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 If you’re wondering what a hot engine means if the AC is off, then there’s a good chance that…
Summary Payload capacity is the amount of weight a vehicle can carry, while towing capacity is the amount of weight…
Summary A transmitter pocket is a compartment for your vehicle’s key fob that lets you start the engine or leave…
Summary A powertrain malfunction is a general term used to describe a problem in the engine or transmission.The powertrain refers…
Summary Resetting the transmission control module (TCM) reestablishes its factory settings and makes it forget what it has previously learned.…
Summary Common instrument cluster problems include faulty backlights, inaccurate or no gauge readings, and malfunctioning LCD screens. It can also…
Summary Having a 110V outlet in your car is just like having a portable charging station. This means you can…
Summary Flat towing is a method where a motorhome or RV pulls another vehicle. A tow bar on the front…
Summary IVT stands for “Intelligent Variable Transmission.”IVT is a transmission setting that improves your vehicle’s fuel economy and makes your…
Summary Two scenarios could happen once you max out the mileage on your vehicle. The odometer could reset to zero…
Summary A triangle with an exclamation point is called a master warning light or general warning light. It indicates there's…
Summary The service shifter warning indicates an issue with the gear shifter and the need to service the part.The gear…
Summary The wheels will lose their connection to the steering assembly if the tie rod end breaks.The tire rods allow…
Summary Resetting the PCM puts your car back to its factory settings. Experts usually recommend resetting the PCM to clear…
Summary The service 4WD message or light appears when there’s a possible issue in the 4WD system that may require…
Summary An illuminated check emission system light means there's a faulty component affecting the vehicle's emission control.Some common issues that…
Summary FCW stands for "forward collision warning," a security feature that alerts drivers when there's an obstacle detected in front…
Summary BSM stands for blind-spot monitoring.BSM systems use cameras and radars to detect nearby vehicles and pedestrians in the driver’s…
Summary If the battery is weak or unable to hold a charge, the powertrain control module will trigger a “battery…
Summary DTE stands for “distance to empty.” It’s how far your vehicle can travel before it runs out of fuel.Not…
Summary An illuminated check gauge light means that one or several gauge readings aren’t within the normal range.Low oil pressure,…
Summary An active fuel management (AFM)-equipped engine deactivates cylinders by collapsing the corresponding valve lifters, which effectively stops the intake…
Summary Sealed transmissions are sealed off completely with no easy way to get to the fluid inside. Other than this…
Summary A Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is a fuse box, relay box, and electronic module all rolled into one.A…
Summary The transfer case control module runs the four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain and controls the process of shifting gears when…
Summary Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters help the vehicle’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system heat air inside the…
Summary A small block engine has small bores strokes, ports, and valves. Still, it’s capable of generating up to 5,800…
Summary Hybrid vehicle batteries generally last up to eight years or 100,000 miles. Over time, they won’t be able to…
Summary You can tell your transmission is slipping when it feels like you’re driving over ice or changing gears without…
Summary Low or dirty transmission fluid, a malfunctioning PCM, and other electrical issues can prevent the transmission from shifting properly.…
Summary Big block engines have big bores, valves, and ports, allowing them to produce tremendous amounts of power.Small block engines…
Summary xDrive is the proprietary all-wheel drive system of BMW, and it’s a feature that’s available in many BMW vehicles.xDrive…
Summary Using electrical components when the engine Is off discharges the battery.An illuminated battery discharge warning light can be caused…
Summary VSA is a type of electronic stability control that automatically adjusts engine output and applies the brakes when in…
Summary The cooling fan switch is usually on the radiator assembly. Not all engines come with a fan switch. In…
Summary The anti-theft fuse is typically in the fuse box on the driver’s side. Depending on the vehicle’s specifications, the…
Summary Nothing happens when you mix 93 (premium) and 87 (regular) octane gases. The mix is called “midgrade” gas.Some of…
Summary Wide tires offer improved traction and increased brake efficiency. They also give vehicles a more muscular look while improving…
Summary The rear differential seal is a seal in the differential that prevents the fluid from leaking out.You may need…
Summary The low fuel level warning light turns on when there’s inadequate fuel in the gas tank. It illuminates when…
Summary The EGR solenoid distributes engine vacuum to the EGR valve.The smell of unburnt fuel, knocking sounds, and a failed…
Summary TCS stands for “traction control system.”The TCS helps your vehicle maintain stability while driving on low-traction surfaces. The TCS relies…
Summary A steam cleaner effectively kills bacteria, getting rid of unwanted smells.You can use a steam cleaner to clean the…
Summary Ventilated seats are made from perforated plastic and have fans and ducts.The fans draw air from under the seat…
Summary An illuminated wrench light on your dashboard usually indicates that your car requires professional service. This tends to differ…
Summary Death wobble is a rapid oscillation of various steering system components that causes the steering wheel to move from…
Summary Ford’s EcoBoost has three key features, including direct fuel injection, turbocharging, and variable camshaft timing.The EcoBoost engine is an…
Summary The Honda Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) is an engine system designed to give drivers a…
Summary Chassis Control is a suite of three specific systems in modern Nissan vehicles that allow their drivers to have…
