Let's Tinker

The son of a car nut, Dave Goree has been working on cars all his life. In addition to wrenching on...

You’re cruising along, everything seems fine, and then – bam! – your car’s check engine light comes...

Wrenching on cars can be a dirty business. Whether you’re changing your oil, swapping brake pads or...

Looking for great tools for your auto DIY projects and don't know what to pick first? Don't worry, ...

Old Man Winter is hard on our vehicles, draining batteries, creating corrosion and placing heavy...

Ready to take maintenance and modifications into your own hands but not sure where to begin? No...

If you live where snow or ice regularly cover the road, winter tires can be an important addition ...

Your steering wheel is the main connection point between you and the road. Beyond steering the...

Constant Velocity axles, or CV axle for short, are common wear items on high-mileage front-drive...

Every auto repair shop has a car lift. It's an essential tool for a professional mechanic, making...

A good professional car detail can cost hundreds of dollars. But you don't have to spend big bucks...

Looking for an affordable off-road project? America’s used-vehicle market is flooded with 4x4...

The Ford Mustang is an American icon. Launched in 1964, the original pony car spans seven...

Gear oil, also known as differential fluid, lubricates the hard-working gears inside your...

We’re experiencing growing pains! As more DIYers discover the benefit of talking to a Tinker Auto...

When was the last time you changed your vehicle’s anti-freeze? Engine coolant, often called...

If you work on your car regularly, it’s worth the time and effort to transform your garage into a...

Modern car key fobs are extremely convenient, that is until they go on the fritz. When they stop...

If you’re in the market for new tires, you’re probably shopping for a new set of all-season tires....

With summer upon us, it’s time to prep your car for the demands of the longer, hotter days ahead.

Along with the popularity of off-roading, overlanding and camping, the prices of fun, off-road...

Andy Ly is a seasoned automotive technician with over a decade of experience. He began working on...

Americans bought nearly 36 million used cars last year. But finding a great used car or truck, one...

Ready to take maintenance and modifications into your own hands but not sure where to begin? No...

Nitrous oxide has been immortalized in car flicks for decades, and for good reason: the stuff works...

You know the feeling. You hop in the driver's seat and twist the key (or push the start button)....

Bleeding your brakes is an essential skill for any DIY auto mechanic. Whenever you work on your...

Mat Beck started working on project cars around 2006 while still in college, and he has had quite a...

As we combed the internet for fun project cars under 10 grand, we realized they all needed to offer...

Surely you’ve seen videos online that show cars having their horsepower and torque measured on a...

“Checking your oil” usually means looking at the oil level by looking at your engine’s dipstick....

New or old, gasoline engines all rely on spark plugs to run. Not only do they provide the literal...

Lotus founder Colin Chapman famously said, "Simplify, then add lightness." This mantra is as...

Replacing your car’s worn-out brake pads yourself is easier than you think, and this important...

An engine tune-up used to be equal parts art and science. It can involve manually tuning the...

Setting your engine’s timing sounds like it’s beyond the reach of a DIYer, but it’s not much more...

Dan Preciado is an ASE-certified technician with over 20 years of experience and the owner of...

For the auto DIYer, lowering your car is an excellent way to improve its style and performance....

Whether you're upgrading a new ride or breathing new life into an old one, getting more performance...

Driving a car means picking up some bumps and bruises along the way. Minor paint damage isn't the...

This glossary of automotive terms was created to serve the Tinker community of DIYers. Whether...

Whether you’re rebuilding an engine, doing simple repairs or bolting-on some upgrades, you might...

Whether you're planning a long vacation or just tucking your convertible away for the winter,...

Engine vacuum leaks can cause a variety of issues in your car. If you notice that your engine is...

Turbocharging smaller displacement engines allows carmakers to meet the ever more stringent fuel...

If your car’s tires are wearing unevenly, an out of whack wheel alignment is probably the culprit....

The automotive world has its own language. And it’s easy to get lost in the many mysterious car...

Imagine pressing your car’s brake pedal and nothing happens. It's a scary thought. But it's a real...

With the price of gas these days, it's tempting to swap your ride for a more fuel-efficient model....

Many Honda and Acura performance models are a DIYers dream – fun, affordable, remarkably reliable...

If you’re going to tinker, you gotta have the right tools. Not just the fundamentals – wrenches,...

With the price of gas these days, it’s tempting to select the cheapest option at the gas pump. But...

A flat tire can quickly derail your plans, whether you're on your way to work, on a road trip, or...

Changing your own oil is one of the simplest starting points to becoming a DIYer. But in addition...

Every DIYer has stood in the motor oil aisle of an auto parts or big-box store, eyes glazed over...

Since 1986, the Acura Integra has reinforced the idea that a relatively inexpensive car can bridge...

The markings stamped into a tire's sidewall may seem like indecipherable code. But these...

Working on your vehicle can be both rewarding and cost-effective. It can also be dangerous if you...

It can happen to anyone. You walk out to the garage to start your day and your car battery is dead....

We love auto DIY. But ‘do it yourself’ doesn’t have to mean do it alone…not anymore.

One of the essential mantras of the car world is that weight is the enemy. When it comes to your...

For decades, the common wisdom was simple: if you care about your car, you change the oil every...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you are tightening bolts too much or not enough, you are already on...

Honda just sent a shock wave through the automotive community. It unveiled an electrified coupe...

Tinkering on your car may seem daunting. But almost anyone can perform some key vehicle maintenance...

America has always been a DIY automotive culture. And we’re still a nation of shade tree mechanics....