Driving uphill reveals weaknesses that are hidden on level ground. Gravity works against you, forcing the engine to work harder. Accelerating now tests every component and if one part isn’t functioning like it should, your vehicle may suddenly struggle, hesitate, or even stall when going uphill. If you car seems like it’s losing power while … Read more
It’s a good idea to check your oil about every time you fill up the fuel tank. But what do you do with that information? What does dirty oil on the dipstick look like, and when is it time for an oil change? You can’t always tell how old your oil is just by looking … Read more
That squealing under the hood when you start your car in the morning is no harmless noise. It’s an audible clue that your serpentine belt needs attention. This vital belt powers vital accessories like the alternator, AC compressor, and power steering pump by linking them to the crankshaft’s rotation. When this drive belt starts glazing, … Read more
Do you have a noisy, rattly engine? Perhaps you hear a rhythmic ticking noise coming from under the hood. No matter the type of unusual sound, one’s thoughts automatically begin to turn toward impending engine failure and the headache such an issue might cause. Sometimes ticking is normal and expected. Sometimes a tick needs to … Read more
The brake system in your vehicle allows the driver to slow down or stop in a consistent and reliable manner. The brakes on your car work by converting the kinetic energy of movement into thermal energy (heat). Each time you step on the brake pedal, the speed of the spinning wheels underneath your vehicle is … Read more
All-wheel drive (AWD) systems send power to all four wheels. AWD is found on many modern vehicles, especially in areas that tend to experience poor weather conditions in the winter. If there is a problem with the AWD system, you will often see a message that says “Check AWD System” or something similar. Not sure … Read more
Spark plugs, present in all gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, have one very important purpose: to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to start a car and keep it running. They are also designed to transfer heat away from the combustion chamber to prevent pre-ignition (or igniting the fuel too early). Making sure the … Read more
Picture this: you’re sitting at a stop light on a hot day, getting ready to merge onto the highway. As you pull out and step on the gas, you hear an awful noise that sounds like shaking a bunch of marbles in a can. The car hesitates, stumbles, then proceeds to accelerate slower than normal. … Read more
Whether you’re a first-time diesel owner or have spent most of your life driving diesel trucks, you should have a basic understanding of the important role that glow plugs play in your engine. A diesel engine cannot start and operate properly without the heat generated from this plug, especially when the outside temperatures start to … Read more
There are thousands of car parts that make up each vehicle on the road. If you’re new to cars, it can feel pretty overwhelming to learn all the part names and what they do. This article is intended to help bring you up to speed on how cars work as fast as possible. Here is … Read more