One of the most valuable resources you can have in a home or commercial garage is a good repair manual. Automotive DIFYers make good use of these manuals to save money and get that sense of accomplishment. Meanwhile, commercial mechanics find the manuals essential due to the wide range of makes and models which pass … Read more
If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission system, you need to operate a clutch pedal in addition to the brake and gas pedals. The clutch assembly (consisting of the pressure plate, clutch plate, flywheel, and throw-out bearing), connects the wheels to the engine of the vehicle. The clutch pedal gives you the ability … Read more
There are fewer vehicles on the road each year with a manual transmission. While more drivers prefer automatics and car manufacturers are offering less models with stick shifts, manual transmissions are still preferred by many due to two main reasons: driver involvement and cheaper maintenance/repairs. The clutch pedal is where it all starts. It offers … Read more
If you’re at the gas station and you accidentally fill your diesel engine vehicle with regular gasoline, then it can cause a lot of problems for your vehicle. You see, a diesel engine does not depend on a spark plug like a gasoline engine does. The gasoline engine depends on the spark plug for the … Read more
Trying to convince the wife to let you buy a Miata? Does the phrase “built not bought” sound like a pipe dream? Allow me to help. Buying a project car was one of the best financial decisions I’ve ever made. A few years ago, a friend of mine happened to be selling his 1994 Mazda … Read more
A car’s transmission is one of the most important components of any car. You simply can’t operate a motor vehicle without the gears functioning as they should be. But sometimes, you may encounter an issue that causes one or more of the gears to malfunction. The reverse gear in particular, is easy to take for … Read more
As an engine runs, it produces heat. The purpose of the radiator is to cool the engine and prevent it from overheating. A car’s engine uses coolant to absorb the heat and transfers it to the radiator where it cools down. Once it cools, the coolant is sent back into the engine and the process … Read more
When you’re running low on transmission fluid, your vehicle cannot function the way it’s supposed to. This is because transmission fluid lubricates the surfaces and components of the transmission system to reduce friction and prevent them from wearing out. Transmission fluid is supposed to remain in your vehicle for its entire lifespan without changing it, … Read more
Engine oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine. Without it, vehicles simply wouldn’t function. Motor oil protects your engine by lubricating parts which in turn minimizes heat and friction; the two biggest enemies of engine components. As oil breaks down and becomes contaminated through normal use, it’s critical to follow the car manufacturer’s recommended … Read more
If you car shakes when accelerating, it could be the result of various issues. Often, the cause of the vibrations is a fairly simple issue that is actually a warning sign of a much bigger (and more expensive) failure if not fixed soon enough. A car shaking when driving can often mean something different than … Read more