What’s Involved in a Clutch Plate Replacement: A Step-by-Step Guide

A clutch plate replacement is a significant repair for manual transmission vehicles, requiring mechanical expertise and careful attention to detail. Whether your clutch is slipping, making unusual noises, or failing to engage properly, understanding the replacement process helps you prepare for the job or communicate effectively with your mechanic. This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of successful clutch plate replacement, including the tools needed, estimated time, and key considerations for a successful repair. 1. Signs You Need a Clutch Plate Replacement Before starting the replacement, confirm that your symptoms indicate clutch failure: If these issues persist, a clutch replacement is

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Things To Do During Breaks On Long Drives

Long road trips can be exciting, offering scenic views, the freedom of the open road, and the thrill of new destinations. However, spending hours behind the wheel can take a toll on your body and mind. That’s why taking regular breaks is essential, not only for safety but also for recharging and staying refreshed. Here are some fun, practical, and even entertaining things to do during breaks on long drives: Stretch and Move Around After sitting for hours, your muscles can become stiff. Use your break to get your body moving. Take a short walk, do some light stretching, or

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The Top 5 Common Transmission Issues and How to Prevent Them

Your vehicle’s transmission is one of its most complex and expensive components, responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. When transmission problems occur, they can lead to costly repairs and significant downtime. Understanding the most common transmission issues and their warning signs can help you address problems early and avoid major repairs. This article examines the top five transmission problems drivers face, with special attention to manual transmission issues requiring clutch plate replacement, and provides practical prevention tips to keep your transmission running smoothly. 1. Clutch Wear and Failure (Manual Transmissions) The Problem:Clutch wear is the most

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Episode 48, Monterey Peninsula couple rents vintage cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:30 — 36.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreClassic Car Week, the all-encompassing presentation on the Monterey Peninsula of all things automotive, including vintage cars, revitalizes itself yearly. Many auction and collection names remain the same. But newcomers, including Heather and Rob Gardner, help the collective refresh. The Gardners, who live in Carmel Valley, don’t host a rally, auction or concours. But they could. Instead, the couple will experience their first year of the nearly two-week gathering as owners of Monterey Touring Vehicles (montereytouringvehicles.com). Rob, a physician, and Heather, a research scientist,

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Concept cars have long history at Pebble Beach

Concept vehicles, sometimes with variant names like show cars, prototypes and dream cars, are made by manufacturers for two related reasons. Car enthusiasts thrive on viewing new cars, the more outrageous the better. Carmakers also rely on concept cars to gauge the public interest in a new vehicle. Can it potentially advance from the bright lights of auto shows to dealership showrooms to public driveways? General Motors designer Harley Earl is generally credited with inventing the first concept, the Buick Y-Job, in the late 1930s. Earl took his increasingly popular concept on the road in the 1950s in Motorama shows

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Rare Ruxton gets spotlight at Concours d’Elegance

Like other early automotive experiments, the Ruxton emerged via innovators and investors with big ideas and bigger egos. The marriages were creative, the cars extraordinary and failure quick. The short life of the exotic Ruxton, however, had more than its share of intrigue, resentment, failed financing and multiple layers of lawsuits. The result: the vehicle was named after New York stockbroker William Ruxton who was a friend of Archie Andrews, who owned the prototype. But the duo’s friendship ended when Ruxton, the project’s pending financier, scrapped the funding. He also sued Andrews to accentuate his lack of support for his

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Concours d’Elegance embraces rare, expensive cars

After a week of event overdrive, Pebble Beach Automotive Week will conclude, as per tradition, with the 64th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s the Sunday finale to the yearly homage to automobile and motorcycle history. The full-day affair will begin at dawn when an estimated 225 vehicles, including eight featured car and motorcycle marques, begin to assemble on the 18th hole fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Judging begins at 9 a.m. and the Concours is open to spectators beginning at 10:30 a.m. The award presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Each year, Concours d’Elegance

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Car art thriving at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

The artistry of automobiles is among the focal points of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Books to movies to songs, the style, history and craftsmanship of cars is celebrated in different ways. The Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) will observe the 30th anniversary of its members’ preferred method — automotive-themed fine art — during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. An estimated 250 works of art by about two-dozen artists will be showcased with the more than 200 cars on display. The work of three guest artists and two visiting artists from Japan will also be exhibited. An invitational-only preview is

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Sandra Button: Queen of the Concours d’Elegance

