CAR LIFE
OWNING A CAR
IN CALIFORNIA.
Maintenance, repair, costs and practical ownership information for California motorists.
Maintenance
Routine upkeep and preventive care.
Repairs
Common repair topics and ownership decisions.
Tires
Tire care, replacement and California road conditions.
Smog
California smog and emissions topics.
Buying & Ownership
Vehicle buying and ownership guides.
Costs
Insurance, fuel, maintenance and other ownership costs.
LATEST FROM CALIFORNIA MOTORIST
California Rideshare Drivers Can Get Up to $20,300 Toward a New EV
August 21, 2026
For California rideshare drivers who spend thousands of miles each year behind the wheel, switching from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle can potentially
California EV Charger Reliability and Payment Rules: What Drivers Should Know in 2026
August 21, 2026
California is not only adding more electric vehicle chargers. In 2026, the state is also tightening the rules around how charging stations are tracked, how
California’s Expanded Slow Down, Move Over Law: What Drivers Must Do in 2026
August 21, 2026
California drivers have a broader roadside-safety responsibility in 2026. The state’s expanded Slow Down, Move Over law took effect January 1 and now applies to