How to Open Your Engine Compartment the Right Way
Some folks think opening the hood is just a simple tug and pull, but I have seen more than one person break a latch by forcing it. It happens when you move too fast or pull at the wrong angle.…
Category Car Guide
How to Safely Start an Engine That’s Been Sitting for Years
The first time I tried to start an old truck, I learned the hard way that patience saves thousands. You cannot just turn the key. When oil sits, it drains down, and internal parts get dry. If you force the…
How to Flush Metal Contaminants Out of Your Engine
While metal in your oil sounds scary, it is a problem you can tackle at home with the right plan. I have seen my fair share of grit inside a drain pan, and it never gets easier to see. Still,…
How to Flush Your Engine and Remove Years of Gunk
Always check the color of your oil before you panic about engine sludge. If it looks like thick tar, you have a problem. Over time, heat and dirt create deposits that stick to your metal parts. These deposits block small…
How to Check If Your Ignition Coil is Bad
It’s the worst feeling when your engine starts to shake, shudder, or lose power right in the middle of a busy commute. You pull over, pop the hood, and wonder if your engine has a misfire. Most people rush to…
How to Change a Bad Ignition Coil Yourself
During my first year driving, my car started shaking like a leaf at every red light. I assumed the worst, but it turned out to be a simple bad ignition coil causing a misfire. Mechanics wanted a fortune for a…
How to Change an Engine Belt Without a Mechanic
Many drivers fear the sound of a squealing belt. It starts quiet, but it gets loud fast. You might worry about a huge repair bill or getting stuck on the side of the road. I have been there plenty of…
How to Change Your Engine Air Filter in 5 Minutes
We all start somewhere when it comes to fixing our own cars. I remember standing in my driveway, confused by the plastic boxes under the hood. I thought I needed a shop, but I was wrong. It is actually one…
The Right Way to Break in a New or Rebuilt Engine
Never assume a brand new engine is ready to race the second you turn the key. I learned this the hard way after a rebuild, when I pushed my car too fast and popped a seal within fifty miles. It…
What is Twincharging and How to Do It
Someone once told me that having both a turbo and a supercharger on one engine was a waste of time. I did not listen to them. I spent years in my garage, knuckles bruised and head spinning, trying to make…