1st Rate Auto & Truck Repair

From a hydrogen-powered hypercar to a flying Cadillac, the future of automotive appears otherworldly.

Nothing says movie nostalgia quite like the cars the characters drive, especially when the film involves racing of any kind. In many cases, these vehicles can become the visual icon for the entire film. They also become extensions of the characters themselves they’re not just props, they become key elements of the character development.

Vehicles are machines, and like any machine they need maintenance. For most vehicles, regular maintenance begins at 5,000 miles and continues from there every 5,000-10,000 miles. Of course, checking your car on a more regular basis is even better.

Even for the most diehard gearheads and auto gurus out there, it’s impossible to truly know and retain everything there is to know about cars.

Holiday road trips always sound fun in theory, but let’s be honest: The irritation level can get pretty high in there about 30 minutes into the drive (especially if you’re traveling with little ones). Make this season’s car rides your most painless and festive yet with these super simple, plan-ahead tips.

The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather. The Car Care Council recommends that car owners follow its Fall Car Care Month checklist and inspect their vehicles before the temperatures drop and severe weather hits.

Car batteries are the strong, silent member of the automotive team. They do their job regardless of heat, cold weather and the drivers who demand so much of them. While a battery that allows a car start at the first turn of the key is a joyful thing, it doesn't last forever.

An air cabin filter is an important component in any vehicle's heating and cooling system. It helps protect the passengers from contaminants in the air they breathe.

With gas prices remaining low, motorists should take advantage of their savings and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little now to increase fuel efficiency, drivers can multiply fuel savings and save more money at the pump, says the Car Care Council.

Driving can be very stressful, particularly if you are stuck in heavy traffic or are an inexperienced driver, and this stress will eventually take its toll on the heart. However, researchers now confirm that there is a simple fix for this problem: listening to the right music while driving.

Back-to-school season is the ideal time to review your ABCs; the ABCs of car care, that is. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists brush up on their auto care knowledge to make sure their vehicle is operating at its most efficient level before the school year commences and the onset of fall and winter weather.

It starts with Hot Wheels and garbage trucks and blossoms into something more. Brett Berk dives into the psychology of why you never stopped loving automobiles.

Brake Safety Awareness Month in August is the perfect time to have your brakes checked to make sure they are in safe working condition before summer ends and the school year starts, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

Only you can protect your family or yourself from defective or noncompliant vehicles or equipment that could pose a threat to your safety.

You may love the heat of summer, but you need to help your car keep its cool when temperatures rise. An engine that runs too hot can damage the vehicle and threaten your safety. Here are some tips we’ve compiled to help prevent your car from overheating:

Summer's arrival means your vehicle's air conditioning system is going to be under a serious strain before long. If you haven't had your system serviced in a while, now's the time.

Summer is the main season for cone zones, road construction where you will likely hit a bump or two, or come across loose stones and other hazards. These rough road conditions can be tough on a vehicle’s steering and suspension system and can throw out the alignment, while loose stones have the potential to damage the vehicle’s exterior or windshield, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.

This is how the combination of an engine, fuel, and air makes your car move, explained in plain English, in case you're not an engineer.