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The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was doing fine 30 years ago. It had honored the 100th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz and celebrated milestones of many others carmakers along the way — Bugatti to Ferrari to Maserati. Sandra Pruin (now Button) had also been hired as special events coordinator for Pebble Beach Company to help organize dog shows and golf tournaments — and the Concours d’Elegance part-time. The Conours was already internationally prominent and it remains the apex of Monterey Auto Week. But Button has now orchestrated the event for three decades. And she’s been a keen observer as the peninsula’s importance

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Strike A Pose at the 2023 LA Auto Show

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There are many ways to explore the new cars, reveals and concepts at the 2023 LA Auto Show, running from November 17 to 26. One way yet to be evaluated was how auto manufacturers would show off their best car pose. As the reader, you are requested to determine your favorites and leave a comment. I visited different manufacturers’ displays and asked for their best representative to give me a car pose. Some took it seriously, some embraced the weird and knew exactly how to show off their poses and the car. Asking someone to pose with the cars resulted

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Hot August Nights 2025: Reno’s Classic Car Show From Street Cruises to Rock ‘n’ Roll Vibes

As the high-desert summer ignites, Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks draws thousands of meticulously restored automobiles, transforming the streets into a rolling tribute to America’s automotive golden age. Now in its 39th year, the event stretches from August 5 to 10, 2025, drawing collectors, families and casual observers to witness classics like 1957 Chevrolet Bel Airs and 1969 Dodge Chargers cruising beneath the iconic Reno Arch, or parked at one of the 12 venues from Sparks to Downtown Reno. What began as a modest fundraiser has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, blending the growl of V8 engines with

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Blackhawk Museum, Danville, California

Golf to real estate, the Blackhawk Community represents different things to different people. For automotive enthusiasts, what matters is the Blackhawk Museum. It’s a testament to rare cars, Bentley to Ferrari, Packard to Duesenberg. But the museum, which opened in 1988 is more than place to gawk at some of the world’s finest cars. Instead, it’s an interactive part of the community. The museum has increasingly popular docent training program. It has also been pro-active with a three-level education program from students. The museum welcomed its 150,000th student last June. The student programs area divided into grades kindergarten through third,

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Who Decides the Fault in a Car Accident in Texas?

Did you know that in Texas, over 500,000 car accidents occur annually, with fault playing an essential role in each case? When you’re involved in a crash, figuring out who’s responsible isn’t just a matter of pointing fingers. It’s a complex process involving police reports, insurance evaluations, and legal considerations. With multiple factors influencing the outcome, understanding how fault is determined can greatly impact your recovery and rights.Please call The Echavarria Law Firm if you are in need of car accident lawyers in San Antonio. Understanding the “Fault” System in Texas In Texas, understanding the “fault” system is essential if

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Rainy Days Drive: Which Tires are the Best Choice?

Driving in rainy conditions can be quite challenging, not only for drivers but also for vehicles. Rain significantly impacts driving safety and comfort. Equipping your vehicle with the right set of tires is essential for better control, hydroplaning resistance, and smooth performance. Tires play a crucial role in how well your vehicle performs on wet surfaces, affecting braking distance, steering responsiveness, cornering, and maneuvering. By understanding how rain affects driving and tire performance, and what are the key features to look for in tires, you can prioritize your safety and peace of mind during the drive. How Rain Affects Driving

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What Should You Do if You Lose Control of Your Car?

The idea of losing control of your car, especially if you’re traveling at highway speeds, is quite terrifying. However, if you have a good understanding of what you can do to regain control of your vehicle and you stay calm under pressure, you improve your chances of avoiding a collision. In this article, we aim to provide you with the skills you need to regain control of your car and protect your passengers.  Understanding the Factors That Commonly Cause a Loss of Control Many factors can cause even an experienced driver to lose control of their car. Some hazards are

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Bandit Tow Trucks: The New Scam Hitting Car Crash Victims

Being in a car accident is stressful enough, but now, drivers have something else to worry about. Across California and beyond, a fast-growing scam is targeting crash victims in the moments they’re most vulnerable. These so-called “bandit tow trucks” appear at accident scenes without being called, haul away vehicles under false pretenses, and demand thousands of dollars in cash before releasing them. It’s the kind of situation that often ends up involving a car accident attorney, especially when insurance disputes or legal questions follow. In this article, we’ll explain how the scam works, the key warning signs to watch for,

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