When your car breaks down or begins to act strangely, then your friendly local auto mechanic is usually your first call. Unfortunately, many drivers find the automotive repair experience to be stressful. If you don't consider yourself to be a gearhead, then you may find the unfamiliar terminology and potentially complicated invoices to be intimidating. Fortunately, it doesn't take much to demystify the process. Most mechanics use similar techniques to establish pricing, and understanding a bit about them can often ease the anxiety that comes with car repairs.

Pickup truck engines are maxing out at a record 1,000-pounds of torque. What can this powerful workhorse actually tow? — a large missile, 4 Classic XL Airstream trailers, or a family of 5 Asian elephants.  If you're shopping for a super heavy duty pickup, though, be sure to weigh the load against the smoothness of the drive. Keep on Trucking and Hauling  Time was when hauling cargo was a major expense for a small-to-medium sized business.

There are all sorts of things that can go wrong with a car. As a car owner, you might find yourself dreading some of the bigger vehicle issues that can happen, such as problems with your engine or transmission. This doesn't mean that you should ignore problems that don't seem as serious, however. For example, you might not necessarily think that it's a big deal if the heating system in your car stops working.

If car engine repair work is going to be necessary, the last thing you want is for it to sneak up on you. Keep an eye out for these 6 signs you might need to find an engine repair technician. Fuel Economy Drops Notably, this issue can be driven by a million mundane things, such as poorly inflated tires or even bad gas. Once you've eliminated the basic reasons for a decline in fuel economy, especially on trips where you can get the car out on the road and open the engine up, it's time to have a mechanic look at it.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes crash studies and statistics every year. In recent years, there were around 36,120 vehicle fatalities and several other accidents that included injuries. Several of these accidents are just unfortunate or unavoidable, but it's important to control what you can control as a driver. As a responsible driver, you should never leave yourself open to equipment failure when on the road. The only way to be sure of this is to get necessary car repairs as quickly as you can from a professional shop.

Being stuck on the side of the road with engine trouble or other mechanical problems is never fun. Fortunately, with just one phone call, you can have an experienced tow truck driver on the way to assist you in no time. While you wait for your tow truck driver to arrive, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe and even save yourself some time once your driver gets there.

Auto window tinting is one of the easiest and most sought-after aftermarket jobs for vehicle owners who want to cut down on the direct sunlight, keep their cars cooler, or just want to improve the aesthetics. Regardless of your reason for wanting to tint your windows, there is a point where it becomes too much and can actually become a liability. How dark is too dark though? Here's a test that will help you out.

Even if you are not driving your car much, you will still need some kind of auto repairs or service. How often you need to take your car to the auto shop depends on the maintenance schedule and how you care for it while it is idle. Here are some things you should still do even if you aren't driving your car that much or for long distances. Keep an Eye on Your Oil

The Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Engine Control Module (ECM) is the main electronic module that controls most functions in modern cars. The ECU receives signals or data from different parts of the car, interprets the data, and sends back feedback for controlling the car's functions. Below are some of the signs that should tell you the ECU is acting up. Check Engine Light The ECU controls many functions of the engine, so it makes sense that engine functions might malfunction if the ECU is malfunctioning.

One of the things you'll always want to do is keep your vehicle in good shape. This will allow you to get to where you need to be promptly. Having a car that is fully operational can ease your mind each time you need to drive it. However, there are certain signs that may show you that it could be time to schedule some dangerous repairs. 1. Squealing sound when hitting the brakes