Photo via www.bobscustoms.net/

A wheel bearing is a group of ball bearings that enables a wheel to spin freely. The bearing fits snugly inside the hub of each wheel, and while it can withstand a lot of abuse, heat and water can cause severe damage. Most wheel bearings that are properly installed and cared for (regular inspection and grease) can last around 100,000 miles. But wheel bearing can suffer from neglect or damage from accidents and broken seals, and when they do it’s important to replace them. Failing to do so can cause further (and more expensive) damage to your drive axle and even result in your wheel completely detaching while you drive. Be on the lookout for the following signs of a broken or damaged wheel bearing.

You’re stuck in a ditch. It’s a situation you didn’t prepare for and one you honestly never thought you’d be in. Whether you slid into the ditch on snow or ice, or are stuck in some mud, sand or dirt that has built up on the side of the road – you’re there, and unless you have a winch, there isn’t too much you can do about it.

After you assess the situation and determine the damage, you have one of two options. You can either try and remove your car using the tips listed below, or you can order a tow truck and be back on the road within an hour.

If you were to sit in and drive a car built for a European market and then try one built for the US market, you would notice quite a few differences.

Cars sold in European markets (including the UK) and those sold in America tend to be manufactured in radically different ways. This is down to several reasons, including the types of roads both are driven on, different fuel prices and local requirements for safety and emission standards.

Engine trouble. Two words that send shivers down most spines.

Driving isn’t exactly what it was 10 or 20 years ago. While fatality rates have declined in recent years, the growing amount of cars on the road (253 million in 2014) and distractions at your fingertips can sometimes make it seem like the likelihood of getting into an accident is ever increasing.

To help you prevent an unnecessary accident, we asked some experts from varying fields for precautionary steps and actions you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones are as safe as possible when getting in the car.

The DIY craze is everywhere nowadays. As CEO of BuyAutoParts.com, I see firsthand through my customers just how much money they can really save by simply fixing their own car.

Cold temperatures, snow and ice wreak havoc on our roads and our vehicles. Yet according to the Car Care Council, more than 70% of motorists admit they don’t prepare their cars for winter weather.

“If you don’t prepare your car for winter you can have breakdowns and accidents that could leave you stranded in miserable weather,” says Peter Baldine, president of Moran Family of Brands, one of the nation’s leading franchises of transmission and general automotive repair. “Take care of your car ahead of time and you will drive safely, get the best performance from your vehicle and avoid costly expenses.”

From Rhode Island’s serene coastal estuaries to the frozen ice fields of Alaska, there’s something to be found in every region of the United States. For some inspiration on where to set your compass next, check out these 15 jaw dropping road trip destinations through these incredible Instagram photos.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”

Jack Kerouac’s words from his classic novel “On The Road” perfectly portray the beauty of the great American road trip. It was as true in the days of Kerouac as it is today: people love taking to the road for self-discovery and adventure. Fortunately, they also love to write about it.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, ideas for your own road trip or an eye-opening adventure to digest, we’ve rounded up 10 bloggers whose nomadic experiences are bound to get you thinking about packing up your bags and hitting the open road without looking back.