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Wrenching

  • A frustrated man on the phone standing in front of a silver Mustang with its hood open in the city.
    0

    4 Reasons Engine Cylinders Misfire (And What To Do About It)

    Engine cylinders can misfire for many reasons. There are four causes in particular that you should be aware of; here's what you can do about them.

    By Marko Mikulic 20 hours ago Read More
  • An older and younger man jump-starting a car
    4

    Can You Jump Start A V8 With A 4-Cylinder Car? It's All About The Amps

    Considering their differences in design, you might wonder if you can jump-start a V8 with a four-cylinder car. The answer might surprise you.

    By Charles Krome 2 days ago Read More
  • A container of motor oil being held by a person
    9

    Why You Should Switch To Synthetic Engine Oil

    Synthetic engine oil might seem like it carries some risks or downsides. However, you should consider switching to synthetic oil if you haven't already.

    By Chino Ortiz 2 days ago Read More
  • Representation of data bits (1s and 0s) flying around a car
    9

    Data Privacy Would Be In Car Owners' Hands With The DRIVER Act

    The Data Rights for Information and Vehicle Electronics in Real-time Act would require automakers to allow owners access to all of the data a vehicle collects.

    By Justin Hughes 2 days ago Read More
  • A detailer cleaning a car's side mirror with a green clay bar
    4

    The Car Parts You Should Never Use A Clay Bar On

    Clay bars can be fantastic for cleaning contamination from your car. However, some surfaces on your vehicle won't take too kindly to such a tool.

    By Chino Ortiz 2 days ago Read More
  • A selection of motor oil cans and bottles stocked on store shelves.
    10

    Name Brand Vs. Store Brand Motor Oil: Does It Make A Difference?

    Name brand oils carry a trusted name on their label while store brand oils are much cheaper. But does using one over the other actually make a difference?

    By Rohaan Sakrani 4 days ago Read More
  • Tires on racks and some that are stacked into piles
    5

    How To Store Tires Long Term Without Ruining Them

    Not sure what to do with your off-season tires? Here's what you need to know about storing them safely to prevent damage and keep them ready for next season.

    By Alvin Reyes 5 days ago Read More
  • Chrome exhaust tip of a car.
    6

    How To Clean Your Car's Exhaust Tips And Make Them Shine Again

    Exhaust tips can be tough to clean. The good news is that you can restore their shine with pretty much the same tools you'd use to clean your wheels.

    By Nishant Jayaram 5 days ago Read More
  • A mechanic doing a brake job on a car.
    6

    How To Properly Bed Brakes (And What Happens If You Don't)

    Bedding your brakes, also known as burnishing or breaking them in, is a careful shortcut that sets them up for success. The alternative isn't pretty.

    By Chino Ortiz 6 days ago Read More
  • A Megazilla Ford engine on a stand against a white background
    4

    What's The Difference Between Ford's Megazilla And Godzilla V8 Engines?

    Ford's recent Godzilla and Megazilla engines can output some serious power. But they also have some pretty big differences despite their similar names.

    By Shane Schmid 7 days ago Read More
  • A distributor ignition system from an old truck
    17

    Why Did Cars Switch From Distributors To Coil Packs?

    Older models of cars used to rely on distributor-based ignition systems. Today, though, modern vehicles rely on coil packs instead. Here's why.

    By Alvin Reyes 9 days ago Read More
  • A mechanic with gloves holding a car's alternator.
    6

    Should You Replace Your Car's Serpentine Belt When Replacing The Alternator?

    The alternator and serpentine belt are part of the same system in your car. But does that mean you should replace the belt when you're replacing the alternator?

    By Charles Krome 9 days ago Read More
  • Man inflating a car tire.
    42

    Inflating To The PSI Number On Your Tire Is A Terrible Idea: Here's Why

    The PSI number on the tire sidewall isn’t the one you should use. Here's how to find the correct pressure to stay safe and avoid ruining your tires.

    By B. L. Johnson 12 days ago Read More
  • Several iridium spark plugs lined up next to one another.
    6

    What's The Difference Between Ruthenium And Iridium Spark Plugs?

