Imagine you’ve just picked up a new vehicle. Before sliding behind the wheel, you take a slow walk around your car, admiring the perfect paint and sculpted bodywork. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you know this is the best your car will ever look: it’s pristine. Flash forward to a few months later, […]
Category: Car Maintenance
Stuck Brake Caliper? Start Here
Given the role your brakes play in your automotive safety, there’s no underestimating the importance of a regular brake service. Bringing a one-and-a-half-ton vehicle to a stop is no small task, requiring a number of vital components to work in complete harmony every time you press the brake pedal. Of these, the brake calipers play […]
Dead Car Battery? Here’s How to Jump-Start Your Car
After an hour-long trip to the grocery store, you just finished loading a week’s worth of groceries in the trunk when you get in the driver’s seat and discover your SUV won’t start. Pushing the ignition button does nothing but cause a sinking feeling in your stomach. You know you likely need a battery replacement, […]
A Simple Guide to Proper Toyota Hybrid Care
There’s nothing sexy or glamorous about taking care of your vehicle, but all of the fun that comes with having a car—and all of the practical stuff, too—is only possible when your vehicle runs properly, which is where routine maintenance comes into play. Hybrids are no exception to this rule; there are a lot of […]
Avoid the Auto Shop Squeeze With These Simple Tips
If you don’t know a crescent wrench from an Allen wrench, have never changed a spark plug, or think a serpentine belt is something a snake uses to keep its pants up, chances are you’re not taking the DIY approach when it comes to vehicle repair. There’s nothing wrong with that–we all have scant free […]
Vehicle Basics for the Would-Be Mechanic
Depending on the day, car ownership can either seem like a ticket to freedom or a weighty, gas-powered albatross hanging around your neck. The same car, truck or SUV that’s so pivotal to your everyday life can start to feel like a burden when things go wrong. While some drivers are quick to call in […]
Be Sure to Do Your Routine Summer Maintenance
If you’re like me and you grew up in Arizona, then you know summer to be the time when you need to do everything you can to avoid the apocalyptic rays of the sun and escape those scorching temperatures that aim to sear your brain. But for everyone else, summer is when you want to […]
Are OEM Car Batteries a Smart Buy?
There are a lot of options available when it comes to car batteries. Not only does virtually every auto parts chain have its own battery line—such as Auto Zone’s Duralast and O’Reilly’s Super Start—but many car manufacturers have now gotten in on the game with options like Ford Motorcraft and Toyota TrueStart batteries. These OEM […]
Getting the Most Out of a Self-Service Car Wash
The struggle to keep your vehicle clean is a tale as old as time. From road salt in the winter to long, dry, dusty summers, there is no shortage of forces conspiring to contaminate your car, which is what makes regular car washes so important. This Sisyphean task has even been immortalized in popular song, […]
Stay Cool: Understanding Your Car’s AC
It isn’t until we’re desperately looking for car AC repair near me that we give much thought to the system that keeps us cool behind the wheel. By then, it’s too late, and we’re either faced with an air conditioner that doesn’t work and blows warm air, or one that smells or sounds funny. It […]
Top Tips: How to Maintain Your Soft Top Convertible
From the wind-in-your-hair feeling to cruising down the road with sunshine on your face, there’s a lot to love about the convertible lifestyle. For the uninitiated, the segment is largely broken down into two categories: soft tops and hard tops. A soft top convertible is any model with a vinyl or fabric roof covering, as […]
Understanding Your Stopping Power: The Different Types of Automotive Brakes
You may not give your brakes much thought, but they are essential to your safety behind the wheel and your vehicle’s performance. For example, you engage the brake pedal in rush-hour traffic, maintaining a safe distance from the truck slowing down ahead of you. Likewise, you use the brakes to slow your speed on the […]
Addressing Check Engine Anxiety with OBD2 Scanners
We’ve all been there: you’re cruising down the road, enjoying a pleasant drive, when suddenly a glaring orange light pops on the dashboard. You spot that familiar engine icon, and suddenly your mind is racing with any number of disastrous possibilities. Is the engine about to blow? Has that squeaking sound always been there? When […]
What Should a Full Chevy Tune-Up Include? Here’s What You Should Know
Keeping your Chevy tuned is essential to extending its longevity and getting the most out of your vehicle beyond the basic warranty cut-off date. Oftentimes, when you want the absolute best for the vehicle, you will aim to get a complete tune-up, especially if there are several nagging issues or you want more than just […]
Should You Change Your Own Oil or Consult a Professional?
“What do I do? Should I pop open YouTube and learn it myself, or should I pull up Google Maps and find a technician ready to do an oil change near me?” Great question; honestly, please do continue rambling on about your future goals and big oily dreams. When you’re done, I’ll be over here […]
Repair or Replace: A Guide to Automotive Maintenance
It’s a well-known fact that routine maintenance at regular intervals is a fundamental practice of not only owning a vehicle but also ensuring that it lasts for a considerable length of time. The world of auto maintenance is made of two different practices, repairing and replacing. Chances are that you’ve visited an auto repair shop […]
With Great Pickup Comes Great Responsibilities: A Maintenance Guide for a Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
If your job frequently consists of big burdens and heavy lifting, you might be in the market for a vehicle that will maximize productivity on the job site. And, if you’re looking to take advantage of the lower costs that a previously-owned vehicle can offer, look no further than a used Ford F-250 for sale. […]
Resurfacing vs Replacing Brake Rotors: What You Need to Know
There are plenty of reasons why you might need to visit your local Ford or Toyota service center. Some are no cause for concern, like coming in for a regularly scheduled oil change or tire rotation, but when you’re having issues (especially issues with your braking system), things can get a little scarier—and a little […]
Keep Your Honda in Tip-Top Shape This Spring
Springtime is here again, and that means it is time to clean the salt out of the car, wash it off, and take it in for routine maintenance. Hondas are incredibly reliable vehicles, often lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles. Honda owners swear by their reliability. As with any mechanical device, cars last the […]
The Shocking Truth Behind High-Voltage Electric Systems
As Heraclitus once said, the only constant in automotive technology is change. From the earliest Model T Ford to today’s selection of full-electric options, vehicles have come a long way over the last hundred-plus years. In that time, we’ve swapped out hand-operated crank starters for fully automated ignition systems, perfected the art of forced induction, […]
Mythbusting: Tackling Common Oil Change Misconceptions
Most people love tall tales; the more salacious, the better. It’s how tabloids make their fortunes, capturing our attention with the latest sightings of Elvis, aliens, and Bigfoot that perpetuate gossip, myths, and misconceptions. The automotive industry isn’t often in the tabloid crosshairs unless Elvis is spotted driving a Ford Bronco along the Pacific Coast […]