Stephen Fogel

Stephen Fogel

Stephen has been an automotive enthusiast since childhood, owning some of his vehicles for as long as 40 years, and has raced open-wheel formula cars. He follows and writes about the global automotive industry, with an eye on the latest vehicle technologies.

Posts by Stephen Fogel

Considering Car Window Tinting? Here's What You Need to Know

Getting your car windows tinted can do a lot to keep the sun's glare and heat at bay. The tint can also provide a sleek look from the outside while blocking out harmful UV rays that fade your interior.

Getting your car windows tinted can do a lot to keep the sun's glare and heat at bay. The tint can also provide a sleek look from the outside while blocking out harmful UV rays that fade your interior.

Why Wheel Alignments Matter for Your Ride

Having your wheels aligned properly can not only increase your gas mileage but also lengthen the life of your tires. Your car service provider should be able to tell you how often you need your wheels aligned and whether you need just the front end or if all four wheels need adjusting.

Having your wheels aligned properly can not only increase your gas mileage but also lengthen the life of your tires. Your car service provider should be able to tell you how often you need your wheels aligned and whether you need just the front end or if all four wheels need adjusting.

How to Deal With Car Damage Caused by Flooding

Hurricanes like the one that hit the Carolinas last month can leave vast amounts of destruction. We’ve all seen the photos of ruined homes, and cars with floodwater up to their roofs.

Hurricanes like the one that hit the Carolinas last month can leave vast amounts of destruction. We’ve all seen the photos of ruined homes, and cars with floodwater up to their roofs.

How to Avoid Buying a Car With Flood Damage

In September, Hurricane Florence dumped 10 trillion gallons of rain over the Carolinas, Virginia and neighboring states, doing about $22 billion in property damage while flooding homes and businesses — including toxic animal waste containment sites. Would you want to buy a car that sat in these waters for days at a time? Here's how to make sure your next car hasn't taken a bath.

In September, Hurricane Florence dumped 10 trillion gallons of rain over the Carolinas, Virginia and neighboring states, doing about $22 billion in property damage while flooding homes and businesses — including toxic animal waste containment sites. Would you want to buy a car that sat in these waters for days at a time? Here's how to make sure your next car hasn't taken a bath.

Synthetic Oil: Is It Right for Your Vehicle?

As car engines have gotten more powerful and complex, they've also gotten better at increasing fuel economy while reducing the amount of pollutants emitted. Motor oil technology has steadily advanced along with engines.

As car engines have gotten more powerful and complex, they've also gotten better at increasing fuel economy while reducing the amount of pollutants emitted. Motor oil technology has steadily advanced along with engines.

Car Engine Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It

An overheating engine can be a nerve racking experience. In the best cases it can cause decreased fuel mileage or simply light up a dashboard warning for engine temperature.

An overheating engine can be a nerve racking experience. In the best cases it can cause decreased fuel mileage or simply light up a dashboard warning for engine temperature.

7 Ways to Turn Off a Car Alarm

Your car’s alarm is meant to be an important safety device, designed to prevent theft and even act as a panic button if you’re threatened. But if you can’t shut it off, it can also be really annoying.

Your car’s alarm is meant to be an important safety device, designed to prevent theft and even act as a panic button if you’re threatened. But if you can’t shut it off, it can also be really annoying.

How to Prevent Rodents From Damaging Your Car

When you think of the ways nature can damage your vehicle, you likely picture high winds snapping tree limbs, menacing hailstones or even a deer running out in front of you. But there’s another type of critter that can trouble your car — rodents.

When you think of the ways nature can damage your vehicle, you likely picture high winds snapping tree limbs, menacing hailstones or even a deer running out in front of you. But there’s another type of critter that can trouble your car — rodents.

Rough Idle Causes and How to Fix Them

It's easy to tell when your car has a rough idle: When you start the engine, it won't run at a steady rate. It may almost stall, or it may run at varying RPMs without your putting your foot on the gas, or it may do both.

It's easy to tell when your car has a rough idle: When you start the engine, it won't run at a steady rate. It may almost stall, or it may run at varying RPMs without your putting your foot on the gas, or it may do both.

The Quickest Way to De-Ice Your Windshield

As automotive problems go, ice on the windshield isn’t exactly a disaster. But if you’re running behind on a cold morning, it can definitely be a pain in the neck.

As automotive problems go, ice on the windshield isn’t exactly a disaster. But if you’re running behind on a cold morning, it can definitely be a pain in the neck.

Car Won't Start in the Freezing Cold? Here's Why, and What to Do

Winter weather is tough on cars, and on their drivers. The temperature drops below freezing and you have to deal with snow, sleet and slush.

Winter weather is tough on cars, and on their drivers. The temperature drops below freezing and you have to deal with snow, sleet and slush.

Why Your Car Is Making a Rattling Noise, and What to Do

It's unnerving. You start your car and hear a rattling noise you’ve never heard before.

It's unnerving. You start your car and hear a rattling noise you’ve never heard before.

Coolant Leaks: What Causes Them, and What to Do

Your car’s cooling system is vital to the engine’s health. It keeps your engine at an optimal temperature, which helps it run smoothly, improves fuel economy and ensures proper functioning of the emissions system.

Your car’s cooling system is vital to the engine’s health. It keeps your engine at an optimal temperature, which helps it run smoothly, improves fuel economy and ensures proper functioning of the emissions system.

What to Do if Your Car Smells Like Gas

Have you noticed the pungent odor of gasoline inside your vehicle? A fuel smell can occur for several different reasons. Some are minor issues and nothing to worry about.

Have you noticed the pungent odor of gasoline inside your vehicle? A fuel smell can occur for several different reasons. Some are minor issues and nothing to worry about.

Is Your Car Burning Oil? Here’s Why, Plus Ways to Fix It

When you hear about or experience a vehicle burning oil, it can mean a few different things. It might be pretty normal — or you might be in urgent need of a certified mechanic.

When you hear about or experience a vehicle burning oil, it can mean a few different things. It might be pretty normal — or you might be in urgent need of a certified mechanic.