DIY Car Repairs Gone Wrong: Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them Before They Break You
About this episode
Exploring the pitfalls of DIY car repairs, this episode dives into common mistakes and how to avoid them. From brake jobs to spark plug replacements, the hosts share essential tips to ensure your repairs don't lead to bigger problems. They also discuss the importance of quality parts and proper techniques, emphasizing the need for accountability in both automotive and restaurant service. With insights from the restaurant industry, the episode highlights the parallels between service sectors and the necessity of teamwork and communication.
four cylinder engine
"a yellow four cylinder fair enough"
A four-cylinder engine is a type of car engine with four cylinders that make the car move.
A four-cylinder engine has four combustion chambers and is common in many cars for its balance of power and fuel efficiency.
shocks
"suspension works I mean you want to do your own shocks and some of the basic electric fixes"
Shocks help your car stay smooth when you hit bumps. They absorb the jolt so you don’t feel every bump in the road.
Shocks, or shock absorbers, are suspension components that dampen the impact of road bumps to keep a vehicle stable and comfortable.
Tesla
"coming with Tesla Susie we mentioned the rebates money is going away the incentives yes what just happened with Tesla"
Tesla makes cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They’re famous for their fast acceleration and large touchscreens.
Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its high-performance EVs and innovative technology.
legacy brands
"tesla owners are defecting to legacy brands"
Legacy brands are the older car makers like Ford, GM, Toyota, etc., that have been around for a long time and still make gasoline cars.
Legacy brands refer to traditional automakers that have been producing internal combustion engine vehicles for many decades.
EV
"do you think they're loyal because it's an ev"
An EV is a car that runs on electricity, so it doesn’t use gasoline and produces no tailpipe emissions.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car powered primarily by electric motors and rechargeable batteries.
charging stations
"when you go to a parking lot and you see those charging stations"
Charging stations are places where you can plug in an electric car to get more power, similar to a gas station for gasoline cars.
Charging stations are public or private locations equipped with electric outlets to recharge EV batteries.
lifecycle of an EV
"if you did the lifecycle of an ev how much did it really cost"
It looks at everything that happens to an electric car from the factory, through its use, and when it’s retired or recycled.
The lifecycle of an EV refers to the total environmental and economic impact from manufacturing, usage, and disposal.
wheel alignment geometry
"you're gonna replace tires uh a little more frequent uh frequent regarding geometry and i'm not the authority on it i've had folks like tex got brown out of claremont mesa who's just a tesla underhood guru um but you're gonna go through the tires you're gonna go through the control arms you will go to breaks i in fact i joke around you won't see me for an old change"
Wheel alignment geometry is how the wheels are set up on a car so they point in the right direction, which helps the car drive straight and use tires evenly.
Wheel alignment geometry refers to the angles and positioning of a vehicle’s wheels relative to each other and the road, affecting handling and tire wear.
control arms
"you will go to breaks i in fact i joke around you won't see me for an old change one old service i should say but you may see me because your tires are worn because the geometry in the weight of the battery okay but they dropped to the number two and to answer your question i i don't know for sure but i do believe um remember this is loyalty it doesn't tell me if this is new or existing it says tesla owners are defecting to legacy brands in greater numbers"
Control arms are parts of a car’s suspension that help keep the wheels in the right place as the car moves over bumps.
Control arms are suspension components that connect the wheel hub to the vehicle’s chassis, allowing for up-and-down motion while keeping the wheels aligned.
Model 3
"you’re driving your model three you've been driving you love it"
The Model 3 is a small electric car from Tesla that many people like because it’s not too expensive and can go a good distance on one charge.
The Tesla Model 3 is a compact all-electric sedan known for its affordability, range, and performance.
Plaid
"i'm gonna get a plaid what a really good cyber truck but you're a cyber truck"
Plaid is a special version of the Model 3 that can go very fast because it has extra power from three electric motors.
Plaid is Tesla’s high‑performance trim for the Model 3, featuring a tri‑motor setup that delivers very quick acceleration.
Cybertruck
"you either love it or you hate it everybody i mean what are you thinking now i gotta ask because you"
The Cybertruck is a big electric truck from Tesla that looks very different from other trucks and can haul heavy loads.
The Tesla Cybertruck is an all‑electric pickup truck with a futuristic design and high towing capacity.
Ford Mustang
"...sagree a lot of you tesla drivers allow that emak mustang no no no no but that emak mustang for a while wa..."
The Mustang is a classic American sports car that people love for its fast engine and cool look. It’s been made for many years, so it’s a well-known name in car culture.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car that has been in production since 1964. It’s known for its powerful V8 engines, aggressive styling, and strong aftermarket support, making it a favorite among performance enthusiasts. The podcast likely discusses its cultural impact or recent updates to the lineup.
Movia S
"the company microvision has a new lidar system out called the movia s it's a small affordable solid state lidar system"
Movia S is a small sensor that helps cars see their surroundings using light, and it’s cheaper than many other options.
Movia S is MicroVision’s compact, solid-state LiDAR sensor designed for automotive use, offering a balance of affordability and performance.
solid state LiDAR
"it's a small affordable solid state lidar system using a tri lidar setup"
Solid-state LiDAR is a type of sensor that doesn’t have moving parts, so it’s more reliable and cheaper to make.
