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If you’re not too keen on working on your own car – or if you don’t know how – then it’s easy to make it a habit to take your car to the dealership or local mechanic for every small job. The only issue is that most mechanics and dealers charge high labor rates and something as small as getting a “check engine” light looked at can cost you some money. Instead of paying a mechanic, you can save money by heading to your local auto parts store.

Auto parts stores offer free check engine light scanning

An Auto Zone auto parts store | Getty Images

Has your car’s check engine light been on for a while? Believe it or not, some mechanics will charge you $50 to $100 just to pull the code from it and tell you what the issue is. Fortunately, many auto parts stores nationwide like Autozone, Pep Boys, and Advance Auto Parts will check that light for free.

No, they won’t be able to fix the issue right on the spot and they might not be able to tell you what the exact issue is. But they will plug in their handy onboard diagnostic reader and at least be able to point you in the right direction of getting the issue fixed.

Other free services are available too

A mechanic changes the oil on a car. | Getty Images

Aside from checking on the pesky check engine light, stores like Auto Zone and Pep Boys will even check your car’s battery. They can run a diagnostic on your car’s battery and even charge it for you in around 30 minutes. Also, if you need a new one, they can change the old one out for you on the spot and recycle it.

Autozone also offers free repair tools through its Loan-a-Tool service and when you’re done changing your car’s oil, they’ll recycle that old sludge for you. Since Pep Boys locations have shops attached to them, the store also offers free brake inspections, free windshield wiper installation, and even a free tire rotation.

Speaking of tire rotations, Discount Tire shops offer free tire rotations and lifetime balancing if you purchase tires from them. But even if you don’t, you can get your tire pressures checked for free and they’ll even patch up any nails. With all of the different free services available around you, there’s typically no need to spend money on simple repairs.

Save even more money by doing it yourself

Man in the process of changing his lawnmower's oil outside a garage, using a disposable aluminum catch pan. — Man in the process of changing his lawnmower’s oil outside a garage, using a disposable aluminum catch pan. | (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

If you want to save even more money on car repairs down the road, then you can always buy a basic tool kit and do some of them yourself. Thanks to YouTube, there are plenty of step-by-step video tutorials on how to conduct simple repairs on your car. And even the owner’s manual in your car’s glovebox might have some maintenance guides.

When should you not take your car to an auto parts store?

If your car is overheating or if it seems like there is a major issue wrong with it, then you might want to head to your local mechanic instead of an auto parts store. While an auto parts store can assist you with minor issues, they typically can’t help with larger repairs.

The post Save Money on Car Repairs by Using These Free Services at an Auto Parts Store appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

May 13, 2021/by Gabrielle DeSantis

Truck Toolboxes: Everything You Need to Know About this Essential Pickup Accessory

Motorbiscuit

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Pickup owners know that both securing and organizing items in a truck’s bed is no easy task. In fact, for some, it’s pretty challenging. That’s why, when it comes to shopping for pickup accessories, truck toolboxes are among the most highly recommended.

Why you need to buy a truck toolbox

F-150 pickup bed. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

There are several reasons why buying a truck toolbox is a good idea. Most of them, however, come down to security. In fact, according to LA Times, pickup toolboxes are known for providing building contractors and tradespeople of all types with a secure spot for carrying valuable items like handheld power tools, tool belts, and other things.

Security isn’t the only reason why buying a truck toolbox is a good idea. According to The Drive, storing small items in an oversized truck bed can prove challenging if you don’t want to lose items in the truck’s bed as you drive. Instead, having a toolbox provides convenient storage space to keep small items contained in a pickup.

The different types of truck toolboxes

There are many different types of truck toolboxes. The Drive reports that the most common types include saddle boxes, chest boxes, and side mount boxes. The saddle box is among the most common of the three and reaches from one side of the truck bed to the other.

Chest box toolboxes, on the other hand, sit on the floor of the bed. These truck toolboxes often offer more space for tools but can take up a good amount of space in the truck bed. The good news is that, according to The Drive, installing this type of toolbox isn’t all that complicated.

Last but certainly not least are side-mounted toolboxes. These are one of the most common types of pickup toolboxes and typically run the length of the truck’s bed. The Drive reports that they often work well with camper shells and tonneau covers too.

Key features you should look for in a pickup toolbox

Understanding what the most common types of truck toolboxes are is important. What’s equally important is what features you should look for. While theft protection is critical, so is weather protection. “Look at stainless steel boxes and heavy-duty aluminum toolboxes with a good powder coat for the best corrosion-resistant protection,” The Drive suggests.