Summary Boxer engines are a type of flat engine with a cylinder bank angle of 180 degrees. The term “boxer”…
Summary Manufactured by Toyota, the 2JZ is a powerful engine with an inline-six cylinder unit. It has two inline-three cylinder…
Summary A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential, which is a gear train that allows the wheels on…
Summary Also known as adaptive headlights, an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) is able to adjust the direction and angle of…
Summary Most wheel lug nuts require around 100 pound-feet of torque, but some wheels might require more or less torque.…
Summary Disconnecting the throttle position sensor (TPS) will cut the powertrain control module (PCM) off from critical information it needs…
Summary An illuminated StabiliTrak service light means that the system will most likely be disabled until the issue is resolved.…
Summary The steps for replacing a throttle cable can vary significantly depending on your ride’s make and model. The process…
Summary If your car is making a chirping noise, you might be dealing with a worn serpentine belt, a failed…
Summary Also known as gear lube or gear oil, differential gear oil lubricates the metal components in your differential to…
Summary If your car is leaning to one side, your vehicle might have tire issues, a twisted chassis, or a…
Summary Faulty bulbs, a dead car battery, and a bad alternator are common causes of a malfunctioning turn signal bulb.Replacing…
Summary Adjusting the steering gear box is something you need to know if you want to keep your car in…
Summary Dashboard lights usually dim when the headlights are on because the vehicle adjusted the dashboard’s brightness based on the…
Summary The clutch slave cylinder disengages the clutch from the engine by moving the pressure plate.When the clutch slave cylinder…
Summary Wheel locks are specialty lug nuts that prevent thieves from stealing the wheels and require their wheel lock key…
Summary Suspension components need fresh grease to lubricate their areas and remove contaminants from the joints and the ball-and-bearing assembly.Keeping…
Summary Steering rack bushings (a.k.a. rack and pinion bushings) dampen vibrations while making turns. Common symptoms of a bad steering…
Summary The seat belt warning light is a dashboard light that flashes when it detects that someone isn't wearing their…
Summary Rotary engines usually appear in sports cars that need high performance. Rotary engines have a four-step combustion cycle (intake,…
Summary A bad main relay can cause problems like a no-start condition, unreliable vehicle ignition, an engine that won’t stay…
Summary A bad timing gear will create a rattling noise from your engine. Your engine will also run rough or…
Summary You might notice a strong exhaust smell outside your car.The possible reasons for the potent exhaust smell include a…
Summary If your A/C won’t blow cold air, then your A/C system might have low refrigerant levels, a clogged air…
Summary Window regulators lift and lower your car’s window panels using a mechanism that consists of brackets, gears, and cables.…
Summary The main difference between diesel and gas engines is in the fuel they use. Gasoline burns faster and produces…
Summary A vacuum coolant filler is a tool specifically designed to remove all of the air in a vehicle’s cooling…
Summary Park assist is an automatic parking aid found in many recent vehicle models. Compared to early parking sensors, park…
Summary If your vehicle won’t lock or unlock with your key fob, it can be a great inconvenience.Possible reasons your…
Summary When there’s a significant lack of freon in your vehicle’s system, it can cause a number of problems. Refrigerant…
Summary The American Petroleum Institute (API) sets the bar for oil products. The API seal of certification on engine oil…
Summary There are scenarios where vehicles can make a deep, rhythmic thumping sound combined with a high-pitched whirring noise, much…
Summary Hose clamp pliers, also called hose clip pliers, are specifically designed to make pulling out hose clamps easier. They…
Summary Warming up the engine before departing might feel necessary, but it isn’t always the case. The ideal idle time…
Summary The fix for this problem can be as simple as topping up your transmission fluid, repairing or replacing faulty…
Summary Tow bars are equipment attached to a vehicle that needs to be towed. The tow bar doesn’t lift the…
Summary A tire might not come off because of rust, warped wheels, or stuck lug nuts. You can use brute…
Summary A leaking radiator cap will leak coolant, causing low coolant levels, which can result in overheating.A leaking radiator cap…
Summary You might need to replace your engine’s piston rings if your vehicle misfires, emits discolored smoke, has poor acceleration,…
Summary Primary oil filters clean and remove impurities from the oil used in the engine. They’re the most common type…
Summary It can be annoying when your vehicle honks on its own. There are a number of explanations behind this…
Summary Battery drop testing, or voltage drop testing, is a procedure done to find out if the battery cables and…
Summary Some cars tend to struggle to go uphill due common issues associated with poor power or pull.Reasons your car…
Summary “No key detected” is one long-standing and frustrating problem that the Nissan Altima can develop.Reasons your Nissan Altima can’t…
Summary A crossmember is a steel or aluminum bar that runs across the vehicle to support the transmission. It’s usually…
Summary A steering stabilizer, also known as a steering dampener, dampens and absorbs sudden motions in the steering linkage to…
Summary The tachometer measures the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM).The RPM might jump while driving because of bad parts like…
Summary Before draining your gas tank, make sure to disconnect the negative battery terminals, find a ventilated area, and prepare…
Summary Most older vehicles have a point-type ignition system, which uses ignition points, a set of electrical contacts that switch…
Summary A bent or clogged tailpipe, a missing or damaged catalytic converter, and an exhaust manifold leak are common reasons…
Summary Common symptoms of brake booster sensor failure include an illuminated check engine light, a stiff brake pedal, and a…