Car Advice

Welcome to our Advice section which offers a selection of informative and entertaining Advice blog articles. Some of this content may include in-depth Advice reviews, comparison tests, breaking news, buyer’s guides and more. Many Advice articles feature corresponding photos, videos, and detailed statistics. The Horsepower Specs Editorial Team strives to make your experience in this resource as valuable as possible. If you have suggestions for ways we could improve, such as an Advice article topic you wish we would feature, then please let us know. Keep in mind that we are regularly adding to

Why do cars burn oil?

Soon after buying a car, either new or used, there are certain elements that every owner must consider: insurance, fuel and maintenance. While other things can nibble off pieces of your annual car budget, these three elements generally make up the lion’s share of car ownership expenditures. Unless your new car is a lemon, generally, used cars will need more frequent and extensive repairs ...

Considering a Tesla? Here’s why you should, and also why you shouldn’t

After almost two decades in the business, there is no denying it anymore: Tesla has dramatically shifted the way we see EVs and became a catalyst for change in the automotive sector. Thanks to Elon Musk and his company, most automakers have joined the electrification wave. Each major automaker now offers a number of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options in their lineup, as well as at least one ...

Drag Racing 101: How to Drag Race

Ever wanted to go drag racing, but don’t know how to get started? You’re in luck friend, as we recently hit up our local quarter mile drag strip to check out the action and get some advice from several people that have been doing it for years. Take the jitters out of your first run, with our complete guide to your first time at the drag strip! Newb: So, what is drag racing ...

Buying Rental Cars – Good or Bad Idea?

Rental cars are like political candidates: everyone either loves them or hates them, and many people are too willing to tell you about them. Over the years, rentals have earned the mostly deserved stigma of dreadful penalty boxes with numb steering and questionable maintenance histories. Fortunately, we are no longer stuck with the Chrysler Sebring in all its plastic glory, and the rental ...

How to NASCAR for Newbies

Sports on TV just aren’t as good as being in the stands. Racing is no exception. There’s nothing else quite like being there and getting to hear and feel the race experience. While Formula 1 in Austin, TX can cost as much as $5000 for the weekend, there are other options for the race fan to view an affordable professional race series. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series delivers pro race ...

How to Go on Your First Autocross

Want to know the single greatest way to become a better driver? Want to find the cheapest way to go racing? The answer to both of those questions is the same. Go to an autocross event! Stripped down, autocross is a race against the clock on a closed course. Rather than competing with other drivers at the same time (NASCAR, F1, etc), autocross sends you through one at a time, letting the ...

Why You Need an Oil Analysis

Oil changes are like finger prints: everyone has them, and they’re all different. Ask people how often you should change your oil, and you’ll get everything from the retiree in his Corvette proudly saying he changes out synthetic at 2,000 miles, to the Camry owner giving you a blank look and saying “You have to do that?” While it’s a generally accepted given that you have to change your ...

How to Car Auction

Are you looking for a cheap project car, or a winter beater? If you are looking to buy a running car for the price of one new car payment, you owe it to yourself to check out an auto auction. Towing companies impound vehicles every day, and for various reasons, their owners do not claim them. Depending on your local laws, the towing company can resell the impounded vehicles in as little as ...

Best Car Mods Under $100

Let’s say you have a random $100 bill in your pocket that you really want to spend on automotive upgrades. I hate to break it to you, but that isn’t going to cut it for a supercharger or new wheels. The good news is that there are lots of affordable upgrades for your vehicle, you just have to be a little more selective or know where to look. Get started right here with this list, and figure ...

Ten Ways to Spill-Proof Your Ride

Life is messy. That once beautiful brand new car with the perfect interior and new car smell now looks like Baghdad and smells like New Jersey. That backseat isn’t purple camo; yep that’s all juice stains. There is hope though, so follow along as we help you spill-proof and reclaim your ride. WeatherTech floor mats While pretty much any rubber floor mats, and even high quality ...

How to Make a Vehicle Diagnostic Laptop

Modern vehicles have a lot of computers and even more sensors. As they age, or due to driving conditions, it can be very common for a “check engine light” to turn on. This means the computers and/or sensors have detected something amiss, but what? Sure, any halfway decent auto parts store should be able to read the code. That’s great, but not always as convenient as it sounds. You might ...

The Best Engine Swap Cars

If your classic needs more motorvation, or it is just time to replace the anemic factory engine with something fresh, take a look into a performance engine swap. For many enthusiasts, this route has been tried many times before, and you can benefit from their experience. While “best” engine swap will always be debatable, here are a few solid contenders for easiest, cheapest, most do-able ...