If you have ever shopped for winter tires, then you have probably heard of the Bridgestone Blizzak. Widely considered one of the best, if not the best, studless winter tires you can buy, the Blizzak has been around since 1988––remarkable longevity when tire branding changes seemingly every year. However, if you’re interested in getting a […]
Author: Wyatt Moreton
Upgrading Your Mechanic’s Toolbox for $1000
The time has come. You’ve performed a couple of oil changes, replaced some light bulbs, and maybe even changed your brakes. You’re feeling pretty good about this DIY stuff, but the small collection of basic hand tools you’ve pieced together just won’t cut it for what you have planned. It’s time to drop some change […]
Setting Up a Mechanics Tool Kit for $500
Getting started doing DIY work on your car is a great way to save money and better understand your vehicle. However, you will need some tools to get started. A full mechanic’s toolbox with all the latest tools can quickly cost you thousands of dollars, but if you shop smart and stick to the basics, […]
Should You Install an Aftermarket Sway Bar?
Installing an aftermarket sway bar can be a simple way to improve the handling of your car, taming body roll and enabling flatter cornering. And unlike many performance upgrades, a sway bar is inexpensive, relatively straightforward to install, and will have zero effect on reliability. If you have some basic tools, are comfortable working under […]
What Jeep Wrangler Drivers Need to Know About Tire Balance
If you’ve ever driven with an out-of-balance tire, you know just how unpleasant it can be. While it may not be a major safety concern, the harsh high-speed vibrations make any sort of highway driving unbearable and will encourage you to get the problem fixed quickly. If you are an avid off-roader, as many Jeep […]
Shocks and Struts – The Unsung Heroes of Your Suspension
The suspension in every car, truck, or SUV has two main components: the springs and the shocks or struts. Somewhat counterintuitively, the springs are what support the weight of your car, while the shocks or struts (collectively known as dampers) are there to smooth things out and keep the springs from making the ride too […]
When Did You Last Change Your Brake Fluid?
There is a lot to keep up with when it comes to maintaining your car, especially if you are the DIY type that doesn’t rely on a mechanic to take care of it all for you. As you keep tabs on the engine oil, air filters, tires, lights, and more, it can be easy to […]
What You Need to Know Before Lifting Your Truck
A lifted truck is one of the best ways to explore the trails around where you live or even just to show off your rig on the road. To get an adventure-ready rig of your own, you can either visit a lifted truck dealer or you can install your own lift kit. While buying a […]
Want to Save Money on Gas? Choose the Right Tires!
Putting the right set of tires on your vehicle can make all the difference. There are all-terrain tires for off-roading, high-performance tires for sports cars, and snow tires for winter. However, there are also some special types of tires that are designed specifically to improve gas mileage on the road! These low rolling resistance tires […]
8 Great Fathers Day Gifts for the DIY Dad
Having a hard time finding the right gift ideas for your DIY dad? Sometimes it seems like everything you find the perfect Fathers Day gift idea; it turns out that he already has it. Well, here are 8 great gift ideas that will help him out with his next project. All of these are can’t-live-without-it […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why Won’t My Car Start?
One of the most frustrating (and most common) automotive failures is to get behind the wheel and have the engine fail to start. The vast majority of the time, this failure can be traced back to an aging battery and can be quickly remedied with a jump start and a drive to the nearest auto […]
How Not to Ruin Your Vehicle When Towing
Towing can be a difficult and even dangerous activity for the unprepared driver. Unfortunately, most drivers never have the opportunity to learn the intricacies of towing and become comfortable with the activity. Instead, they often find themselves with a trailer they need to tow and stumble through the process. By the time they reach their […]
What You Need to Know About Springs And Coilovers
Coil springs are designed to last the life of a car and require effectively no maintenance, so it is not surprising that most drivers never give them much thought. However, if you are seeking to improve the handling, feel, and even look of your car, there are few parts that will have a greater effect […]
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Differentials
Listen up class, today we are going to dive into the wonderful world of differentials. Now some of you might be thinking that a powertrain starts with the engine and ends with the transmission, but that would be a mistake. In fact, differentials are one of the most important and least appreciated aspects of powertrain […]
14 Tools You Need to Get Serious Working on Cars
Most automotive DIY work can be accomplished with a fairly basic set of tools – but some people will always want to do more. Whether that means tackling major repair work, restoring classic cars, or taking car mods to the next level, then you are going to need a more serious set of tools. While […]
14 Tools to Have Before You Work on Your Car
Although sometimes you need a professional to handle serious work on your vehicle, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes with working on your car and fixing something yourself. However, you need two things before you do any work on your vehicle: an understanding of how to do the task and the right tools […]
Know Your Oil – Viscosity
If you are a regular reader of Check Engine, then you are likely well aware of the importance of good oil in keeping your engine running smoothly. However, today we are going to go a bit deeper into understanding an important aspect of oil – viscosity ratings. On the surface, this may seem like a […]