January 2023

Brake fluid flush — is it really necessary? Yes. Your brake fluid’s anti-corrosive properties diminish over time and the fluid itself absorbs water. Water in brake fluid reduces its boiling point and decreases your braking ability, especially in hard braking situations that create the most heat. That’s why you should get a brake fluid flush. The combined effects of water and no anti-corrosive properties can also result in the internal degradation of brake lines, calipers, wheel cylinders, and ABS valves. In other words, what you save by not performing a … Read More
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Why you can’t repair tire shoulder punctures and tire sidewall punctures Why the tire shoulder is a no-repair zone Every tire company tells you they can’t repair punctures in the tire shoulder and tire sidewall areas. But they never explain why. Here’s the story First, the tire shoulders and sidewalls encounter the most flex and therefore, the most heat. So tire plugs and patches don’t stand up well to the constant flex and heat. They’re designed for relatively flat areas like the tire tread. Second, the tire sidewall and shoulder … Read More
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What causes a tire bubble or tire bulge? Impacts cause belt damage and belt damage causes the bulge Potholes and curb kisses can severely damage the steel belts in your tires. An impact can cause the belt to separate, causing a bulge or it can puncture the inner liner causing a bubble. In either case, the tire is damaged beyond repair. Driving on a tire bulge or tire bubble is dangerous When the steel belt punctures the inner liner, air bleeds between the radial plies and the sidewall, causing a … Read More
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Hyundai oil drain plug fell out, Kia oil drain plug fell out National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launches investigation into Hyundai and Kia drain plugs falling out after oil change In October 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it had launched an investigation into Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motor Company for problems with their oil pans. Specifically, consumers and aftermarket service facilities have filed complaints with for oil drain plugs that fall out of the oil pan after service. In multiple tests the oil drain … Read More
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Hyundai loss of power and oil leaks — NHTSA investigation NHTSA Action Number: DP22003 The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition on July 13, 2022, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the “oil drain pan assemblies” on the following 83 models/model year Hyundai 2006-2019 Hyundai Sonata 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2010-2012 and 2019-2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2010-2015 and 2018-2019 Hyundai Tucson 2011-2021 Kia Sportage 2005-2020 Kia Optima 2011-2020 Kia Sorento 2010-2013 Kia Forte 2010-2013 Kia Forte Coup 2007-2010 Kia Rondo vehicles equipped with … Read More
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Brake job tools for the DIYer Buy brake tools and still save money doing your own brake job Having the right tools make a brake job go much smoother. With brake jobs running over $600 these days, you can buy all the tools and still save money. In addition to normal tools like a socket set, wrenches and ratchets, you’ll also need these specialty tools. I’ve divided the tools into those needed for disc brakes and drum brakes Caliper removal tools Remove caliper bolts Calipers are mounted to the caliper … Read More
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The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
Portable GPS trackers are used for everything from tracking senior loved ones who might get lost while driving to fleet
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The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
Having your trusted vehicle break down on the side of the road is possibly one of the worst nightmares you
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The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
The crankshaft position sensor is an essential component of a vehicle’s engine management system. It plays a critical role in
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