Spark plugs have one very important purpose: to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to start a car and keep it running. A secondary purpose is to transfer heat away from the combustion chamber to prevent pre-ignition. Making sure the spark plugs in your car are in good condition is crucial for it … Read more
Brake calipers are important components of the braking system. Brake calipers clamp the brake pads down against the brake rotors. Once pressure is applied, friction and adhesive forces convert the kinetic energy of the spinning rotor into thermal energy, slowing down the vehicle. A vehicle would not be able to stop quickly at all without … Read more
You’re driving home from work thinking about what movie you’re going to watch when the kids go to bed when all of a sudden, you see a bright orange money light illuminate on the dash. Your heart skips a beat as you brace for the self destruct sequence. Wait… the car is still running the … Read more
Hondas and Toyotas both have an outstanding reputation for reliability. Both brands pride themselves in making vehicles that last a very long time, regardless of where or how you drive them. Which brand is the best overall? The answer really depends on the year, model, and a little bit of luck. What Makes a Car … Read more
Smart cars are a quirky brand of urban vehicles designed to be as small and affordable as possible, all while maintaining great fuel economy. You will be hard pressed to find a smaller car with a better turning radius, especially in the American market. Despite their size, they are surprisingly roomy once you climb inside. … Read more
Inside an internal combustion engine, metal components move very rapidly, with tight clearances under intense temperatures and pressures. Without a source of lubrication, these components would quickly wear each other out from metal on metal contact. Engine oil is specifically designed to prevent this catastrophic wear. Engine oil has a pretty tough job. It needs … Read more
To start a diesel engine successfully, it will need a special heating component called a diesel glow plug. A diesel engine cannot start and operate properly without the heat generated from this plug. If you normally drive your diesel-powered vehicle in colder environments, your engine will rely on the diesel glow plug to generate the … Read more
Are you an experienced DIY mechanic looking for the best mechanics tool set for the money? Or are you simply looking to learn basic automotive maintenance tasks such as changing your oil, car battery, or air filter? Whichever side of the equation you sit on, having a tool set that has all the basic tools … Read more
Combustion engines operate on the principle of burning things to go faster. Ironically, you’re not supposed to smell anything burning while you’re driving down the road. If you do encounter a burning smell while in or around your vehicle, it’s important to identify the source and correct the problem. Some burning materials are very dangerous … Read more
If you’ve ever been in the situation where you wondered, “Why is my tire pressure light on when my tires are fine?”, you’re definitely not the first. In 1980s Europe, a new technology was debuted that greatly increased safety. The TPMS (or Tire Pressure Monitoring System) uses sensors on the vehicle to determine when a … Read more