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 Some reasons why car maintenance costs are up include longer vehicle service lives, higher tire prices, and unavailability of…
Summary Persistent or unusual odors like rotten eggs, gasoline, and burning rubber often indicate mechanical issues pointing to fuel system…
Summary The Porsche 996 Turbo Automatic uses a Tiptronic gearbox, which allows drivers to manually shift gears on an automatic…
Summary Fast charging between seven and 22 kW won’t have any negative impact on your vehicle, provided that you’re also…
Summary When driving in spring, be mindful of pedestrians, potholes, rainfall, and floods. If you get seasonal allergies, pay attention…
Summary Iconic classic cars tend to be rather expensive, but that isn’t the case for all of them. You can…
Summary Having more control in personalizing your ride, preserving a classic Jeep, and learning new skills are some of the…
Summary Unless the clear coat shows no large damage, you must remove and replace it. You need a buffing compound,…
Summary The EV Dodge Charger lifespan is between 15 and 20 years. The EPA determines EV range and EV battery…
Summary Gentex sun visors are glass panels that can darken, protecting the driver from the blinding sun while maintaining the…
Summary You should be wary about paying for tire inflators because you can inflate your tire for free in many…
Summary Some of the best octane boosters on the market are the Torco Unleaded Fuel Accelerator, STP Octane Booster, and…
Summary The Sun Joe SPX3000 electric pressure washer is arguably the best option in terms of overall performance. The compact…
Summary Olive oil is a natural product that can also double as a strong cleaning agent. It can get rid…
Summary Some tips to keep in mind when charging an EV in winter include planning ahead, preheating the car, and…
Summary Before towing a car with a car, you'll need to consider the towing car's towing capacity, the vehicle curb…
Summary When restoring a classic car, don’t forget to create a game plan, decide on a budget, and find a…
Summary Chevy Silverado EV charging issues are usually caused by the battery, charging station, or battery management system. Level 1…
Summary You can use wax removers, clay bars, microfiber towels, erasers, or rubbing alcohol to get rid of wax on…
Summary Garage door openers rely on signals sent from the remote control, switch, or app to activate the drive mechanism…
Summary Before washing a classic car, make sure you have water, soap appropriate for your vehicle, microfiber towels, soft washing…
Summary Subaru has managed to become more reliable as a whole because of their use and development of a single…
Summary To use your reverse camera while driving, you’ll have to turn the audio off, open your system diagnostic menu,…
Summary A sports sedan is a sedan with performance that comes close to a sports car. Sports sedans exceed standard…
Summary Cars have been around since the 1800s, which is more than enough time for an impressive backlog of underappreciated…
Summary A muscle car generally refers to a car with long, boxy hoods with a large engine underneath. The classic…
Summary A V12 has six cylinders on each side placed on top of the crankcase. All pistons work with a…
Summary Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) is an advanced system that boosts handling and assists drivers with cornering. With the help…
Summary SUVs are larger, more powerful, and better suited to off-road driving compared to sedans and other smaller car types.…
Summary A Targa top is a type of car roof design that has removable roof panels and sturdy central bars,…
Summary Tweeters are loudspeaker drivers designed to produce high-frequency sounds. They convert electrical signals to vibrations to create sound waves.…
Summary Snow foam is a type of pre-wash that creates thick, white foam that breaks down dirt to make cleaning…
Summary Vehicles that were manufactured 20 or more years ago all fall into the classic car category as far as…
Summary The Honda two-motor hybrid system has an electric generator motor and a propulsion motor. Not only can it switch…
Summary Key fobs use RFID technology to communicate with the vehicle. These signals can unlock the doors and start the…
Summary Today, Scat Pack is a trim for modern Dodge Challengers and other models. In the past, cars that belonged…
Summary Wheel chocks are small wedges that you can place against your vehicle’s wheels to keep them from moving. There…
Summary The Jeep Comanche was a product of the pickup truck boom in the 70s. The Comanche truck was based…
Summary In some cases, extremely hot temperatures can become too unbearable even for a cooling system that’s been running well…
Summary To get rid of the smell of spoiled milk from your car, blot the spill first. Then, take out…
Summary You’ll need dish soap, degreaser, baking soda, or commercial cleaner to remove grease stains from your car upholstery. A…
Summary The choice between a truck and an SUV depends on your preferences and needs. Some things you need to…
Summary Typically installed in new Honda vehicles, a Collision Mitigation Braking System is a safety feature that automatically applies the…
Summary If your vehicle gets stuck in the desert, don’t leave your vehicle. Do your best to stay calm and…
Summary The indoor car cover is intended to be used inside enclosed parking areas. Meanwhile, the outdoor car cover provides…
Summary Check the turbocharger product to see if its emission levels are 46-state or 50-state legal. Turbochargers are either brand-new…
Summary A clay bar is a synthetic clay that can abrade contaminants embedded into your car's paint. Most clay bar…
Summary Rotisserie restorations are a method of car restoration that has technicians mounting the vehicle on a rotisserie capable of…
Summary Minor damage on your vehicle carpet can be fixed with the help of carpet cleaning kits while fixing large…
Summary You can paint the calipers, use caliper covers, and replace your brake pads to improve looks and performance. Cleaning…
Summary A hood scoop is an elevated section or an opening cut into a vehicle’s hood supported by a shroud…
