded: A Field Guide for Everyday Drivers

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Rural Roads vs. Urban Streets: How Driving Demands Differ
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Rural Roads vs. Urban Streets: How Driving Demands Differ

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Speed Limits, Right-of-Way, and 10 Other Traffic Laws Americans Routinely Misunderstand
Driving & Safety

Speed Limits, Right-of-Way, and 10 Other Traffic Laws Americans Routinely Misunderstand

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Apr 2, 2025 · 8 min read
Teen Drivers and Graduated Licensing: What Parents and New Drivers Should Know
Driving & Safety

Teen Drivers and Graduated Licensing: What Parents and New Drivers Should Know

Cars & Driving Editorial Team · Dec 30, 2023 · 8 min read
Wet Roads, Black Ice, and Hydroplaning: Traction Hazards Explained
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Wet Roads, Black Ice, and Hydroplaning: Traction Hazards Explained

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What Defensive Driving Actually Means — and Why It Matters
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What Defensive Driving Actually Means — and Why It Matters

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Why Aggressive Driving Escalates Faster Than Drivers Expect
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Why Aggressive Driving Escalates Faster Than Drivers Expect

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Your Car's Safety Systems Don't Drive for You
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Your Car's Safety Systems Don't Drive for You

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