Legal
Disclaimer
What our guides and tools can tell you, what they cannot, and when to put the phone down and call a professional.
Last updated Applies to cartipsmentor.com
00The short version
Disclaimer, in four lines.
A summary to read first. The full text below is the version that counts.
Not a diagnosis
We cannot see your car. Only an inspection can confirm a fault.
Not legal or financial advice
Laws, taxes and loan terms vary by state and by person.
Estimates only
A tool result is a starting point, not a quote.
Safety comes first
If you are not sure a job is safe, do not start it.
Not professional advice
General information, not professional advice
Everything on CarTipsMentor is general information for education. It is written without any knowledge of your vehicle, its condition, its history or your circumstances.
Mechanical
Not a diagnosis. The same code or symptom can have several causes, and only an inspection of the vehicle can tell them apart. Have a qualified mechanic confirm any fault that affects safety.
Legal
Not legal advice. Lemon laws, window tint limits, sales tax and title rules differ from state to state and change over time. Check the current rule with your state agency or an attorney before you rely on it.
Financial
Not financial advice. Loan rates, prices and cost figures are published averages and examples. They are not an offer of credit, and your own rate and price will differ.
Calculator estimates
Tool results are estimates
The free tools on this site do arithmetic on the figures you give them. They cannot know what a lender, a dealer, a shop or a state agency will actually charge you.
- A result depends entirely on the figures you enter.
- Each tool relies on stated assumptions and typical values that may not match your vehicle or your state.
- Repair and ownership costs are national averages. Your vehicle, your region and your shop will move them.
- Tax, fee and legal information can go out of date between our reviews.
Safety
Work safely, and know when to stop
Working on a car can injure you. If you are not sure you can do a job safely, do not start it.
- Never work under a car that is held up only by a jack. Use rated jack stands on level ground.
- Let the engine cool before opening the cooling system. Hot coolant is under pressure.
- Disconnect the battery before electrical work, and keep sparks and flames away from it.
- Leave airbag components and the high-voltage systems of hybrid and electric vehicles to trained technicians.
- Wear eye protection and gloves, and work in a ventilated space.
Accuracy and sources
Accuracy, sources and other websites
We work to keep every page accurate and we cite our sources, as our Editorial Policy explains. We still cannot promise that everything here is complete, current or free of error. Vehicles differ by model year, engine and market, and manufacturers revise their own guidance.
Your manufacturer has the final word
If anything on this site conflicts with your owner’s manual or your manufacturer’s service information, follow the manufacturer.
Other websites and brand names
Links to other websites are provided as sources, and we are not responsible for what they publish. Car makers’ names and other trademarks belong to their owners. CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.