Tony Harlin is a Master Gas and Diesel Diagnostic Technician with over 18 years of experience. He works full-time at a large independent automotive shop as a driveability and repair technician working on all types of vehicles with a focus on diesels. ASE certifications include A1-A9, L1 and L2, as well as X1.
Tony has a YouTube channel, “Nuts & Bolts with Tone,” with over 25,000 subscribers, devoted to automotive troubleshooting, repairs as well as tool demos and reviews. When not working on cars, Tony enjoys spending time with his three sons and wife in Sacramento, California.
Credentials:
Summary Cargo space, engine size, seating capacity, and roof quality are some of the factors you should consider before purchasing…
Summary A car’s paint condition can give you an idea of whether it was involved in a collision or if…
Summary The power-to-weight ratio of a vehicle refers to how much power it has relative to its weight.In terms of…
Summary Flat-bottom steering wheels have a bottom part that is flat rather than curved. The benefits of flat-bottom steering wheels…
Summary Tires are made of natural and synthetic rubber, steel, textiles, fillers, and other ingredients. Rubber possesses traction, cost-effectiveness, and…
Summary Stay safe when you check the oil pressure manually by organizing your tools and wearing protective gear. You’ll need…
Summary The SUV coupe combines the off-roading capabilities of an SUV with the sporty look and feel of a traditional…
Summary HD matrix headlights consist of a cluster of LED bulbs instead of a single high-beam bulb. They’re powered by…
Summary LED headlight conversion kits contain everything you need to convert your headlights from halogen to LEDs. While it’s possible…
Summary Paintless dent removal is a technique for repairing minor body damage on vehicles, which doesn’t require bodywork and repainting.…
Summary To keep the spare tire in good condition, check its tire pressure and tread regularly. You can also include…
Summary The automotive paint code is a number that corresponds to the specific color your auto manufacturer used on your…
Summary Curb rash is a minor cosmetic damage to a vehicle’s wheel that comes from getting too close to an…
Summary Tonneau covers are inexpensive accessories that protect your truck bed from the elements and debris. A soft brush, detailing…
Summary Plastic welding, epoxy repair, bumper repair kits, and professional repair can fix cracked bumpers. The best option depends on…
Summary A transmission fluid flush involves using specialized equipment to completely flush out old fluid and contaminants from your transmission.…
Summary A tow strap can be used to tow a vehicle. Meanwhile, a recovery or snatch strap is specially designed…
Summary Vehicle snorkels are aftermarket modifications that prevent water from entering the engine and help the air intake system get…
Summary Brake-checking happens when a driver abruptly applies the brakes, causing the car behind to swerve or brake suddenly to…
Summary The traction of a car refers to the friction between a drive wheel and the road surface. Tread pattern,…
Summary An economy car is a lightweight vehicle that falls under the mini-compact and subcompact classes. It usually has a…
Summary Mud season is the transitional time between winter and spring. Snow, rain, and melt tend to come together this…
Summary Some of the most common car interior repairs include removing steering wheel scratches, removing stains, and dashboard repairs, among…
Summary Turning on your vehicle’s A/C is simple, but there are a few things you can do to ensure your…
Summary Also known as a flat finish, matte car paint is a muted type of finish that isn’t shiny. Instead…
Summary Room temperature vulcanizing sealant or RTV is an artificial elastomer that creates seals or gaskets between two components. RTV…
Summary Oil systems take the oil from the sump, pass it through the oil filter and on through the engine.…
Summary Are car tires tubeless? Mostly. Nowadays, most passenger vehicle tires use tubeless tires. Tubeless tires have a range of…
Summary High mileage oil is for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles of mileage. The additives, antioxidants, and detergents in…
Summary As time passes, the once-classy black plastic trim on your car tends to fade and becomes dingy. Ultraviolet (UV)…
Summary You can use oil-absorbent material like special oil pads or kitty litter to absorb the spilled engine oil. Saturate…
Summary When people wash their vehicles, they often forget to clean their tires, undercarriage, engine bay, battery terminals, and air…
Summary The flex plate is the mechanical connection to the torque converter. Common issues with flex plates include cracks in…
Summary The main differences between EV tires and regular tires are that EV tires are designed to carry more weight,…
Summary Exhaust heat wraps are accessories that wrap around certain exhaust parts like downpipes.Exhaust wraps insulate exhaust parts, leading to…
Summary Speed shifting is an advanced driving technique that involves changing gears with the purpose of accelerating as fast as…
Summary Also known as a trailer jack or tongue jack, a hitch jack is a hitch accessory that raises and…
Summary A twin-engine car is exactly what it sounds like 一 a vehicle with two engines.A twin-engine setup is also…
Summary Repairing a vehicle’s plastic bumper is a lengthy process that requires technical expertise. Tools like sanders and plastic fillers…
Summary Water stains on your car’s glass are typically formed when hard or unpurified water evaporates, leaving the particles that…
Summary Windshield wipers usually skip across the glass when they’re too dry, dirty, or worn. A bent wiper arm can…
Summary Slicks are pure racing tires that have zero grooves and little or no tire tread.Drag radials are a type…
Summary There are two main types of oil pressure gauges out there, mechanical and electric. Electric gauges can further be…
Summary The average truck has a lifespan of around 200,000 miles, which means the highest mileage trucks are ones capable…
Summary JDM is short for Japanese Domestic Market, and the term applies to cars designed, built, and sold in Japan…
Summary The two types of manual grease guns are lever-handle and pistol grip grease guns. You need a manual grease…
Summary A solid-state battery is essentially more efficient than a lithium-ion battery because of its high energy density. Lithium-ion is…
