HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Cherise Threewitt is a Chicago-based writer and editor with 15 years of experience covering the automotive industry. At HowStuffWorks, Cherise enjoys researching and writing stories that make cars and car culture interesting and accessible for everyone. When Cherise isn't writing, she's probably at the gym, paddling on Lake Michigan, or driving her 2019 Subaru WRX.
Holidays often bring on the auto accidents with their mix of high traffic and high alcohol consumption. But is New Year's Eve the most dangerous day of the year?
The meditative practice dates back to ancient times but is growing in popularity in the U.S. What are the benefits and are they real?
Planning to run your house completely on solar power? It will cost you up front, but it could also pay you back big in the long run.
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One super-cool perk to being POTUS? You get to be driven around in the heavily armored presidential limousine. One downside? You have to hand over your car keys — for life.
President Joe Biden just signed a sweeping executive order that will create right-to-repair rules for cellphone companies, as well as big ag companies like John Deere. Who would be against that? We'll explain.
You might think your car is fine for your upcoming summer road trip. But if it's more than 10 years old, you might want to think again.
We've all done it – looked down and suddenly realized we're almost out of gas. What kind of wear-and-tear does this put on your car?
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If you've sold a used car, the last thing you want to see is your buyer driving it back again with a bad case of remorse. But can they even do that, or are you protected?
The Department of Homeland Security announced it is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months to allow states time to get up and fully operational after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many licensing offices.
You might be a stickler about washing your car every week. But if you're not washing your car's undercarriage at least a few times a year, you may as well not wash your car at all.
Gas prices have plummeted across the U.S. since the coronavirus pandemic. That might be a good thing for your wallet, but is it good for the economy? It depends.
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We're here to debunk the myth that matte finish paint is super- high maintenance. It just needs proper upkeep to truly shine.
A supercharger is a considerable investment; however, it's also one of the best ways to improve the fun factor of driving your car or truck. How much additional horsepower should you expect?
Your new shoes aren't at their most comfortable until you break them in. Does the same hold true for your new car?
You probably don't think much about your car's battery -- as long as it's working well. But even the best battery eventually transforms from a chemical powerhouse to a chemical paperweight.
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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that vehicle fires account for about 20 percent of all reported fires, so it's worth knowing how to reduce some of the risk in your own car or truck.
When your car's alternator begins to fail — or has already failed — there are certain warning signs that you can expect to see along the way. But do you know what they are?
One thing is certain: If your car is vibrating, you know you've got a problem. But determining the root cause of that wobble or shake might not be as difficult (or expensive) as you may think.
We've all done it — forgotten to put the gas cap back on after fueling up and then driven off from the gas station. So is it bad for our cars?
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Americans are fiercely protective and passionate about beloved foods and recipes -- and especially so when it comes to baked goods. What are some of our favorite regional dishes, hot out of the oven?
Now that we're all supposed to be wearing masks, we've all become keenly aware of something: our breath. And guess what? It doesn't always smell good.
What does that funny "H" pattern on my car's gear shift have to do with my transmission? How does it make the car change gears? And when I mess up and hear that horrible grinding sound, what is actually grinding?
Whether it makes your car sound like a swarm of angry bees or the deep rumble of an earthquake, your car's exhaust system is doing its job every time you turn the key.
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Does static timing your engine sound a little too intimidating? Well, if you can pop the hood and easily identify your engine's distributor and timing belt, you're probably up to the challenge.
Your car's engine control module (ECM) continually monitors a vast network of sensors to ensure operating conditions are within normal range. Do you know what the ECM actually controls?