Summary The most common car problems that need to be addressed immediately are bad alternators, dead car batteries, and flat…
Summary Some of the most common engine problems that affect Hyundai vehicles include carbon deposits, oil sludge buildup, and engine…
Summary Some types of catalytic converters are direct-fit, manifold converters, front and rear converter kits, and universal catalytic converters. Some…
Summary Tonneau covers are available in folding, roll-up, retractable, and hinge styles. Hard tonneau covers use rigid materials, such as…
Summary Using a floor jack, wheel chocks, and kneeling mat can make it easier to change your tire. A torque…
Summary Getting a new hood, grille assembly, and bumper can change your vehicle’s look. Installing a spoiler, exhaust tips, and…
Summary Stereos and head units are the brain of any car entertainment system. They instruct the rest of the sound…
Summary Installing a brand-new convertible top, spoiler, and decals is a great way to upgrade your car exterior and impress…
Summary Car electrical wires and cables transfer power or information between the different components in a vehicle’s electrical system. Car…
Summary Some vehicle owners leave their vehicle’s windshield wipers up during winter to prevent the blades from freezing onto the…
Summary Safety glasses are a must have to protect your eyes from any stray flying debris during an auto repair…
Summary Some vehicle owners leave their vehicle’s windshield wipers up during winter to prevent the blades from freezing onto the…
Summary The size, location, and amount of windshield damage must be considered before a windshield is repaired. The more damage,…
Summary A beater car is a cheap car that isn’t the best looking of the bunch. Ideal beater cars have…
Summary Summer tires work less effectively in the rain, but they aren’t dangerous unless they get cold. Summer tires have…
Summary The Kia Stinger is a reliable sports sedan known for its superb suspension and agile steering. It scored 81…
Summary Car paint can be ruined by prolonged exposure to sunlight, gasoline stains, and leaking brake fluid. Stains from bug…
Summary Classic cars can remain roadworthy for decades if properly maintained. Some ways to maintain classic cars include using ethanol-free…
Summary Rattling in the Tesla Model 3 is often caused by footwell problems, improperly fitted trim pieces, and loose seat…
Summary In general, you can expect to pay between $300 and $20,000 for a full-body car painting service. Some factors…
Summary Installing a tonneau cover, roof rack wind fairing, and mud flaps can greatly improve your vehicle’s aerodynamics and increase…
Summary Fog lights can use halogen, HID/xenon, or LED light bulbs, and each type has its advantages. There are fog…
Summary The portable car jump starter can start the engine of a vehicle with a dead battery. Always read the…
Summary Typically mounted to the bumper of a car, a winch is a mechanical device that can pull vehicles, trailers,…
Summary Important upgrades and accessories for off-roading include body lift kits, bumper absorbers, and differential covers. Other must-haves you should…
Summary Closing a Honda Passport’s fuel door is a pretty straightforward process and generally entails the same procedure as most…
Summary There are a range of different options you can take if your car’s been beaten up by hail. These…
Summary The front and rear car bumpers and grille are some of the most commonly damaged car body panels. Other…
Summary When choosing the right set of wheels, you need to consider a wheel’s color, finish, size, and design. Certain…
Summary Projector headlights for cars have the typical light source and reflector setup as other headlights, but they also use…
Summary There are three types of tire pressure gauges, namely pencil gauges, analog dial gauges, and digital gauges. When choosing…
Summary Recommended tools include an adjustable wrench, a bit driver, cable ties, a circuit tester or multimeter, a flashlight or…
Summary Must-have tools for a fishing trip include bed liners, a cargo rack, and a storage box. Other things you…
Summary Convertible roofs are typically made from vinyl or canvas. These materials allow the roof to fold quickly and neatly…
Summary Installing a cold air intake system, turbocharger, or supercharger can greatly improve your vehicle’s overall performance. For a “Fast…
Summary The Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mazda CX-5, and Mazda CX-9 are the models that get the most complaints about…
Summary Some of the best features and accessories to minimize the risk of road accidents include blind spot detection sensors…
Summary Some of the best accessories for driving during fall are the ones well-suited for activities outdoors, including but not…
Summary Upgrading your car’s A/C compressor and A/C condenser can greatly improve your A/C system’s cooling capabilities. If your A/C…
Summary Depreciation is how much your vehicle loses its value over time. Talking about how a vehicle depreciates is important…
Summary When cleaning a wrapped car, it’s best to do it away from the sun, dilute the car wash detergent,…
Summary If you want to upgrade your headlights, consider getting an LED conversion kit and a headlight protector kit. Installing…
Summary Automatic Collision Notification is a built-in safety feature that automatically alerts local emergency services when a vehicle crashes. It…
Summary Replacing damaged or worn-out components that require multiple parts can be quite challenging, especially when they have to source…
Summary Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car is for safety and convenience purposes. It also ensures peace of mind.…
Summary While there are general guidelines as to how you should park your vehicle, the task can be quite complicated…
Summary One of the best ways to personalize your vehicle is to install interior and exterior accessories that don’t have…
Summary Changing weather conditions can do a number on your vehicle. Therefore, it’s important to conduct routine maintenance before the…
Summary Huge engine upgrades can be quite costly, but there are some installations that are affordable and efficient at the…