According to Family Handman, another key feature to look for is convenience, especially when it comes to opening and closing the toolbox. Shoppers shouldn’t just test opening and closing the box, they should also test things like lock and latch performance, Family Handyman reports. How much force it takes to close the toolbox is important too.

The best truck toolbox brands you should be considering

As it turns out, several companies manufacture pickup toolboxes. The Drive reports that Weather Guard, Truxedo, Husky, and Undercover are among the best brands to choose from. Family Handyman also recognized Kobalt and Delta for manufacturing some of the best truck toolboxes on the market today.

Beyond the best truck toolbox brands, it’s important to note that boxes do vary in price. While a basic truck toolbox can cost under $150, several truck toolboxes will have you spending over $150. According to The Drive, there are even some toolboxes that cost more than $500.

Other pickup accessories to check out

A truck toolbox isn’t the only pickup accessory worth considering. In fact, according to Backrack, some of the best pickup truck accessories include truck bed extenders, camper shells, safety lights, and hooks and tie-down bars.

The post Truck Toolboxes: Everything You Need to Know About this Essential Pickup Accessory appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

May 13, 2021/by Gabrielle DeSantis

Only 6 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupes Were Ever Made, and 1 Sold for $9.7 Million

Motorbiscuit

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Bugatti Type 41 Royale Kellner is a classic luxury car that Automobiles E. Bugatti made between 1927 and 1933. The company’s founder, Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti, wanted to manufacture 25 of them for royalty, hence “Royale” in the moniker. Today, the Bugatti Royale Kellner is one of the world’s rarest and most expensive classic cars — they typically go for millions at auction. For example, in 1987, one Royale sold for $9.7 million.

The Bugatti Royale Kellner, 1 of the world’s most expensive cars, was a fiscal failure

Imagine being one of the most notable automobile designers of your time and learn of unfavorable criticism about your cars. How would you react? Most people in similar situations wouldn’t care about random criticism. But that wasn’t the case with Ettore Bugatti. Though the history is sort of vague, it’s said that he took exception to criticism from a British woman who said his car designs resembled those of the British luxury automaker Rolls-Royce. In response, he built the Type 41 and attempted to market it to royalty and the ultra-wealthy.

It didn’t work out too well for Mr. Bugatti.

He designed the Royale to be one of the world’s most luxurious cars at the time. But eventually, he discovered not even European royals were interested in purchasing such an expensive model. Back then, the Royale cost $43,000 — about $632,790 today when adjusted for inflation. On top of that, Mr. Bugatti led with his emotions, which resulted in his selling only a fraction of the number expected. For example, he canceled a Royale order for King Zog of Albania because he didn’t like how the leader ate.

Other possible factors that led to the Bugatti Royale’s failure include four-year delivery waits and the Great Depression. Even the wealthiest people back in those days became frugal about spending money on such luxurious items. Of the 25 or more models Bugatti had planned to build and sell, the company produced only six, excluding the prototype: the Coupé Napoleon, Coupé de Ville Binder, Cabriolet Weinberger, Limousine Park-Ward, Kellner, and Berline de Voyage. A crash totaled the prototype.

The Bugatti Royale Kellner is the only model not in a museum

The type of collector willing to spend millions on a car is typically not the type who sells vehicles they collect. This has been particularly true when it comes to Bugatti Type 41 collectors. Five of the six Bugatti Royale Kellner coupes reside in museums around the globe. The Kellner coupe is the only model owned and possessed by a private owner, whose identity is unknown. However, Swiss broker Lukas Huni has displayed it at various classic car shows around the world.

According to Gizmodo, it’s one of the nine rarest cars in the world. It sold for nearly $10 million at auction in 1987.

Not only expensive but also large

Baby Boomers are known for saying, “Cars in my day were built like tanks.” Well, the Bugatti Royale Kellner was made before their generation and definitely built like a tank. Constructed around a single 4.6-foot-long by 3.6-foot-high block, the Royale’s engine had a 12.7-liter displacement. To put that into perspective, some tanks used during World War I and World War II, such as the Renault FT, had only a 4.5-liter engine. Stronger tanks, like the T-34, used a Kharkiv model V2 engine with a 38.8-liter diesel engine, but that wasn’t until after WWII.

