CarReady

Buy, fix, and keep your car without getting taken.

What it is

CarReady is a research and planning tool for car owners. It explains maintenance in plain words, helps you size up repairs and purchases, and gets you ready for the road trip, the emergency or the new driver in the family.

Meet Jake, the CarReady Specialist. Ask Jake a question in your own words and get an answer in plain language, in text for free and by voice for members. Everything on the page can be read in about 30 languages.

What you can research here

• What a warning light means and what to do next
• Whether a recall affects your car
• Whether to fix your car or replace it
• How to compare repair estimates and describe a problem to a shop
• What to check when buying a used or a new car
• What a car really costs to own

Free tools, ready to use

• Maintenance BasicsThe eight systems worth keeping an eye on, in plain English.
• Two-Minute Tire CheckPressure, tread, and age — the three things that keep your tires safe.
• Warning Lights ExplainedWhat ten common dashboard lights mean.
• Recall CheckAutomakers must fix safety recalls for free.
• Build My Shop NoteShops fix problems faster when you describe them clearly.
• Used Car Buying ChecklistStep by step, from first look to signing — with the free government checks to do before you fall in love with a car.
• New Car Buying ChecklistHow to walk in ready: know your number, bring your own financing, and keep the trade-in separate.
• Cost of Owning My CarAdd up what your car really costs — by the month, the year, and the mile.
• Road Trip ReadyA before-you-go checklist for any long drive.
• Emergency KitWhat belongs in your trunk, in case you are stuck on the side of the road.
• After a CrashCalm, step-by-step help for the minutes after a crash.
• New Driver in the FamilyA driver's ed playbook for parents and new drivers: practice in every condition, follow your state's license rules, and agree on the house rules…

Members get even more

Members unlock a deeper set of tools, and a personal file you can save and bring back any time. A few of them:

• My Vehicle Profile
• Maintenance Log & Next Due
• Repair Estimate Comparison
• Car Expense Tracker
• Fix It or Replace It?
• My Car Documents

What you can achieve

• Handle basic checks yourself, like tires and maintenance
• Walk into a shop knowing what to ask
• Avoid overpaying on repairs and purchases
• Be ready for road trips, breakdowns and accidents