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Mixing up the meanings of payload and towing capacity could cause you to overload your truck and cause damage to its chassis, frame, suspension, or tires. Barber Honda will help you understand how much weight your truck can carry and how much it can tow.

The payload rating of a truck measures how much weight can be placed in the bed and cab of the vehicle. It is calculated from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the strength of the frame. The payload capacity is generally far less than the towing capacity, which is a measure of how much weight…

Taking care of your car requires paying attention to details. This means details on the inside and the outside. There is nothing more frustrating than coming across a new scratch, ding, or dent. This is especially true if a chip in the paint happens. For minor chips, it is not always necessary to take your vehicle into a Bakersfield shop for a complete exterior overhaul. Using touch up car paint is a DIY project that many people can accomplish.

Always choose the color of paint that matches your car’s color code. This code can be found next to a…

A roadside emergency can be a stressful situation. The first step to getting through such an event is to make sure that you are safe. This means either pulling to the side of the road or getting as far from the car and traffic as possible.

An emergency situation may also be easier to handle if you are familiar with the tools available to you. For example, knowing how to use a jack can reduce the time it takes to change a flat tire. Having a cellphone with you makes it possible to call for a tow truck or otherwise…

You can get the clay bar treatment with any kind of exterior detailing service. Detailing should be done twice or more per year to maintain the beauty of your car with a clay bar treatment. These are special bars made with enzymes that protect against daily pollutants attacking your car's paint. You may not be able to see it, but there are issues with brake dust, rust, chemicals, and road debris that are affecting your vehicle's exterior every day.

Most people think a simple wax can protect against these issues, but that doesn't really affect the chemical…

You're driving along and the "check engine" light comes on. You know you need to take your car for service, but how do you choose the right mechanic? There's a saying that a good mechanic could be worth their weight in gold.

The first step in finding the right mechanic is learning a little bit about your car. You can access basic auto information online. You can find out the meaning of your check engine light and learn what goes into basic auto service.

When it comes time to pick the mechanic, check to see if the technicians…

Your vehicle’s suspension system is actually a complex collection of mechanical parts. All of those different components work together to give you full control over your vehicle no matter the terrain. That is why it is so important for all drivers to have a basic understanding of how suspension systems work.

When you are driving on surface streets in Bakersfield, your suspension is going to keep your tires pointing forward until you turn the steering wheel. As soon as you hit a speed bump or pothole, the struts and springs will keep the body of the vehicle relatively still…

A properly maintained differential is going to last for years, but major mechanical problems can still happen at any time. Problems with your differential need to be caught early on so that other key components of your vehicle don’t become damaged. Here are a few early warning signs of differential problems that should never be ignored.

As a general rule, your car should be inspected by an experienced mechanic if you ever notice any unusual whirring or grinding noises. Those noises are often the result of a differential that is no longer properly lubricated. You might also notice...

 

Testing the power of your car's battery is easy if you are using a voltmeter.

• Before getting the test results, be sure the car engine is turned off and you are wearing protective glasses and gloves.
• If there are any visible signs of corrosion on the battery terminals, use a small wire brush to create two clean contact points.
• The voltmeter is simple to use because it only has two cables, red and black.
• The red cable will be connected to the positive side of the car battery.
• The black cable goes on the negative side of the battery…

Just about every driver on the road understands that tires do not last forever. As critical as they are to your vehicle's performance and safety, they are basically disposable. A new set of tires is not a cheap prospect, either. So it makes sense that when you put a new set on your vehicle you will want them to last for as long as possible.

The good news is that there are things that you can do to ensure that you get as much out of your tires as you can. For starters, pay close attention to the air…

The manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and tailpipe are known to reduce noise. However, more importantly, the system is responsible for converting harmful gases and eliminating them from the vehicle. If one or more components wear out or become damaged, toxic fumes may enter the vehicle's interior, which poses a threat to occupants. As the gases are colorless and odorless, vehicle owners may not initially be aware of the problem.

Regularly inspecting your exhaust system may head off problems before they become serious. With the engine running, hissing...