Zoom! - ThrottleHolic

How to Inspect a Used Car Like a Pro [Ultimate Field Manual]

Published: by

I n my used car pre-inspection field manual, I argued that fewer things in life are more embarrassing than a vehicle that routinely decides it needs to take a break. It's worse when that break time coincides with when you have somewhere important to be. In an ideal world, an easy way out would b...

Osaro Didn’t Remove the Nylon on a Used Car He Bought…

Published: by

Osaro is my very good friend. We agree on most things and generally have similar philosophies on life except when it comes to removing the nylon on a used car. To clarify, I've never understood why old, used cars displayed for sale have nylon wrapped around the seats, tranny lever, and steering ...

Bursting Tires Frequently? Learn How to Read Tire Sidewalls

Published: by

In an article I published sometime back, I argued that there was fundamentally no difference between used premium tires when compared to new budget tires. In that article, I assumed proper use - and guidance, using the tire as designed to handle and withstand stress. This information, relating t...

Are ‘Toks’ Parts Better Than New? A Mechanic Answers

Published: by

Are 'toks' parts better than new? If you're a new vehicle owner in the developing world, I'm 100% certain that you've have asked this question. I'm also certain that your mechanic kazeem has asked demanded that you buy only 'tokunbo' parts, as against brand new ones. Further, I'm also pretty sure th...

A (German) Sedan & Manual Tranny: What Else Does a Man Need?

Published: by

Everyone who knows me or frequents the ThrottleHolic Auto DIY website and social media accounts knows one thing: I'm not a fan of German cars. For transmissions, I don't particularly care if a vehicle has a manual transmission or is fitted with an auto unit. I've also argued that the choice of a tra...

5 Best Black Friday Deals for DIY Mechanics & Serious Car Owners

Published: by

Two days are very special to the auto DIY mechanic and serious vehicle owner, especially for those interested in buying their favorite tools online (read: Amazon) - Prime Day and Black Friday. If you're not a fan of Amazon or would rather buy from another online retailer, then, Prime Day'...

Here’s Why Autos Doesn’t Easily Shift Beyond 3rd Gear

Published: by

It's common for the Lexus transmissions to 'hang' unto the third gear when cold during normal driving conditions. For many inexperienced users, this appears to be a malfunction. It's not and today, I explain why. Remember the cold, chilly mornings when you crank your vehicle and hit the free...

Hyundai Joins Toyota in Rare Korean Racing Event

Published: by

Yesterday, Hyundai joined Toyota to co-host the Gazoo Racing Festival, held at the Everland Speedway, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Korea. It was a spectacle to behold as both companies showcased not just what's possible with their cars but allowed consumers to become part of that experience, right the...

Used Premium Tires vs. New Budget Tires: The Verdict

Published: by

No one has ever doubted that Michelin, Dunlop, Yokohama, Continental, or Bridgestone are great tires and provide great bang for the buck. However, the used premium tires vs. new budget tires debate occasionally pops up when tires are discussed with the argument tilted either in favor of new budg...

Are Code Readers With a Battery Checker a Great Idea?

Published: by

Of late, OBD II code readers are being designed uniquely: they are powered by a built-in battery checker. But are code readers with a battery checker a great idea? Since this is a rising trend, I'll give an example of some of the options and explain what it is that I plainly see. Without furt...