Maintenance

How often should you be getting a transmission fluid change? Although some manufacturers recommend doing so every 30,000 miles, others might say you can go longer. Some even say transmission fluid is good for 100,000 miles or more. But is it? How Often Is Enough? Your vehicle owner’s manual will…

How much does it cost to replace an alternator? There are two key factors to consider when this component gets busted: the cost of the part and the cost of labor, which can vary depending on which mechanic you choose. Here’s how to know if your alternator needs replacing and…

Maintaining your brakes helps ensure that your vehicle will come to a full stop when needed. While disc brakes are common, drum brakes are still found on some models. If your vehicle is one of those models, knowing when and how to replace drum brakes can help you stay safe…

Understanding high beam vs. low beam lights and how they work is important for both safe driving and replacing your bulbs when they burn out. Depending on the make, model and year of your car, how these lights work and how many bulbs they take may differ. Here’s what you…

A gasoline or diesel engine needs three things to function: air, fuel and fire. Reduce or contaminate any one of those three components and your engine loses fuel economy, drivability, and performance. Additionally, if the air is dirty, the life expectancy of your engine is greatly reduced. We are focusing…

Once upon a time, cars required lubrication every time the oil was changed. Garages routinely advertised “oil changes and lube” services jointly, with both the engine and the chassis receiving attention. Modern vehicles do not require regular lube service, as most of their parts are self-sealed or come “lubed for…

Vehicle technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two decades. One of these huge steps forward has been in how vehicles are able to constantly monitor their own internal systems and alert the driver if there is a fault. That’s where vehicle diagnostic tools (or scanners) comes into…

So you own a car with three pedals under the steering wheel. While manually-shifted cars have become nearly obsolete, many gearheads prefer to row gears as opposed to just “letting it happen” in that magical slushbox called an automatic transmission. There are few things more fun than dropping the clutch…

If you live in a part of the country that gets cold weather, you know that winter can be a punishing time for your car. Proper car maintenance can provide some protection, and the time to get started is in the fall. Here’s a car maintenance checklist to help you…

Motor oil has certainly changed since Dr. John Ellis first developed his method for managing friction in large steam engines. The year was 1866, and the good doctor/scientist devised a petroleum lubricant to accomplish the job. Motor oil has since evolved to include synthetic oils that offer superior wear protection,…