If you’ve recently purchased a 2022 Honda Civic, congratulations. You’ve taken a significant step by acquiring a fine-tuned piece of engineering. Vehicle ownership is much more than simply acquiring a consumer good. It’s making an investment, and as such, it’s essential that you recoup a substantial return. One of the best ways you can do […]
Category: DIY
Leakdown Tests and Diagnosing Compression-Related Issues
A vehicle’s engine is basically a large pressure chamber. Air and fuel are drawn into each of the engine’s combustion chambers, called cylinders, which compress the fuel and air mixture before introducing a spark. This spark creates a small, controlled explosion, driving the piston down into the cylinder and setting off a chain reaction that […]
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 […]
A Good Lift Kit Is More Than Springs
A lift kit may just be the most popular truck modification around, possibly even beating larger wheels and tires. However, not all lift kits are created equal. If you didn’t buy your vehicle directly from a lifted truck dealer and are instead installing a lift kit yourself, then you will want to pay close attention […]
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 […]
Changing Your Brake Fluid: How to Choose the Best Tools for the Job
Any DIY mechanic would agree that self-reliance is an important life skill. The ability to be able to handle some car repair jobs for yourself helps you gain a better understanding of the condition of your vehicle and can save you money. While there are some repairs on your car that you may want to […]
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 […]
7 Fluids You Can Check to Keep Your Car Running Like New
While Base Commander Jack D. Ripper might’ve been concerned about the perceived international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids, I’m more concerned about the fluids in your car. Since you no doubt see advertisements for an oil change near you on a near-daily basis, I likely don’t need to […]
A Home Mechanic’s Tool Box: Where to Start
Auto repairs can often be intimidating and expensive. Sometimes it feels like that check engine symbol might as well be a dollar sign for what the whole experience could end up costing you. While there are certainly some repair and maintenance jobs that are better left to the experts, you might be surprised to learn […]
How Do You Check Your Alignment at Home?
Checking and adjusting your car’s alignment at home is not impossible, but it is somewhat complicated and takes some work–that shouldn’t dissuade you from trying it; just be prepared. If you prefer to Google “auto alignment near me” and take your vehicle to a service station, then that’s completely fair, but it is something you […]
Keep Going When It’s Snowing With Winter Tire Tools and Technique
Winter tires are an invaluable addition to any garage, offering superb traction and reliability in snow and ice. They might not be cheap, but it’s important to think of them as an investment. While the $500 to $600 price tag might scare off some thriftier drivers, searching for a set of “winter tires near me” […]
Easy Maintenance For Used Cars You Can Do Yourself
Car maintenance can seem daunting for anyone who isn’t familiar with rummaging around the engine under the hood – even more so when a jack is required, and you have to scoot beneath several thousand pounds of metal, rubber, and plastic. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not every vehicle out there is […]
Curb Appeal: Get Full Value With Our Pre-Sale Checklist
Selling your vehicle can be a daunting process, but there are a few simple things to keep in mind as you prepare to put yours on the market. Generally speaking, selling to a dealer is going to require less pre-sale maintenance. Dealers are less likely to be put off by cosmetic defects and have the […]
Make Your Car Look New Again With These Detailing Tips & Tricks
You may be thinking to yourself, “Maybe it’s time to sell my car,” and if you’re ready to start the process, you’ll want to do a little prep work first. Getting your vehicle ready to sell means giving it a makeover so that it wows potential buyers the moment they lay eyes on it. After […]
Go With The Flow: A Guide to Motor Oil Viscosity Ratings
Oil changes are one of the most vital forms of maintenance for your vehicle, but not all motor oil is created equal. It all comes down to viscosity ratings. In basic terms, viscosity means how thick a liquid is due to its internal friction. Simply pour a bottle of water and a bottle of honey […]
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 […]
The Easiest Way to Change Your Oil at Home
One of the most tedious parts of car ownership is the regular oil changes required to keep your vehicle in good running shape. Driving over to a service center means precious dollars and time spent, all for a process that takes mechanics all of fifteen minutes to complete. It makes you want to try it […]
Armchair Grease Monkeys Agree: Nissan Makes DIY Maintenance Easy
If you’re a person who enjoys DIY car maintenance, the emergence of complex electronic vehicle systems may feel like a deterrent, but even the newest cars still contain basic components that are easy to take care of yourself. Performing a Nissan oil change isn’t for the typical owner, but if you have the right tools […]
Yes, You Can DIY Most of Your Rogue Sport’s Maintenance
The nimble 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is popular for the essentially maintenance-free ownership experience it promises. Nissan has designed the Rogue Sport with long-lasting components and includes a robust warranty that covers everything for years. It’s a DIY car guy’s dream because it’s possible to perform all the basics at home in your own garage. […]
6 Easy Car Care Routines You Shouldn’t Skip
Even if you have a mechanic you trust or a dealership where you can get affordable auto service near you, it’s still a good idea to take care of some things yourself. I’m not about to tell you to rebuild your engine or fix your transmission if you don’t have a lot of experience with […]