1A Auto Repair Blooper Video — Even the Pros Have Bumps in the Road

When it comes to fixing your car, sometimes nothing seems to go your way.

We’ll admit it. We’re not perfect. Our mechanics drop tools, spill fluids, lose nuts and bolts, and sometimes break things they shouldn’t.

Turns out, not every repair is gold.

So without much further ado, here’s some of our outtakes (and yes, if you’re wondering, we have way more than 2 minutes worth).

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Don’t Leave Home Without These Emergency Car Kit Essentials

You’ve probably found yourself on the side of the road at some point, unless you’re extraordinarily lucky. It always pays to be prepared. Keeping a few basics in your trunk can help you get out of most of these automotive problems, including 1A Auto’s emergency car kit. If you can fix the simple problems yourself, you won’t have to waste time waiting for roadside assistance.

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Things To Consider Before Buying A New Car

Kia

My wife and I both commute about 50 miles each day round trip, in opposite directions. We own two SUVs, but found ourselves spending so much money on gas and repairs each month. It only made sense to find a vehicle that was better on gas and newer than ten years old.

I couldn’t help but think, “What is it that we’re trying to accomplish and what do we own?” These are the questions to ask yourself. After all, buying a new vehicle is a huge investment, but do it right and the process will be a lot easier.

When you’re shopping for a new vehicle, keep in mind what your needs are and what it is you’re trying to accomplish.

Before the hunt, ask yourself:

What’s your current situation?

We own a two SUVS. They’re both very good in inclement weather. They just tend to gobble up parts once in a while, and use a ton of gas. We had to have a vehicle that was low-cost and four-wheel-drive because we had to sell one of the SUVs that we own, or at least, so we thought.

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11 Common Jeep Problems & Complaints You Need to Know

Exasperated owners may say “it’s a Jeep thing,” but the truth is, every car or truck you can think of has its own unique quirks and issues and Jeeps are no exception.  That being said, Jeepers are known to run into certain problems time and again. In fact, the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have been singled out by Consumer Reports as the least reliable vehicles in their respective classes, and the Renegade made their top 10 Least Reliable Cars list.

Of course, I don’t want to discourage anyone from driving a Jeep. When you want a Jeep, there really is no substitute. But knowing what pitfalls might lie ahead can help you be ready to deal with problems as they arise. So, to help you out, here are some common issues that affect Jeeps and some tips on how to fix or even prevent them.

1. The Death Wobble

Death Wobble is probably the most infamous problem in the Jeep community. At high speeds, especially after hitting a bump, the steering wheel may start the shake and vibrate violently, to the point that some drivers report that the Jeep becomes hard to handle. Usually, if you slow down or stop, the wobble will go away. Despite the scary name, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reports that there have been no fatal accidents associated with the condition. You can see a close up example of what death wobble looks like, in this video:

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Celebrity Car Collectors & Their Famous Collections

When you’re one of many celebrity car collectors, bringing all the cars you wish you had as a kid to life is an actual possibility. Who wouldn’t take their Testarossa out to lunch and then switch over to the 442 for groceries just because they can?

These celebrities have made that dream a reality. Some of them you may know, others you may have forgotten about, but their collections are cool, big, and treasured by their owners.

Jay Leno

The most obvious of many celebrity car collectors on the list, Leno’s garage holds cars and bikes alike, and his collection is so big he stores it in a hanger known as his “Big Dog Garage.” He even has his own show, Jay Leno’s Garage, on CNBC where he gets to show them off, review others, and have guests show theirs.

His collection include a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Coupe, 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Coupe, 1994 McLaren F1, 1955 Buick Roadster, 1986 Lamborghini Countach, and a steam-driven 1906 Stanley Steamer.

Also, he got to drive Batman’s Tumbler.

Ralph Lauren

This fashion mogul also has a strong passion for vintage cars and their designs. And can you blame him? Lauren’s cars have the beautiful, classic and curvy look absent from most cars today, and he’s featured them beside the runway in a recent fashion show and has exhibited parts of his collection in museums throughout the years.

Lauren prefers European cars, as seen in his D.A.D. Garage. Some of the rarer models he has includes a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe, a 1950 Jaguar XK120, and a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Volante Drophead Coupe.

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Complete Guide to Buying Tow Mirrors

tow mirror attached to pickup sunny day

 

Towing mirrors give such an extended rearward view, they’re essential for any towing job.

But there’s no one-size-fits-all. How do you know what’s right for your truck?

Deciding which options are most compatible with your vehicle can make the upgrade go a lot smoother. Let’s review what’s available.

Snap-On, Suction, and Clip-On Tow Mirrors

If you don’t want to remove the side view mirrors, there’s a few ways you can transform them into a towing aide. These extensions will take minutes to install, no tools needed.

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Complete Guide to Buying Shocks & Struts

DIY auto repair - man changing his shocks & struts

When your shocks or struts wear out, you’ll notice a difference in ride quality. You’ll feel the bounce as you drive down the street, and you may lose some control of the steering. Without shocks and struts, your wheels would bounce freely as they make contact with the road, springing the body of your car up and down like a bouncy house on wheels. While this sounds fun, it is dangerous. It’s important to replace worn shocks and struts before the driving worsens and becomes unsafe.

So where do you start? There are so many different options to choose from it can get confusing out there. This is a guide to help you make sense of the different kinds available so that finding the right one for your vehicle can be easier and a little stress free. But first, in case you didn’t know, it’s important to understand the difference between a shock and a strut.

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