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Wrenching

  • Pouring fuel stabilizer into a gas tank.

    Is Fuel Stabilizer Bad For Your Engine?

    If you can't use your car or motorcycle for an extended time, should you add stabilizer to its fuel tank? Or is fuel stabilizer actually bad for your engine?

    By Justin Hughes 1 day ago Read More
  • Used engine oil being drained from the underside of a car on a lift

    Is An Oil Analysis Worth It? Here Are The Pros & Cons

    An oil analysis might seem like an unnecessary upsell, but there are situations in which it can be useful. Here are the costs and benefits of the procedure.

    By Brittany Crow 1 day ago Read More
  • An engine with its valve covers removed

    Can Upgrading Your Rocker Arms Really Boost Horsepower?

    Upgrading your rocker arms can be a pretty significant undertaking for the DIY mechanic, so are the performance improvements worth it? Let's take a look.

    By Richard Sachek 1 day ago Read More
  • A mechanic checking spark plug gap

    Should You Adjust The Gap On Pre-Set Spark Plugs?

    While many drivers will be fine leaving their spark plugs set up the way they arrived, there are certain situation that might require some adjustments.

    By Richard Sachek 1 day ago Read More
  • An air suspension system waiting to be installed

    Air Shocks Vs. Air Bags: What's The Difference?

    Air shocks and air suspension — also called air bags — are similar sounding systems with very different designs. Here's what you need to know about both.

    By Nicholas Werner 1 day ago Read More
  • Adding engine oil to a car.

    Is It Outdated Advice To Avoid Adding Oil To A Hot Engine?

    You're on a long drive, and you decide to check your oil when you pull into a gas station. It's a little low. Is it a bad idea to add oil to a hot engine?

    By Abhik Das 1 day ago Read More
  • An automatic-transmission shifter.

    Do Transmission Coolers Really Make A Difference?

    Your vehicle is designed to operate whether it's hot or cold out, right? So why in the world should you need a special gadget to cool its transmission?

    By Abhik Das 2 days ago Read More
  • A close-up image of a wire harness loom going into a junction box, that shows damage from chew marks from a rodent.

    Why Rats Love Chewing Away Your Car's Wiring

    If you've ever had an issue with your car wiring caused by rodents, you know how frustrating it can be. Here's why rodents chew wires and what to do about it.

    By Greg Poggiali 2 days ago Read More
  • Tesla Jack Mode

    Yes, Some Teslas Really Need A Jack Mode Just To Be Lifted, Here's Why

    High-pressure blowouts can be dangerous and expensive, so make sure you follow these steps to jack up your Cybertruck, Model X, or S.

    By Brad Brownell 7 days ago Read More
  • Tim Favreau via YouTube

    Yes, Some Semi-Truck Drivers Still Thump Their Tires, Here's Why

    Sometimes a low-tech solution is more than enough to get the job done.

    By Andy Kalmowitz 7 days ago Read More
  • Paint damage from spilled brake fluid.

    Spilled Brake Fluid On Your Car's Paint? Here's What You Need To Do ASAP

    Most brake fluids are extremely corrosive to your car's paint, and if you spill them on it, you'll need to act quickly to avoid damage. Here's what to do.

    By Justin Hughes 7 days ago Read More
  • Close up of octane ratings.

    Does High Octane Fuel Actually Clean Your Engine?

    Just about every gas station has a choice of regular, mid-grade, and premium fuels. So what is the benefit of the more expensive octane mixtures?

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 8 days ago Read More
  • A pair of car batteries resting on floor

    Do Concrete Floors Actually Kill Car Batteries?

    You may have been given advice that leaving a car battery on a concrete floor would cause it to discharge, but is that still the case? Let's take a look.

    By Richard Sachek 8 days ago Read More
  • A person's hand unscrewing a car lug nut

    How Lug Nuts Swell And Why It's A Problem

    If your lug nuts have started to swell, changing a tire can be a major hassle. Here's why the problem can develop and what you can do to fix it.

