SlashGear - Tech, Cars, Gaming, Science, & Reviews

Why Do So Many Modern Cars Have Plastic Engine Covers?

staff@slashgear.com (Marko Mikulic) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 13:45:00 +0000

If you pop the hood on most modern cars you'll find a slab of plastic covering the engine. It turns out there's very good reasons why that's the case.

8 Car Parts You Can Buy From A Junkyard (And 3 To Avoid)

staff@slashgear.com (Daniel Feininger) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Picking parts at a junkyard can result in serious savings over buying brand new -- but beware, some hardware is best left in the heap!

4 Cool Camping Features Built Into A Bowlus (And 4 You Can Add Yourself)

staff@slashgear.com (Jack O'Neill) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Bowlus trailers combine vintage styling with modern technology, including solar panels, hydronic heating, and useful upgrades you can add yourself.

6 Winter Tires With Higher Ratings Than The Firestone Winterforce 2

staff@slashgear.com (Jack O'Neill) — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 22:30:00 +0000

The Firestone Winterforce 2 is a popular and by all accounts reliable winter tire, but if you're not constrained by budget, there are better performing options.

Are Van Ladder Racks Universal? What To Look For When You Buy

staff@slashgear.com (Tom Clark) — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Van ladder racks can be an invaluable piece of equipment for contractors, providing extra storage space on top of for ladders that wouldn't fit inside.

This Car Accessory Could Be The Solution To Cutting Road Noise On Long Trips

staff@slashgear.com (Daniel Trock) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 03:45:00 +0000

On longer trips, you start to notice things in your car that you might not normally, like excessive noise. This accessory could help dampen that sound.

This Car Mod Was Everywhere In The '80s – Here's Why You Rarely See Them Today

staff@slashgear.com (Eli Shayotovich) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Before parking sensors and cameras, drivers used a simple car accessory to help avoid curbs. Here's how it worked and why it became so popular.

The Cheap Car Accessory That Can Stop Your Tires From Drying Out And Cracking

staff@slashgear.com (Quina Baterna) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:45:00 +0000

If your RV or other vehicle is standing still awhile, its tires may be susceptible to dry rot and other problems. But there's an inexpensive solution.

5 Auto Parts And Accessory Brands Owned By ZF Transmissions

staff@slashgear.com (Azzief Khaliq) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 20:30:00 +0000

ZF Transmissions has been in the autoparts business for more than a century, but it didn't grow to its current size without making a few acquisitions.

How To Stop Your Ladder Rack From Whistling On The Highway

staff@slashgear.com (Alan Bradley) — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:45:00 +0000

When cruising down the highway in a work truck, a whistling ladder rack can drive you absolutely bonkers, so here's how you can cut the annoying noise.

Does Your Off-Roader Need A Winch? Here Are The Pros And Cons

staff@slashgear.com (Craig Rawlins-Wilson) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:45:00 +0000

If you're off-roading a lot, you've likely wondered if you should get a winch installed. They can be useful, but there are some downsides you should know about.

What Are The Biggest Differences Between Grip Tires And Drift Tires?

staff@slashgear.com (Tom Clark) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:15:00 +0000

If you've never driven on the track before, performance grip tires and drifting tires may be unfamiliar to you, but they've got all kinds of pros and cons.

15 Auto Service Brands That Are Owned By Mavis Tire

staff@slashgear.com (D Figg) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Mavis Tire has acquired some of America's best-known auto service chains, from DeKalb and Jack Williams to STS, Action Gator, and Town Fair Tire.

10 Valuable Car Parts You Should Be Looking For At Junkyards

staff@slashgear.com (Gozie Ibekwe) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 12:30:00 +0000

From engines and transmissions to rims and seats, these valuable car parts can be found at junkyards for much less than buying brand new replacements.

When Is The Cheapest Time Of Year To Buy New Tires? It Depends

staff@slashgear.com (Shane O'Neill) — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 22:45:00 +0000

Buying tires can be a very expensive endeavor, but there are thankfully ways to reduce the cost - one of which is to buy your tires at the right time of year.

Drawbacks Of Using All-Season Tires

staff@slashgear.com (Tom Clark) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:15:00 +0000

All-season tires are often thought of as do-it-all options, and that can be true, but there are lots of situations where more specialized tires will do better.

How Many Tear-Offs Are On An F1 Helmet And Why Do Drivers Use Them?

staff@slashgear.com (Madeline Cuccio) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 02:15:00 +0000

Formula 1 helmets rely on a surprisingly simple piece of technology to keep drivers' vision clear - and there's more to it than meets the eye.

13 Major Name Brands That Are Owned By First Brands Group

staff@slashgear.com (Syeda Laiba Alam) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:30:00 +0000

First Brands Group is one of the largest conglomerates in the world of auto parts, and even after bankruptcy, the group owns quite a few major brands.

This Simple Bike Rack Switch Could Have A Major Impact On MPG

staff@slashgear.com (Alan Bradley) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:15:00 +0000

While you're going to lose some fuel efficiency no matter what type of bike rack you put on your car, some types of racks will have less of an impact.

What Does GL5 Mean On Gear Oil?

staff@slashgear.com (Sead Fadilpasic) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Knowing what the ideal gear lubricant level is for your vehicle is vital for making sure everything remains in good working order within its machinery.