According to Motor Car, the engine had eight cylinders bored to 125 mm (4.9 inches) with a stroke length of 130 mm (5.1 inches). This meant the displacement in the Type 41’s engine was more than the Type 40’s entire engine size. A centrally positioned single overhead camshaft drove three valves per cylinder. Because Mr. Bugatti had designed airplane engines, it’s no surprise the Bugatti Royale Kellner coupe’s engine was based on an aero-engine design devised for the French Air Ministry. The only difference between the two was the configuration.

Engine technology has come a long way — the Bugatti Royale’s engine produced only 275 to 300 hp.

The post Only 6 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupes Were Ever Made, and 1 Sold for $9.7 Million appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

May 13, 2021/by Gabrielle DeSantis

Arrested Tesla Back Seat Driver Buys Another Tesla and Does It Again

Motorbiscuit

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A Tesla owner who posts images of himself riding driverless in the back seat of his Tesla was arrested for the offense two days ago. His Tesla has been impounded by the police as evidence. Today he is riding in the back seat of a new Tesla Model 3 he just bought and is posting images of himself once again. With Autopilot. No, we are not making this up.

The back seat rider is Param Sharma. He was arrested for two counts of reckless driving and disobeying a California Peace Officer. Once he got out he bought another Tesla.

“I’m very rich. I mean, I’ll just get another Tesla every time”

He told Bay Area TV station KTVU, “I’m rich as f***-I’m very rich. I mean, I’ll just get another Tesla every time. I have unlimited money to blow on Teslas. Like, if you take my Tesla away I will get another Tesla.”

He’s obviously setting himself up again to be arrested. Then, if he’s true to his word he’ll do it all over again and the cycle will continue. That is until he goes before a judge.

A judge will probably say if he does it again he goes back to jail

Parma Sharma in driverless Tesla | YouTube

A legal analyst told KTVU, “What I think you’ll see is his first court date is the judge will give him a very stern warning and say, ‘You are not to drive unless you’re in the driver’s seat of your vehicle. And if you do we’re gonna put you back in jail.’”

Sharma told KTVU he doesn’t think he poses a safety risk. Unfortunately, he is wrong. In California, autonomous vehicles must get permission from the DMV before they are approved to drive on public roads. Tesla has not done this yet.

Sharma breaks the law every time he pulls his Tesla back seat stunt

Tesla back seat driver Pharma Sharma — Parma Sharma backseat Tesla driver | YouTube

Tesla says the beta system it is testing is a Level 2 driver assistance program. So whether he knows or even cares Sharma is breaking the law every time he pulls his back seat stunt. We suspect he’ll be picked up again, and brought before a judge to be handed his ultimatum.

Sharma pleaded not guilty at his first hearing and plans on contesting his actions in court. But it is such a cut-and-dry case that it is highly unlikely he will get off. Now that he’s taunting the law it is assured.

He has said on Instagram that, “the backseat thing will be normal” by mid-2022. We don’t know where he is getting his information but he is also wrong about this. Being a Level 2 system it has far to go to meet the requirements for completely autonomous driving capability. And then it will have to be approved by the state.

“Teslas don’t crash”

2019 Tesla Model S crashed into a tree after police discovered the Tesla Autopilot was on with no one in the driverseat — 2019 Tesla Model S crashed scene | KTRK-TV – ABC13

Sharma says his Tesla stops for pedestrians and that Teslas don’t crash. He also says that if he has his license taken away he’ll just call Elon Musk to have him do away with licenses. Whatever that means?

Expect Sharma to be arrested once again today. His first trial is scheduled for July so it is still a bit off into the future. But this will probably be the last we hear of him until then. The police won’t be so lenient this time.

The post Arrested Tesla Back Seat Driver Buys Another Tesla and Does It Again appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

May 13, 2021/by Gabrielle DeSantis

Auto parts stores offer free check engine light scanning

Other free services are available too

Save even more money by doing it yourself

When should you not take your car to an auto parts store?

Why you need to buy a truck toolbox

The different types of truck toolboxes

Key features you should look for in a pickup toolbox

The best truck toolbox brands you should be considering

Other pickup accessories to check out

The Bugatti Royale Kellner, 1 of the world’s most expensive cars, was a fiscal failure

The Bugatti Royale Kellner is the only model not in a museum

Not only expensive but also large

“I’m very rich. I mean, I’ll just get another Tesla every time”

A judge will probably say if he does it again he goes back to jail

Sharma breaks the law every time he pulls his Tesla back seat stunt

“Teslas don’t crash”

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