David Sturtz

David Sturtz

David Sturtz is an automotive expert at RepairPal, the leading online source of auto repair resources and estimates. With many ASE Master certified mechanics on staff who have decades of experience, RepairPal knows all the fine points of car repair.

Posts by David Sturtz

RepairPal is Born!

After a year and a half in the making, RepairPal is finally live! Had I known how tough it would be to solve this problem, giving consumers the information they need to feel confident about the prices they’re paying to keep their cars running, I’d have long ago tossed it into the dustbin of great but unworkable ideas. Yet with some luck and a fantastic team (and many long weeks and weekends), we’ve created something truly amazing.

After a year and a half in the making, RepairPal is finally live! Had I known how tough it would be to solve this problem, giving consumers the information they need to feel confident about the prices they’re paying to keep their cars running, I’d have long ago tossed it into the dustbin of great but unworkable ideas. Yet with some luck and a fantastic team (and many long weeks and weekends), we’ve created something truly amazing.

So Far So Good

RepairPal has been live for 6 full days now and we've had a terrific response from the press and our many users. We've collected a ton of useful feedback from you and ask that you keep it coming because it's guiding where we're focusing our efforts.

RepairPal has been live for 6 full days now and we've had a terrific response from the press and our many users. We've collected a ton of useful feedback from you and ask that you keep it coming because it's guiding where we're focusing our efforts.

RepairPal Updates! Upload Photos and Manage Service Records.

We've heard a lot of feedback from our users who wanted more features in the My Car section of the site. Thanks for all your input! Today we've released some updates that allow you to customize My Car and make it a more useful place to manage your car's maintenance.

We've heard a lot of feedback from our users who wanted more features in the My Car section of the site. Thanks for all your input! Today we've released some updates that allow you to customize My Car and make it a more useful place to manage your car's maintenance.

Is It Still Worth Keeping Your Old Rust Bucket?

Reuters recently reported that steel prices in the Persian Gulf rose 10 percent in a week. Because steel is now a global commodity, sustained price movements on the other side of the globe will eventually affect prices in the U.

Reuters recently reported that steel prices in the Persian Gulf rose 10 percent in a week. Because steel is now a global commodity, sustained price movements on the other side of the globe will eventually affect prices in the U.

Vote for RepairPal! We need your help.

RepairPal is a nominee for the SXSW (that's the South by Southwest Conference) Interactive Web Awards. This competition uncovers the best new websites and celebrates those who are building tomorrow's online trends.

RepairPal is a nominee for the SXSW (that's the South by Southwest Conference) Interactive Web Awards. This competition uncovers the best new websites and celebrates those who are building tomorrow's online trends.

What Is Engine Knocking?

Engine knocking refers to the metallic sound an engine can produce when pressure is applied to the gas pedal. The noise may be a hollow knocking sound or more of a rattling sound—in either case, it's not a sound you want to hear.

Engine knocking refers to the metallic sound an engine can produce when pressure is applied to the gas pedal. The noise may be a hollow knocking sound or more of a rattling sound—in either case, it's not a sound you want to hear.

Low Oil Level Warning Light

What Does The Oil Level Warning Light Mean? The low engine oil level warning light is usually linked to a floating device inside the engine oil pan. When the oil level gets lower than it should, an electrical switch inside the float will trigger the low oil level indicator.

What Does The Oil Level Warning Light Mean? The low engine oil level warning light is usually linked to a floating device inside the engine oil pan. When the oil level gets lower than it should, an electrical switch inside the float will trigger the low oil level indicator.

Mort Schwartz Inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame

I expect this to be a once in a lifetime post. One of our advisors, Mort Schwartz, was inducted last week into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn Michigan.

I expect this to be a once in a lifetime post. One of our advisors, Mort Schwartz, was inducted last week into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn Michigan.

Automotive Hall of Fame Inductee Mort Schwartz to Advisory Board

repairpal announces appointment of automotive hall of fame inductee mort schwartz to advisory board november 11, 2008 – emeryville, calif., – repairpal (www.

repairpal announces appointment of automotive hall of fame inductee mort schwartz to advisory board november 11, 2008 – emeryville, calif., – repairpal (www.

Auto Parts Prices: An Ill-Timed Surge

In order to get you the most accurate price estimates for keeping your car/truck on the road, we survey dozens of parts suppliers on a regular basis. Historically, parts prices have been pretty stable, increasing a few percent each year at most.

In order to get you the most accurate price estimates for keeping your car/truck on the road, we survey dozens of parts suppliers on a regular basis. Historically, parts prices have been pretty stable, increasing a few percent each year at most.

Tire Maintenance 101

Proper inflation of your tires Tire inflation is the most important factor in the performance of your tires. Improperly inflated tires will wear more quickly, affecting ride, handling, and fuel economy.

Proper inflation of your tires Tire inflation is the most important factor in the performance of your tires. Improperly inflated tires will wear more quickly, affecting ride, handling, and fuel economy.

october 7, 2009, emeryville, calif., repairpal (http://repairpal.

Drive Cycle Issues: What to Do When the Drive Cycle Won't Complete

This is a follow-up to the article, Drive Cycle: How to Perform a Basic Drive Cycle. If you are having Drive Cycle problems and the first article did not solve the problem, hopefully this one can help! .

This is a follow-up to the article, Drive Cycle: How to Perform a Basic Drive Cycle. If you are having Drive Cycle problems and the first article did not solve the problem, hopefully this one can help! .

Front Differential Fluid Replacement

The purpose of the front differential is to distribute engine energy to the front axles so the axles spin the wheels the right way at the right speed. .

The purpose of the front differential is to distribute engine energy to the front axles so the axles spin the wheels the right way at the right speed. .