Stephen Fogel

Stephen Fogel

Stephen has been an automotive enthusiast since childhood, owning some of his vehicles for as long as 40 years, and has raced open-wheel formula cars. He follows and writes about the global automotive industry, with an eye on the latest vehicle technologies.

Posts by Stephen Fogel

Signs of a Bad Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter prevents dust, pollen, and other debris from entering the passenger compartment through the climate control system. It is typically made up of a paper or foam filter that is suspended in a plastic frame.

The cabin air filter prevents dust, pollen, and other debris from entering the passenger compartment through the climate control system. It is typically made up of a paper or foam filter that is suspended in a plastic frame.

Signs Your Automatic Transmission Fluid Is Bad

The automatic transmission in your car is responsible for transmitting the engine’s power to the wheels, making them turn. It does this by “automatically” choosing the correct gear ratio, based on your driving.

The automatic transmission in your car is responsible for transmitting the engine’s power to the wheels, making them turn. It does this by “automatically” choosing the correct gear ratio, based on your driving.

Reasons Your Car Battery Dies, and What to Do About It

If you drive a gas-powered car, its battery provides the energy to turn your starter motor, crank the engine and get it running. It also powers components like onboard computers, clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off.

If you drive a gas-powered car, its battery provides the energy to turn your starter motor, crank the engine and get it running. It also powers components like onboard computers, clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off.

Signs of Bad Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a specially formulated fluid that transmits the pressure generated by the master cylinder to the calipers and/or wheel cylinders when the brake pedal is pressed. .

Brake fluid is a specially formulated fluid that transmits the pressure generated by the master cylinder to the calipers and/or wheel cylinders when the brake pedal is pressed. .

How to Know if You Have a Bad Wheel Cylinder

The wheel cylinder is a key component of a drum brake system. There is one on each drum brake.

The wheel cylinder is a key component of a drum brake system. There is one on each drum brake.

Symptoms of a Bad Muffler, and How to Fix It

The average muffler will last around five to seven years. It is a wear item, although improved materials and the hotter operating temperatures of today’s emission-controlled engines have resulted in higher-quality, longer-lasting exhaust system components.

The average muffler will last around five to seven years. It is a wear item, although improved materials and the hotter operating temperatures of today’s emission-controlled engines have resulted in higher-quality, longer-lasting exhaust system components.

Signs of a Bad Air Pump

The air pump is a key component of your car’s emission control system. The emission control system is very important for minimizing your car’s pollutants, as well as keeping it running efficiently.

The air pump is a key component of your car’s emission control system. The emission control system is very important for minimizing your car’s pollutants, as well as keeping it running efficiently.

Exhaust Tailpipe

The exhaust tailpipe is the final section of pipe in the exhaust system. It carries exhaust gases to the back of the vehicle, where they exit into the atmosphere.

The exhaust tailpipe is the final section of pipe in the exhaust system. It carries exhaust gases to the back of the vehicle, where they exit into the atmosphere.

Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Filter

The long-term health of your vehicle depends on a clean fuel filter. If you notice any of these symptoms of a failing one, have a mechanic inspect your car to see if the fuel filter needs changing.

The long-term health of your vehicle depends on a clean fuel filter. If you notice any of these symptoms of a failing one, have a mechanic inspect your car to see if the fuel filter needs changing.

Symptoms of a Bad Heater Blower Motor

The heater blower motor is a part of your heating and air conditioning system. It's a fan that pushes air through either the hot heater core, or the cold air conditioning condenser, and then into the car’s interior, through the appropriate vents.

The heater blower motor is a part of your heating and air conditioning system. It's a fan that pushes air through either the hot heater core, or the cold air conditioning condenser, and then into the car’s interior, through the appropriate vents.

Signs of a Bad Heater Control Valve

The heater control valve (or hot water valve) opens to allow hot coolant from your engine to flow through the heater core. Air from either inside or outside the vehicle then passes through the hot heater core, which warms the air before it enters the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

The heater control valve (or hot water valve) opens to allow hot coolant from your engine to flow through the heater core. Air from either inside or outside the vehicle then passes through the hot heater core, which warms the air before it enters the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

What Coolant Is, and How to Tell if It's Gone Bad

Coolant is the fluid that flows through your engine, keeping it from overheating. It’s a mixture of antifreeze and water, and its main purpose is to transfer heat generated by the engine to the radiator, where it can cool off before returning to the engine.

Coolant is the fluid that flows through your engine, keeping it from overheating. It’s a mixture of antifreeze and water, and its main purpose is to transfer heat generated by the engine to the radiator, where it can cool off before returning to the engine.

Are Your Hose Clamps Failing?

Hose clamps attach and seal a rubber hose tightly to a fitting. There are many different systems within your car that use hose clamps to secure hoses, keeping them from leaking where they are attached.

Hose clamps attach and seal a rubber hose tightly to a fitting. There are many different systems within your car that use hose clamps to secure hoses, keeping them from leaking where they are attached.

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Heater Core

What the Heater Core Does The heater core is actually part of the cooling system. As coolant circulates through the engine, some of that hot coolant passes through the heater core in the dashboard.

What the Heater Core Does The heater core is actually part of the cooling system. As coolant circulates through the engine, some of that hot coolant passes through the heater core in the dashboard.

Symptoms of a Bad Heater Hose

The heater hose is a key component of your car’s climate control and cooling systems. The climate control system is very important to your comfort and safety, while your cooling system is responsible for maintaining the proper temperature within the engine.

The heater hose is a key component of your car’s climate control and cooling systems. The climate control system is very important to your comfort and safety, while your cooling system is responsible for maintaining the proper temperature within the engine.