    By Richard Sachek 8 days ago Read More
  • Someone drains automatic transmission fluid.

    Do You Need To Change Transmission Fluid On A Sealed Transmission?

    With the rise of sealed transmissions, it's harder than ever to change your own transmission fluid. But do you even have to change it these days?

    By Justin Hughes 8 days ago Read More
  • Smoke coming out of the tail pipe of a vehicle, with a blue-ish tint to the smoke.

    Yes, Your Car Is Burning Oil, But Just How Much Is Normal?

    It's normal for your car to use up the oil added to it, but if it is doing so too quickly it could be a cause for concern. Here's what you should look for.

    By Greg Poggiali 8 days ago Read More
  • Brake fluid being poured into a master cylinder reservoir.

    Dot 3 Vs. Dot 4 Brake Fluid: What's The Difference And Can They Be Mixed?

    So just how different are the Dot 4 and Dot 4 formulas for brake fluid? Let's take a look at the chemical composition of these components to find out.

    By Greg Poggiali 8 days ago Read More
  • Jump leads connected to a car battery

    How Long Should You Leave Your Car Running After A Jump Start?

    Sooner or later, just about every driver experiences a dead car battery. Thankfully the jump start process is fairly dependable, but what should you do next?

    By Nicholas Werner 9 days ago Read More
  • A man shifting into park

    You Accidentally Shifted Into Park While Driving. Did You Just Damage Your Transmission?

    If you've ever accidentally knocked your gear into Park while driving, you know it doesn't sound good. So how bad is the potential damage? Let's find out.

    By Nicholas Werner 9 days ago Read More
  • Close up of diesel engine.

    How Much Blow-By Is Too Much On A Diesel Engine?

    Blow-by can harm an aging engine, but a certain amount is normal for most vehicles. Here is how to tell when there's too much blow-by in your diesel engine.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 9 days ago Read More
  • An overhead shot of a car parked in the hot sun

    Can Hot Weather Drain Your Car Battery?

    Summers just keep getting hotter, so what does that mean for the health of the battery of your car? Even more concerning, what does it mean for your EV?

    By Nicholas Werner 9 days ago Read More
  • Concrete covered in motor oil stains

    How To Get Spilled Engine Oil Off Your Garage Floor Or Driveway

    Few things are as frustrating as spilling engine oil on the floor of your garage halfway through a DIY maintenance job. Here's how to clean it up.

    By Brittany Crow 9 days ago Read More
  • Darkside Developments nurburgring van lap record

    How A Shop In The UK Beat The Nürburgring's Van Lap Record In A Diesel Volkswagen

    The old van 'Ring record was a time of 9:28 in a 700-hp Ford Transit Super Van. Now, that record has been beaten by over a minute in a diesel Volkswagen Caddy.

    By Collin Woodard 10 days ago Read More
  • Big brake kit

    Are Big Brake Kits Worth It For A Daily Driver?

    We're going to go through the pros and cons of putting a big brake kit on your street-driven daily driver, so you can make an informed and rational decision.

    By Brad Brownell 14 days ago Read More
  • A cold-air intake.

    What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A Cold-Air Intake?

    There are several good reasons to trade your original-equipment air intake for a cold-air intake. But there are drawbacks, too. Here's the breakdown.

    By Justin Hughes 14 days ago Read More
  • A 2010 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Extended Cab in front of mountains.

    Which GM 5.3 Vortec Years Have The Most Issues?

    General Motors' Vortec engine has powered some of the best cars GM ever made, but it's not without its problems. Which years present the most issues?

    By Charles Krome 15 days ago Read More
  • A man spraying a car with rustproofing at GM Fisher Body in 1975.

    Is Rustproofing Still Worth It For Modern Cars?

    Rustproofing cars used to be big business, but automakers upped their games and the rustproofing industry dwindled. Is rustproofing still worth it today?

    By Charles Krome 16 days ago Read More
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