Changes in conventional car care wisdom help one's bottom line

LOS ANGELES - The amount of change that has taken place in the last 10 years is phenomenal. Whereas the Internet was largely seen as something to play with a decade ago, it now serves to pay our bills, stay in touch with friends and even order movie tickets or meals.

How people treat their vehicles has also changed dramatically. Much of the conventional wisdom preached by fathers and grandfathers with respect to vehicle maintenance has fallen by the wayside in the 21st century, as manufacturers of both vehicles and vehicle maintenance products have changed the way they do business. But many of...