There are few trends more frustrating than so-called “shrinkflation.” While pure inflation, the gradual decrease in purchasing power, is a necessary evil in a healthy economy, shrinkflation is more of a money-making scheme that serves little purpose aside from padding a manufacturer’s profit margins. For those who have been lucky enough to avoid the experience, […]
Author: Matt Dodge
Between spending Father's Day at the local race track and watching NASCAR in his grandparent's living room, Matt Dodge has long been fascinated with all things automotive. Matt has worked at a variety of business magazines, daily newspapers, and trade publications while making time for some unique side hustles, including stints as a tour guide and pedicab operator. Quirky tales from automotive history and helpful how-to guides are some of Matt's favorite topics, though his own D.I.Y. efforts have largely been limited to keeping his 1999 GMC Savana from imploding and removing the backseat of his Honda Accord to make more room for surfboards.
Exploring the High Cost of Short Drives
When it comes to healthy driving and maintenance habits, many drivers are working with outdated advice. While inherited knowledge can be useful, it often fails to keep pace with advances in automotive technology, leading to wasted time, effort, and even compromised safety behind the wheel. Take the old adage about changing your oil every 3,000 […]
Beat the Heat With These Warm-Weather Car Tips
Summer is synonymous with road trips, beach vacations, and family outings, but warm weather also puts a lot of stress on your car, truck, or SUV. Today’s vehicles are designed for the long haul, but even the most well-engineered model is still prone to accelerated wear, spotty performance, and reduced efficiency when things start to […]
Get the Most Out of Every Gallon With These Fuel-Saving Tips
Fuel prices have always fluctuated due to numerous economic, social, and political factors. No matter how you look at it, filling the tank has become a significantly pricier proposition over the last 30 years. The average U.S. gas price hovered around $2 a gallon for much of the early 2000s, but peaked at more than […]
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 […]
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 […]
Become In-VIN-cible With Our Guide to Vehicle Identification Numbers
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can tell you almost everything you’d want to know about your new car, truck, or SUV, from the specific make and model to the included safety features. Once you learn how to decipher a VIN, you can quickly identify some of the most pertinent information about a vehicle, including where […]
Keep Your Chevy Equinox EV On the Road With These Maintenance Tips
From reducing emissions and fuel costs to their whisper-quiet operation, there are countless advantages to going electric when choosing your next vehicle. The automotive experts at AAA crunched the numbers and determined that a compact electric vehicle costs about $546 in electricity to drive 15,000 miles a year, while the equivalent vehicle takes $1,255 of […]
Suspend Your Ignorance With Our Guide to Coil vs Leaf Springs
The suspension is a vital part of any vehicle, but it’s especially important in larger models like SUVs and pickup trucks. A robust suspension system can allow a truck to carry heavy loads, improve stability, reduce wear and tear, and enhance comfort when you’re behind the wheel. Still, there are some key differences when it […]
Breathe Easy With Our Guide to Intake Valve Cleaning
Internal combustion is a marvel of modern engineering, but it does have some downsides. The average V6 engine will undergo around 9,000 small explosions every minute as the fuel is ignited. While this proves effective at pushing a car, truck, or SUV down the road, it also results in some by-products that can easily befoul […]
10 Tips on Preparing Your Vehicle for Long-Term Storage
There’s something to be said about using the right tool for the job. A convertible can allow you to enjoy a summer day in a way that few vehicles can match, and a classic antique model is sure to turn plenty of heads as you motor to your local cruise-in night or car show. However, […]
Wrapping Your Mind Around Headliner Repair
There’s nothing worse than a headliner that fails to live up to expectations. We’re not talking about a lackluster performance from a pop star or a disappointing set from your favorite band at a summer music festival, but rather the fabric that lines the roof of your vehicle. While they’re designed to last for a […]
Hitching Your Way to Towing Success With Our Maintenance and Care Guide
No matter how much horsepower and torque a pickup truck or SUV might be able to churn out, a towing rig is only as good as its weakest link. You can invest in a robust 4WD system, an enhanced cooling system, a heavy-duty suspension, and even a model with dual rear tires, but if your […]
Keep Your Honda Hybrid on the Road With These Maintenance Tips
When you set out to find a new or pre-owned Honda CR-V Hybrid for sale, routine maintenance is probably the last thing on your mind. It can be hard to picture future oil changes, tire rotations, and all the other maintenance-related tasks when you’re browsing shiny new crossovers in the showroom or taking a test […]
Current Conundrum: Is At-Home EV Repair a Good Idea?
It’s hard to understate how quickly all-electric vehicles are changing the auto industry. EVs aren’t just the most efficient and Earth-friendly vehicles on the road. They’re also setting a new bar for efficiency and utility. Just take Porsche’s all-electric Taycan Turbo GT, now one of the fastest cars on the road with a zero-to-60-mph time […]
Moonroof Blues: What to Do When Your Windows Won’t Close
There’s nothing like cracking your moonroof and allowing a little fresh air and warm sunlight into the cabin as you drive around town on a warm day. That classic wind-in-your-hair feeling is one of the easiest ways to elevate your ride, but it loses a lot of its appeal when the sky clouds over, and […]
Get Hitched With Our Guide to Trailer Hitch Installation
Sometimes, the cargo space offered by a car, truck, or SUV simply isn’t enough to get the job done. Whether you’re trying to enjoy a little off-the-grid excursion in an ATV or boat, load building supplies onto a utility trailer, or bring all the comforts of home along for the ride in the form of […]
Delivery Van Service Tips to Keep Your Mobile Office Rolling
Some spend their workdays staring at the walls of a drab, grey cubicle, but if you’re a hardworking trade pro or delivery driver, the scenery can change with every passing mile. This sort of mobile office affords a number of benefits, from the freedom of the open road to the opportunity to jam out to […]
From SCR and DEF to DPF and DOC: Decoding Diesel Emissions
From improved efficiency and durability to lower maintenance costs and increased torque, diesel engines offer a number of advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. That said, there are a few downsides to this alternative fuel technology. Diesel tends to be more expensive than regular gasoline, and diesel engines can also be a little noisy. However, it’s […]
Answering All Your FAQs on the CVT
They might be maligned by some car enthusiasts who prefer a traditional automatic or manual transmission, but do continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) really deserve their bad rap? Once reserved for budget-friendly models, CVTs have found their way into an increasing number of luxury and performance vehicles over the last decade. From the Acura Integra and […]