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 In a front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicle, the front wheels receive all the power while the rear wheels don’t get…
Summary Possible reasons for a fast blinking turn signal include bad bulbs, corroded sockets, and faulty ground connections. Depending on…
Summary Cubic centimeters (cc) is the unit of measurement of a vehicle’s engine displacement, which is the total volume of…
Summary Some common causes of poor fuel economy include dirty oxygen sensors, spark plug issues, and a dirty mass airflow…
Summary A dent repair kit, or a dent puller, is a tool that can remove dents and dings from a…
Summary How to clean your car seat will depend on what material it's made of. Cleaning cloth car seats will…
Summary A single DIN and a double DIN radio differ in size, dimension, sound quality, and features. A single DIN…
Summary You can make alcohol-vinegar and ethanol-alcohol windshield water repellent with ingredients you can find at home.Car windshield water repellent…
Summary Hardtop convertibles have roofs made of metal or composite panels. The difference between hardtops and soft tops is the…
Summary Some common causes of poor fuel economy include dirty oxygen sensors, spark plug issues, and a dirty mass airflow…
Summary You can use a commercial battery terminal brush and cleaner to clean your battery terminals. If you want a…
Summary Avoid replacing just one tire because it could lead to reduced stability and other problems.Some owner’s manuals indicate if…
Summary It takes a lot of time for the engine to warm up during winter, but the good news is…
Summary Brake cleaning is important for EVs because their conventional brakes can become dirty since they may not be used…
Summary You need to store your car properly if you plan to leave it parked for a month or more.…
Summary Don’t discard used electric car batteries in the trash or landfills. Instead, it’s best to give them to an…
Summary Wet sanding removes or smoothens scratches on a vehicle's surface.It lets you restore your car’s paint job, make polishing…
Summary The chassis is the supporting structure that holds the parts of a vehicle together.It has four types: backbone, ladder…
Summary Ice and snow make roads slippery, reducing tire traction and increasing the risk of accidents.Other common concerns include stress…
Summary High-tech car theft refers to how thieves use technology to combat increasingly complex security systems brought about by technological…
Summary Snow chains improve tire traction on snow, ice, and other slippery surfaces. How to install these chains varies depending…
Summary Steering wheels could have cruise control, adaptive cruise control, and audio control functions. Adaptive cruise control is an upgraded…
Summary Double clutch shifting is the method of depressing the clutch pedal twice between gear shifts. Double clutching significantly improves…
Summary The carburetor mixes air and fuel before they’re delivered to the cylinders. It’s entirely mechanical and relies on cables…
Summary To fix your squeaky windshield wipers, you can try cleaning your windshield, replacing worn blades, and applying wiper blade…
Summary The types of engine fasteners are bolts, nuts and washers, and studs.You usually replace the engine fasteners when one…
Summary A pushrod is a critical part of a pushrod engine.Pushrods transfer energy from the camshaft to actuate the valves…
Summary A handheld temperature gun is an infrared tool that can read an object’s surface temperature within seconds.Handheld temperature guns…
Summary The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheel's center when viewed from the side.Long-wheelbase vehicles have…
Summary A speedometer calibration test is a procedure that’s meant to assess the accuracy of your ride’s speedometer.An inaccurate speedometer…
Summary Tire retreading involves removing the old and worn-out tread layer of a tire and replacing it with a new…
Summary A cold air intake can improve your ride’s performance by 5 to 20 hp.A cold air intake boosts your…
Summary A timing light is a diagnostic tool that’s used to check an engine’s ignition timing.There are generally three types…
Summary Brakes that lock up are unable to release their grip on the wheels.Power brakes are more prone to locking…
Summary Trickle chargers recharge car batteries slowly but steadily with a power output that’s much weaker than regular chargers.The benefits…
Summary A range extender is a secondary power source or power generator that’s installed on range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). This…
Summary The loop on your seat belt is called an energy management loop, and it’s designed to rip in the…
Summary Cetane is a highly flammable chemical compound naturally found in diesel fuel. It ignites under high pressure, causing the…
Summary Tar spots are typically caused by driving over freshly paved asphalt roads since the surface is still soft and…
Summary A dead pedal is a flat surface situated to the left of a car’s clutch or brake pedal that…
Summary An engine block heater is a device that heats the engine block while the vehicle isn’t running.The engine block…
Summary Rubbing alcohol can be an effective agent in removing contaminants like oil, grease, and 3M tape adhesives.Rubbing alcohol is…
Summary Paddle shifters are small levers behind the steering wheel or column that let the driver shift gears in a…
Summary Always pack a shovel in the trunk so you can clear the way around your vehicle.You can also ask…
Summary Dielectric grease is a waterproof substance that seals out moisture and prevents corrosion.It’s used on different car components, such…
Because of the alarming numbers of transportation deaths and injuries, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released its first National Roadway…
Summary Rust can seal a bolt in its hole underneath your vehicle, making removal more difficult. You can break up…
New electric vehicle (EV) models are continuously being released as the US slowly transitions to EVs. The addition of fake…
Summary The light temperature of your off-road lights affects its color. Warmer amber or yellow lights have longer wavelengths, which…
