It’s that time of year again! The cold is here, snow is coming, and your car needs a tune-up before holiday travel starts. Here are a few things to make sure your mechanic checks when you go in for service: Antifreeze and Radiator Make sure your antifreeze is topped off and ready to go with […]

In this series, we’ll discuss tips, tricks, and best practices for driving stick shift. Now that we’ve gone over basics and simple technique, let’s kick it up a notch. Common Shifting Patterns The shift pattern refers to the layout of the gears. In a typical manual transmission car, first gear is located to the left, […]

In this series, we’ll discuss tips, tricks, and best practices for driving stick shift. Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s dive into technique. Stopping To slow to a stop, use the brake as you normally would. When your speed is reduced, press the clutch with your left foot as you release the accelerator […]

In this series, we’ll discuss tips, tricks, and best practices for driving stick shift. But first, let’s start with the basics. What is the Clutch? Manual transmissions require that the driver change gears by depressing a clutch pedal and using a stick shift. The clutch pedal connects the transmission to the engine, and the input […]

Minor paint damage may seem like a purely aesthetic concern, but your car’s paint actually serves an important function in preserving your vehicle’s value. Here’s why: Preventing Structural Problems Along with providing an appealing look to your car’s exterior, paint is designed to ward off structural problems. Most car bodies are made of steel, which […]

Buying a new car can involve some costly maintenance mistakes if you don’t do your homework. In this article, we’ll discuss four maintenance tips every new car owner should know: 1) Using “premium” gas won’t make your car run better. Many new drivers experience the pull toward premium, simply because it sounds like the better […]