8 Symptoms of a Bad Throttle Position Sensor (And Replacement Cost)

bad throttle position sensor TPS

While small and relatively simple, the throttle position sensor (TPS) is a critical component that tells your car’s computer how far you’re pressing the gas pedal, helping control fuel delivery to your engine. If your TPS fails, you may experience anything from annoying driveability issues to downright dangerous driving conditions. While the symptoms of a … Read more

6 Common Parking Brake Problems (and How to Fix Them)

engage parking brake

A parking brake has ONE job. If it can’t do that job, it’s rather useless. Yet parking brake problems are surprisingly common, affecting both manual and electronic systems. No matter the type of problem, a faulty parking brake can be more than just an annoyance, it’s a safety issue. Let’s look at some of the … Read more

The 4×4 vs 4×2 Debate (Making the Right Choice)

4x4 vs 4x2

When shopping for a new truck or SUV, you’ve likely come across the terms “4×4” and “4×2” in regards to vehicle specs. These designations refer to drivetrain configurations, significantly affecting performance, fuel efficiency, and driving experience. But what exactly does each type mean? Let’s go over the key distinctions between these drivetrains, their pros and … Read more

5 Symptoms of Glazed Brake Pads (With Causes and How to Fix)

glazed brake pads

If you’ve ever seen the recent movie Gran Turismo, you may recall a scene where Jann plows through a corner and crashes because his brakes were glazed. Upon closer inspection, the mechanic confirmed the young driver was correct, which explained the reason he overcooked the corner. Simply put, glazed brake pads are brake pads that … Read more

Toyota SR5: What Does It Really Mean?

Toyota Tacoma SRS

If you’ve ever browsed through Toyota vehicle trims and packages, you may have noticed one called “SR5” (it looks a bit like SRS, but that refers to something else). SR5 is a popular trim among Toyota enthusiasts. Although the features offered on the SR5 models have varied over the years, SR5 vehicles tend to strike … Read more

“Check Hybrid System” Warning (5 Causes and How to Reset)

check hybrid system warning light

Hybrid vehicles have an electric motor as well as a combustion engine like a traditional vehicle. Hybrids are the best of both worlds, using the combustion engine for long range and regenerative braking for increased efficiency in the city. While hybrid vehicles offer significant advantages over vehicles that strictly have a combustion engine or an … Read more