A transmission’s job is to use its different gears to keep your engine in whatever RPM range is optimal based on the driving conditions. But how does it work? Here's a little overview of the various types.
Does your car really need a tune-up? Probably not.
Me: “How was your morning?” Friend: “It was alright, just had to drop my car off for service.” Me, a curious car enthusiast: “Oh, what’s it in for?” Friend: “Just a tune-up.” Me: *facepalm* I’ve heard it far too many times: “all it needs is a tune-up.” Whether it be from friends, or in my... Continue Reading →
Engine types and their characteristics
Even with the recent uptick in popularity of electric vehicles, the vast majority of cars on the road still rely on the tried and true mixture of air, fire, fuel, and compression to give a car power. Simple as it may seem, the way that these four elements are combined can vary quite a bit... Continue Reading →
Breaking down different drive types: what’s best for you?
What's the difference between all wheel drive and 4-wheel drive? How do they drive differently from front-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive? Here's a guide to which is best at what.
Should you go to an independent mechanic or the dealership?
When your car needs work, should you take it to an independent shop or to the dealership? Is one better than the other? Here's what you should know.
How to care for your car during quarantine
With most of us (hopefully) staying inside, social distancing, and not doing much traveling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, our cars are getting a bit of a break from their daily usage. This means that they’ll be sitting for a long period of time without being started or moving while we’re inside waiting... Continue Reading →
Car maintenance you can do yourself
Regularly and properly maintaining your car is just as important to its operation as filling it up with gas. For most car-owners though, getting their vehicle serviced is a chore, so in my never-ending effort to make car ownership more simple and enjoyable, I’ve compiled this list of maintenance items that you actually need, and... Continue Reading →
Car badging decoded: what do those letters mean?
Almost every car on the road nowadays has some form of alphabet soup glued to its trunk or rear bumper. Most of the time, a car will have the brand’s logo, the model name, and then a badge that denotes trim level or engine size, and sometimes a combination of both. The brand logos and... Continue Reading →
Dashboard warning lights: what do they mean?
Few things are as unsettling as the sudden illumination of one of those colorful little lights on our dash. Because that usually means trouble. But most of the time it’s hard to know what kind of trouble, exactly. On top of that, when it really comes down to it… how many of us actually know... Continue Reading →
5 car fixes everyone should know how to do
A lot of us have AAA, or roadside assistance through our car’s manufacturer or our insurance company for the major car problems. But you can’t always get help right away, and when you’re stranded even a few minutes can feel like hours. And maybe even for less critical fixes, you’ve just always relied on your... Continue Reading →