Tech Tips

In the past, I’ve discussed exhaust system layout and the functions of the individual parts. Sometimes, these parts need to be replaced. This is doubly true if you live in the rust belt and drive on salty winter roads, or otherwise subject your car’s exhaust system to abnormal wear and

Road trip season is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to get to your destination without breaking down. After all, few people want to spend their vacation in a roadside ditch or at the mercy of a unknown out-of-town repair shop. Someone recently asked me what they

Although you drive with all four wheels on the ground, there are times those wheels will have to be off the ground. Whether you’re doing repairs in the driveway, changing a tire on the side of the road, or putting the car on a four-post lift for heavy underside repairs,

One of the more common malfunctions in a car’s otherwise normal running condition is a misfire. What is a misfire, you ask? A misfire is when the fuel and air in a car’s cylinder doesn’t ignite properly, leading to incomplete or nonexistent combustion in that cylinder. There are several potential

One of the most unnerving things when driving is noticing a noise that wasn’t there before. While some people choose to simply turn up the radio louder, that’s probably not a good approach. If your car’s making a loud noise now, chances are it’s not far from a breakdown. It’s

You’re driving along, hit the brakes, and all of sudden you hear a scraping sound you haven’t heard before. Or, maybe that brake pad wear indicator light in your instrument cluster comes on for the first time. Either way, this means one thing – it’s time to replace your brake

You start your car on a damp morning. The engine sounds like it’s struggling, and for the first moment or two, it acts like it’s low on power before returning to normal. Or, maybe you have a newer car and you’ve just gotten a diagnostic trouble code indicating a misfire.

The primary reason I end up doing so much work on my own car is that I drive older cars. I’ve heard stories and songs telling of warranty work on cars. A problem pops up and the owner turns the car over to the dealership, who in turn, fixes it.

As much as people talk about it, you’d be amazed how often people overlook checking their oil. A simple check is one of the best and most important things you can do for your car. Granted, there are some newer cars that don’t have an engine oil dipstick and instead

Like most parts of your car, you wouldn’t necessarily notice it when your suspension is working properly.