As increased government regulations and a general shift toward more environmentally responsible technology has many auto manufacturers looking to downsize overall engine size, an age-old technology is allowing them to deliver the same power and performance drivers have become accustomed to. Once reserved for high-performance vehicles, heavy construction equipment, and niche luxury brands, turbochargers – […]
Year: 2021
The Mighty Spark Plug: Your Vehicle Won’t Run Without Them
Most gearheads enjoy endlessly discussing big automotive-related topics, like diesel vs gas, electrification, and which manufacturer builds the best cars, trucks, and SUVs. Talking about Nissan service doesn’t usually involve the topic of spark plugs, but your car won’t run without these little marvels, so we think they deserve a little airtime. Spark plugs are […]
Gobs of Goo: Let’s Talk Grease
When working on a vehicle, few things are worse than reaching for some anti-seize lubricant or bearing grease only to discover that you don’t have any. Most of us make sure we have the right parts ready when we’re working on something – it’s easy to remember spark plugs when you’re replacing one because that’s […]
Go With The Flow: A Guide to Motor Oil Viscosity Ratings
Oil changes are one of the most vital forms of maintenance for your vehicle, but not all motor oil is created equal. It all comes down to viscosity ratings. In basic terms, viscosity means how thick a liquid is due to its internal friction. Simply pour a bottle of water and a bottle of honey […]
Car Care: It’s All About Timing
While there is a lot of simple auto-maintenance that you can easily tackle by yourself at home, there are other sorts of service that require much more expertise. Even with things that you probably don’t want to mess with in your driveway, it’s still important to understand how everything works so that you’ll know what […]
Getting to Know the Big Three Diesel Engines: Cummins, Duramax, and PowerStroke
Ask any mechanic at your local Ram 2500 dealership or service center to choose between a Cummins diesel or a gas-powered engine for a heavy-duty truck, and they’ll always choose the Cummins. Why? Diesel engines are notorious for their capability, efficiency, and longevity. Long-time Dodge and Ram fans will tell you, “Nothing beats a Cummins.” […]
Mud, All-Terrain, Hybrid… Oh My: Choosing the Right Tires for Your Ram TRX
Are you looking for a new set of shoes for your Ram TRX? It’s not as simple as making an appointment at your local Ram TRX dealer and going with whatever’s in stock. Your first task is deciding how you’ll use your truck. Even off-roaders with specific performance needs should pause before defaulting to a […]
Yes, You Need to Install Winter Tires on Your Car: Our Top Brands
Switching to winter tires is a smart move, especially if you set out to find the best price on high-quality discount tires. Many drivers fail to switch out their summer tires for a more appropriate winter version because they either a) think it’s unnecessary or b) think it’s expensive. Actually, winter tires are both affordable […]
How to Do A DIY Oil Change on a 2021 Jeep Wrangler
When you own a brand new 2021 Jeep Wrangler, you need to properly maintain it and get as much life out of that sucker as you can. After all, when properly taken care of, a Wrangler can last you for decades. But unfortunately, life gets busy, and we don’t always have enough time to swing […]
What You Need to Know About Springs And Coilovers
Coil springs are designed to last the life of a car and require effectively no maintenance, so it is not surprising that most drivers never give them much thought. However, if you are seeking to improve the handling, feel, and even look of your car, there are few parts that will have a greater effect […]
The Easiest Way to Change Your Oil at Home
One of the most tedious parts of car ownership is the regular oil changes required to keep your vehicle in good running shape. Driving over to a service center means precious dollars and time spent, all for a process that takes mechanics all of fifteen minutes to complete. It makes you want to try it […]
Get Familiar with Your Car’s Precious Bodily Fluids
Allow me to paint a picture for you: it’s 7 am on a Monday morning, you’re dragging hard from enjoying your weekend and running a bit late for work; you get to your car and notice a pool of strange, brown fluid slowly drying below your vehicle. Your first thought is a string of expletives; […]
Armchair Grease Monkeys Agree: Nissan Makes DIY Maintenance Easy
If you’re a person who enjoys DIY car maintenance, the emergence of complex electronic vehicle systems may feel like a deterrent, but even the newest cars still contain basic components that are easy to take care of yourself. Performing a Nissan oil change isn’t for the typical owner, but if you have the right tools […]
A Flash Lesson On Flash Tuning
As time has marched on, more and more aspects of a vehicle’s functionality are controlled electronically instead of mechanically. This goes hand in hand with the incorporation of Engine Control Units (ECUs) within a vehicle to puppeteer it all. In the late 20th century, the EPA started tightening up emission standards, leading to fuel-efficient ECU […]
The Basics of DIY Tire Maintenance
When it comes to taking care of your car, things like oil changes, filter replacements, and battery checks are all important – but don’t forget about your tires! Tire service isn’t complex; it just takes a little time and a willingness to get your hands dirty. If you have a spare Saturday afternoon and a […]
How to Use Every Steering Wheel Control on Your 2022 Chevy Traverse
As we march into the 2022 model year, Chevrolet continues its commitment to engineering technologies that make driving safer and more convenient, with a touch of luxury added in for enhanced driving pleasure. The 2022 Chevy Traverse is loaded with great features, but most drivers don’t realize how many of them are literally at their […]
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Differentials
Listen up class, today we are going to dive into the wonderful world of differentials. Now some of you might be thinking that a powertrain starts with the engine and ends with the transmission, but that would be a mistake. In fact, differentials are one of the most important and least appreciated aspects of powertrain […]
Hands on the Wheel – GMC Acadia Steering Wheel Controls
Do you remember when the steering wheel just steered the car in whatever direction you wanted to go without any fuss? Simply a plain, circular control mechanism, the steering wheel only performed the most basic of functions, yet now, you’re able to control virtually every aspect of your vehicle from your steering wheel with just […]
Bluetooth and Smartphone Integration: A How-To Guide for the 2022 Toyota Corolla
Purchasing a new car like the 2022 Toyota Corolla is exciting, from that new car smell that wafts through the interior to the intuitive connectivity features at your fingertips. Toyota doesn’t shy away from offering the latest technology, and that’s especially true on the Corolla that allows you to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth, Apple […]
How to Start Your 2022 Chevy Trailblazer When the Fob Battery Dies
You hit the keyless entry button on the door to unlock your 2022 Chevy Trailblazer… and nothing happens. No welcoming bleep to let you know the door unlocks, no flashes of lights. Because you’re human, you hit the button again, but still no bleep. Your Trailblazer is now as good to you as all the […]
14 Tools You Need to Get Serious Working on Cars
Most automotive DIY work can be accomplished with a fairly basic set of tools – but some people will always want to do more. Whether that means tackling major repair work, restoring classic cars, or taking car mods to the next level, then you are going to need a more serious set of tools. While […]