AuthorMike Hagerty

Mike Hagerty is an automotive journalist whose work has been featured on radio, TV, in print and online since 1997. He's the Publisher and Editor of MikeHagertyCars.com, and contributes car reviews to the Los Altos Town Crier and losaltosonline.com. Previous outlets have included KFBK and KFBK.com in Sacramento, California, the ABC television affiliates and Hearst-Argyle and Emmis radio stations in Phoenix, Arizona; AAA magazines for Arizona, Oklahoma, Northwest Ohio, South Dakota and the Mountain West and BBCCars.com.

Bright LED interior lights on a car. Replacing your car's interior lights with new LEDs is a great way to brighten things up.

Posted May 28, 2019 Know How

Should You Consider LED Interior Lights?

A lot of new cars are showing up with LED interior lights instead of incandescent. Should you upgrade? If you’re looking for a brighter interior, yes!

A car toolkit in a trunk. Similar to a simple toolkit for completing small jobs around the house, a basic toolkit for your car can help you when it comes to small repairs on your vehicle.

Posted May 21, 2019 Maintenance

Compiling Your Basic Car Toolkit

Let’s talk tools. You’ve probably got a few basics for the house, right? Hammer, wrench, pliers? You should have a basic car toolkit, too.

A car driving on a highway. The best advice on what you should do after voiding a car's warranty is to never put yourself in that situation. Consult your owner's manual to see what can void your warranty and follow the rules to a T.

Posted May 13, 2019 Know How

What To Do If You Void Your Warranty

Want to imagine sheer, stark terror? We tell you what to do if you void your warranty and things you can do to avoid doing so.

Headlights on a car. Here's why dim headlights and brake lights are dangerous and can affect your ability to see the road.

Posted April 30, 2019 Maintenance

Why Dim Headlights and Brake Lights Are Still a Hazard

Not only do dim headlights make it hard for you to see while driving, but they also make other drivers less able to see you.

A brake pad on a rotor. Do you need to change all of your car's brake pads at the same time? While the answer is, "it depends," here's why you should get into a habit of changing your front brake pads at the same time.

Posted April 1, 2019 Know How

Changing Brake Pads: Should You Do It All At Once?

When changing brake pads, should you do all four wheels at once? The answer depends on your driving style, but changing the front two is more common.

Oil being poured into a car's engine. Ever wondered what an engine oil flush is? It's a product that helps get harmful chemicals out of your engine, and it's a way to get your vehicle healthy again.

Posted March 27, 2019 Know How

What Is an Oil Flush? Are They Necessary?

Don’t feel bad if you’re asking, “What is an oil flush?” Not every car needs one, but an oil flush cleanses your engine of sludge and contaminants.

How Many Miles Can an Oil Filter Last?

Posted March 21, 2019 Know How

How Many Miles Can an Oil Filter Last?

Here’s a question: How many miles can an oil filter last? You’ll probably get some different answers, but here’s why you shouldn’t wait to find out.

When To Change Your Oil Filter

Posted February 26, 2019 Know How

How Often Should You Change Your Oil Filter?

How often should you change your oil filter? The answer is every time you change your engine oil. Here’s why.

A car battery display.

Posted January 23, 2019 Know How

4 Tips on Handling a Car Battery

Car batteries are generally out of sight and out of mind. But handling a car battery can be tricky. When the time comes, here’s how you can do it safely.

Have a diesel-powered car? Here's why a good diesel fuel additive is necessary to keep your engine running smoothly.

Posted January 2, 2019 Know How

Should You Use a Diesel Fuel Additive?

Is a diesel fuel additive a necessity for diesel-powered cars? While not a requirement, here are the benefits of an additive for diesel vehicles.