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Maintenance

Is Using OEM Parts on Your Car Worth the Extra Cost?

Proper maintenance is important when it comes to keeping your car running well for as long as possible. And while routine oil changes, tire rotations, and coolant flushes throughout your car’s life are imperative, it’s the little details, like using OEM parts, that can make a big difference in the long run. But is using …
A panoramic sunroof on a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Why You Should Never Get a Car With a Panoramic Sunroof

Have you ever had a car that offered some really cool features you never ended up using much? For example, maybe you thought for sure you’d love those heated seats, only to count on one hand the number of winters you used them. Or it could be you opted for satellite radio and later had …
car battery in the snow especially diesel truck batteries need to be tended to

Can Cold Weather Damage Your Car’s Battery?

There’s almost nothing worse than being in a rush to get somewhere only to find out that your car won’t start. That dreadful chattering or ticking sound that’s only associated with a drained battery is the last thing you want to hear when you have to get to work on time or make it over …
Technician Danny Hardy works on a car at Chevrolet for recall service

How to Keep Rodents From Eating the Wires Under Your Hood

Unless you have a rat for a pet, you probably don’t want one in the house. The same goes for rats in your vehicle, and it can lead to huge repairs when it’s time for car maintenance. So are rodents getting into your car, and more importantly, how do you keep them out? Consumer Reports …
Fixd OBD tool

Can Fixd Help You Avoid Getting Ripped Off at the Mechanic’s?

We have smartphones, smart buildings, and now smart cars. Because of onboard diagnostic tools such as Fixd, even an older vehicle can tell you what’s wrong with it. Whether the check engine light just flickered on or your car needs scheduled service, this tool can help you know when your vehicle needs maintenance.  Fixd sends …
The rear of a Mitsubishi Evo painted in Musou Black

This Is What Painting Your Car in the Darkest Black Looks Like

The color black is defined as a color that is void of any other color or light. True black is not a shade. It is absent of shades. A paint shop may disagree because they see that every auto manufacturer has a black color choice that is different from other automakers. None-the-less, the color black, …

Is Bathroom Cleaner Effective in Cleaning Your Car’s Engine Bay?

Do you like to show up for the occasional “Cars and Coffee” car meets or simply just want to keep your car’s maintenance and keep it as clean as possible? In either case, you might want to clean up your car’s engine bay, since there’s nothing more embarrassing than having a pristine-looking car, only to …
Two K&N cabin air filters

You Need To Change Your Cabin Air Filter

Whether you’re preparing your car for winter or simply doing regular maintenance, air filters are rarely at the top of the list. And when they are, it’s usually the air filter in the engine. However, with relatively few exceptions, cars also have cabin air filters. And yours probably needs to be changed. What does your …

When Should I Replace My Car’s Shock Absorbers?

Maintaining your car is a little more involved than changing its oil and rotating the tires, especially if the car is older. So what about the bigger maintenance requirements like replacing your car’s shock absorbers? Is there a prescribed mileage or time required for those? Replace your car’s shocks as needed You might not be …
Cutting through roof of white metal camper van conversion to install ventilation window

Why Do RV Roofs Always Seem to Leak?

Most people who own a recreational vehicle know that RV roofs leak. It is one of the most common problems in the industry, yet many first-time buyers aren’t even aware of this ongoing issue. While a car can go a lifetime without a leaky roof, that isn’t the case for recreational vehicles. Most RV roofs …
Cars driving on ice

Switching Your Car’s Floor Mats Could Save You Big This Winter

The winter months can be brutal on people, but it can be even worse for cars. The build-up of ice and snow can ruin your car’s paint and windows, and even cause major structural problems like rust. The dropping temperatures can hinder our car’s performance or even cause mechanical problems, and if that isn’t enough, …

Have Food, Will Travel — Tips for Transporting Turkey and Sides

Thanksgiving might look a little bit different this year. Personal preferences on social distancing combined with gathering guidelines might stop us from having you standard extended-family get together, but that doesn’t mean people won’t still travel for the holidays. Keep your car from getting decked out with the family Thanksgiving meal this year with these …
mechanic working on some car issues

Top 5 Reasons Your Car Isn’t Starting

Car problems are one of those feelings that are universal to all car owners. Whether it’s the rhythmic thumping of a flat tire or the *click click click* of a refusal to start, most of us have had that sense of dread and frustration. It can certainly serve to ruin your day, but some problems …
A mechanic bleeds a motorcycle's brakes

Are Motorcycle Brakes as Easy To Bleed as Car Brakes?

Some aspects of car and motorcycle maintenance differ noticeably between the two vehicles. A car, for example, doesn’t have to worry about chain lubrication. However, both bikes and cars need their engine oil changed. If your bike is water-cooled, it needs a coolant flush, just like a car. And both motorcycles and cars have brakes, …
A man looking over his car, getting ready to change his oil during regular maintenance

A New Car Has a Warranty but Project Car Maintenance Pays for Itself

Sooner or later, everybody gets to the realization that it is time to buy a car. But, is a new car always the answer? Maybe not. Sometimes a used car will fill the need. But, for the adventurous, a project car is the answer. Why? Because the project car maintenance experience pays for itself. You’ll learn every crevice …