About Me

Angela's Articulate Collection of Car Service Secrets, Tips and Tricks

Hi, my name is Angela, and as the wife of a mechanic, I was constantly tripping over car parts and complaining about the rows of project cars lining our garden. However, after a few years, I quit complaining and actually found joy in the art of auto repair. Inspired by that classic book, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", I decided to start working on cars with my husband. This blog is the culmination of everything I have learned and more. I hope you enjoy reading it and that my tips and ideas guide you toward a healthier car and a happier, safer driving experience.

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Angela's Articulate Collection of Car Service Secrets, Tips and Tricks

    Car Owners' Guide to Troubleshooting Manual Transmission Problems
    Your car's transmission system is a crucial part of the vehicle's performance, safety and service life. Therefore, it is only right to ensure that the system stays running properly for as long as possible. To achieve that, you will need to make sure you can troubleshoot for transmission issues before they can exacerbate and result in bigger, costlier problems. Read on to know how you can tell when your manual car is experiencing transmission problems.

    A Bit Rusty: How to Clean Rust From Your Exhaust
    While exhaust pipes on most modern cars have been designed to be rust resistant, this tends to only slow down the inevitable. If rust is allowed to develop on your exhaust pipe it can lead to much more serious and costly problems and repairs. Below are a few tips to help you keep your exhaust pipe clean. Brillo Pads If the amount of rust is relatively small, you should be able to remove it using a Brillo pad which has been dipped in warm soapy water.

    2 Ways To Care For Diesel Particulate Filters In Truck Engines
    The incomplete combustion of fuel in diesel truck engines is responsible for the production of soot as a waste product. Because soot is an air pollutant, diesel trucks are fitted with particulate filters whose main function is to trap soot from the engine, thereby preventing its absorption into the atmosphere.  In order for diesel particulate filters to perform the said function effectively, truck owners/operators need to understand what it takes to care for diesel particulate filters, thereby prolonging their lifespan.

    Manual Transmission Repairs: 2 Common Questions
    The transmission system has a great role to play in the proper functioning of any automobile. It is important for a vehicle owner to ensure that the transmission system in their automobile is in good working condition at all times. With this in mind, vehicle owners need to be in a position to identify common causes of transmission system failure in a manual automobile and the possible remedies to these problems.

    Intermittent Car AC Failure: Helpful Information You Need to Record
    One of the most challenging auto AC problems to fix is the intermittent functioning of the system when you are driving. However, there is some information that you can give the AC repair technician when you take your car for AC repair that can help with the repairs. This article discusses some of that important information. Duration Of Your Trip Note down the time that you spend driving before the intermittent AC failures begin.

    Car Alignment Problems: Red Flags to Watch Out For
    Vehicle maintenance is very important, and you need to be keen to spot any problems early enough before they get serious. One of the easily forgettable car problems is alignment. Car alignment is about the adjustment of the angles of your wheels. You may not know exactly when you should take your vehicle to your mechanic for an alignment, but it's an essential component of vehicle maintenance. Issues with bad alignment can lead to steering problems and premature tyre wear.

    How to Prevent Freezing of Your Car Battery
    When the winter starts to approach, you may need to do some winterizing of your vehicle. An important area of the vehicle to get prepared for the cold temperatures is the battery. Your battery is at risk of freezing if the car sits for too long without being used and the battery doesn't get charged. Here are some tips for preventing freezing of the car battery. Use a Battery Blanket

    Keeping Your Cool(ant): 5 Signs You Have a Leaky Radiator
    Your car engine gets extremely hot. To prevent it from overheating, the radiator on your car pumps coolant around the engine. If your radiator begins to leak coolant, it can cause catastrophic and costly damage to your engine. Below are 5 signs that your radiator is leaking. Coolant Level Drops As you use your vehicle, it is normal for the coolant level to slowly drop. This is why you should check the coolant level at least once a month, topping it up as needed.