Thankfully, we live in a world where the internet exists. A quick tutorial on YouTube can tell you everything you need to know about anything from assembling a new grill to fixing the carburetor on a generator in a matter of minutes. This is also helpful if you’re looking to complete some work on your […]
Category: Car Care
Braking Bad: Uneven Brake Wear and How to Prevent It
I’ve done my fair share of brake jobs, and I’ve seen just about every scenario you can think of. I’ve seen rotors worn down to the fins, brake pads installed backward or missing altogether, you name it. Something that always sets off alarm bells is when I inspect a set of pads and find that […]
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 […]
Celebrating and Maintaining High-Mileage Machines
“Six figures” is a term that we generally associate with success. Some folks spend their lives chasing a six-figure salary or building a six-figure 401k. What about our odometers? Too often, we scoff at mileage nearing the 100k mark and treat it as a death sentence when, in reality, it’s a rite of passage. Something […]
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, […]
How to Clean Your Vehicle After Off-Roading
Cleaning any vehicle regularly is important, but it’s the same level as brushing your teeth or washing your hair for an off-roading vehicle. Your 4×4 accumulates a lot of grime and debris on the trails, especially if your idea of getting away is churning through mud bogs, storming ocean beaches, or weekend-long overlanding journeys. This […]
Automotive Air Conditioning Repair, Maintenance, and Signs of Trouble
When the hot summer months arrive, you’ll be glad for your vehicle’s air conditioner. According to experts, on a sunny 80-degree day, an uncooled car interior can approach 140 degrees in just an hour. Even on cooler days, the cabin temperature can rise by 40 to 50 degrees in the same period. Having a working […]
Spring Cleaning: How to Keep Your Car in Shape for the Warm Months
Keeping your car in good shape not only helps you preserve its value for some time down the road when you’re ready to trade it in, but it also makes the car more enjoyable to drive in the moment. During the cold days of winter, it’s natural to let some things slide; there’s no point […]
What to Check in a DIY Multipoint Inspection
Looking over a vehicle regularly for signs of potential problems may seem like a hassle, but it pays off in the long run. By identifying small issues and getting them fixed, drivers can greatly reduce the chance of a breakdown or major damage. This saves significant time and money, helping your vehicle last longer and […]
Getting Your Car Ready for Spring and Summer
Soon enough, the temperatures will warm up, the snow will melt, and the weather will be perfect for spring and summer cruising. Before hitting the highway, though, your car needs some TLC. Winter weather, especially in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, wreaks havoc on vehicles. The right maintenance will resolve small issues before they become […]
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 […]
Tell Freeloaders to Bug Off With These Pest-Proofing Tips
Drivers investing in a 25-year-old conversion van don’t typically expect stellar gas mileage, but I still found myself mystified about the lackluster efficiency of my used 1999 GMC Savana 1500. While posting 10 or 11 MPG is a small price to pay for a vacation home on four wheels, the internet insisted that I should […]
Keep Your Vehicle Looking Its Best: Stain Fighting 101
From precariously piled ice cream cones and tubes of bright red lipstick to nail polish, crumbs, sticky soda, and more, your vehicle’s upholstery is under constant assault from a variety of unsightly antagonists that are all conspiring to leave their mark. There are some ways to reduce the likelihood of a potential spill, but aside […]
Headlight Maintenance: How to Care for Your Car’s Lights
A good set of headlights is one of the most important safety features of a vehicle. According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Safety Research, vehicles with headlights that received a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were in 19% fewer single-car crashes and 23% fewer pedestrian crashes at […]
Car Paint Touch-Up: How to Fix Minor Chips and Scratches
Your paint getting nicked is an inevitable part of owning a vehicle. From rocks and branches kicked up on the road to hail, wild animals, bouncing basketballs, and collisions, many hazards can damage your car’s finish. Regardless of how they happened, though, it’s important to address these blemishes at your earliest convenience. Even minor cosmetic […]
Keep Cool With Our Guide to Radiators
Some like it hot, but your vehicle is a notable exception. Excessive heat is the enemy of any mechanical system, including the engine found in your car, truck, or SUV. Overheating can lead to everything from minor failures and performance issues to a full-on breakdown. Ideally, your engine should maintain a steady temperature that’s somewhere […]
What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Car
Washing a car can feel pretty simple, but if you want to keep your vehicle in top condition, there are more pitfalls than you might think. Even models that are built to be tough as nails can be sensitive to the wrong cleaning products and techniques, and you don’t want to find out which ones […]
Find Shifting Success With These Manual Transmission Maintenance Tips
While many drivers enjoy the convenience of an automatic transmission, some will tell you that there’s no substitute for a manual transmission. From fuel savings and lower repair costs to the sense of control and pure thrills they can provide, there are certainly a number of advantages that come with rowing your own gears. Maintenance […]
A Look at the Various Ways You Can Rain-Proof Your Windshield
When I first moved from Pennsylvania to the Sunshine State, I decided it would be a good idea to put some Rain-X glass water repellent on my windshield. After all, it was a two-day journey, and I was bound to run into some bad weather along the way, especially once I got to Florida. It […]
How to Best Maintain Your Four-Wheel Drivetrain
A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle can be a valuable addition to any garage, allowing a driver to tackle some of the most challenging road conditions, put in some serious work, or unwind at their local off-road trails with confidence. That said, 4WD vehicles require a little more TLC than their two-wheel-drive cousins. It’s a small […]
Simplifying Your Maintenance With Oil Life Monitors
Ask any driver when they should change their oil and they’ll almost reflexively answer with the standard 3,000 miles. This bit of automotive wisdom has been passed down through the ages, but it’s not as relevant as it once was. While 3,000 miles was once the benchmark for oil changes, advances in engine, oil, and […]