Airbags are one of the most important vehicle safety innovations of all time. From 1987 to 2017, airbags saved 50,457 lives. Most people don’t even think about them until they’re involved in a collision. If your car endures a major impact that causes air bag deployment or you purchase a vehicle which has had its … Read more
Of the many parts on your car that can take damage easily, the windshield is one of the most fragile and expensive. Storms and heavy vehicles in front of you can chip the surface, and once a windshield cracks, it will continue to spread. Until recently, the only way to fix a damaged windshield was … Read more
Tie rods are vital for precise steering in all vehicles. A functional tie rod connects the suspension and steering system to the front wheels on the ground by several joints, so that the wheels turn accurately as the steering wheel is turned. Such a system allows the driver to use minimal force to turn the … Read more
Internal combustion engines are powered by tiny little explosions. These explosions produce a lot of heat, which can damage the engine if left unmanaged. Fortunately, the cooling system in each vehicle prevents this from happening by using a water pump to allow coolant (also known as antifreeze) to circulate throughout the components of the engine. … Read more
The main purpose of a wheel alignment is to ensure that the wheels of your vehicle run in a consistent way to each other so that both the front and rear wheels touch the road at similar angles. Properly aligned wheels help you in fixing or avoiding related problems such as a vehicle pulling to … Read more
Lug nuts are an interesting beast and may very well be the most important pieces of hardware on your vehicle. Their job is to secure each wheel of a vehicle to its axle to allow your car to drive and keep you safe. Understanding how different lug nut sizes and types can vary from vehicle … Read more
Working on cars or trucks can be a lot of fun. Not only does it save money, it fills you with a sense of pride knowing that you maintain your own machine, and it only runs because you make it so! That said, with great power comes great responsibility – we are working under machines … Read more
With the exception of electric vehicles, all cars will need many routine oil changes throughout their lifetime. For many people, the most convenient way to accomplish this is to take the car to a shop and have it changed for them. Unfortunately, putting the car in someone else’s hands doesn’t free the user of all … Read more
All modern vehicles on the road today have a 12-volt battery that is also rechargeable. This battery provides energy to virtually every electrical component of the vehicle, such as its ignition system, engine control unit, headlights, radio, interior lights, and so on. If the battery fails to recharge or dies altogether, then your vehicle will … Read more
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