I am currently looking into a jeep Wrangler between 2018 and 2023.

I have test driven the diesel variant but found it to be a bit small and uncomfortable to drive on the inside.

But i am now looking into the v6 model and am wondering what the fuel mileage is outside of the spec sheet, how comparative is the cockpit from the diesel and gasoline/petrol four door, and how well does it do of long distance travel (interstate travel)

For reference I am a 6'2" 350+ lb male

I've worked in the aftermarket for most of my career starting back in 2003 at NAPA. I'm fascinated by what the auto parts business was back then compared to what it is now and would Iove to hear from those of you who have been doing this awhile like I have.

Some of the things that immediately come to mind for me are consolidation to the big 4 retailers (O'Reilly, Zone, NAPA, Advance). I think a few of the landmark events that shaped the current industry today are:

1. Pep Boys abandons parts business 2021
2. Advance buying CARQUEST in 2013
3. O'Reilly buying CSK in 2008
4. Advance buying Western Auto in 1998

And there's been tons of other acquisitions before, after and in between. Even the traditional buying groups have consolidated into 2 big parent co-ops, APSG (Alliance, Federated, Pronto, ADN) and APA (Trustar). APSG includes Parts Authority and APA includes Factory Motor Parts.

A couple other things worth mentioning in the last 20 years or so that have shaped the current landscape:

1. The emergence of offshore product in almost all categories mainly from China but really all over the globe.

2. Around 20 years ago, Dana was a massive/dominant supplier to the aftermarket specifically to NAPA and CQ. They ran into financial difficulties and sold off many of their different lines: Raybestos, Wix, Echlin, Clevite, Beck Arnley etc. and really shook things up on the supplier side.

I know a lot of this is inside baseball but I think it makes for an interesting discussion for those of us who have been around the business for awhile especially with the negative news about Advance closing 700 stores in the last few days.

So, I have a 1995 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 liter V8 and I've been trying to find the correct scan tool that I could use for it but none of the adapters I've seen line up with the connectors

Hi,

Renovating an old 1980 Fiat 124 and the water pump bolt broke off during removal. My poor attempt to drill it out left the hole ovalized and now larger than the original, by maybe 40%. I was considering a time sert, but not sure if the outer diameter of that would completely fill the void. Also not sure how to easily center the drill bit to drill the new hole. I thought about epoxy, but not sure how durable that would be. The water pump for that car actually come with copper washers to help seal the hole and prevent leaks. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Some of my underside coat peeled, leaving what looks to be some primer exposed. Should I be concerned?

Took my car in for work, noticed this a few days later in my garage where I park my car. What is this?

https://preview.redd.it/ptmmdaahbp1e1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d0a63ba097a105c1c72100ca74589bf49468216

https://preview.redd.it/nmmez8ahbp1e1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d2249dd306bea8bd99c637a6780da3555fa87a63

I work in the automotive business specifically a core buyer who supplies to rebuilders. Recently I went to the Venetian expo(AAPEX show) in Las Vegas and seeing all the Asian owned companies that have taken over and caused the market to drop was an eye opener for me. My question is that with Trumps presidency in regard to the tariffs he plans to put, many companies are planing to come back to the US to avoid paying extra especially with inflation already at a high. But for someone like me who works in the automotive business does that mean the market will go up since manufacturing will come back to the US even if temporarily? *Please if any of what I said is incorrect I’m open to any criticism because this is what I have read in articles or heard from others and I want to make sure my thoughts are correct. The question part on the other hand if anybody has ideas or factual evidence please let me know because I’m genuinely curious.

Sooo, long story short, my household needs a 3rd car. Our first time trying a local dealer here in CA. My bf & i’s credit aren’t enough so we used my mom as a co-signer instead. My mom and I have two other cars financed under our names. One is an accord & the dealer asked for its VIN (we didn’t give it yet). He said so he can do a “fake trade in” to meet monthly quote I believe and to lower the price and for us to be able to do a lower down payment on the car we wanted to get. From what I seen it’s illegal but I need more info, please help 😭 I need thoughts, idk what to do, we need another car but can’t pay more than $200/mo and down payment around $1200 max tbh as of right now. Thanks in advance :,)

Random curiosity; do modern FI systems in production cars keep any fuel flowing when you're coasting with the throttle completely closed, whether briefly or down a hill or something, or do they just not provide any fuel because the engine is being driven by the car's momentum and doesn't need fuel at that instant?

Hi everyone, and thank you in advance for any comments. Suggestions or help. I am 66 plan on working till I’m 70. I’ve been in the automotive business for about 46 years. Service department service manager Director. In the last five years in the collision industry. I have overseen up to 45 employees in three different locations. My question is when I retire, I’d like to do something remote or part-time to keep busy. Suggestions?

Toyota: Sequoia and Tundra Lincoln: Aviator Nissan Kia: Telluride Chrysler: RAM Mazda: CX-90 and CX-70

Are regulation standards getting higher or is manufacturing quality dropping?

A few days ago I asked the mechanic to replace my battery because it was four years old and that's what I always do. It's an Interstate battery and I just checked the battery model out on their site. It says that the battery "doesn't fit" my car. Not sure what that means to me. Seems to be working.

Had some work done on my car recently. Had new brake pads done and they cleaned up the calipers. I also changed out some things on the fuel system which required taking off the rear tire and fender skirt.

Since doing all this though, about once per hour, when accelerating from a stop, I feel a pulsing buzz like something rubbing from the side of the car where I had the tire off. It only happens from a dead stop a couple times a day. I feel it for about 2 seconds and then it goes away.

