Articles for the Curious

These are some of the articles we’ve written over the years. Sometimes we write an article to answer a commonly asked question. Sometimes we want to show off a skill or something we were proud of. And then there are times we just want to vent. You can search by keyword. You can sort by any of the columns. Or you can just scroll up and down. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can check out our other article repository here.


Article TitleAuthorYear Written
Should you put new tires on the front or rear?Paul Cortes2020
Fixing a captive nut in a subframePaul Cortes2020
Custom made battery cablePaul Cortes2020
How to get a catalyst monitor to runPaul Cortes2020
Can I keep driving with a check engine light?Paul Cortes2020
Resetting a tire pressure lightPaul Cortes2020
Brake repair done rightPaul Cortes2020
Car InspectionPaul Cortes2020
Prius Transmission RepairPaul Cortes2020
Fuel Injector CleaningPaul Cortes2019
Mice short out a Prius hybridPaul Cortes2019
Do It Yourself A/C ServicePaul Cortes2019
Honda direct injector pump failurePaul Cortes2018
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Inverter RepairPaul Cortes2018
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid P1560 Encoder FaultPaul Cortes2017
Opinion – A long rant about a new oil change sticker lawPaul Cortes2016
2010-2015 (Gen3) Prius MaintenanceChristian Strohm2016
The Warranty MythChristian Strohm2016
Scheduled Maintenance IntervalsChristian Strohm2015
P0AA6Paul Cortes2014
Predictive Battery Failure AnalysisPaul Cortes2012
Replacing an MG2 on a Gen1 Prius (Scott)Paul Cortes2012
Gen1 Prius P3009Paul Cortes2012
Repair- CV BootsPaul Cortes2011
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)Paul Cortes2010
Wheel AlignmentPaul Cortes2010
Gen1 Prius Catalytic ConverterPaul Cortes2010
Nitrogen for tires? Nah. Use an 80/20 blendPaul Cortes2010
Why is paying for professional diagnosis is worth the moneyPaul Cortes2010
How to get what you want from a mechanicPaul Cortes2010
California Requires Mechanics to Set Tire PressurePaul Cortes2010
Prius P3125Paul Cortes2010
Gen2 Prius Multi Function Display RepairPaul Cortes2009
New rules for aftermarket catalytic convertersPaul Cortes2008
2001-2005 Honda Civic Control Arm BushingsPaul Cortes2008
Gen1 Prius lost all keys (2001-2003)Paul Cortes2008
Insight Oil LeakPaul Cortes2008
How to buy a used carLute2008
Breaking in BrakesPaul Cortes2008
RSX valve adjustmentPaul Cortes2007
Gen2 Prius 30KPaul Cortes2007
VIN tag crackdownPaul Cortes2006
Clutch JobPaul Cortes2006
Tire PatchPaul Cortes2006
Why not a quick lube joint?Christian Strohm2006
TIG weld repair aluminum cylinder headPaul Cortes2005
Honda Oil Pan Drain Plug Thread RepairPaul Cortes2005
Honda Valve Adjustment V6Paul Cortes2005
What's a Tune Up?Paul Cortes2005
Gen1 Prius 12V BatteryPaul Cortes2004
Glove Box RepairPaul Cortes2004
Brake InspectionPaul Cortes2004
Comparing Auto Repair PricesPaul Cortes2004
Reflashing Toyota ECUs Back in the DayPaul Cortes2003
Plastic WeldingPaul Cortes2003
Timing Belt ReplacementPaul Cortes2003
"Snake Oil"Paul Cortes2002
Tire Plugs: A personal injury lawyer's wet dreamPaul Cortes2002
Valve Adjust on Mazda Millenia with Miller Cycle EnginePaul Cortes2002
What is Maintenance?Paul Cortes2002
Shocks and StrutsPaul Cortes2001
Honda Insight Auto Stop Doesn't WorkPaul Cortes2001
Buying TiresPaul Cortes2000
A Beginner's Guide to Welding AluminumPaul Cortes2000
Why has my mileage decreased?Paul Cortes2000
Tire RotationPaul Cortes2000
Air Conditioning RepairPaul Cortes2000
How to find a good mechanicPaul Cortes2000
Shop SoftwarePaul Cortes2000
Should you rebuild your engine?Paul Cortes2000