ThrottleHolic

Why Take Your Car to the Mechanic When You Can Simpy DIY?

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The Best Portable Jump Starter (1 Winner, Several Reasons)

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When I bought my first portable jumper, I wasn't thinking about the best portable jump starter the market could offer. I simply made a calculated bet, and armed with the confidence only a complete novice is allowed to possess, took the plunge. Now, looking back, about five years later, that port...

Sharing a Car with Your Wife? Here Are 4 Magic Tips

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In an ideal world/relationship, sharing a car with your wife (or husband) is the most stress-free thing in the universe. You simply hop in the vehicle you're sharing and drive off, your partner does the same, and life, ultimately, goes on. When it comes to putting gas, whoever is driving the veh...

Noco GB50 Portable Jumper Review (After 5+ Full Years)

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When I first bought the Noco GB50 portable jumper, I wasn't a DIY mechanic yet. I wasn't also an automotive freelance writer. I was just a regular vehicle owner who was scared (out of my bones) of having a starter battery go flat on me (again) and leave me stranded in the process. Naturally, thu...

Bad Radiator Signs? Here Are 7 Sure Symptoms to Look Out For

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"What do you mean by 'bad radiator signs?!'" Jane fumed. She had only recently bought her first car: a used Lexus ES330 that I had helped her inspect only a few weeks ago. Before I could explain what I meant by 'bad radiator symptoms', she fired again: 'But I only just bought this car—and you as...

Symptoms of a Bad Alternator (+ How to Easily Isolate)

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One of the most frustrating things you can have go wrong on a vehicle is a bad alternator. Without a functional alternator (doing its job properly), your car's starter battery is going to lack proper charge and ultimately, you'll be stranded. The good thing is that an alternator doesn't just go ...

Bursting Tires Frequently? Learn How to Read Tire Sidewalls

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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...

TopDon TopScan Subscription Price: Is the Cost Worth It?

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I was having a chat with some fellow auto DIY friends when the issue of TopDon TopScan subscription price came up, after a few bottles of beer and a joke (challenging just about the mechanical proficiency of everyone on the table that evening). Despite the effect of the alcohol, there was an ac...

Foxwell ST201 Automotive Smoke Machine Review: A Good Deal?

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I eyed the Foxwell ST201 automotive smoke machine my friend had recommended with suspicion. "How is it going to help me figure out the EVAP leaks I have on my vehicle?" I asked, semi-ignorantly.  Patiently, my friend explained, giving a summary of what would happen and, generally, what I wo...

Tired of Car Fights? Here’s How to Keep Your Wife & Car Happy

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My wife is a wonderful woman; no day passes that I don't thank my stars that we're married. She brings so much joy to my life. However, just a few months into our marriage, something came to my attention: I discovered that her car had a way of being 'out of service' every time, all the time. Ini...

Foxwell NT201 vs NT301: Which Is a Better Bet Today?

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When I got the Foxwell NT201 after thoroughly enjoying the Foxwell NT301, a friend asked me, "Throttle, what's the difference between the Foxwell NT201 and the 301 besides the price?" I answered as best as I could, and today, that answer forms the basis of this Foxwell NT201 vs NT301 article. At...