Solid-state LiDAR uses fixed optics and no moving parts, making it more durable and cost-effective compared to mechanical LiDAR systems.
Ford Expedition
"turn your average car like maybe a uh ford expedition into a driverless vehicle"
It’s a big, family‑friendly pickup truck from Ford that can carry people and cargo.
The Ford Expedition is a full‑size SUV produced by the American automaker Ford.
driverless vehicle
"turn your average car like maybe a uh ford expedition into a driverless vehicle that"
It’s a car that can drive itself, using computers and sensors instead of a person behind the wheel.
A driverless vehicle is a car that can operate without a human driver, using sensors and software to navigate.
Parts Authority
"Wrench Nation support comes from Parts Authority, providing automotive parts and supplies for both professional mechanics and automotive enthusiasts."
Parts Authority sells car parts like brakes, batteries, and other components that people use to fix or upgrade their vehicles.
Parts Authority is a retailer that supplies automotive parts and accessories to both professional mechanics and car enthusiasts.
Wrench Nation
"Just get on a wrench nation and put in the search bar. Just type in brakes."
Wrench Nation is a store where mechanics and DIYers can buy tools like wrenches, sockets, and other gear needed for car repairs.
Wrench Nation is a specialty tool retailer that sells hand tools, power tools, and automotive repair equipment.
snorkel
"You went too fast and you left a snorkel, the air induction hose or what."
A snorkel is a tube that brings in fresh air from outside the car, helping the engine run better. It’s usually added to make the car faster or to keep it running cleanly.
A snorkel is an aftermarket air intake extension that pulls fresh air from outside the vehicle, often used to improve airflow for high-performance engines.
Denso
"Denso, Aysen, typically Japanese, European is Bosch."
Denso makes parts for cars, like the small pieces that help your engine start and run smoothly.
Denso is a Japanese automotive parts manufacturer known for producing components such as spark plugs, sensors, and fuel injectors.
spark plugs
"I'm not going to mention the spark plugs."
Spark plugs are tiny parts that help your car’s engine start by creating a spark in the cylinders.
Spark plugs are small components that ignite the air-fuel mixture in an engine’s combustion chambers, enabling the vehicle to start and run.
tune up
"So if you're not ready for the tune up financially, just save your money..."
A tune up is when a mechanic checks parts that help your car start and run well, like spark plugs and filters.
A tune up is a maintenance procedure that includes checking and replacing components like spark plugs, ignition coils, and air filters to keep an engine running smoothly.
Chevrolet Spark
"There's some special tooling. Spark plug tools have come a long way. It used to be j..."
The Spark is a tiny, cheap car that’s easy to park and doesn’t use much gas. It’s good for city driving.
The Chevrolet Spark is a compact, entry‑level hatchback that offers affordable ownership and efficient fuel economy. It’s popular in urban settings for its small footprint, low cost of maintenance, and surprisingly roomy interior. The podcast likely mentions it in the context of budget-friendly options or tool updates for maintenance.
Chrysler Pacific
"...ome of them are in some of the old... Well, like Chrysler Pacific, it's in the fender well, and your mechanic is t..."
The Pacifica is a large family van that can seat many people and has nice features like a built‑in screen. It’s designed to be comfortable for long trips.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a midsize minivan that blends family-friendly practicality with upscale features. It offers flexible seating, advanced safety tech, and a smooth ride, positioning it as a strong competitor in the minivan segment. The podcast may highlight its versatility or recent design updates.
diesel
"I did it with a diesel."
Diesel is a kind of engine that runs on diesel fuel, which gives more pulling power and uses less gas than regular gasoline engines.
Diesel refers to a type of internal combustion engine that runs on diesel fuel, known for higher torque and fuel efficiency compared to gasoline engines.
jump start
"[2614.9s] And you should be able to jump start. [2616.3s] And that's what you're talking about."
If your car won’t start because the battery is dead, you can use another car’s battery to give it a boost. You connect the batteries with cables and let the good battery power up the bad one.
Jump starting is a method of using another vehicle’s battery to start a car whose battery has died, by connecting the positive terminal of the dead battery to the positive of the good battery and the negative (ground) of the dead battery to a grounded point on the car’s chassis.
Volvo
"[2618.3s] Which vehicle? [2619.1s] Volvo?"
Volvo makes cars that are famous for being safe and reliable. They’re a well-known brand from Sweden.
Volvo is a Swedish automotive manufacturer known for its focus on safety, durability, and understated Scandinavian design.
memory saver
"you connect the memory saver to the data link connector"
When a car’s battery dies, the car can lose settings like radio stations or seat positions. A memory saver keeps those settings saved so you don’t have to re‑set them every time the battery is replaced.
A memory saver is a small device that plugs into a vehicle’s data link port to preserve the car’s electronic settings (like radio presets and seat memory) when the battery is disconnected or drained.
data link connector
"you connect the memory saver to the data link connector"
It’s a small plug‑in spot in the car where you can connect tools or gadgets to talk to the car’s computer, like a USB port but for cars.
The data link connector is a port in many modern vehicles that allows external devices to communicate with the car’s onboard computer for diagnostics, programming, or accessory integration.
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