I've checked all the lug nuts and made sure they were properly tightened. I don't notice any issues otherwise. I don't hear/feel anything odd while braking. It may be slightly more pronounced when turning but not sure if thats just my imagination.

Thoughts on what this could be? Wheel bearing? Rotor? Maybe even an alignment issue?

Hello everyone. I have an older car with key entry only. The door lock is getting sticky, so I'm wondering about oiling it just like I would a house-door lock. Question is: will the oil on the key affect my ignition when I put the key in the ignition?

Thank you!

I've applied to about 8-10 dealerships with a mix of some showing in person and the rest online applications for a lube technician. For two of the dealerships I showed up for the service director was not there (this was on a Saturday for context). I was told to fill out a application at the dealer to start off and they both said that they would give it to the service director when they get back. It's now about a week later and haven't heard anything yet. Should I be more patience and wait for them to contact me or should create a follow up email to express interest and desire for the position?

Appreciate the helps guys

I have a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo 1.5 LS Hatchback.

I recently did an engine overhaul, but that mechanic did a bad job of putting everything back together. I ended up with no compression, a burst pipe, and a blown head gasket.

The new mechanics I consulted with recommend getting a new engine instead of reconditioning this one again.

I live in South Africa and I'd rather not take a chance with local suppliers.

---> Can anyone recommend a supplier of reliable pre-owned engines?

Preferably certified with some form of warranty or guarantee.

They need to be able to ship internationally too.

(To be more specific, Engine Number F15S3105362K)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I got a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport I had to put in a new engine and fix all the sensors. I need to reset the ECU at least that’s what I think I got crank but no start. Maybe it could be as small as a ground wire. Does anyone know how to reset an ECU? Thank You!

Im 16 years old and have been wrenching on stuff for about a year and a half at my shop. And I have been at the point where I need a toolbox upgrade. I have US general 5 drawer but it is overflowing. And it's about time I take a box to work. Any recommendations. I've been looking at US general alot especially over husky because you can get hutches,lockers, etc. But is it worth it too go tool truck brand. Idk let me know.

I was changing from summer to winter tires/rims, and I noticed all of the studs on one of my wheels are off center. It didn't seem like they would make it like that, and a bit off, but I wasn't sure if it's a big deal or not. It was the last tire so maybe others are like that and I just didn't notice. The lug nuts have an angle on them and seem that they should seat within the space around the studs.

https://imgur.com/a/mSZcFch

Is that a big deal and that I should be concerned and fixed it, or not something to worry about?

To fix it, I guess I would take the wheel off, put the lug nuts on, use a dead blow hammer on the lug nuts to try to get them as close to Center as possible, and then put the tire back on?

2017 RAV4 hybrid

2011 Impreza. After i changed the oil it now loses power at low RPM. If i am below 3k it sort of chugs and loses power so i have to downshift to pick up speed. Any ideas?

2017 Acura ILX. 60k Miles.

I took my car in to get new tires and immediately after leaving the tire shop, my car started pulling hard to the right (I believe they messed up something with my suspension and did not tell me).

Then, I took my car to Caliber and they replaced both lower control arms and outer tie rod ends and completed an alignment.  My car was still pulling hard to the right so I took it back to Caliber.  They made some adjustments so that now my steering wheel is pointed 30 degrees left when my car is driving straight.  This mostly fixed the pulling issue (although it still pulls very slightly to the right).  However, now my steering and suspension feel looser than before and I would prefer my car drive straight when the steering wheel is straight.

What should I do next? Any help greatly appreciated!

Hello all, I am wishing to potentially switch directions career wise to be able to work in the automotive industry. Graduated with a two year degree that I do not really plan on using or have the biggest passion for... I know waste of time and money but at least it was community college. I understand that most people say to keep it as a hobby as it may not be the most lucrative career but after performing light maintenance on my 2010 Honda accord such as oil change, bulb replacement, replacing coils and spark plugs, replacing headlights, etc. gave me a good feeling I've never felt before truthfully. Probably sounds silly but eventually wherever I end up, I do want to work for myself once I have enough knowledge and experience to inspect and work on cars as well as the commercialization and sale of cars. I do have experience with marketing and sales so shouldn't be too difficult.

My question to anyone reading would be what would my next steps be If I want to learn how to fully inspect vehicles and perform necessary tasks. I would love to learn. My knowledge with automobiles is limited and have not worked on brakes and wheels yet. Basic stuff under the hood. Im a noob in short. Should I try a trade school? Start as a lube tech? There is a full time lube tech position hiring near that offers paid ASE certification which I understand is useful. Problem is in the application it says they are looking for an experienced automotive service and tire technician but on the bottom it says lube tech experience is not required but preferred. Should I try it? In the meantime I have been just watching youtube videos learning what I can.

Sorry for the essay haha. Appreciate anyone willing to read or answer.

Hey guys I have 2 2013 tahoe ppv's I've noticed that on both the headlight knob clicks in and out. It sounds like it flips a switch when I do it. What is going on? It does the exact same on both vehicles.

So this girl I just started dating has a 2012 Subaru Forester that she put new tires on 2 years ago and hasn’t rotated them since. The front tires are clearly more worn more than the rear. I know this can put strain on the differentials, but would it be worse to rotate them now, or wait until we can afford to replace them all? I’m worried that one set of the differentials is already worn worse than the other and rotating tires would make them both wear worse. Thoughts?