Shifting Gears Archives

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What are the first mods repair professionals make to a vehicle? (VIDEO)

Description When you purchase a new vehicle, what are the first changes and modifications you do to make it your own? Dorman technicians reveal their favorite vehicle modifications for comfort, performance, and practicality. Their recommendations cover just about any...

Preston Tucker: Visionary or Villain?

It’s possible you have already heard of Preston Tucker. He was the subject of “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” a 1988 Francis Ford Coppola movie starring Jeff Bridges. More recently, he was the subject of the biographical book “Preston Tucker and His Battle to Build...

Average U.S. vehicle age reaches new record high, again

Does it feel like the cars and trucks in your repair shop keep getting older and older? Well, that’s because they are. The average U.S. vehicle age is now up to 12.5 years, according to a recent analysis by S&P Global Mobility (formerly IHS Markit). That’s a new...

Witness marks: your reassembly guide when the service manual isn’t enough

I believe we’re all familiar with the trope of the shadetree mechanic who has hardware left over, right? While I’m sure you’re not sending vehicles out the door missing their hardware, I think it is safe to say we’ve all been slowed down by a pile of fasteners. A long...

The aggressive question you can ask that instantly calms a customer down

If you write service or sell parts, angry customers on the other side of the counter are an occasional part of the job. Maybe it’s someone picking up a car who is facing a bill that’s vastly different than the estimate. Or maybe in the parts store it’s a customer with...

The most entertaining social media accounts to follow for car enthusiasts in 2023

Everyone likes informative, interesting, or funny social media accounts. Here are a few entertaining ones about cars and the people who drive them. And don't forget to follow us, too, at the following accounts:Obscure Cars...

Catalytic converters are the coolest car parts that get no respect

The air in Detroit during the 1960s was so polluted that mothers were scared for their children to play outside. In certain places, you couldn’t see the sun at noon, and buildings had to be cleaned or repainted every six months. Some people wrote letters to...

Car designer Brooks Stevens: the man behind the first Jeep Wagoneer, planned obsolescence, an iconic Harley-Davidson, and more

Previously, I wrote about Raymond Loewy, an automotive, industrial, and graphic designer who I thought should be better known due to his contributions to the look of early- to mid-20th century America. After we posted that piece, a former colleague of mine, Todd,...

Can ICE vehicles be outlawed?

by Lemmy | Feb 15, 2022

Since I was small, one of the things I’ve found marvelous about cars in America is the concept that old cars are always allowed. By this, I mean that once a car rolls off the assembly line in the USA, its owner can use it to traverse the roads of the nation and...

You don’t need a moonroof, either.

by Lemmy | Feb 10, 2022

Drew Magary recently said I don’t need a sunroof. OK, Magary, I’ll take your bait. You’re right, but you’re also totally wrong, buck-o. I’ll explain how in just a moment. The premise of the article is correct: you definitely do not want a...

Are daytime running lights really a bad idea?

by Lemmy | Feb 3, 2022

I’ve kind of had it with headlights. I mean, headlights are grand. Heck, I need them more than ever; I’m no spring chicken. Driving at night has become harder for me as my vision has deteriorated. However, other drivers operating their headlights incorrectly or...

150+ of the truly best songs about cars, trucks and driving

by Lee Procida | Jan 13, 2022

You can read our methodology below, or click here to skip right to the playlist. Wrenching on cars and listening to music go hand in hand. Any work with your hands sure goes a lot faster and easier when you’ve got good tunes in the background. It gives you a little...

The Toyota Tacoma just doesn’t make sense any more

by Lemmy | Dec 3, 2021

Allow me to deliver you a Very Spicy Take: the Toyota Tacoma is not a great truck. Oh, it was a great truck. At one point, it was awesome. The Hilux (and later the Tacoma) was small, light, capable far beyond its advertised abilities, rugged, and cheap to own and...