About us
Car Basics is an independent guide for drivers who want to understand their car without the jargon.
Most drivers only think about maintenance when something goes wrong, and then face a confusing estimate and a lot of unfamiliar terms. We started Car Basics to explain the basics clearly: what to check, how often, what a warning light really means, and what a repair should roughly cost.
Every guide is written around the questions drivers actually ask, with step-by-step checks you can do in a driveway and clear advice on when to leave a job to a professional.
Our guidance follows widely published recommendations from vehicle manufacturers, tire and battery makers, and road safety organisations. We don't sell parts, and we don't accept payment to feature brands or repair shops.
Who we are
Car Basics is written and maintained by the Car Basics Editorial Team, a small group of writers and editors who research each topic against professional guidance before publishing, and revisit guides when that guidance changes.
What we cover
- Maintenance Basics — Schedules, checklists and the jobs you can do yourself.
- Warning Lights — What each light means and how urgently to act.
- Tires & Brakes — Pressure, tread, rotation and brake wear.
- Fluids & Battery — Oil, coolant, brake fluid and keeping the battery alive.
- Costs & Repairs — What repairs cost and how to deal with a shop.
We also build free calculators, such as the Oil Change Calculator and the Warning Light Guide.
How we work
Read our editorial policy for how we research, write, and correct our guides.
Contact
Questions, corrections and feedback are always welcome through our contact page.