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Relying on the factory's built in protection may not be enough if you're planning to keep your car's interior in like-new shape for years to come. Jim Dvorak, a car care specialist at Mothers, talks about the latest in interior care and offers advice in this interview with Justin Pritchard.

The car care isle is a war-zone of products competing for your dollar with the biggest claims and flashiest packaging. The selection process can be daunting- but Jim Dvorak, a car care specialist from Mothers, helps sort things out in an interview with Justin Pritchard. Our correspondent then put Jim's advice to the test on an old pink Mustang.

Not to cause any undue alarm, but your vehicle could have a ticking time-bomb lying in wait underneath its hood. It's called the timing belt- a very simple part that can cause very big problems if it's not taken care of. Depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle, there's a pretty good chance a rubber timing belt is used to control the engine's valve timing.

It's generally wintertime when motorists are most concerned about the state of their vehicles battery and charging system. Cold temperatures, thickened engine oil and heavy electrical drain on the vehicle can all take their toll- though the summertime poses its own set of challenges for the electrical heart of your car. It's important to remember that hot weather can be just as hard on your vehicle's battery and charging system- and that it's still important to have them checked out and serviced occasionally, even when it's warm.

Your vehicle's coolant, transmission fluid and engine oil all require periodic attention from time to time. Many mechanics will tell you that such fluids are the life-blood of your vehicle. They'll also tell you that if you neglect them, you can count on your car letting you down in terms of reliability and longevity.

Every summer, thousands of Ontarians hit the highways towing a camper or some power-toys behind their trucks and SUV's. On any given long weekend, you probably notice huge flocks of trailers and toys headed down the highway bound for cottages, camps and other weekend escapes with family and friends.

There's that distinct smell in the air, mornings aren't so chilly, and it's obvious that spring is well on its way here. Hopefully your family vehicle has made it through the winter unscathed- and you're probably thinking of putting it back into warm-weather mode. Winter is hard on your car- and the temperatures, ice, salt and added stresses of cold weather driving put every component in your ride to the test. The time is right to give your car, truck or SUV some much-deserved TLC after the winter driving season

Spring's coming, finally- but there are still a few weeks left of the winter blahs. Your car's got them too: it's covered in salt on the outside, sand on the inside, and probably feeling a little neglected. Winter takes a wicked toll on your vehicle. Inside, hockey bags and skates leave moisture and odor to settle into fabrics. That spilled coffee stain will become permanent if it's not taken care of, and the corrosive mixture of sand and salt in your footwells will do a nasty number on the carpeting if not attended to.

Car Care Canada is on a mission. Their goal: to educate the Canadian motorist about some simple and effective ways they can reduce fuel consumption in their vehicles. They've asked Kelly Williams, a veteran CASCAR racer and former presenter on Canada's Worst Driver, to be their spokesperson.

If you feel like only about a month has passed since you were beginning spring cleaning duties, you aren't alone. It is a reality for many Canadians how short and sweet our summers are, and you might find yourself readying for fall cleanup.

We've all seen that car or truck from time to time with rusty holes through the body panels, the paint discolored by brown-red stains dripping down the sides that look like bullet holes. Its rust: the disease that needlessly claims the lives of many vehicles every year. Not only is it a cosmetic disgrace that can ruin an otherwise great machine, but it poses a safety concern in many cases where weak rusty metal compromises the strength of the vehicles uni-body or frame, or in extreme cases allows exhaust gasses to enter the cabin via holes.