Every year, one common automotive issue will lead more than two million drivers to place a call to roadside assistance. While lockouts, flat tires and empty gas tanks rank among the top culprits, it’s actually battery-related problems that have services like AAA pulling overtime. Keeping your car’s battery charged is usually a pretty easy task […]
Year: 2024
Avoid Cabin Fever With Our Guide to Air Filter Replacement
Changing the engine air filter is usually one of the first maintenance tasks any driver will undertake. While swapping out an old, clogged engine air filter can have a noticeable effect on performance and fuel economy, few realize that it’s actually just one of four filters found in most modern vehicles. The oil filter will […]
Where To Start When Your Motorcycle Won’t
Whether you’re into carving through curves and opening up the throttle or leaning back and enjoying a nice, relaxed cruise, motorcycle riders spend countless hours dreaming about their next ride. That anticipation can quickly turn into frustration when the bike is stubborn, which is why every rider should know what to do if their motorcycle […]
Basic Maintenance to Consider to Make Your Used Ford Truck Run Like New
Maintaining your truck is on every trucker’s mind. You spent your hard-earned money on a good F-150, a Maverick, a Ranger, or a Super Duty from a used Ford truck dealer, and you want to keep that used Ford running for as long as you can. There are some very basic tasks you can carry […]
What’s a Head Gasket?
For such a small part, the head gasket plays a significant role in how your engine performs. When a head gasket is working as it should, so will your engine; if it goes bad, a failed head gasket can lead to major repairs—especially if it’s not addressed right away. Knowing what a head gasket is […]
Twisting In The Wind: Addressing A Poor Throttle Response
If you’ve got a need for speed, it’s hard to do better than a motorcycle. Thanks to the fact that they’re smaller and lighter than the typical car, truck, or SUV, motorcycles are simply more responsive, allowing riders to enjoy some hair-raising acceleration with the simple twist of the throttle. But what do motorcycle riders […]
Pros and Cons: Upgrading Vehicle Storage With Cargo Boxes, Racks and Trailers
Between passengers, groceries, camping supplies, and outdoor equipment, your car, truck, or SUV can feel a little cramped when you’re gearing up for your next family road trip. Today’s vehicles are built with more storage solutions than ever, with fold-flat seats, adjustable floors, and clever cubbies spread across the interior. Many EVs even sport an […]
Put Winter Weather on Ice With These Snow Removal Tips
The winter season can bring all sorts of challenges for drivers. From slick streets and road salt to rough starts and towering snow banks that obscure your vision, winter driving is no picnic behind the wheel. Some of these issues can start to rear their head before you even leave your driveway, especially when it […]
Improve Battery Health With These Simple Tips
From dim headlights and slow starts to corrosion and even the dreaded ‘check engine’ light, there are lots of ways to tell if your vehicle’s battery might be on its way out. Failing to notice these signs can throw a wrench in your daily routine, leaving drivers to fiddle with jumper cables, call roadside assistance, […]
EV Maintenance: What You Need To Know
As the segment continues to grow, EVs are now more affordable than ever. While all-electric vehicles still tend to be a little pricier than their gas-powered forerunners, new EV prices have fallen by as much as 20 percent over the last year. The difference is especially stark when it comes to used EVs, which have […]
The Rundown on Brake Rotors
If you’re anything like me, then for the longest time, what you knew about brake rotors came from early 2000s movies and video games. That meant that if you wanted a car to stop quickly, the disks absolutely needed to be gold, drilled, and, most importantly, connected to a red caliper. Then, when you got […]
What to Know When Buying a Modified Jeep
Jeep is one of the most well-known brands in the country, and there’s no mistaking one of these adventurous travelers when you come across one on the streets or the trails. These skilled and fearless adventure mates often come with high sticker prices when purchased new, especially when you have a vision for your Jeep […]
BEV vs ICE: Your Top Questions, Answered
Just a short time ago, there was only one way to power a vehicle: an internal combustion engine, or ICE for short. In the last couple of decades, however, more acronyms have come into the mix, including BEV, PHEV, EV, and so on. This begs the question, what’s the difference between them? When it comes […]
The Lowdown on Hybrids vs PHEVs
If you’re like a lot of people, you may have grouped all vehicles that have a battery as their main source of operation into the electric category. However, there’s more to it than that. There are many ways to get from Point A to Point B besides the age-old internal combustion engine. Hybrid vehicles are […]
Car Care 101: Scheduled Service Beyond the Basics
We all know that the best way to get the most from your vehicle is to take proper care of it, and proper care means knowing your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and sticking to it. That being said, what you tend to see people talk about the most is basic things like getting an oil change […]
What Do Tire Wear Patterns Say About Your Alignment?
Proper car care often requires a holistic approach, where the entirety of your vehicle needs to be considered rather than just individual parts. Different parts of your vehicle are interconnected and affect each other. While you sit inside your car, the steering wheel you hold is connected to a steering column, which goes to the […]
Your Car’s First Oil Change: Separating Fact From Fiction
An oil change is one of those things that every driver is aware of, but some pay more attention to than others. Unless you have an EV, your vehicle needs to change its oil regularly to keep running well. But exactly how often an oil change needs to happen can be unclear if you’re uncertain. […]
Getting a Grip on Aftermarket Steering Wheels
Installing an aftermarket steering wheel is often an aesthetic decision, but in some cases, it can have a big impact on the overall driving experience. In fact, in certain applications, like high-performance racing and other activities common to the North American speed demon, drivers wouldn’t be caught dead with a stock steering wheel. Generally speaking, […]
Message in a Throttle: Diagnosing a Faulty Throttle Body
A vehicle’s air intake system is a crucial part of the internal combustion process. To operate efficiently, vehicles require a precise mix of air and fuel. How is this balance achieved? It all comes down to a vehicle’s fuel injectors and throttle body. The role of a fuel injector is right there in the name–it’s […]
Milwaukee Celebrates 100 Years of Power Tool Innovation
If you’re in the market for a new torque wrench, ratchet kit, or mechanic’s tool set, you’ve got a few decisions to make. Performance, durability, and price are all important factors to consider, but all too often, the latter tends to take precedence. While we’re all tempted to save a few bucks occasionally, this thrifty […]
How Makita Made It To The Top
Walk down the power tool aisle at your local home improvement store, and you’ll be met with a rainbow of alluring options. From orange Rigid drills to acid-green Ryobi sanders and more, the whole spectrum of colors is on display. This might make for a colorful shopping experience, but it can also be a little […]