It's almost car show season, folks, and that means we're about to be hit with an onslaught of new metal directly to our faces. That sounds painful, but trust me it's fantastic. The LA Auto show is...
The brake vacuum pump on the MK5 GTI (or any car with the TSI motor) is prone to failure. The main point of failure is a leaking gasket which causes a vacuum leak and directly affects braking performance. Luckily, replacement of the pump or just the seal is a straightforward process that anyone...
Your PCV system is an extremely important, yet often overlooked collection of parts that affects how well your car runs. On some cars, like our 2007 MK5 Volkswagen GTI, the PCV system is actually built into the plastic valve cover. Charles "HumbleMechanic" Sanville breaks down how the PCV system...
Let's face it, valve covers love to leak. I personally have one that needs attending to this winter. Thankfully, it's not too complex of a job on the MK5 GTI or any other car with the VW BPY engine. Whether you have an oil leak from your valve cover gasket or a vacuum leak from your PCV system,...
A failing wheel bearing is never a comfortable feeling. Usually, you hear it before you feel it. This sound ranges in volume from a slight hum, to something like you're standing next to a helicopter. Luckily though, on an MK5 GTI, replacing the rear wheel bearings is a job that most anyone can do...
Does your brake pedal or steering wheel shudder under hard braking? Do the pads sound like they're squealing at low speeds? Does your brake pedal engage lower than you remember? If so, than it's time to refresh your brake system. Here's how to do it yourself in just a few easy steps. Tools...
Every model year that passes, we have fewer and fewer new car options shipping with manual transmissions. This is becoming even more apparent and worrisome as we approach the age of the EV takeover. It might not matter to most, but to us enthusiasts, a grim future is quickly approaching where we...
One of the most overlooked services on any car is cabin filter replacement. While a vehicle is still under warranty, the dealership usually takes care of cabin filter replacement approximately every 20k-30k miles. However, as a vehicle falls out of warranty coverage, owners have a habit of...
Does your brake pedal or steering wheel shudder under hard braking? Are they squealing at low speeds? Does your brake pedal engage lower than you remember? If so, than it's time to refresh your brake system. Here's how to do it yourself in just a few easy steps. Tools needed to complete brake...
Have you noticed your car running warmer than usual? Are there grinding or rattling sounds coming from the front end when your fans are on? Cooling fan failures crop up in a variety of ways; sometimes they just stop spinning, other times their bearings fail and they can make contact with your...