If you’re in the market for a new torque wrench, ratchet kit, or mechanic’s tool set, you’ve got a few decisions to make. Performance, durability, and price are all important factors to consider, but all too often, the latter tends to take precedence. While we’re all tempted to save a few bucks occasionally, this thrifty […]
How Makita Made It To The Top
Walk down the power tool aisle at your local home improvement store, and you’ll be met with a rainbow of alluring options. From orange Rigid drills to acid-green Ryobi sanders and more, the whole spectrum of colors is on display. This might make for a colorful shopping experience, but it can also be a little […]
Delving Into DeWalt Tools and Their Extensive History
In the world of automotive tools, a few names rise to the top. While there is certainly no shortage of brands producing torque and impact wrenches, pliers, ratchet and socket sets, and everything else you need for a long day under the hood, these tools tend to vary in terms of quality, price, and reliability. […]
Know Your Engine Oils: 10 Brands to Look For
Whether heading to your local auto parts store or shopping online, it can be difficult to know which engine oil to choose for your next oil change. Even if you understand the difference between the many different grades of oil and have a preference when it comes to conventional versus semi-synthetic versus full synthetic, there […]
Get a Grip! Motorcycle Tank Grips and Protectors
Tank grips and tank protectors are an often overlooked accessory that can benefit many riders. Tank grips can make you much more confident on the road, and seriously improve comfort in some cases. Tank protectors, on the other hand, can help keep your tank looking new and scratch-free. They seem like an extremely minor addition […]
Critical Considerations When Buying a Used Motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle is incredibly rewarding. It readily satiates your need for speed and thrills, also making you vulnerable and heightening your situational awareness. Instead of being protected by a vehicle, you’re exposed to the elements and experience the world with all your senses. It’s magical and exhilarating, inspiring many first-time and experienced riders to […]
Hey You, Stop Doing These Things to Your Poor Car!
Look, I get it—we’re all busy, we all have places to be and things to do, and proper vehicle maintenance isn’t necessarily at the top of the list when it comes to how you want to spend a day off. That’s all well and good, but if you don’t take proper care of your vehicle […]
Floating vs Fixed: Should I Upgrade My Brake Calipers?
When it comes to automotive design principles and philosophies for competing parts and engineering options, there are always going to be debates and arguments about which type of part or mechanism is best. For example, take diesel vs. gas, turbocharged vs. naturally aspirated, and floating vs. fixed calipers. In the last example, for anyone interested […]
Why You Should Make Brake Bedding Part of Your Routine
Given their role in bringing your two-ton car, truck, or SUV to a stop, you can really never be too careful ensuring your brakes are in good working order. We all know the standard maintenance checklist when it comes to the brakes—keeping an eye on brake fluid, replacing brake pads every 20,000 miles, and brake […]
Diesel vs. Gas: Choosing the Right Engine For Your Next Pickup
Diesel and gas engines have a great deal in common, but there are also some key differences. Both diesel and gas engines use internal combustion to create power. Both employ pistons to drive a crankshaft to send power through the drivetrain and, ultimately, to the wheels. The main difference comes down to some specific steps […]
What Makes Nissan’s VC-Turbo Engines So Special?
Every major automaker has something noteworthy about what they provide with their vehicles that they want to stand out—from design cues and interior technology to performance capabilities or off-road features. There is always something that sets a company’s series of models apart from the competition. In Nissan’s case, it’s their VC-Turbo engines. You may have […]
Buying Used? Don’t Forget to Check…
Are you looking at used cars, trying to decide which one fits your needs? A used car is a great way to save money while getting some premium features without hurting your wallet. But, every experienced car buyer knows that buying a pre-owned car can present a few potential risks to drivers. That is why […]
Understanding Your Honda’s Maintenance Needs
For your Honda to last a long time and function at its best, regular auto maintenance is necessary. In addition to ensuring your safety while driving, maintaining your Honda provides a number of advantages. Above all, regular maintenance helps avert possible problems before they develop into serious and expensive repairs. Following the recommended maintenance for […]
More Than Hot Air: A Look at the Modern Airbag
From waxing the hood to deep-cleaning the wheels and giving the dash a healthy coat of Armor All, drivers tend to obsess over the smallest details. That said, there’s one common vehicle component that no driver is in a rush to get acquainted with: the airbag. This vital piece of safety equipment is the last […]
How to Keep Your Cool When Your Engine Gets Too Hot
There you are, minding your own business, when suddenly you smell something like burning sugar coming from your vehicle, and what appears to be smoke starts to pour up along the sides of your hood. Safe to say, your day just got a whole lot worse—but it’s not the end of the world. An overheating […]
What Is Power Steering and What Are Some Causes of Power Steering Failure?
From performance upgrades and safety systems to convenience and comfort features, there have been countless advancements in automotive technology since the first gas-powered car was produced in 1886. We tend to take such features for granted, but it’s hard to imagine getting behind the wheel of a vehicle that lacks an electric ignition starter, seat […]
A Lifted Truck for an Off-Road Advantage
If you’re an avid off-roader, you know the value of good ground clearance; putting a little extra space between your vehicle and the road can mean the difference between a successful excursion and one that ends in frustration. Coil spring spacers can add between 10 and 12 mm of ground clearance, while a set of […]
9 Moto-Must Haves for This Holiday Season
Are you shopping for a motorcycle enthusiast this holiday season but are stumped on what to get them? Maybe you considered getting them parts or gear, but you had no idea where to start? Motorcycles are very personal, and so is riding gear, so it can get a little hard to figure out exactly what […]
Fuel Economics 101: Why Do Older Cars Lose Efficiency?
While horsepower and torque are certainly important, fuel efficiency tends to be the most critical metric for the average driver. Having plenty of power is always nice, but on a day-to-day basis, your vehicle’s fuel economy will be a far more relevant statistic. If you’re shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle, fuel economy can […]
What Can You Fix on Your Own, and When Do You Need a Pro?
Few things are quite as satisfying as working on your own vehicle, either making repairs or simply keeping up with maintenance to ensure it runs as well as possible. There are plenty of relatively simple tasks and repairs that just about anyone can do at home with minimal investment in tools or supplies, but there […]
Modding Your Way To Better Fuel Efficiency
Driven by technological innovation and tightening efficiency standards, fuel economy has been on a steady rise for decades. In 1970, the average vehicle posted a lowly 12 MPG, which rose to almost 17 MPG by 2000. The last twenty years have seen even more impressive growth, with an average MPG of 25.4 in 2020—an increase […]