Summary To ensure the paint sticks to the bed liner, you must thoroughly clean, sand, and prime the truck’s bed…
Summary Use a garbage bag, tape, or a crash wrap to cover the frame of a broken car window. Document…
Summary Headlight restoration kits are used to smoothen or polish the surface of your headlight lens. A restoration kit will…
Summary To clean the windshield from the inside, you’ll need to clean it, degrease the glass, and wipe it with…
Summary The 4-high and 4-low settings on your four-wheel drive vehicle are calibrated for different road conditions. The 4-high mode…
Summary Sphaerobolus fungi, more commonly known as shotgun fungi or artillery fungi, are small, reddish-brown balls that can stick to…
Summary To remove the smell of cigarettes from your vehicle, you’ll either need to do a general cleaning if the…
Summary Revving the engine will only increase the voltage by a few hundredths, which won’t be enough to revive a…
Summary If you don’t have jumper cables, you can jumpstart a vehicle with a dead battery via the push start…
Summary To change a flat tire, you'll need a car jack, a lug wrench, a spare tire, and your owner's…
Summary E85 gasoline or flex fuel is an alternative fuel that uses a mixture of ethanol and gasoline.Some advantages of…
Summary Automotive batteries generally last anywhere between three and seven years. However, certain practices can reduce their intended lifespan. Improper…
Summary When you get your hands on a new stereo for your ride, you can either install it yourself to…
Summary The rims support and distribute the vehicle's weight to ensure proper balance. Bigger car rims provide better stability, higher…
Summary LED headlights are generally the better choice for drivers who want brighter light, better energy efficiency, and longer lifespan,…
Summary A windshield replacement can cost around $150 to $300. If you’re going to pay a professional, expect to pay…
Summary It takes around 24 to 48 hours for clear coat to dry, but experts recommend not driving your vehicle…
Summary Power supply issues, sudden power surges, and outdated software are common reasons why your EV charger isn’t working. Inspecting…
Summary How long does emissions testing take? You should probably allot 20 to 30 minutes for a smog check. That…
Summary Battery maintainers charge your battery through a series of small charges over long periods of time. They act as…
Summary Rechroming is a long and complex process that includes cleaning and dipping a specific part into a vat of…
Summary You can replace the oil pump yourself, but don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle to a mechanic if you…
Summary Engine sludge is oxidized and contaminated engine oil. It forms a thick, viscous substance that sticks to engine parts…
Summary You can make differential fluid changes easier with tricks like warming up your car beforehand, parking your vehicle on…
Summary The shift lock release button is only found on automatic transmission vehicles, often near the gear shift. When enabled,…
Summary UV damage, harmful weather conditions, and chemical damage are some of the most common reasons why car paint peels…
Summary In a rear-wheel drive (RWD) truck, adding weight to its truck bed can help the tires grip the road…
Summary Hatchbacks have been traditionally defined as two- or four-door vehicles with an upwards-flipping tailgate. Sedans are four-door passenger cars…
Summary Safety is one of the primary reasons why brake controllers are essential in towing. Using a trailer brake controller…
Summary Rolling coal refers to the practice of modifying a truck, allowing it to pump more diesel to the engine…
Summary Your car’s battery may die while driving. If your vehicle’s alternator is functioning normally, then your vehicle won’t have…
Summary If your vehicle has remote start functionality, warm up the engine and melt the ice on the frozen car…
Summary Fuel pressure tester kits consist of a fuel gauge and the fuel hose it is attached to.To test your…
Summary Clear coats could peel because of harsh weather conditions, road debris, exposure to strong chemicals, and improper cleaning procedures.You…
Summary Bull bars are steel or aluminum bars that are installed in front of vehicles for extra protection during collisions.…
Summary Having heated seats is great when you’re driving in the cold. With electric heating elements warming up the seat…
Summary Some common causes of poor fuel economy include dirty oxygen sensors, spark plug issues, and a dirty mass airflow…
Summary Symptoms that the steering wheel is off-center are a tilted steering wheel and the tires pulling to one side.Driving…
Summary If a manual vehicle runs out of transmission fluid, you can typically still drive for around 10 to 15…
Summary A torque stick, also known as a torque extension, is a tool that attaches to your impact wrench for…
Summary Brushless car washes use foam fingers and cloth strips to clean vehicles.These car washes are better for the environment…
Summary There are many different kinds of cloth that you can use to clean your car, namely terry cloth, microfiber…
Summary Naturally aspirated engines use atmospheric pressure for their intake charge.These engines can accelerate with minimal lag, and their designs…
Summary It’s not safe to use cruise control in rain and snow because the road is too slippery.It’s far safer…
Summary Captain seats are designed for only one person. They’re usually in the second row of SUVs. Some of their…
Summary Pneumatic tools provide a wide range of advantages over their electric-powered counterparts. Air-powered tools are lighter, safer in wet…
Summary Bent exhaust pipes fit against other components beneath the vehicle. They also promote better heat dissipation and improve engine…
Summary Detailing spray, paint sealant, and paint protection films are three of the best ways to protect car paint.Wax, car…
Summary Removing adhesive from car paint sounds like a simple task. The main thing to consider here is to remove…
Summary A governor or speed limiter prevents a vehicle from accelerating faster than a programmed threshold.Speed governors track a vehicle’s…
Summary Regenerative brakes use electric motors to slow down and stop hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). You can find regenerative…
Summary Tires with leaks or holes in the sidewall tend to warrant an immediate replacement because the extra stress on…
Summary Some of the most common reasons for a burning smell when you run the heater of your car are…