AuthorNicole Wakelin

Nicole Wakelin covers the automotive industry as a freelance journalist for a variety of outlets. Her work includes news pieces, podcasts, radio, written reviews, and video reviews. She can be found in The Boston Globe, CarGurus, BestRide, US News and World Report, and AAA along with lifestyle blogs like Be Car Chic, The Other PTA, and She Buys Cars. She is active on social media with a large following on both Twitter and Instagram and currently serves as Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association.

A soapy sponge is a great start to getting a clean car. Cleaning your car doesn't have to be an ordeal where you seek professional help. Here's how to clean your car in time for spring at your house.

Posted May 25, 2019 Know How

How To Clean Your Car At Home This Spring

Spring has finally arrived and it’s time to clean away winter’s grime. Here’s how to clean your car at home and be ready for summer.

White Mountains in the Northeast. If you're struggling to find a place to go for a summer road trip, why not try these routes in the Northeast?

Posted May 24, 2019 LifeStyle

Road Trips In The Northeast: Summer Road Trip Series

Summer is the perfect time to plan a road trip, but where should you go? Try these great ideas for road trips in the Northeast to while away summer days.

Posted May 10, 2019 Know How

Types of Brake Fluids Explained

Here’s what you need to know about the different types of brake fluids and when it may be time to change or refill those fluids.

A car's parking brake. Some cars have a parking brake, while others have an emergency brake. Here's how the two are related to one another.

Posted May 6, 2019 Know How

Parking Brake vs. Emergency Brake: What’s the Difference?

Let’s take a look at a parking brake vs. emergency brake to understand how these systems are designed to operate and why they have different names.

An open road on a sunny day. Spring brings warm weather, which is great for going on a joy ride and for completing car maintenance. Here are some maintenance items you should tackle to enjoy spring to the fullest.

Posted April 22, 2019 Maintenance

Automotive Maintenance for the Spring Season Ahead

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time for a drive. Here’s the car maintenance you should do now so you’re ready for spring adventures.

Cleaning tools for a car. Pollen can be at its highest during the spring, which means your car can be filled with molecules that can cause your allergies to flare up. Here are tips to keeping your car allergen-free.

Posted April 16, 2019 Know How

Keeping Your Car Allergen-Free

Spring is here and that means allergies. Here’s how to keep your car allergen-free all year long.

Replacing brakes on a car. With these tools, you'll be able to replace the brakes on your car.

Posted March 25, 2019 Know How

The Tools Needed to Change Brakes

Many of the tools needed to change brakes are probably sitting in your toolbox or garage already. If not, here are the ones you’ll need to finish the job.

A car's parking brake. Driving with your parking brake on could potentially ruin your car's rear brakes and require you to replace the components. Here's what happens if you forget to disengage your parking brake before going for a drive.

Posted March 5, 2019 Know How

Drove With the Parking Brake On Accidentally: Now What?

You accidentally drove with the parking brake on, now what do you do? Here’s what the parking brake does and what can happen if you forget to disengage it.

A car's headlight. The answer to, "how long do headlights last?," is dependent on a lot of factors. It all depends on what kind of headlights you have, whether you drive in harsh weather and how often you drive at night.

Posted February 28, 2019 Featured

Illuminating Answers: How Long Should Headlights Last?

How long should headlights last before you replace the bulbs? The answer varies depending on what type of headlights your car has. Here’s how long different types of headlights last and why it can be tricky to determine how long they should last before they need to be replaced…

An alternator in a car. Here are the benefits to an alternator and an explanation of what the component does.

Posted February 11, 2019 Know How

The Benefits of an Alternator Over a DC Generator

There was a time when DC generators were the go-to choice for creating an electric current, but the benefits of an alternator make it the preferred choice.