For decades, chrome accents, trim, and badges have been the industry standard. However, popular opinion is starting to swing the other way. Chrome was once seen as a long-lasting way to protect metal against corrosion and make cars look better. However, it’s now widely known that the hexavalent chromium compound can cause severe health issues […]
Car modifications come in all shapes and sizes. From cold-air intakes, turbochargers, and performance exhaust systems designed to max out horsepower to spoilers, sport tires, and body kits that can turn even some of the most mundane models into ready-made racers, mods give drivers the opportunity to create a bespoke driving experience. While these flashier, […]
Having the right levers on your bike is for more than looks. Motorcycle levers are crucial for performance, affecting how well the bike shifts and brakes and how comfortable your ride is. Unfortunately, as one of the more exposed parts of the bike and often one of the more brittle, they are highly susceptible to […]
Cars, trucks, and SUVs are staying on the road longer than ever. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in 2023, the average lifespan of a light vehicle in the US was 12.5 years. Whether it’s a classic muscle car you drive for pleasure or a ruggedly-built daily driver that’s tiding you over until you […]
There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into your ride–or is there? While expensive paint jobs were once the only option for those looking to refresh their car, truck, or SUV, vinyl wraps have become an increasingly popular alternative in recent years. A vinyl car wrap offers a number of […]
For many of us, one of the great joys in life is working on our vehicles to either maintain them or add new features that let us customize our rides to offer everything we want. There’s no shortage of ways to add new features to your vehicle, and while some of them are quite simple, […]
From countless sci-fi spaceships to the very literal versions sported by the likes of Iron Man, the Predator, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800, few pieces of tech so well encapsulate cutting-edge futurism as a head-up display. The ability to see relevant driving stats projected directly into your field of vision can make any car, truck, or […]
Almost everyone reading this has experienced at least one chip or crack in their vehicle windshield. Have you wondered why the windshield simply cracks instead of breaking into thousands of tiny pieces when a rock strikes? You can thank laminated glass for that. Pioneered in the early 1900s just as the automotive industry was finding […]
Life behind the wheel doesn’t come without its risks, but sustaining a head injury while unloading your groceries or refilling your windshield wiper fluid shouldn’t be one of them. The hood and liftgate struts found in many of today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs offer a convenient way to access the engine or rear storage area––right […]
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 […]
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, […]
If you’ve been around automotive magazines, blogs, and vlogs long enough, you’ve heard about crate engines. But if you’re like me and haven’t spent a lot of time in a garage, you might have questions about what that term means. In my case, the pronoun “Krait” has been subconsciously associated with a spaceship marque in […]
The stock brake pads that come on most vehicles are thoroughly tested to ensure reliable, consistent stopping power. They’re often relatively quiet, produce little dust, and are designed to make the braking process feel as smooth as possible. These are all great qualities when it comes to a daily driver, but once you start adding […]
When you are building a vehicle to take off-road, there are many aspects to consider. Big all-terrain tires and a suspension lift are two of the most important features, and are usually the first thing any adventurer adds to their truck. However, one of the most important upgrades is armor. From skid plates and rock […]
Picture this: you’re going about your day, running errands around town in your BMW 3 Series, and something goes wrong. It could be a distressing noise, a strange smell, or an illuminated dashboard light, but no matter the issue, it’s a sign to head to your trusted mechanic or a BMW store. This can be […]
If you’re looking to customize your vehicle, increase performance, or save a little money on your next repair, aftermarket parts are worth a closer look. While they often get second-billing to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, aftermarket components are normally just as reliable while carrying a much lower price tag. That said, not all aftermarket […]
A dedicated set of summer tires can have a noticeable effect on overall vehicle performance, control, and comfort. Summer tires—also commonly known as performance tires—might not be as versatile as the all-season tires typically found on most vehicles, but if you’re looking to unlock the potential of your sports car, performance vehicle, or EV, they’ll […]
Whether you’re cruising cross-country on the back of a classic touring bike, carving through hairpin turns on a sport bike, or tackling both on and off-road routes on an adventure bike, customization is a key part of motorcycle culture. From custom gauges and crash bobbins to heated grips, aftermarket indicators, and performance tires, there are […]
Breathe in. Breathe out. Your fingers flex around the wheel. Your feet twitch on the pedals. Your eyes dart between the track ahead, and the signal holding you back. The light changes, and in the blink of an eye you spring into action! Your foot slams the accelerator, tires scream as they spin, and spin, […]
In a world where social media has crept into nearly every facet of daily life, video is king. From viral TikTok dances and Instagram reels to YouTube personalities and Twitch streamers, life is increasingly being served to us at 30 frames per second. This phenomenon has even crept into the automotive world, where onboard video […]
When it comes to customizing a vehicle, drivers take all sorts of different approaches. Some start with performance-minded upgrades: swapping out stock tires, mufflers, and air intakes for new-and-improved components that add vital power and control. Others focus more on the exterior, giving their vehicle a splashy new paint job or window tint that is […]
