Buying and Ownership
What Is a Tire Speed Rating?
A tire speed rating is the letter beside the load rating that shows its maximum sustained speed under specified conditions.
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TunedDrive
Vehicle technology and diagnostics. TunedDrive covers new cars, in-car technology, gear and the fixes that keep vehicles running, with model-specific context and clear stop points where a mechanic takes over.
Stories by TunedDrive
17 stories
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
How to Tell the Age of a Tire
The last four DOT digits give a tire's manufacturing week and year. Read them to work out its age, then check what that age means for your tire.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
How to Put Air in Car Tires
To put air in car tires, find the recommended pressure, use your own gauge at the pump, and recheck each tire after filling.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
How to Check Tire Size
Read the driver’s door placard for the factory tire size, then compare it with the complete sidewall code on each tire on your car.
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Climate
How to Make Your Car Air Conditioner Colder
Vent a hot cabin briefly, then close the windows and use A/C with recirculation. Weak airflow or persistently warm air needs a closer look.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
How to Check a Vehicle for Open Recalls by VIN
Enter your VIN in the free federal recall lookup. An open result needs action; a zero result means no unrepaired recall appears within the lookup’s coverage.
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Cameras and Security
Why Does My Car Alarm Keep Going Off?
If your car alarm keeps going off, disarm it with Unlock, then look for an ajar warning, a pressed Panic button or a 12V battery problem.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
Why Is My Tire Pressure Light On?
A steady tire pressure light usually means low air. Check all four tires with a gauge; a light that flashes first points to a monitoring fault.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
Can a Check Engine Light Come On for an Oil Change?
A check engine light isn't an oil change reminder. Oil trouble or something disturbed during service can trigger it, so identify the warning first.
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In-Car Tech
How to Install a Dash Cam
How to install a dash cam: choose a safe spot, match the power setup to how you’ll use it, then play back front and rear test footage while parked.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
Why Is My Check Engine Light On but the Car Runs Fine?
Check engine light on but car running fine? Check for a flashing light or other warnings first, then check the fuel cap and arrange a diagnosis.
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Starting and Battery
Why Does My Car Battery Keep Dying?
A car battery keeps dying when it can't hold a charge, isn't recharged while driving, has a poor connection, or loses power while parked.
13
Climate
Why Is My Car AC Not Blowing Cold?
Car AC not blowing cold? Check the controls, then notice whether the airflow is weak, stays warm or fades at stops. Each result points to a different next step.
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Dashboard and Diagnostics
What Does a Check Engine Light Mean?
A flashing check engine light calls for a safe stop. If it's steady and the car feels normal, check your car's warning instructions and arrange a diagnosis.
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Buying and Ownership
How to Use an OBD2 Scanner
Park, plug in with the ignition off, then turn it on without starting. Read and save every code, freeze frame and readiness result before using Erase.
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In-Car Tech
Why Is Google Maps Not Working on Android Auto?
When Google Maps fails on Android Auto, test a new route on your phone while parked, then compare the car screen to find the right fix.
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How we testCameras and Security
Why Is My Backup Camera Not Working?
A backup camera that won't turn on points first to the reverse signal or screen. A blank camera view points to power or video; a hazy one points to the lens.