    Spark plugs are made from many different materials. Ruthenium spark plugs are able to offer some different benefits from iridium and other plug types.

    By Alvin Reyes 14 days ago Read More
  • A hand holding a blue clay bar
    10

    What A Clay Bar Does For Your Car (And How To Use It)

    If you really want to see your car shine, there's a lot more to it than just a thorough wash. A clay bar could be the first step in upping your detailing game.

    By Chino Ortiz 14 days ago Read More
  • An automotive technician holding a vehicle's shock absorber.
    5

    Should You Replace Struts When You Replace Shocks?

    Shocks and struts often, but not always, go together. So if you're replacing one, do you need to replace the other at the same time, or can you wait?

    By Ron King 14 days ago Read More
  • Car fuel gauge pointing to empty
    22

    Why You Should Stop Letting Your Fuel Tank Run Low

    You may think it's harmless, but running low levels of fuel in your car, especially on a regular basis, is a bad habit that you should definitely break.

    By Alvin Reyes 14 days ago Read More
  • Mechanic replacing car battery
    3

    Should You Disconnect Your Car's Battery Before Going On Vacation?

    Not sure what to do with your car's battery before a long trip? Here's how long a battery can sit, what drains it, and whether unplugging is worth it.

    By Nishant Jayaram 15 days ago Read More
  • Two spark plugs isolated on white background.
    4

    Yes, Fake Spark Plugs Are A Thing: Here's How To Avoid Getting Scammed

    Counterfeit spark plugs are everywhere online, and they can ruin your engine fast. Here’s how to check yours, avoid sketchy sellers, and protect your car.

    By B. L. Johnson 16 days ago Read More
  • A close-up view of a foggy car headlight
    12

    Can Baking Soda Actually Clean Foggy Headlights?

    Baking soda is useful to have for cooking and cleaning. Anyone trying to keep up with car maintenance might even be tempted to use it to clean foggy headlights.

    By Chino Ortiz 16 days ago Read More
  • A person holding an OBD-II scanner in a car
    6

    Using An OBD-II Scanner: What It Can And Can't Tell You

    An OBD-II scan tool is an incredibly useful automotive diagnostic device, but it's not magic. Here's what it can and can't do.

    By Chloe Clougher 18 days ago Read More
  • Technology Connections EV charger boil water tea kettle
    15

    Just Because You Can Build An Adapter That Lets You Boil Water With Your EV Charger Doesn't Mean You Should

    I must emphasize that you shouldn't do this at home. It's all risk and zero reward. Unless you film what happens, in which case, I'm sure it isn't that risky.

    By Collin Woodard 20 days ago Read More
  • V10 swapped Lincoln Continental problems Build It Yourself
    10

    Turns Out, Making A V10-Swapped Lincoln Continental Work Correctly Is Hard Or Something

    Unfortunately, making a car good enough for SEMA and making a car good enough to drive regularly are two different things.

    By Collin Woodard 20 days ago Read More
  • A head gasket placed on top of a cylinder head
    20

    These Subaru Model Years Were The Worst Affected By Head Gasket Problems

    Starting in 1996, Subaru models began to face serious problems with their head gaskets. Check out the model years where these problems were at their worst.

    By Nishant Jayaram 21 days ago Read More
  • A mechanic holding a piston with gloved hands
    8

    Are Aluminum Pistons Better Than Cast Iron? Here's What You Need To Know

    Aluminum pistons are used in numerous vehicles over cast iron pistons. But are aluminum pistons really better, or can cast iron come out on top?

    By Shane Schmid 21 days ago Read More
  • Man applying wax on the hood of a black car.
    4

    Here's How Often You Should Wax Your Car For Best Results

    Are you waxing your car as often as you should? The answer depends on factors like the type of wax you use and whether your car is exposed to harsh weather.

    By Alvin Reyes 22 days ago Read More
  • A person measuring lug nut patterns with a measuring tape
    2

    How To Measure Lug Nut Patterns

    Lug nut patterns are important to keep track of if you want to fit a new tire on your wheels. There are a few different ways you can measure them.

    By Chino Ortiz 22 days ago Read More
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