Driver Articles: fuel economy, car costs and routes

Latest article Clicking or Cracking When Turning the Steering Wheel: 9 Causes and How to Tell Whether the CV Joint or Driveshaft Is at Fault

You slowly pull out of a parking space with the steering wheel almost fully turned and hear a rhythmic “click-click-click” from one front wheel. The noise disappears as soon as the wheels straighten, so the first suspect is usually the CV joint. Often that is a good starting point, but not every click while turning comes from the driveshaft. We explain 9 possible causes, how to distinguish an outer CV joint clicking in a turn from an inner CV joint causing vibration under acceleration, how wheel-bearing hum differs from ball-joint and tie-rod clunks, why a strut-top bearing can crack even while the car is stationary, what a torn CV boot means, when replacing only the boot may still save the joint and how risky it is to keep driving once the joint is already clicking loudly.

Can the Government Reduce Fuel Prices in Latvia? What an Excise Duty Cut Really Means in Practice

Find out whether the Latvian government can really lower fuel prices. Excise duty, taxes, excess-profit oversight, state limits, and a clear explanation of what an excise cut means in practice.

How Much Fuel Do a Roof Box, Bike Rack and Trailer Use?

A roof box, bike rack or trailer can make travelling much more practical, but they are almost never “free” in terms of fuel consumption. This detailed guide explains how extra weight, aerodynamic drag, driving speed, poor load placement and everyday habits can quietly increase fuel costs during holidays, longer road trips and even regular driving.

Engine Is Using Oil: How Much Oil Consumption Is Normal and 9 Reasons Why Oil Disappears

Two thousand kilometres ago the engine-oil level was near MAX, but now it is already approaching MIN. There is no puddle under the car, blue smoke is not constantly pouring from the exhaust and the engine appears to run normally. Is this still acceptable oil consumption, or is an expensive repair beginning? We explain how to measure oil consumption correctly in litres per 1,000 km, why there is no single universal “normal” figure, how to distinguish an external leak from oil burning, what smoke after a cold start, idling or acceleration can reveal, and the 9 most common reasons engine-oil level falls — from PCV problems and valve-stem seals to piston rings, cylinder wear and turbocharger faults.

Fuel prices in Latvia 2026: what is happening and what to expect

Fuel prices in Latvia have started fluctuating again. Global oil markets, geopolitics and seasonal demand are driving changes. We analyze what drivers should expect in the coming days.

Car Has No Power, Whistles or Smokes: How to Tell a Turbocharger Fault from a Boost Leak, EGR, DPF or Sensor Problem

What do sudden power loss, whistling, a siren-like noise, black or blue smoke, increasing oil consumption and limp mode mean? This comprehensive guide explains how the turbocharger, intercooler, boost pipes, variable geometry, vacuum control, EGR, DPF, MAF and MAP sensors work, helps distinguish a genuine turbocharger failure from a less expensive boost leak and identifies the situations in which the journey should no longer continue.

How Much Fuel Does Extra Weight in a Car Use: Full Tank, Luggage, Passengers and Baby Strollers

Extra weight in a car does not always mean a huge increase in fuel consumption, but in daily driving it can quietly make every trip more expensive. In this article, we explain how a full tank, luggage, passengers, tools, baby strollers and other items affect fuel use. You will learn when weight really starts to cost money, how to calculate it and what you can practically remove from your car to avoid wasting fuel every day.

AdBlue in Diesel Cars: What It Is, Why It Matters and What to Do If a Warning Appears

The AdBlue system in a modern diesel car may feel like one more thing to think about alongside fuel, oil and regular maintenance. In reality, AdBlue is not a fuel additive, but a separate fluid used by the SCR emissions system to help diesel engines reduce harmful NOx emissions. In this detailed and practical guide, we explain what AdBlue is, where it should be filled, how often it needs topping up, why some cars may refuse to restart if AdBlue runs out, how to tell the difference between a low-level warning and a system fault, and how to avoid expensive mistakes in winter, at the workshop and in everyday driving.

Automatic or Manual Transmission: Which Uses Less Fuel Today?

In the past, a manual transmission almost automatically meant lower fuel consumption, but modern eight- and ten-speed automatics, DCTs, CVTs and hybrid e-CVT systems have often taken over that advantage. However, the word “automatic” alone reveals very little — consumption depends on the transmission design, gear ratios, control software, engine and driver behaviour. This article compares the main transmission types, calculates real running costs and explains which option may be more economical in the city, on the motorway and when buying a used car.

Fuel price forecast 2026: what drivers in Latvia should expect

Fuel prices in Latvia may fluctuate in 2026. Here is an analysis of the global factors that could influence petrol and diesel prices in the coming months.

Car Clunking, Humming or Wandering on the Road: How to Tell Apart Shock Absorber, Bushing, Ball Joint, Tie-Rod and Wheel-Bearing Problems

What do clunking noises over bumps, humming that becomes louder with speed, unstable handling, steering play or uneven tyre wear mean? This comprehensive guide explains how shock absorbers, springs, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, anti-roll-bar links and wheel bearings work, how to distinguish dangerous symptoms from less urgent faults and how to decide whether it is safe to drive carefully to a workshop or necessary to stop immediately.

Does All-Wheel Drive Use More Fuel? AWD, 4x4 and the Real Cost of Everyday Driving

All-wheel drive can help a car move off more confidently in snow, climb a slippery driveway and cross muddy roads, but this capability often comes with additional weight, mechanical complexity and higher fuel consumption. This article explains the differences between AWD, automatically engaged all-wheel drive and traditional 4x4 systems, calculates the possible everyday costs and helps you decide whether all-wheel drive is genuinely useful for your driving conditions.

How Long Does a Car Battery Last? 9 Signs It May Need Replacing Soon

A car battery rarely tells you exactly how much life it has left. The first clues are usually subtle — the starter turns a little more slowly, the Start-Stop system stops working as often, or the car struggles to start after sitting for a few days. We explain how long a starter battery typically lasts, what shortens its life, how to distinguish an ageing battery from an alternator or parasitic-drain problem, and how to recognise the right time for replacement before the car simply refuses to start.

Practical articles for drivers