Service
The bad news for vehicle service departments concerned with customer service is that wait times for owners are longer — but the good news is that owners still trust the work they do.

Lexus, Mini Top J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study
By Brian Normile
March 9, 2022The bad news for vehicle service departments concerned with customer service is that wait times for owners are longer — but the good news is that owners still trust the work they do.
Although “ECU” typically stands for engine control unit, it could also mean electronic control unit. Here’s what those mean.

What Is an ECU?
By Rick Cotta
February 27, 2022Although “ECU” typically stands for engine control unit, it could also mean electronic control unit. Here’s what those mean.
A catalytic converter is part of your car’s exhaust system that converts harmful engine-exhaust pollutants into something less harmful to the environment.

What's a Catalytic Converter and Why Do People Steal Them?
By Rick Cotta
February 13, 2022A catalytic converter is part of your car’s exhaust system that converts harmful engine-exhaust pollutants into something less harmful to the environment.
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Our Tesla Model Y had to return to a Tesla service center for paint repair and inspection of a few issues, but we didn’t find a car with severely misaligned body panels or detached second-row seat ...

How Was the Build Quality on Our Model Y?
By Joe Bruzek
January 20, 2022Our Tesla Model Y had to return to a Tesla service center for paint repair and inspection of a few issues, but we didn’t find a car with severely misaligned body panels or detached second-row seat ...
We sent our 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid for unscheduled service because of a low-voltage warning that locked out features and a chattering retractable gear selector.

Our 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Encounters Failed 12-Volt ...
By Joe Bruzek
January 6, 2022We sent our 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid for unscheduled service because of a low-voltage warning that locked out features and a chattering retractable gear selector.
Automotive solenoids allow a smaller amount of current from the ignition switch to route a much larger amount of current from the battery to the starter motor.

What Is a Solenoid?
By Rick Cotta
December 26, 2021Automotive solenoids allow a smaller amount of current from the ignition switch to route a much larger amount of current from the battery to the starter motor.
Our Palisade appeared to be on the up-and-up after the initial fix in November 2020, but a year living with the SUV — and particularly the return of hot weather — unearthed whiffs of the original ...

A Year After Being Fixed, Does Our 2020 Hyundai Palisade ...
By Joe Bruzek
December 16, 2021Our Palisade appeared to be on the up-and-up after the initial fix in November 2020, but a year living with the SUV — and particularly the return of hot weather — unearthed whiffs of the original ...
The active air dam deploys at vehicle speeds above 40 mph, depending on the selectable drive mode. It lowers from behind the fixed front splitter to increase aerodynamic efficiency up to 4%.

Our 2021 Ford F-150’s Active Air Dam Disappeared, as Did ...
By Joe Bruzek
December 16, 2021The active air dam deploys at vehicle speeds above 40 mph, depending on the selectable drive mode. It lowers from behind the fixed front splitter to increase aerodynamic efficiency up to 4%.
Disc brakes are more modern and effective than drum brakes, which date back almost to the beginning of cars themselves.

Disc Brakes Vs. Drum Brakes: What’s the Difference?
By Rick Cotta
October 24, 2021Disc brakes are more modern and effective than drum brakes, which date back almost to the beginning of cars themselves.
While it’s tempting to squeeze in as much gas as possible when you fill your tank, filling it past the pump’s first automatic shut-off can damage your car to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

What Happens When You Fill Up With Too Much Gas?
By Rick Cotta
October 10, 2021While it’s tempting to squeeze in as much gas as possible when you fill your tank, filling it past the pump’s first automatic shut-off can damage your car to the tune of hundreds of dollars.