Maintenance

Shocks and struts, shock absorbers and MacPherson struts to be exact, typically last 20,000 to 60,000 miles before requiring replacement. Insufficient shock absorption is a typical concern, but shock or strut replacement may be necessary for several reasons. Poor handling, excessive corner roll, brake dive, or acceleration squat might require…

Some of the most successful people you know share one important trait: they’re always learning. Indeed, to excel at what you do, you must seek continuous improvement. The Japanese coined a term for this, kaizen, which means to make positive changes regularly. For the do-it-yourself mechanic, there are several ways…

Learning how to sharpen a chainsaw is essential to getting your season started right and saving yourself some money in the process. Why pay $20 for a new chain when you can sharpen your chainsaw yourself? A sharp chainsaw is a safe chainsaw, as it’s less likely to kick back…

Old and failing spark plugs can cause a host of problems in your engine, and it should be expected that you’ll have to change them at least a few times during the life of a vehicle. Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward DIY that requires close attention, but not many tools.…

Oil changes are an indispensable part of car maintenance, and they need to be completed regularly. The recurrent nature and relative ease of the task make it a no-brainer candidate for a DIY project, but you’ll need to collect all the tools needed to change oil first. Setup for Safety…

Changing your oil filter (and oil, of course) is the cornerstone of responsible engine maintenance. But what happens when you go to do the thing and your oil filter is uncooperative? If you know how to remove a stuck oil filter you can get back to taking care of your…

Believe it or not, it’s time for a little back to school car care. It might seem like summer started only yesterday, but fall is right around the corner. That makes now the perfect time to give your car some attention so it’s ready for the busy school year ahead.…

There are many different types of spark plugs on the market, and the lineup includes choices made with materials ranging from humble copper to pricey platinum. This means you have a decision to make when choosing spark plugs for your car. Typically, the type of vehicle you drive will play…

When summer’s here, or really any time you want cool, dry air while driving, your car’s air conditioner (AC) is critical to your comfort and safety. Unfortunately, frozen AC lines can put a major kink in your road trip. Why are your car AC lines freezing up, and what you…

Sure, that new-car smell is great — but what if you don’t want a new car, plus the depreciation that incessantly gnaws at its value? Used cars offer great value, less depreciation and are still reliable, especially with a warranty. There’s much to be said about six-figure cars, but not…