By nearly any measurement, the Honda Civic is a success story. As America’s best-selling passenger car for six years running, the humble compact has dominated the segment for over a decade with no sign of letting up. In fact, Honda estimates that the Civic accounted for as much as 25 percent of sales in the […]
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.
Plasti Dipping Your Way to Colorful New Rims
When it comes to your vehicle, few things peel back the years like a nice, fresh set of wheels. Of course, keeping your wheels clean can be a struggle, especially in areas with challenging weather or road conditions, but luckily Plasti Dip is here to help. Plasti Dip is the brand name of an air-dry, […]
What’s the Deal With Ceramic Coating?
Protecting your vehicle from the elements is one of the easiest ways to keep it looking and running for years to come. While some might think of tasks like washing and waxing as two of the more optional chores that come with car ownership, they can go a long way in preventing corrosion and allowing […]
Why You Should Get Your Next Oil Change at a Dealership
Drivers looking for an oil change have no shortage of options. While the D.I.Y. approach is always on the table, fewer and fewer drivers are choosing to do the job themselves in favor of professional service from quick lube joints, auto shops, and dealerships. Among these three options, quick lube and auto shops remain the […]
Tire Repair: D.I.Y. vs Calling in the Pros
Sooner or later, almost every driver is going to have to deal with a punctured tire. No matter how carefully you might drive, road debris, jagged curbs, and other hazards will take their toll on your tires and result in the panic-inducing hiss that’s the bane of all thrifty drivers. There are a few choices […]
Leather Upholstery Repair and Care Tips
Leather upholstery and trim can add a touch of class to any vehicle’s interior, but it can also require its fair share of upkeep. From rips and tears to fading and stains, there are plenty of things that can go wrong when it comes to keeping your leather upholstery looking its best. Luckily leather repair […]
Beyond the Pail: Building Your Car Cleaning Kit
A clean, well-kept vehicle is more than just a point of pride for drivers; it can also go a long way in helping it retain its value. Buyers can spot the difference between a vehicle that’s been lovingly cared for over the course of its life versus those that only met a sponge for the […]
Getting the Most Out of Your 2022 Jeep Compass
Introduced in 2007, the Jeep Compass carries on Jeep’s tradition of crossover innovation, giving drivers a compact crossover SUV that doesn’t sacrifice when it comes to off-road capability. The second generation hit Jeep Compass dealers in 2017 and is positioned between the subcompact Renegade and larger Cherokee in Jeep’s current crossover lineup. Available in both […]
Prepping for Winter With Undercoating and Other Tips
For those in colder climates, winter weather can wreak havoc on a vehicle. Not only are there snow flurries and slick roads to deal with, but between frost heaves, sub-zero temperatures, and road salt taking its toll, you might start to wonder if your vehicle is going to make it until spring. Corrosion is one […]
Building Your Automotive Toolbox? Start Here
There’s nothing quite as effective or satisfying as using the right tool for the job, but all too often, building out one’s automotive toolbox can be a project unto itself. With so many brands to choose from and new specialty manufacturers popping up all the time, it can be hard to tell the best tool […]
Six Important Warning Lights On Your Honda
Your owner’s manual should provide a detailed maintenance schedule that outlines when every hose, filter, belt, fluid, and components replacement needs to be performed. This schedule is an important document when it comes to Honda car maintenance, and faithfully following it can potentially add years to a vehicle’s life, ensure the best possible fuel efficiency, […]
Exploring the Sights, Smells, and Sounds of Failing Brakes
While many of today’s vehicles include a bevy of advanced safety features, your Honda’s brakes are still the first line of defense when you’re behind the wheel. Of all the components in a vehicle, drivers tend to interact with their brakes more than most. This can lead to a lot of wear and tear but […]
How to Choose the Right Motor Oil
The next time you stop by the dealership for your oil change, consider this: not all motor oil is created equal. While your vehicle’s manufacturer will recommend a specific type of oil based on your make and model, the choice is ultimately up to each individual driver. For example, while Honda recommends that drivers use […]
Get Clean and Go Green With Our Automotive Parts and Fluid Disposal Guide
Taking the DIY approach to car maintenance and repair can save drivers a lot of money and help them build up a better understanding of their vehicle, but it can also result in a lot of waste that’s hard to get rid of. The various fluids and components that might end up in the junk […]
Dealing With Pesky Plastic Grommets? Start Here
While “plastic” might not be the first word that comes to mind when we think of our vehicles, they wouldn’t get far without a healthy dose of the stuff. From bumpers and insulation to the instrument panel and even the upholstery, various plastic compounds play an important role in the construction of the modern automobile. […]
Everything You Need to Know About CV Joints And Boots
Picture this scenario: You’re running errands around town when you spot a bump in the road. You fail to navigate around it, and suddenly one side of your car is two inches higher than the other. This is a common enough occurrence that many drivers might never stop to think about what just happened. But […]
The Driveshaft, Its Role, and Signs of Failure
Your vehicle’s driveshaft plays a vital role in transferring mechanical energy throughout your vehicle. The long, tubular component is usually made from steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber and is located underneath the vehicle. It allows torque to travel from the transmission to the front or rear differentials and then into the wheels themselves. It’s just […]
Understanding Your Vehicle’s Oil Filter
When you go to get an oil change, it’s always good to also replace the oil filter. But what does the oil filter do? In the simplest terms, an oil filter removes contaminants from a vehicle’s motor oil, reducing the damage that can occur from the small, hard particles that find their way into the […]
The Spark Is Gone: How to Test Your Vehicle’s Spark Plugs
As the ignition source for the entire internal combustion process, spark plugs are an integral part of your vehicle’s engine. They’re also often one of the first components under the hood that will need to be replaced, with older designs lasting as little as 10,000 miles. Luckily replacing your spark plugs is one of the […]
Under Pressure? How to Conduct an Engine Compression Test
To the uninitiated, the modern internal combustion engine can seem intimidating. This inscrutable hunk of metal, with its mass of wires, valves, and pipes, might look complicated until you stumble upon one simple secret: it’s basically just a collection of small compression chambers. These chambers, known as cylinders, are where your fuel/air mixture meets an […]
How to Replace a Fuel Injector in Five Simple Steps
Fuel injectors are a vital part of any gas-powered vehicle. They’re responsible for spraying fuel into the engine’s combustion chamber, which is then ignited by the spark plug to produce the power that gets your wheels moving. While some lucky drivers might go through their vehicle’s entire lifespan without ever needing to replace these vital […]
