Bookmarks (58) clear filters

The world of automotive DIY-ing is a fruitful one, full of knowledgeable experts and easy-to-follow guides. You won’t be getting that here. Read more...

Rust removal has been my specialty ever since I moved to Michigan in 2013 (out of necessity). My normal method for getting rust off my cars is simply to lightly blow on their chassis or to drive over small bumps. But last week I tried a more effective method of rust removal: electrolysis. And it is glorious.Read more...

The Boeing 737 MAX will soon be back in the sky, following a 20-month grounding. American Airlines is expected to be the first U.S. airline to return the troubled aircraft to service, with flights starting December 29. However, passengers may not be able to easily tell which plane version they’re flying on, as some…Read more...

Installing gigantic wheels on your car is a tempting proposition when you’re eager to maximize style and minimize tire sidewall. Automakers make it easy to select an optional wheel and tire package that offers larger-diameter rims fitted with lower-profile tires, smartly filling the wheel openings. To keep everything…Read more...

I bring to you a public service announcement aimed at fighting waste: If your wipers are bad, you do not have to replace the whole arm. In fact, doing so could be a silly way to throw away money and precious natural resources. Instead—as I recently learned wrenching on Project Krassler—you might consider replacing…Read more...

A sad reality for many people parked around the United States right now is that their cars are being blanketed with ash from the western wildfires. Obviously the physical threat to humans and animals is more urgent, but if you’re being affected by fire and have the mental bandwidth to care about your car’s paint, you…Read more...

Many Americans spent the last few weeks doing very little driving in the name of social distancing and, while the travel break may have allowed commuters to cut down on their driving, adherence to stay-at-home orders has left cars vulnerable to rodent infestations. Read more...

Since Michigan has a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus, I’ve been partaking in what I am now officially dubbing Wrenchfest 2020—an all-out repair assault on my various broken cars. Last weekend was a good one for my Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle, as I cracked into its AMC 360 V8 engine. Here’s a look at how I…Read more...

This blog just popped into my head, since it’s something I’ve been doing for years and I figured some of you might benefit from it, too. Use microfiber towels to clean your homes, friends! If they’re good enough for your prized clear coat, then they’re also good enough to dust off your coffee table.Read more...

I gave as many rides as I could in the short time I babysat a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. “I’d love to rent something like this one day,” one passenger confided. “But I’d be afraid to crash it.” A valid concern I’m happy to try and allay for non-pros who might find themselves behind the wheel of a supercar.Read more...

Every time snow season rolls around I get inundated with questions on how effective winter tires really are versus standard, run-of-the-mill all seasons that come factory standard on almost every car you buy these days. Ironically, I get the most questions on this topic from people who have all-wheel-drive cars. The…Read more...

Coming from Texas and now living in the northeast, I am perpetually in awe watching my Canadian husband maneuver a vehicle in winter weather. In the midst of a snowstorm a few weeks back, he busted out some wild moves with his handbrake that had me looking just like that Pikachu meme. Confident driving on snowy roads…Read more...

As Jalopnik’s resident car buying expert and professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. I’ve decided to pick a few questions and try to help out. This week we are discussing car purchases based on global economic factors, why new some cars have massive discounts, and can junkyard cars be diamonds in the…Read more...

People either love to hate minivans, or have completely forgotten about them, even though they’re the most practical, comfortable form of transportation a family of four or more can get their grubby, peanut butter-smeared hands on.Read more...

Since I am decidedly not a motorcycle rider, I actually didn’t know people sometimes swap car tires onto their motorcycles. I have wondered about it, though. And if you’re thinking about trying it out, here are some things to think about. Read more...

You might not need a refrigerator in your vehicle but if you do big trips, especially off-grid, it changes everything. After an overland adventure with Dometic’s CFX3 fridge and PLB40 power source in my rig, I can help you decide if a setup like this is something you might want to invest in.Read more...

I know there is a camp of you who don’t believe in washing your cars. And that’s fine! Cars live outside and you don’t really see a point in keeping them shiny and clean. It’s a wrong take, but I respect it all the same. But here today, I bring you a practical reason to wash your car. It has to do with money.Read...

Hello, this is Andrew’s grandmother posting from his account. I want all you wingding hooligans to cool it with the fast-going. Kidding! It’s me, for real, with a thesis about slow-driving that actually only vaguely advocates for safety. Hear me out.Read more...