Category Archives: In The Shop

Pedal Extensions

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Dan

I’m a little over six feet tall, so the majority of customers are shorter than me. This means that the driver’s seat is usually a bit farther forward than is comfortable for me to drive. I usually try to avoid … Continue reading →

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Get Your Recalls Done

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Dan

If I had to guess, I’d say that probably the majority of cars sold in the United States in the last two decades have come under some sort of recall at least once. Recalls usually address safety issues, or sometimes … Continue reading →

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Find a Trustworthy Mechanic

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Dan

Auto repair shops are everywhere, but it can be hard to find a good mechanic. Even if you find a good mechanic at one shop, somebody else at the same place may not be so good, so when you find … Continue reading →

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Badly Welded Exhaust

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Dan

As I test drove a used car at the dealership, I noticed that the exhaust was a little bit loud. When I got it up on the lift I found that it was leaking from the join where one pipe … Continue reading →

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The Noisy Leaf

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Dan

Cars can make all sorts of noises. Suspension squeaks and clunks, grinding brakes, uneven tires, leaking exhaust, all of these are mechanical noises from outside the car. Inside the car there can be squeaks or creaks from trim panels rubbing … Continue reading →

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Don’t Hang Calipers By The Hose

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Dan

One of my pet peeves, and something that I was taught early on when learning about fixing cars, is that when you’re doing a brake job, it’s not good to just let the caliper hang by the hydraulic hose. This … Continue reading →

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Amazingly Clean 1998 Honda Civic

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Dan

Typically cars get driven 10,000 to 15,000 miles each year when used as a commuter car. If a car only gets used for a weekly trip to the grocery store, or to doctors appointments, or to church, as a lot … Continue reading →

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Customized Accord

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Dan

Most cars are left stock, the way they came from the factory. Some owners may add a few accessories, like splash guards, door visors, or seat covers. Sometimes the stock radio isn’t enough and they put in an aftermarket unit. … Continue reading →

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9-Year Patina

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Dan

In recent years, classic cars that have faded paint and surface rust from decades of exposure to the environment have become more accepted instead of only cars with showroom-quality paint. I’m not sure if that applies to cars that aren’t … Continue reading →

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Drilled Rotors and The Northeast

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Dan

Brake rotors get hot during braking. Usually the front rotors of cars are vented, with space between the two sides for air to flow and cool them off. For high performance applications, there are drilled rotors, with holes going through … Continue reading →

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