03 October 2011 -  By: Mike Allen

Car care tip: Butt out

There’s a right way and several wrong ways to patch a rusted-out fender, some of which involve flattened-out Castle Lager cans.  

01 June 2011

Headlights the next generations

HID (high-intensity-discharge) lights are often installed as original equipment on highend cars.  

01 May 2011

Tool of the month

Stayin' together 

01 February 2011 -  By: Mike Allen

Tool of the month: Hex Key

Sometimes a simple redesign of a classic tool can transform it. We’ve all used the awkward Swiss-Army-Knife- Allen-hex-wrench sets, and we’ve all hated them. 

01 January 2011 -  By: Mike Allen

Insulated gloves

¨ Working near the battery pack should be a low-risk operation if you follow procedures and wear insulated gloves.  

01 November 2010 -  By: Mike Allen

Self-parking wipers

Generally, the motor assembly is one of those things that have no user-serviceable parts inside and is inexpensive enough to make attempted repair pointless. If you have trouble finding a part for an oddball or collectible car, it may be worthwhile to open it up and poke around. Or maybe you’re like me and just... 

01 November 2010

Tool of the month
Apple iPhone

Scan this
By Mike Allen 

01 October 2010 -  By: Mike Allen

Is synthetic oil to slipery for break-in?

Conventional wisdom says that a new engine should be run-in on conventional mineral oil, regardless of your intentions to use a synthetic for the long haul. The conventionally wise say that synthetic oil is too slippery and won’t let the microscopic high points properly lap themselves in, delaying the break-in... 

01 August 2010 -  By: Mike Allen

Tool of the month

Simple spark plug tester 

01 August 2010

Shim this

Some older GM cars may drop a couple of shims in your face when you remove the starter.