Timing is everything
The internal combustion engine is a machine consisting of dedicated parts housed within a contained environment interacting with one another in a repetitive cycle. Any deviation of this interaction...
View ArticleBeing in the hot seat
On a winter day when the temperature has dipped below freezing, having the comfort of a heated cushion and backrest while you drive becomes very soothing, if not addictive.
View ArticleIgnition systems - when less is more
You don’t hear much about distributor caps, points and rotors these days, and sure enough the time will come when these once common engine items will be totally extinct.
View ArticleTo keep or not to keep
There are other components that wear out but are not always replaced. These must be inspected if you intend on keeping your ride as a cruiser or heirloom.
View ArticleRoadside surprises
Further inspection revealed that the crankshaft pulley was not in line with the rest and having a closer look, I found the cause of all the trouble.
View ArticleHigh-performance high
Whatever the technique, performance minded drivers are intuitive enough to know where to find the information and typically select enhancements based on performance data or recommendations from their...
View ArticleClutch concerns
Driving a small car can be quite intimidating if you do not have the confidence to maneuver the car with total control. One of the most important driving characteristics is the ability to accelerate...
View ArticleBrake pads offer stopping power
Vehicle braking is the resultant reaction when friction is created between the pads and the metal discs (rotors) attached to your wheels. The process transfers the kinetic energy into heat then...
View ArticleTime for a change
The drain plug where the oil comes out the engine can also be a source of frustration. When you finally find it, you realize to remove it requires some unique hex socket or a pocket book guide to...
View ArticleThe right tools for the car of tomorrow
So the day comes when you jack up the van only to find the lift points are at a different spot, and the dipstick nowhere to be found.
View ArticleGet your bearings straight
The job of automotive axle bearings is to carry the weight of the vehicle and transfer it to the wheels while they rotate. They are what provide the virtually frictionless rotation of the wheels that...
View ArticleStall tactics
Think of all the times you put yourself in a vulnerable driving situation then think of what would happen if the engine were to stall all of the sudden. So we decided to list some of the more common...
View ArticleHigh octane chatter
It’s another sunny Sunday morning, the birds are chirping, the newspaper’s been delivered and the weather is just right for shorts and a T-shirt. For many, this scenario provides the opportunity to...
View ArticleKey ingredients
If you ever come across an old key belonging to some car that was once in the family, stop and consider that the automotive ignition is no longer what it used to be.
View ArticleGoing the distance
If you put 1500 or more Kilometers on your vehicle weekly, then there are a few things you should know to keep going the distance.
View ArticleMechs and techs
Slowly but surely, the automotive repair industry is undergoing an identity crisis. There is a growing and defining distinction between being a mechanic or becoming a technician.
View ArticleCall the C.O.P.s
It is the result of an evolutionary change in the way voltage is delivered to the spark plugs that set your engines’ fuel alight.
View ArticleGetting the gears
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you may find yourself having to decide between a standard transmission and an automatic one.
View ArticleA bright idea lights the way
The proliferation of driver information warnings has grown to proportions that can have you blindly staring at your dashboard, trying to figure out what the various indicators mean.
View ArticleRack it up
If a front end inspection reveals the need to replace your rack and pinion, you best heed the advice since this component is vital to vehicle control and maneuverability.
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