There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a new set of wheels for your car or truck. While most drivers will never even consider changing out the factory wheels for something new, putting a different set of wheels on your vehicle can be a great way to spruce up your ride, add […]
Year: 2022
Jeep Wrangler Alignments: What You Need To Know
Jeep Wranglers have long occupied the space of being the go-to vehicles for rugged, consumer-friendly, off-road expeditions. Enthusiasts love Wranglers for their modular design and the ability to easily upgrade, customize, or modify the vehicle in a number of different ways. However, whether you’re running stock or custom suspension for your Wrangler JL, alignments don’t […]
Which Is Which: Is an Exhaust and a Muffler the Same Thing?
For many drivers, the underside of their vehicle is somewhat of a mystery. Even the average DIY enthusiast won’t spend much time under their car outside of oil changes. Therefore, it’s only reasonable that drivers would have questions about the parts of a vehicle and how they work. One excellent question many drivers have is […]
Staying Grounded – The Importance of Ground Wires
When you look inside the engine bay of a car, it’s easy to spot the red positive cable connecting the battery to the electrical system. However, it is easy to overlook the black negative cable trailing off to the side. This is an essential ground wire, but it isn’t the only one; many of the […]
Preparing for the Trails in Your New Ford Bronco
Before you hit the trails with your new 2022 Ford Bronco, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared for anything the road can throw at you––literally. You never know when you’ll pop a tire, blow a radiator hose, or run out of gas. Although your Bronco is designed to handle off-roading conditions much better […]
Different Brake Fluid Types and How They Affect Your Ride
Some motorists might think that brake fluid isn’t as important as oil and fuel, but it’s actually extremely important. The right kind of brake fluid can make all the difference when it comes to the stopping performance of your vehicle. Part of what may get some people hung up on the kind of brake fluid […]
Sensors: How Your Car Knows What to Do
It is no secret that modern vehicles are effectively computers with wheels. Old mechanics often bemoan the new electronics, and the recent chip shortage might have everyone questioning why cars need so many high-tech features, so we thought we would take some time to explore some of the key sensors in your car, truck, or […]
Battery Boot Camp: How to Keep Your EV Juiced For The Long Run
Among the many advantages of electric vehicles is the fact that they generally require less maintenance than their traditional internal-combustion engine (ICE) brethren. In fact, EVs have drivetrains that consist of as few as 20 parts to an ICE’s 2,000. This simplification holds a number of advantages, as having fewer parts generally means fewer things […]
What You Need to Know About Catalytic Converters
The catalytic converter is the most important part of your car’s emissions control system. While it isn’t strictly necessary for your vehicle to function, it is critical for reducing harmful emissions. Most of the time, you will never need to think twice about it as catalytic converters are designed to last for the life of […]
Changing Your Brake Fluid: How to Choose the Best Tools for the Job
Any DIY mechanic would agree that self-reliance is an important life skill. The ability to be able to handle some car repair jobs for yourself helps you gain a better understanding of the condition of your vehicle and can save you money. While there are some repairs on your car that you may want to […]
Everything You Need to Know About Upgrading Your Car Battery
We’ve all had it happen to us. We get behind the wheel of our car, push the ignition button, and then nothing happens. This is what happens when good batteries go bad. You may think you need to bring your car in for auto service, but what you should look into is upgrading your car […]
Measuring Electricity: Why You Need a Multimeter
Modern cars are filled with electrical components, and like any automotive component, they can go bad or fail. Unfortunately, unlike mechanical components, diagnosing an electrical problem can rarely be accomplished by sight alone. Unless you are fortunate enough to have an obvious broken wire or a blown fuse, you are going to need a testing […]
An Exhaust Troubleshooting Guide for the DIYer
There are few things more alarming than a vehicle releasing smelly, smoky fumes, but when is a problem serious enough to warrant calling a professional? Diagnosing exhaust issues at home can save you a lot of time and money, so keep an eye, nose, or ear out for warning signs. Check things out for yourself […]
What Does That Light Mean?
So you’ve just gotten your 2022 Chevy Spark! Congratulations, and we bet you’re wondering––what are all those check engine lights and symbols on the dashboard, anyway? What should you know before you go for your first drive? Vehicle systems grow more complex every year. While this can feel frustrating to the new car owner, remember […]
The Checklist – What You Need to Do Mechanically Before You Sell Your Car
Car selling can be nearly as, if not more, stressful than car buying. A lot of thought needs to go into the prep work before you sell your car. You need to be thinking of what you should repair before selling or what presale routine maintenance needs to happen. And that’s just to start. You’ll […]
Electrical Diagnostic Rituals for Mild Electrophobes
Let’s get one thing out of the way: I am terrified of electricity. I can’t say I hate it because that would be untrue––I owe almost every experience of my life to electricity. Technically speaking, human life isn’t possible without it, but let’s limit the scope of “terrifying electricity” to that which flows in wires, […]
7 Fluids You Can Check to Keep Your Car Running Like New
While Base Commander Jack D. Ripper might’ve been concerned about the perceived international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids, I’m more concerned about the fluids in your car. Since you no doubt see advertisements for an oil change near you on a near-daily basis, I likely don’t need to […]
A Home Mechanic’s Tool Box: Where to Start
Auto repairs can often be intimidating and expensive. Sometimes it feels like that check engine symbol might as well be a dollar sign for what the whole experience could end up costing you. While there are certainly some repair and maintenance jobs that are better left to the experts, you might be surprised to learn […]
Understanding Your Ram Truck’s Service Schedule
Whether you like to work on your vehicle yourself, turn to Google for “Ram service near me” at the first sight of trouble, or you fall somewhere in between, it’s important that you follow the service schedule for your vehicle. While you can trust the advice and schedule provided when you visit a certified Ram […]
How Do You Check Your Alignment at Home?
Checking and adjusting your car’s alignment at home is not impossible, but it is somewhat complicated and takes some work–that shouldn’t dissuade you from trying it; just be prepared. If you prefer to Google “auto alignment near me” and take your vehicle to a service station, then that’s completely fair, but it is something you […]
A Beginner’s Guide To the Principles of Electric Vehicles
With new technology comes a whole lot of new technical jargon, and EVs are no different. This wasn’t so much of an issue back in the days when there were only a few electric and hybrid vehicles on the market, but as their ranks expand and automakers steadily introduce a wider range of EV models, […]