Get a bunch of car enthusiasts together and sooner or later the topic about motor oil will come up. As the conversation gets rolling, you are bound to hear a pile of opinions and some old time urban legends. Some of these urban legends have been around a long time…
You probably know that when the Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminates on your car, you should bring the car it to a mechanic to see what’s wrong. When you do this, the first thing the mechanic does is plug in a code scanner to “read the codes”. Basically what a…
We all know what a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is. It’s a large-ish, four door vehicle with a steel frame and four wheel drive. A decade or so ago, an SUV was something like a Chevy Suburban or Tahoe. They were the car of choice for those that needed lots…
On July 30, 1863, Henry Ford was born in Dearborn, Michigan. As a youngster, he grew up curious about the machinery that was used for farming and enjoyed working on it. When he got older, he got a part-time job working for the nearby Westinghouse Engine Company. At Westinghouse, Henry…
The paint that protects and beautifies cars have changed a great deal in the last 100 years. Not only have they evolved from naturally-based products to fully synthetic ones, the method of applying them has changed from hand brushing to being applied by robots. Thanks to information we gleaned from…
It hasn’t disappeared yet but the old manual transmission is on the endangered list. As of 2015, less than 4 percent of new cars were equipped with manual transmissions. Despite the small numbers, though, defenders of manuals are a hardy group. They still claim superiority in gas mileage and efficiency.…
If you have ever had a car with a battery that randomly goes dead, then you know what true frustration is. It can be one of the most annoying things to deal with because you never know when it can leave you stranded. And not only is that annoying, the…
In 1939 Buick was the 1st US camaker to offer flashing turn signals as standard. We realize that there are some people who don’t use turn signals, and others who use it every single time they make a turn or switch lanes. However, have you ever wondered how turn signals evolved…
One of the most exciting discoveries for a classic car enthusiast is a “Barn Find”. In case you are unfamiliar with the term, a barn find is a classic automobile that has been stored someplace for a long time, sometimes for decades, and left untouched. In some cases these cars…
Today’s diesel powered cars are a far cry from the noisy, smoke-belching vehicles of years ago. Today’s diesels are cleaner, quieter and offer superior fuel mileage. So why are there so few in the US? In Europe, some 50% of the passenger cars on the road are diesel, in the…
Today’s diesel powered cars are a far cry from the noisy, smoke-belching vehicles of years ago. Today’s diesels are cleaner and quieter; so why are there so few in the US? In Europe, some 50% of the passenger cars on the road are diesel, in the US, about 4%. Polls…
Toyota Mirai In late 2015, Toyota began selling its hydrogen-powered Mirais cars in California. This marks the first time that hydrogen-powered vehicles were sold in the US. And others are on the way. Chrysler recently announced its hydrogen-powered ecoVoyager four door sedan. The ecoVoyager uses a 45 kw fuel cell stack…
In 2008 Chrysler announced its hydrogen-powered ecoVoyager four door sedan. The ecoVoyager uses a 45 kw fuel cell stack and 268 hp electric motor to deliver the vehicle 300 miles before refueling. According to Chrysler, the ecoVoyager is able to travel the first 40 miles on purely electric power via…
Buying a used car comes with many advantages – using depreciation to your advantage and getting a better deal being the main one. But when you’re buying used it makes it harder to know exactly what you’re getting. This post gives you some tips and pointers to help you wise…
There is something really special about classic cars. They possess an indefinable charisma that transcends the ages, the purr of their antique engines proving enough to send many grown men into shivers of ecstasy. With their gleaming paintwork, vintage aesthetic, and timeless elegance, it's little wonder that those who own…