Summary Full synthetic motor oil provides better lubrication than conventional mineral oil. It’s engineered in a lab and contains additives…
Summary Some of the most common symptoms of molds in your garage include fuzzy “stains” that feel fuzzy to the…
Summary Some vehicle owners leave their vehicle’s windshield wipers up during winter to prevent the blades from freezing onto the…
Summary If the rear view mirror falls off, wait until you park or idle your vehicle before recovering it. You…
Do you need to bring a lot of things or a single large item that just won’t fit in your…
Having a spare tire or two is a great investment, especially if you drive a lot on and off the…
Anti-friction bearings make it possible for the wheels to rotate while they support the entire weight of the vehicle. Bearings…
Reports show that people spend an average of $4,975 for high-quality car paint jobs. It’s a price many are willing…
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs or hybrids for short) have two types of batteries. One of these is the standard car…
Never take your ride’s dome light for granted. Not only does it ensure the cabin is well-lit when you enter…
Every time you sit in the driver’s seat and look out your windshield, you’ve probably noticed the small black dots…
Bumpers protect your car from impact damage and help keep you and your passengers safe during a collision. However, some…
Upgrading to bigger wheels is one of the most popular modifications you can make, but it isn’t a decision you…
Summary The roll center is an imaginary point in space around which the car body rotates. When your vehicle shifts…
If you’re thinking about skipping out on tire balancing, please don’t. It’s important to keep your wheels and tires balanced…
Removing a rounded lug nut can be frustrating for any car enthusiast or mechanic. A rounded lug can be caused…
Summary Some of the common causes of lifter tick include a damaged lifter, loose spark plugs, and exhaust leaks. A…
The brakes are crucial to your safety on the road. A malfunctioning braking system could lead to accidents, as it…
It’s nerve-wracking when the trailer you’re towing sways back and forth. One of the common culprits behind this stressful situation…
90% of road accidents are caused by unreasonable driving behaviors, such as making sharp turns on tricky corners. The risk…
Summary The FPDM controls the voltage supply to the electric fuel pump to ensure it gets the right amount of…
Summary Putting your car in neutral allows it to coast, letting you move forward using the car’s built-up momentum. Some…
Summary A crate motor is a replacement engine that gets its name from being shipped in wood crates.Some possible reasons…
Summary The ESP BAS light could indicate an issue with your electronic stability program (ESP) or brake assist system.This warning…
Summary Lug bolts are fasteners securing the wheel to the hub. They consist of a threaded stem, a tapered head,…
Summary Tune-ups are preventive maintenance services that ensure your car performs well.Some signs your vehicle needs a tune-up include illuminated…
Summary The EGR valve controls the flow of exhaust gas to increase engine efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and lessen the…
Summary Seat belts are an important safety feature designed to secure the driver or passenger of a vehicle, holding them…
Summary Crumple zones are the areas designed to break down upon impact. They’re usually at the front and rear of…
Summary Remote start isn’t available for all vehicles. Cars built after the mid-2000s have dealer-manufactured remote-start systems available.Remote-start systems cost…
Summary How often you have to rotate your tires will depend on several factors, such as your driving habits and…
Summary The inertia switch is a device that cuts off the power to the electrical fuel pump in fuel injection…
Summary Some of the common causes of brake caliper bolt issues include bad brake pads, corrosion, insufficient lubrication, and brake…
Summary An FCW or Forward Collision Warning system alerts drivers when obstacles that may obstruct your vehicle’s path are detected.If…
Summary Tire mobility kits, also known as tire inflators or tire repair kits, are used to patch up bad tires…
Summary A transmission solenoid controls the flow of transmission fluid so that your ride can change gears smoothly.In some vehicles,…
Summary WD-40 can prevent or delay wear, protect surfaces, lubricate stuck parts, and clean other components.Do not use WD-40 on…
Summary Following the 3/4ths rule is always a good idea when picking out a floor jack. Also, it won’t hurt…
Summary The DPFE sensor is a small device usually mounted on the engine. It has two small tubes connected to…
Summary Steering wheels come in various sizes, but their measurements aren’t far apart. The average steering wheel size ranges between…
Summary The water pump is one of the key components of the cooling system. It recirculates coolant from the radiator…
Summary The Vortec engine is one of the most prolific and popular engine designs offered by General Motors (GM) that…
Summary The Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) Power button allows the engine to rev at slightly higher revolutions per minute (RPMs)…
Summary Bleeding the brakes is a maintenance procedure that forces brake fluid through the hydraulic system to expel air from…
Summary If an air bag doesn’t inflate completely, it won’t be able to provide enough cushion, leaving the driver or…
Summary Antifreeze raises the coolant's boiling point and lowers the water's freezing point.Engine coolant is a chemical compound that consists…
Summary The fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor monitors pressure to detect evaporative leaks and loose or faulty gas caps that…
Summary The anti-lock braking system (ABS) relies on fuses to protect its electrical circuits from overloads.If you remove the ABS…
Summary An i4 is an inline, four-cylinder engine. It has all the cylinders lined up with one crankshaft. It’s known…
Summary The electronic braking system takes orders from the electronic brake control module (EBCM), which is a microprocessor that controls…
Summary Reading spark plugs means evaluating their condition. This is typically done by inspecting the spark plug tip’s coloration, and…