Fall boating prep means you don’t have to pull your boat out of the water simply because the leaves are changing color and the temperature is starting to drop. It’s possible to keep boating on into the fall as long as you stay prepared for the changing season and don’t put off your winter storage any longer than necessary. Check Your Gear One of most common problems with boating past the end of the summer is getting stranded because of something that breaks while you’re on th

There’s an entire auto subculture dedicated to custom rim design and care, so it’s no wonder folks want to show them off. Even if you’ve got factory standards on, knowing how to polish your rims can make a strong statement as you cruise along. And while it’s a nice lazy afternoon project, there is a right and wrong way to go about it. Here’s a primer on how to polish your rims. Prep The very first thing you want to do is double-check what kind of rims you’re working with and

Brake pad sensors might seem like new technology, but they’ve actually been around for quite a long time. In the early days of motoring, it was simple enough to communicate to drivers that their pads needed replacement by attaching a metal tab that would eventually make contact with the disc after enough wear had occurred. The unpleasant squeal meant that it was time for a new set of stoppers. How have pad sensors changed? Let’s take a look at the technology. Quieter Electron

Up until the late 1980s, most cars had a fairly straightforward throttle control. You stepped on the accelerator pedal which was connected to a cable that actuated a mechanical linkage mounted on a carburetor that moved a valve to adjust the vehicle’s fuel and air mixture. So in a nutshell, the harder you pushed the gas pedal, the faster you went. Long Description With the proliferation of computer technology, the Automotive Industry saw the introduction of a new electronic t

ATVs changed the world of hunting by allowing hunters to reach otherwise inaccessible areas and carry gear with ease. With nearly limitless potential modifications in the ATV market, such as 4WD, various sizes and a myriad of storage options, using your ATV for hunting has become the norm among those serious about the sport. Here are some things to keep in mind before you spend some cash on a new ATV. Ride Quality With the larger size of today’s trail ATVs, even for childrens

There are more uses for a wet/dry vac than simply cleaning up the mess in your garage or workshop. Although these heavy-duty vacuums excel when used as directed, their unique design also makes them handy for a few unexpected chores, ones that you might not have considered possible without the use of specialized equipment. To Blow Out Leaves And Dust One of the most simple “bonus” uses for a wet/dry vac is to reverse the unit’s hose so that it blows instead of sucks. This is a

Car batteries provide a vehicle’s life force. We rely on them to get our cars started and keep them running, to power helpful onboard accessories and even to charge electronic devices. The average car battery life can be anywhere from three to five years, but the exact time any given battery needs to be changed depends on a number of factors. Let’s Get Chemical Most cars on the road today have 12-volt lead-acid batteries under the hood. There are a few variations on this, but

Hybrid cars team an electric powertrain with a gas engine, and this allows them to deliver great fuel economy. They’re also easy on the environment, typically producing fewer tailpipe emissions than comparable gas-only models. If you’re shopping for one of these nifty green machines on the new or used market, there are certain things you need to look out for. Here are seven questions to ask about hybrid cars before making a purchase. 1. What’s the gas mileage? Fuel economy is

Oil changes are an indispensable part of car maintenance, and they need to be completed regularly. The recurrent nature and relative ease of the task make it a no-brainer candidate for a DIY project, but you’ll need to collect all the tools needed to change oil first. Setup for Safety First off, gather everything you need to ensure a safe and smooth project. Use designated lift points found in the owner’s manual to lift the car with a jack, and rest it on jack stands (again o

You started out watching the calendar — now, you’re watching the clock. Time has flown and it’s suddenly your child’s turn to get behind the wheel. You’ve got one question: Where to teach your child to drive? The Safest Option An empty parking lot is the absolute best, safest place to begin. You want a place with no other moving or parked vehicles, with no pedestrians, with no unpredictable hazards. It’s flat, it’s open and you can see it all from any point. It’s perfect. Bes