Category Car Guide

How to Decarbonize Your Engine and Get Power Back

How to Decarbonize Your Engine and Get Power Back

While your car might feel sluggish today, it was likely snappy when you bought it. Carbon buildup happens over time, so it hides in the tight spots of your engine. It clogs valves and coats pistons, which kills your fuel…

Engine Sludge 101: How to Clean It Out for Good

Engine Sludge 101: How to Clean It Out for Good

It’s scary to pull your oil cap off and see thick, dark gunk sitting right on top of your valve train. Many drivers ignore this mess until the engine starts ticking, but that mistake leads to serious damage. I have…

How to Make Your Engine Bay Look Brand New

How to Make Your Engine Bay Look Brand New

During my years of fixing cars, I learned that a dirty engine bay hides problems. You might miss a small oil leak or a fraying wire because of all that caked-on gunk. A clean engine runs cooler, it looks better…

How to Rev an Engine Without Hurting It

How to Rev an Engine Without Hurting It

Unless you have a professional race car, revving your motor is usually a bad idea. Most people do it to show off, but they do not realize the stress they put on the metal parts. It creates heat, puts strain…

Can You Engine Brake in an Automatic? Here’s How

Can You Engine Brake in an Automatic? Here’s How

With more people driving automatics, the old tricks for controlling speed seem lost, yet you can still use your gears to help slow down. I have been fixing cars for years, and I promise it is not magic. It is…

What is Engine Braking and How to Do It Right

What is Engine Braking and How to Do It Right

Who knew that slowing down could actually help save your car parts? Many folks think that brakes are the only way to stop, but the engine plays a big part too. If you drive in the mountains or hit heavy…

How to Permanently Disable Auto Engine Shut Off

How to Permanently Disable Auto Engine Shut Off

Since I bought my first car with start-stop technology, I have hated it. The engine cuts out at stoplights, the cabin loses its cool, and the delay when you hit the gas is annoying. It puts extra stress on the…

Annoyed by Auto Stop? Here’s How to Turn It Off

Annoyed by Auto Stop? Here’s How to Turn It Off

You might feel that familiar frustration when your engine cuts out at a red light. It happens right when you want to pull away, but the car hesitates for a split second. Many drivers hate this feature, as it feels…

How to Check Your Engine Timing in Minutes

How to Check Your Engine Timing in Minutes

As we get older, we learn that cars are just giant puzzles that occasionally bite back. My first engine project ended with a car that would not start, and that is when I learned the value of patience. Timing issues…