Category Archives: In The Shop

Don’t Inflate Tires Until They “Look Full”

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Dan

Far too often, I’m checking the tire pressures on a car and they are way overfilled. Most of the cars I work on specify tire pressures around 30-35 psi, and unless they’re low from a leak, they’re usually somewhere around … Continue reading →

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Don’t Stack Wheel Spacers

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Dan

The same wheels don’t fit every car. The width, diameter, and backspacing will vary depending on the design of the car, as well as the center bore size and lug nut pattern. Sometimes people want to change out the wheels … Continue reading →

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The Scariest Tire I’ve Ever Seen

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Dan

As a mechanic, I see a lot of worn out tires. Usually we’re able to sell tires to a customer before they’re completely used up, but sometimes they’re already bald, or even worn down to cords. Sometimes the tires are … Continue reading →

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A Lot of Organization Goes a Long Way

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Dan

Every mechanic eventually accumulates extra nuts and bolts. Sometimes it’s just a handful sitting on their toolbox, or it’s a box full on the work bench, or for some it’s an entire drawer of their toolbox. Most hardware collections I’ve … Continue reading →

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Aftermarket Trailer Hitch Ripping Out Sheet Metal

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Dan

Some cars have factory-designed trailer hitches available, with well-designed attachment points. Other cars, usually ones that aren’t really meant to do any towing, don’t have factory options, so you’d have to get an aftermarket one. I’ve seen a lot of … Continue reading →

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Be Careful With Your Sparks

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Dan

There are multiple things mechanics do that create a lot of sparks. Some are destructive, some are constructive: metal cut-off wheels, acetylene torches, and welding. When doing any of these, you need to be aware of where your sparks are … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Fix an Oil Leak From the Outside

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Dan

Most cars begin leaking fluids at some point in their life. One common leak is oil from the engine. There are a lot of different covers and gaskets that can leak over time, and they’re usually not bad enough to … Continue reading →

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Water Leak Totals Car

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dan

Water leaking into a car can be a real headache. There are a lot of electronics in modern cars, and they don’t like getting wet. If there’s enough water for long enough, carpet with get moldy and body panels will … Continue reading →

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“The Other Shop Said…”

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Dan

Sometimes a car comes in that a customer had taken to another shop, but the other shop didn’t have the tools or specialty expertise to complete a repair. Sometimes a car comes in that another shop couldn’t figure out what … Continue reading →

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Mystery Noise on a Brand New Car

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Dan

Trying to diagnose noises in cars is often a pain. If it’s something that happens while driving, you have to either try to figure out where it’s coming from while you’re driving, or pull someone else away from what they’re … Continue reading →

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