The reality is that the oil you choose can make a significant difference in engine performance and wear over time. Here’s how to decode your oil type and why it matters. A MATTER OF THICKNESS For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on multigrade oils, which are the oils most commonly used in cars…
Hard starting, rough idling and poor performance can plague any ATV after years of use. This is especially true if your machine sits unused for long periods of time or is run with old fuel or poor fuel blends. Whether your quad is carbureted or fuel injected, two stroke or four stroke, harmful deposits can,…
If your vehicle’s automatic transmission isn’t shifting like it used to, you might be wondering if a large repair bill is in your future. Transmissions are complex and repairs can be costly, but many common problems, such as delayed or hard shifts and slipping, can be prevented or fixed without a trip to the shop. …
PROBLEM: As an angler, life often gets in the way of spending time on the water. Be it family, work, hunting or ice, extended sits can spell problems with your outboard engine. Without regular use, outboard motors are susceptible to aging fuel and even corrosion formation within the upper cylinder walls themselves. The problem stems…
In 45 years as an automotive and diesel technician, Richard Crabtree performed thousands of emissions tests on a wide range of vehicles in Northern California. The reasons for vehicles that failed were just as varied: misfires, bad O2 sensors, EVAP system leaks, bad fuel caps, failed catalytic converters—all things that would trigger one or more…
The Rough Idle Problem As your car or truck gets older and accumulates miles, you might notice that it doesn’t fire up and idle as well as it used to. Maybe you’re experiencing hard starts, or your car seems to run rough at idle, or it dies easily or intermittently after startup. There are many…
Thanks to “Topper” from British Columbia, Canada, for this #SeaFoamWorks story. On February 9th of this year I happened to stumble across a boat for sale that was owned by the couple who originally built it. Their boat project began in 1966 in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, based on plans from a Naval Architect…
Cars are an investment, and in order to get the most out of that investment, we need to do everything we can to ensure a longer life for our vehicles. In most cases, that longer life begins and ends with the engine. Without frequent and proper care, your car’s engine can quickly gather oil crankcase…
If you’ve ever driven past an old used car lot, you’ve likely seen firsthand the effects the sun can have. Faded colors, splotchy paint, hideous cracks and peeling—the list goes on. Obviously, it isn’t a good look for any vehicle, but have you ever stopped to think about why this happens? The answer may surprise…
From monthly financing and insurance payments to regular maintenance, costs can quickly add up over a vehicle’s lifetime. This makes it especially important to find ways to reduce costs where you can when it comes to car ownership. One of the best ways to do this is to spend less time and money at the…