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Scott, good to know about a 'typical' scan tool not causing problems with passing emissions. Thankfully my own cars seem to have no problem passing my state's very strict emissions testing (so far) though some of my friends cars have been a struggle to get through, but I probably shouldn't tell...

Autotech, I agree, it's pretty cool when a car becomes a part of the family. To so many people their just appliances, turn the key and go but to others of us they work their ways into being an integral part of our lives. I rarely sell my cars and when I do normally friends or family buy them...

Sorry, I could have been more clear about that. My point was that the Scan gauge didn't interfere with my emissions test, whereas a normal scan tool (the kind which only read and erase codes) would have. Kevin

Your welcome, it really is a powerful tool which can provide a lot of information. On long trips I'll typically toggle between different screens so I can look at different things, which entertains me :D To be honest most people who buy a Scan Gauge likely use it to monitor fuel economy as it...

Scott, the shimmy was there when I applied the brakes and only at certain speeds. I'm sure it was the rotors as I've had the same symptoms with other cars. I just changed them this morning but haven't taken it for a test drive yet. I do know that the old rotors had been turned at least once...

Glad you got it fixed Sweller! Kevin

Autotech, thanks for the welcome! The design of the truck was a pretty good one for the time. It does have a few shortcomings (lack of power in the early models, a V6 which was notorious for blowing head gaskets and weak rear suspensions). I've not found a practical solution for the lack of...

Sounds like a bad Lock Actuator. Easiest way to determine which one is bad is to disconnect each one, one-at-a-time. Once you stop blowing fuses that's the one which is bad (process of elimination). The bad part is in order to do that you'll need several fuses and you'll need to pull your...

I picked-up a set of stock-style (non-drilled or slotted) for my Corolla from O'Reily last night. I'm thinking I'll try the drilled rotors on one of my trucks since it's rare that I even have anyone in the backseat of my Corolla but both of my trucks see a lot of hauling and towing. It looks...

At least in my area a manual transmission anything is pretty rare. A couple of years ago I was thinking about buying a new Tacoma but I wanted a 4x4, manual trans and was told I'd have to special-order it. Cracks me up how many people can't drive a stick either. I'm teaching a friends teenage...

Good eye! That's the old man of my 'fleet'. It's a '93 T100 I've had since '95 (it was my first car!) It's not a manual (I often wish it was). I don't take it out much anymore on trips but for years it hauled all my toys all over the So.Cal. mountains and deserts (now I have a crew-cab...

Here's a quick write-up about one of my favorite gadgets. It's a ScanGauge II. It plugs into the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port at the bottom of your dashboard. In the US every car or truck since 1998(?) must have an OBD II port located someplace (fairly) close to the steering wheel. The OBD...

Ok, as requested, here's some pics: The Corolla The VW's. At least that's what they started life as, not much VW left these days :D Kevin

Scott, good point, although on my VW there is no power steering. Or power brakes, or power stereo (has a CB). Mine's an old air-cooled model from the 60's :D I definitely don't condone turning a modern car off on long downhills (or at all when on the road!) Kevin

Sure thing! I'll try to get something up tonight about it. For gearheads it's like crack; gives a LOT of live info that the factory gauges (if you can call them that) just don't also has some handy features relating to MPG too. Kevin

I agree with Scott, I always check the gap on my plugs, plus you never know how they were treated before you got them (think things never get dropped at the parts store? LOL) Plus several years ago I developed an ignition problem on a Dodge Ram P/U I used to own which turned-out to be due to...

I have no doubt idling does kill fuel economy. It can also drive coolant temps up too, depending on conditions. I have a Scan Gauge II I move around from car-to-car which gives me instant coolant temps (among many other things, I love that thing!). Though it all depends on the car, for...

Scott, I've heard about the problems with drilled rotors cracking, but not with name-brand rotors, though I'm sure under the right (or wrong?) conditions it could happen. I'm giving some thought to adding them to my tow rig ('04 Silverado on 35" tires) since I primarily use that truck for...

Awesome, this is just what I was looking for! I don't have any Advance Auto Parts near me but it looks like a place 10mins from me carries that brand and should have them in-stock. Thanks again for the info! Kevin

Looks great! Going with drilled rotors is tempting. I'm still thinking about going to those, although I'm not a very spirited driver. Thanks for the tip about using a bolt to remove the rotors, that seems to be a common trait on Toyota's as I've had to do that on the rear drums on my Toyota...