If you even casually follow the automotive technology scene, you can barely go for a day without hearing about 3D printing. Additive manufacturing, as it’s technically known, has been touted as a faster and cheaper way to produce car parts with less material waste. Major automakers worldwide, from Ford to BMW, are jumping on board. […]
Nokian Retractable Studded Tires: What Are They, and Should You Buy Them?
Studded tires have been a winter-weather option for decades, and it appeared the technology had hit its limit. However, as serious car people learned in early March, there’s always room for innovation even in a seemingly mature field. That’s when Nokian Tyres, the Scandinavian company that released not only the first true winter tire in […]
Which Car Brands Cost the Most and Least to Maintain?
Car manufacturers and dealerships take great pains to announce the sticker prices of their vehicles. Although this is important, another big factor is maintenance costs. If one car brand or model costs $3,000 less to purchase than another option, but you end up paying $5,000 more for maintenance and repairs while owning it, then you’re […]
Small Upgrades, Big Risks: 7 Dangerous Interior Accessories For Your Car
Walk into a local parts house, or scroll any online marketplace, and it won’t take you long to stumble across droves of interior accessories that promise to improve your driving experience. Some come bearing the gift of comfort. Others offer convenience and organization. On occasion, you may see them claiming to improve safety. I like […]
When the Spark Fades: How to Spot a Failing Spark Plug and Why It Matters
Every gasoline engine relies on one small, but critical component: the spark plug. It’s often overlooked because it’s generally inexpensive, hidden under a coil pack or wire, and usually lasts tens of thousands of miles. However, when a spark plug starts to give up the ghost, the effects can ripple through the entire engine. Engines […]
Tread Lightly: Everything You Should Know About Retreading Tires
If you’ve ever seen Forrest Gump, you may remember a line about a special school that taught kids how to retread tires. I had no idea what that meant through my early years, but that was my introduction to the word. As I got older, I’d see a semi on the side of the highway […]
A Guide to Heated Windshields
Speaking as a fourth-generation Vermonter and current New Hampshire resident, one of the biggest vehicle issues people face in cold climates is a windshield covered in ice and snow. Icy windshields are more than just a nuisance. A 2025 study by UK companies DirectLine Group and Green Flag found that 9% of drivers have been […]
Run-Flat and Self-Sealing Tires: Should You Have Them on Your Vehicle?
Few things feel more devastating than being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, especially in the middle of the night with no cell phone service. (Yes, it’s happened to me.) Trying to change a tire or arrange a tow truck can be time-consuming, expensive, and potentially life-threatening. Even if you […]
A Guide to Car Theft Prevention Systems
Car theft remains a big problem in the U.S. According to the NHTSA, there were over 850,000 vehicle thefts in 2024 alone. That’s one vehicle every 37 seconds. It’s not just the vehicles themselves people are after, as many bandits are looking for wheels, catalytic converters, phones, and other components and accessories. Having one or […]
Braking Bad: Uneven Brake Wear and How to Prevent It
I’ve done my fair share of brake jobs, and I’ve seen just about every scenario you can think of. I’ve seen rotors worn down to the fins, brake pads installed backward or missing altogether, you name it. Something that always sets off alarm bells is when I inspect a set of pads and find that […]
Warm Up or Chill Out? The Modern Approach to Cold Weather Driving
The winter months often bring snow, ice, low temperatures, and a significantly altered morning routine. From unearthing the kids’ hats, gloves, and boots to clearing your driveway, cold weather can make for a stressful start to your day, but advances in automotive technology mean that there’s one common winter task you can cross off your […]
Rust-Fighting 101: Top Products and Tips
Aside from speed traps, check engine lights, and traffic jams, there are few things that drivers dread quite as much as rust. A rusty spot might start as a minor eyesore, but if left untreated, it can easily chew its way through your vehicle and lead to a substantial repair bill, or worse. Rust occurs […]
The Total Truth: Understanding the Math, the Metal, and the Misconceptions of Totaled Cars
It was a late night in October, just a few days after my 19th birthday. I was enjoying a late-night drive in my prized Nissan. Life was good. Then it hit me, literally. A deer had panicked and made a mad sprint for the side of my car. Come Monday morning, an insurance agent was […]
What Are the Best Tools for Getting Your Car Out of Snow?
The winter snow will be here before you know it, if it hasn’t already arrived. As someone who’s lived in the Northeast all my life, I know something else comes with it: the potential to get stuck in the snow. Even with winter tires, AWD, careful driving practices, road maintenance, and every other precaution, the […]
Step Up Your Ride: How to Install Side Steps on Your Truck or SUV
You know the struggle if you’ve ever climbed into a lifted truck or a tall SUV. One wrong step, and you’re stretching, hopping, or grabbing the steering wheel or the grab handle just to get in and save yourself from faceplanting in embarrassment. We’ve all been there. Whether you drive a rugged off-roader or a […]
What You Need to Know About Wheel Bearings
There are probably many parts in your vehicle that you don’t think about on a daily basis. Some of these parts take the brunt of the wear and tear that typically comes along with everyday driving. Parts that really take a beating day in and day out, like wheel bearings, are often overlooked. However, you’ll […]
The Beginner’s Guide to Brake Rotors
You use the brakes often, even on a short drive, and they must be in good working order. Brake pads are the first thing people think of when it comes to brake maintenance, but many other parts are essential to good stopping performance. The most important part of a disc brake system is the rotors, […]
Clearing the Cornfusion: The Truth About Ethanol
Growing up, I only remember seeing two fuel options when my parents stopped at the pump: gas and diesel. When I stopped to fill up earlier this week, I realized that I had no fewer than five different handles staring back at me. My palms began to sweat. Which handle was the one I needed, […]
Simple Solutions to Some Common EV Charger Issues
From their unprecedented horsepower and lighting-fast acceleration to their eco-friendly design and low operating costs, there are plenty of good reasons to opt for an electric vehicle when it comes time to buy your next car, truck, or SUV. The EV segment has come a long way in recent years in terms of convenience and […]
Let’s Learn About Different Fuel Injection Systems
Taken as a whole, every car is an insanely complicated piece of machinery with so many moving parts that trying to understand them all can feel quite overwhelming. There’s a reason mechanics go to school for this. I find that it helps to focus on one component or system at a time to really understand […]
Celebrating and Maintaining High-Mileage Machines
“Six figures” is a term that we generally associate with success. Some folks spend their lives chasing a six-figure salary or building a six-figure 401k. What about our odometers? Too often, we scoff at mileage nearing the 100k mark and treat it as a death sentence when, in reality, it’s a rite of passage. Something […]