Sometimes it feels like I’m always thinking about tires; in the fall, I’m planning on making the swap to winter tires; through the winter, I worry about if my winter tires are still in good shape; when spring comes around, I’m getting ready to swap back to summer tires; in the summer I check to […]
A convertible has a number of advantages over your run-of-the-mill sedan. From the wind in your hair to the feeling of the sun on your skin, few cars project that carefree, cruising lifestyle quite as well as the convertible. Unfortunately, the same feature that makes convertibles so fun to drive can also be a major […]
Springtime is here again, and that means it is time to clean the salt out of the car, wash it off, and take it in for routine maintenance. Hondas are incredibly reliable vehicles, often lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles. Honda owners swear by their reliability. As with any mechanical device, cars last the […]
When building a new track car, drivers typically start by upgrading some usual suspects. Stock brakes are switched out for high-performance pads and discs that can withstand higher temperatures, and the suspension–including new springs, dampers, and bushings–is swapped for a setup that prioritizes speed over comfort. Limited slip differentials, air filters, intercoolers, turbochargers, and superchargers […]
Searching for your next vehicle can feel overwhelming; from figuring out finances to choosing what features matter most to you, car shopping is full of asking questions and making decisions. This can be especially true when shopping pre-owned because it presents a whole extra set of questions and decisions—thus, you might find yourself wondering if […]
How often do you think about your tires? For most of us, it’s not until we’re alerted to low tire pressure or we have a flat tire that’s left us stranded on the side of the road that we genuinely think about the four essential components to our safety behind the wheel. The only point […]
As Heraclitus once said, the only constant in automotive technology is change. From the earliest Model T Ford to today’s selection of full-electric options, vehicles have come a long way over the last hundred-plus years. In that time, we’ve swapped out hand-operated crank starters for fully automated ignition systems, perfected the art of forced induction, […]
Most people love tall tales; the more salacious, the better. It’s how tabloids make their fortunes, capturing our attention with the latest sightings of Elvis, aliens, and Bigfoot that perpetuate gossip, myths, and misconceptions. The automotive industry isn’t often in the tabloid crosshairs unless Elvis is spotted driving a Ford Bronco along the Pacific Coast […]
Hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) offer several advantages over their gas-powered counterparts, giving drivers a real incentive to explore these alternative fuel options. Not only are hybrid and electric vehicles better for the environment, but they can also be helpful for greening your own wallet. According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, the average […]
While police sirens might run a close second, few sounds can ruin a drive as quickly as an engine knock. One moment you’re headed down the road in peace, and the next your engine is making that tell-tale pinging noise that will have you headed straight for the nearest service station. Sounds can be subjective, […]
The check engine light seems to be a permanent fixture on your car’s dashboard, making you wonder if it’s worth another trip to your local auto repair shop. After all, you recently spent a few hundred dollars to have the transmission serviced, preceded by a small fortune in repairs after a fender bender. It’s been […]
Oil Starvation: The Preventable Disaster I don’t really know what triggered your need to learn about this, but it doesn’t matter. Either something gave you the heebie-jeebies and sent you looking for the causes of oil starvation so you can avoid them, or something terrible has already happened to your car, and you’re trying to […]
Even someone who’s never driven a car has probably heard the phrase “high-octane,” as it’s become synonymous with something exciting or heart-racing. But why is that, exactly? High-octane gas, in and of itself, isn’t particularly exciting, but it’s come to represent what it’s used for, which are high-performance engines, typically those found in muscle cars […]
The do-it-yourself movement has left many feeling empowered to take on tasks they never would have before. With that comes the need to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics, like how to restore an old truck, or ways to Plastidip your car. Of course, some things may still have you asking, “Where is […]
Tires are one of the most important parts of any vehicle, but they don’t always get much of our attention. The exciting and fun features like infotainment, transmission, and seat heaters are what drivers tend to look at. However, making sure you have the right tires for your environment and your driving habits is important […]
Turbochargers for engines are quite complicated but also surprisingly simple, with a vast array of different options available from many manufacturers. You’ll find some turbocharged engines coming straight from the factory, either to boost overall performance or to get decent performance from a small engine, while others are available as aftermarket options that you can […]
What makes a person a Honda driver for life? Stop by an auto repair shop and ask five different people, and you might get five different answers, but we’re willing to bet they all have something to do with the automaker’s engine. Be it performance, power, reliability, or affordability. Honda is a brand that has […]
One of the most common things people say when talking about diesel engines, particularly when comparing them to standard gas engines, is that they require different sorts of maintenance—in particular, people love to mention how diesel engines don’t have spark plugs that need to be replaced. That’s true; diesel engines don’t have spark plugs, but […]
While we often discuss the proper care and routine maintenance for your vehicle, there are a few items that we seldom think about until we absolutely need to. Among these are the windshield wipers and fluids that help us see when the weather becomes less than agreeable. Today, we’re going to take a dive into […]
The Toyota 4Runner is a staple in the off-road realm, renowned for its versatility and praised for being the last of its kind as a body-on-frame midsize SUV. All too often, the rugged looks of modern SUVs are nothing more than aesthetics, with their unibody frames limiting their prowess to the pavement. However, that’s not […]
If you go to a local dealership and find a Subaru Outback for sale, only a few types of tires will come standard on a new model. There’s some variation among the different trim levels, from the entry-level Base to the off-road-ready Wilderness to the high-tier Touring, but there won’t be a ton of variety. […]
