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
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have come a long way since the early days of automobiles. While we used to rely on melting ice blocks and heated clay bricks in the passenger compartment for our comfort, modern HVAC systems employ sophisticated computer technology and simple thermodynamic principles to keep the cabin temperature regulated.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have come a long way since the early days of automobiles. While we used to rely on melting ice blocks and heated clay bricks in the passenger compartment for our comfort, modern HVAC systems employ sophisticated computer technology and simple thermodynamic principles to keep the cabin temperature regulated.
There is a lot more to scheduled maintenance than getting your oil changed when the little light tells you to. Scheduled, or preventative, maintenance is a regular schedule of services that vehicle manufacturers recommend to keep your car running safely and efficiently.
There is a lot more to scheduled maintenance than getting your oil changed when the little light tells you to. Scheduled, or preventative, maintenance is a regular schedule of services that vehicle manufacturers recommend to keep your car running safely and efficiently.
In an ideal world, we would be driving on brand new roads all of the time, but the reality is, our roads are uneven and filled with bumps and potholes. We also have to maneuver around road debris and other obstacles.
In an ideal world, we would be driving on brand new roads all of the time, but the reality is, our roads are uneven and filled with bumps and potholes. We also have to maneuver around road debris and other obstacles.
Are you having problems with your car? Or just want to better understand how it works? The series of articles in the Car Repair Encyclopedia will put your automotive education on the fast track, providing essential primers to common problems and key car components, complete with photos and illustrations. By improving your car knowledge, you’ll be able to better describe problems to your mechanic so you can make informed decisions about automotive repairs.
Are you having problems with your car? Or just want to better understand how it works? The series of articles in the Car Repair Encyclopedia will put your automotive education on the fast track, providing essential primers to common problems and key car components, complete with photos and illustrations. By improving your car knowledge, you’ll be able to better describe problems to your mechanic so you can make informed decisions about automotive repairs.
Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of innocently driving along when an errant piece of gravel or other mysterious road debris suddenly puts a dent in our vehicle's windshield. And many of us have had the even more unpleasant surprise of the little nick becoming a five-inch jagged crack a mere few hours or days later.
Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of innocently driving along when an errant piece of gravel or other mysterious road debris suddenly puts a dent in our vehicle's windshield. And many of us have had the even more unpleasant surprise of the little nick becoming a five-inch jagged crack a mere few hours or days later.
Parking in San Francisco sucks—there are no two ways about it. Parking is limited, expensive, and frustrating, and then we have to contend with street sweeping, people who double park, and people who take up two precious spots.
Parking in San Francisco sucks—there are no two ways about it. Parking is limited, expensive, and frustrating, and then we have to contend with street sweeping, people who double park, and people who take up two precious spots.
There are many wonderful things about living in San Francisco—diversity, good food, and the weather. And of course, there are drawbacks—rent that makes you want to cry, mainly.
There are many wonderful things about living in San Francisco—diversity, good food, and the weather. And of course, there are drawbacks—rent that makes you want to cry, mainly.
Where I grew up, in the South, it was pretty common for folks not to wear seat belts. As for myself, I can’t remember not wearing one, and as I grew up and began to notice more things about the world around me, I began to wonder why people didn’t.
Where I grew up, in the South, it was pretty common for folks not to wear seat belts. As for myself, I can’t remember not wearing one, and as I grew up and began to notice more things about the world around me, I began to wonder why people didn’t.
The other day, my neighbor, Kyle, needed to take his car to the shop because his engine was overheating. He asked me to come along so I could give him a ride home.
The other day, my neighbor, Kyle, needed to take his car to the shop because his engine was overheating. He asked me to come along so I could give him a ride home.
The year is 1911 and the Ford Model T is manufactured with front doors for the first time, including an opening door for the driver. Also included was a stronger rear end assembly and tapered axles to secure the wheels.
The year is 1911 and the Ford Model T is manufactured with front doors for the first time, including an opening door for the driver. Also included was a stronger rear end assembly and tapered axles to secure the wheels.
I just got back from a ten-day trip in Europe and I have to say, there are a lot of differences between the U.S.
I just got back from a ten-day trip in Europe and I have to say, there are a lot of differences between the U.S.
There are a lot of people who have strong objections to using cell phones while driving, but I am one of the staunchest opponents you will ever meet. I never use my phone in the car, nor will I talk with someone who is using the phone while driving.
There are a lot of people who have strong objections to using cell phones while driving, but I am one of the staunchest opponents you will ever meet. I never use my phone in the car, nor will I talk with someone who is using the phone while driving.
Did you know that Americans spend $41 billion per year on their pets? That’s more than the GDP of all but 64 countries in the world. We spend more on our pets than we spend on movies, video games, and recorded music combined.
Did you know that Americans spend $41 billion per year on their pets? That’s more than the GDP of all but 64 countries in the world. We spend more on our pets than we spend on movies, video games, and recorded music combined.
In August 2010, in Missouri, a nineteen-year-old pickup truck driver traveling at 55mph crashed into the back of a tractor truck, which caused a deadly chain reaction. After striking the tractor truck, the pickup truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was then rear-ended by another school bus.
In August 2010, in Missouri, a nineteen-year-old pickup truck driver traveling at 55mph crashed into the back of a tractor truck, which caused a deadly chain reaction. After striking the tractor truck, the pickup truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was then rear-ended by another school bus.
This week, AP writer, David Pitt, offered some tips on how to find a great mechanic in an article that appeared in the San Francisco Examiner and MSN Money, among other outlets. Pitt interviewed RepairPal CEO, Art Shaw, and the article speaks to many of the issues important to RepairPal, including fair estimate prices and finding quality shops.
This week, AP writer, David Pitt, offered some tips on how to find a great mechanic in an article that appeared in the San Francisco Examiner and MSN Money, among other outlets. Pitt interviewed RepairPal CEO, Art Shaw, and the article speaks to many of the issues important to RepairPal, including fair estimate prices and finding quality shops.