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 flat lawn tractor tire.

Posted 4 weeks ago Know How

How to Replace a Tire Tube

Knowing how to replace a tire tube comes in handy when you have to fix a flat on a wheelbarrow, snow blower or lawn mower.

Under a vehicle's open hood, an oil dipstick is held out while being checked.

Posted 2 months ago Maintenance

Can You Put Synthetic Oil in Any Car?

Can you put synthetic oil in any car? Synthetic oil provides longer protection, withstands higher temperatures and stands up to cold weather.

A large older car is featured on a used car lot.

Posted 3 months ago Know How

What to Look for When Buying a Used Car in 2022

If you’re thinking about buying a used car in 2022, the used car market has changed a lot. Here are a few things you should know.

A windshield covered in ice.

Posted February 14, 2022 Know How

How to Defrost Car Windows

When the weather gets cold and a layer of ice crystals coats your car windshield, here’s how to defrost car windows.

A spinning car wheel.

Posted January 24, 2022 Know How

What Is a Wheel Bearing?

What is a wheel bearing? Knowing how this component works can help you identify when it needs repairs.

A view from under a vehicle shows the exposed interior of a rear differential installed between the wheels.

Posted January 5, 2022 Know How

What Is a Rear Differential?

What is a rear differential? It’s what creates a smooth turn for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, and certain clues can tell you when it needs to be checked out.

New car seat covers fitted on the front seats of a car.

Posted December 31, 2021 Know How

Car Seat Covers for Winter

Car seat covers are a great way to protect your seats from damage, especially during the winter months.

An arc shape paired with a centered vertical dotted line representing water spouting up is a typical windshield washer fluid symbol.

Posted December 22, 2021 Maintenance

Windshield Washer Fluid Symbol: Make Sure You Fill the Right Tank

Learn how to find the correct reservoir when the windshield washer fluid symbol lights up on your instrument cluster because the fluid is low.

A closeup of a deep chip in a car windshield with spiderweb-like cracking around it.

Posted December 15, 2021 Maintenance

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Windshield?

How much does it cost to replace a windshield? It could be $100 or well over $1,000 depending on your car’s size and features and your insurance coverage.

Under the hood of a car is an orange-handled oil dipstick.

Posted December 14, 2021 Maintenance

Should You Get an Oil Change Before or After a Road Trip?

Should you get an oil change before or after a road trip? Every automaker has recommended intervals for how often the oil should be changed.