A timing belt replacement is a very important maintenance procedure for your vehicle. Since it doesn’t have the gravitas the phrases “oil change” and “tire rotation” have, many drivers choose to ignore it instead. Another reason that many drivers choose to skip it is that it’s one of those “few and far between” services. In…
Washing the car was a favorite pastime of mine as a kid. On hot Saturday afternoons, wearing an old pair of grubby cut-offs and a too-big, handy-me-down tank top, I would break out the hose, the bucket, the sponges, and soap, and wash whichever of my parents cars that happened to be home at the…
Windshield wipers are an important vehicle safety system many people often overlook when they think about service. I’ve been caught in too many a rain storm where I’ve gone to flip my windshield wipers on only to have them do no good whatsoever. In some instances, they’ve even made things worse. This often happens because…
Regular maintenance is very important to keeping your vehicle alive and well. One of the more often overlooked routines is the coolant flush. Oil changes and brake inspections seem to get all the attention, while the other, seemingly “less important” stuff takes the back burner. Don’t be mistaken, though: regular coolant flushes are very important…
There are some pretty bad myths out there about the best way to care for your vehicle. Without the right knowledge, it’s impossible to know what’s good for your car and what’s not. We’ll bust some of these myths, and it won’t take any explosions, crashes, berets, or snazzy mustaches. Myth: You need to get…
Your senses are on your side when it comes to detecting problems with your vehicle. You spend enough time in your car to know when something doesn’t look, feel, sound, or smell right. (We really wouldn’t recommend including taste into your vehicle diagnostic repertoire.) While the senses of sight, hearing, and touch seem apparent, many…
You’re at the automated car wash, and you have the option of selecting “wax coat” with your order. It sounds like a fancy, unnecessary add-on more than anything, reserved for dad and his obsession with only giving his car the best. I mean, you’re only there to get the dirt off of your car, right?…
