Natalie Josef
Natalie Josef 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 Natalie Josef
If you have a fever, you don’t feel well, right? Well, in order to function properly, your vehicle’s engine needs to run at the right temperature, too. So if your engine is running too hot, a sensor goes off and coolant is released to cool the engine off.
If you have a fever, you don’t feel well, right? Well, in order to function properly, your vehicle’s engine needs to run at the right temperature, too. So if your engine is running too hot, a sensor goes off and coolant is released to cool the engine off.
If we could have our way, we would all be driving brand new cars every year. While some folks manage to do just that, most of us have to keep the car that we have, usually until it dies or needs a repair that will cost more than the car is worth.
If we could have our way, we would all be driving brand new cars every year. While some folks manage to do just that, most of us have to keep the car that we have, usually until it dies or needs a repair that will cost more than the car is worth.
What would we do without GPS? I suppose we would go back to writing down directions and getting lost, but why? With GPS, life is much easier, allowing us to hit the open road without fear and encouraging the wanderlust that lies at the core of all Americans. According to one company though, GPS is missing something—a social quality.
What would we do without GPS? I suppose we would go back to writing down directions and getting lost, but why? With GPS, life is much easier, allowing us to hit the open road without fear and encouraging the wanderlust that lies at the core of all Americans. According to one company though, GPS is missing something—a social quality.
Speeding—many of us do it; many of us actually get away with it. But there are some places where the likelihood of getting caught is greater and the fines are much steeper.
Speeding—many of us do it; many of us actually get away with it. But there are some places where the likelihood of getting caught is greater and the fines are much steeper.
In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law regulating the speed of a motor vehicle. It limited cars to 12mph in cities, and 15 mph on rural roads.
In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law regulating the speed of a motor vehicle. It limited cars to 12mph in cities, and 15 mph on rural roads.
On Wednesday, crude oil prices jumped to more than $100 a barrel for the first time since September, 2008. Analysts believe that the instability and fighting near key oil ports in Libya is to blame and worry that the fighting might go on longer than previously thought, which could inspire unrest in surrounding areas.
On Wednesday, crude oil prices jumped to more than $100 a barrel for the first time since September, 2008. Analysts believe that the instability and fighting near key oil ports in Libya is to blame and worry that the fighting might go on longer than previously thought, which could inspire unrest in surrounding areas.
When I was seventeen years old, I was driving in Virginia on a cold winter day. Though it wasn't snowing at the time, there was ice and snow on the road.
When I was seventeen years old, I was driving in Virginia on a cold winter day. Though it wasn't snowing at the time, there was ice and snow on the road.
When my best buddy, David, moved his family into a new place in Orange County, CA, he was curiously excited about giving me a tour. When I finally made it down there, we took about thirty seconds to check out the three-bedroom townhouse before he beckoned me out the back door.
When my best buddy, David, moved his family into a new place in Orange County, CA, he was curiously excited about giving me a tour. When I finally made it down there, we took about thirty seconds to check out the three-bedroom townhouse before he beckoned me out the back door.
When you go to start your car in the morning, you see a puddle of fluid underneath the vehicle. Maybe it's brown in color, or red.
When you go to start your car in the morning, you see a puddle of fluid underneath the vehicle. Maybe it's brown in color, or red.
I am a lucky girl. I don't have to go into the office that much, and when I do, it's a reverse commute.
I am a lucky girl. I don't have to go into the office that much, and when I do, it's a reverse commute.
All drivers know that to stop a vehicle, you press the brake pedal. But how does the pedal make the vehicle stop? Brake systems slow and stop the vehicle by applying pressure to rotating brake discs and/or brake drums, which are attached to each wheel.
The engine is what powers your vehicle, but how does it transfer that power to the wheels and get you moving down the road? Through the drivetrain. Simply put, the drivetrain—through a series of parts—connects the engine to the wheels.
The engine is what powers your vehicle, but how does it transfer that power to the wheels and get you moving down the road? Through the drivetrain. Simply put, the drivetrain—through a series of parts—connects the engine to the wheels.
When you switch on the ignition, turn on the radio, operate the windshield wipers, and crank up those seat warmers, your vehicle's electrical system is what provides the power. While the battery is what initially starts the vehicle (and serves as a backup power supply), during vehicle operation, the electrical system is powered by the alternator.
When you switch on the ignition, turn on the radio, operate the windshield wipers, and crank up those seat warmers, your vehicle's electrical system is what provides the power. While the battery is what initially starts the vehicle (and serves as a backup power supply), during vehicle operation, the electrical system is powered by the alternator.
The engine is a mechanical device designed to convert chemical energy (fuel) into kinetic energy (motion), which powers your vehicle. Almost all vehicles (including hybrids) use internal combustion engines that burn fuel.
During normal engine operation, exhaust gases are created. When this exhaust leaves the engine, it is loud and contains gases and particulates than can be harmful to humans and can contribute to poor air quality.
During normal engine operation, exhaust gases are created. When this exhaust leaves the engine, it is loud and contains gases and particulates than can be harmful to humans and can contribute to poor air quality.