Car tips & advices

Auto Ramp How-To and Safety

When it's time to change the oil or flush the radiator in your car the usual drill is to bust out the big old heavy jack and jack stands and do the whole pump it up, balance it out, and lower it back... read more

Truth is Stranger than Friction

The road less traveled is an oxymoron to most drivers. We have a lot of places to go and a lot of ways to get to there. Navigation systems and online maps have improved our ability to drive the most... read more

Five Big Signs of an Automotive Poseur

You know the guy—he looks the part, but he’s not. He’s a poseur, or poser—whatever. Yes, there’s some layering and subtlety here, and though some cases of posing are blistering examples you... read more

Spark Plugs

Pity the poor spark plug. It lives in a hole, gets hit with a high voltage shock thousands of times every minute, and has to endure searing heat from explosions. The spark plug has the tough but... read more

Spark Plug Wire Replacement

Time was when your mechanic tuned up your vehicle you could often get the plug wires installed just for the additional price of the parts, since it only took a couple of extra minutes. And the parts... read more

Spark Plug Hole Thread Repair

Theoretically, routine spark plug replacement should be a simple task. Crank out the old plug, thread in a new one, and you're done. Fiendish engine gremlins often work against you though, and can... read more

Spark Plug Diagnosis

In times past, one of the easiest maintenance items on a vehicle was checking and changing the spark plugs. That was before engine compartments became shrouded in emission's tubing and computerized... read more

Sound and Heat Shield Install

Everybody appreciates a quiet car and that solid "thunk" you hear when the door slams shut. But there's more to sound insulation than just personal comfort. High levels of noise can also interfere... read more

Snow Tire Sense

To most folks tires are things that wear out, go flat, or just cost a big pile of money when it comes time to replace them. While all these things are true to a certain extent, the important thing to... read more

Smog Test Prep, Part 1

Nobody likes to fail a test, even if it's just the emissions check on your vehicle. For those of you who have been traumatized by, or wish to avoid the trauma of failing a Smog Test—we have good... read more

Smog Test Prep Part 2

In our first installment on getting ready for an emissions exam, we covered the many splendid facets of smog check and its application to your vehicle. We also touched on the first part of the test:... read more

Slave Cylinder Replacement

Manual transmissions' popularity is dwindling. For daily commuting in stop-and-go traffic, automatics are a lot easier on the legs and brain—not to mention that less driving skill is required to... read more