Guest Author

Guest Author 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 Guest Author

How to Tell if Your Timing Cover Is Failing

A timing cover is a metal or plastic enclosure that covers and protects the timing components of your engine from dirt, dust, and debris. The timing components are the parts that connect your crankshaft to your camshaft.

A timing cover is a metal or plastic enclosure that covers and protects the timing components of your engine from dirt, dust, and debris. The timing components are the parts that connect your crankshaft to your camshaft.

Signs of a Bad Evaporative Leak Detection Pump

The evaporative leak detection pump is a key component of your car’s emission control system. The emission control system is very important for minimizing your car’s pollutants, as well as keeping it running efficiently.

The evaporative leak detection pump is a key component of your car’s emission control system. The emission control system is very important for minimizing your car’s pollutants, as well as keeping it running efficiently.

Subaru Turbocharger Issues

Whenever I get the chance to point something out that might help prevent a major repair, I try to provide that information to my local customers and my readers—wherever you are! We have been replacing turbochargers pretty frequently lately, and for a while I thought it was just isolated to the 2005 models. That no longer seems to be the case.

Whenever I get the chance to point something out that might help prevent a major repair, I try to provide that information to my local customers and my readers—wherever you are! We have been replacing turbochargers pretty frequently lately, and for a while I thought it was just isolated to the 2005 models. That no longer seems to be the case.

Signs of Bad Piston Rings

Most of the engines in today’s cars have a specific number of cylinders. The most common engine types have four-cylinders or six-cylinders, but there are many eight-cylinder engines on the road as well.

Most of the engines in today’s cars have a specific number of cylinders. The most common engine types have four-cylinders or six-cylinders, but there are many eight-cylinder engines on the road as well.

Don't Want to Get Ripped Off on Car Repairs? Ask These Five Questions

Over the past twenty years, I have worked with thousands of shop owners, so I know all too well what the bad, unethical shops do, as well as what the good guys do. If you want to make sure you are never ripped off by a repair shop, I can certainly help.

Over the past twenty years, I have worked with thousands of shop owners, so I know all too well what the bad, unethical shops do, as well as what the good guys do. If you want to make sure you are never ripped off by a repair shop, I can certainly help.

Example Shop Images

    1.  Shop Owner     2.

    1.  Shop Owner     2.

Sample Shop Images

    1.  Samples of Shop Owner images in the new directory     2.

    1.  Samples of Shop Owner images in the new directory     2.

Surviving the Frozen Tundra with Your Vehicle

By Tom Torbjornsen , Host of America's Car Show Wintertime is hard on vehicles, period. There are common vehicular failures that are winter-related, and they typically settle into six distinct categories: Undercarriage Steering and Suspension Engine Cooling System Transmission and Drivetrain Starting and Charging Systems Body and Wipers .

By Tom Torbjornsen , Host of America's Car Show Wintertime is hard on vehicles, period. There are common vehicular failures that are winter-related, and they typically settle into six distinct categories: Undercarriage Steering and Suspension Engine Cooling System Transmission and Drivetrain Starting and Charging Systems Body and Wipers .

5 Steps to Finding a Great Auto Repair Shop

If you want to trust your mechanic—and believe me, there are a lot of honest ones out there—you need to find one who is worthy of that trust. Here are some things to consider when looking for a good mechanic and how to build a solid relationship with him or her once you do find that person.

If you want to trust your mechanic—and believe me, there are a lot of honest ones out there—you need to find one who is worthy of that trust. Here are some things to consider when looking for a good mechanic and how to build a solid relationship with him or her once you do find that person.

Enter to Win: Get Home for the Holidays with RepairPal!

RepairPal wants to help you get where you need to be this season. We're hosting a giveaway for five lucky winners to get "Home for the Holidays" this year! Five people across the country will be chosen at random to each receive a $100 gift certificate to a RepairPal Certified shop near them – a great way to start out 2017.

RepairPal wants to help you get where you need to be this season. We're hosting a giveaway for five lucky winners to get "Home for the Holidays" this year! Five people across the country will be chosen at random to each receive a $100 gift certificate to a RepairPal Certified shop near them – a great way to start out 2017.

5 Reasons Your Engine Oil Might Be Leaking

Have you gone out to the garage and found an oil stain where your car normally sits? This isn't just a nuisance to clean up; it indicates an oil leak, which can cause your car’s parts to grind together and even freeze up. There are many factors that can cause your engine to leak oil, and it’s important to find a mechanic who can properly diagnose the issue.

Have you gone out to the garage and found an oil stain where your car normally sits? This isn't just a nuisance to clean up; it indicates an oil leak, which can cause your car’s parts to grind together and even freeze up. There are many factors that can cause your engine to leak oil, and it’s important to find a mechanic who can properly diagnose the issue.

A Quick History Lesson: The First Automobile

Who invented the first automobile? Well, it seems like just about everyone can be credited, but if you're looking at the steam-powered engine, that credit is due to Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot. It didn't look much like what most people would call a car.

Who invented the first automobile? Well, it seems like just about everyone can be credited, but if you're looking at the steam-powered engine, that credit is due to Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot. It didn't look much like what most people would call a car.

How Do Anti-Lock Brake Systems Work?

Anti-lock brake systems, or "ABS" for short, are used to make traveling in your car safe and reliable. When you're on a treacherous roadway, you might need to slam on your brakes.

Anti-lock brake systems, or "ABS" for short, are used to make traveling in your car safe and reliable. When you're on a treacherous roadway, you might need to slam on your brakes.

Too Many Car Repairs? Learn How To Select Your Best Car.

Does it seem like you’re always taking your car in for repairs? Learn how a pre-purchase vehicle inspection can uncover hidden car damage. .

Does it seem like you’re always taking your car in for repairs? Learn how a pre-purchase vehicle inspection can uncover hidden car damage. .

Honda HR-V vs. Honda CR-V - Compare Ratings and Reliability

Let’s take a look at two Honda SUVs. The Honda HR-V is a subcompact SUV, while the Honda CR-V a larger compact SUV.

Let’s take a look at two Honda SUVs. The Honda HR-V is a subcompact SUV, while the Honda CR-V a larger compact SUV.