Chad Swiatecki
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Articles by Chad Swiatecki
Mechanic Shares How Drivers Ruin Their Transmissions—You’re Probably Guilty Of This Bad Habit
When it comes to your car’s transmission, death by a thousand cuts isn't just an overused literary term. The ugly truth is that years of seemingly harmless little habits inflict damage that adds up over time, leading to an expensive and aggravating failure. That’s the warning from mechanic RCJMobileMecanics (@rcjmobilemechanics), who wants inattentive drivers to realize the damage that their poor shifting behavior is causing.
Mechanic Shares How Drivers Ruin Their Transmissions—You’re Probably Guilty Of This Bad Habit
When it comes to your car’s transmission, death by a thousand cuts isn't just an overused literary term. The ugly truth is that years of seemingly harmless little habits inflict damage that adds up over time, leading to an expensive and aggravating failure. That’s the warning from mechanic RCJMobileMecanics (@rcjmobilemechanics), who wants inattentive drivers to realize the damage that their poor shifting behavior is causing.
Woman Drives 2024 Ford. The She Drives A 2025 Ford—And Misses A New Design Change Going 40 Miles An Hour
There are plenty of things you don't want to happen while driving 40 miles an hour. Accidentally putting your car in park has to rank pretty high on the list. But that's exactly what happened to one Ford driver in Alabama, and the explanation has less to do with careless driving than with a design change she didn't see coming.
Woman Drives 2024 Ford. The She Drives A 2025 Ford—And Misses A New Design Change Going 40 Miles An Hour
There are plenty of things you don't want to happen while driving 40 miles an hour. Accidentally putting your car in park has to rank pretty high on the list. But that's exactly what happened to one Ford driver in Alabama, and the explanation has less to do with careless driving than with a design change she didn't see coming.
Man's Sunroof Malfunctions. Then It Rains: 'Shout Out Range Rover... Your Software Sucks'
Car dealerships sometimes hand out branded umbrellas as promotional gifts, hoping customers will carry a little free advertising around on rainy days. But for one Range Rover driver, an umbrella has become something considerably more important than a marketing accessory, and might even qualify as essential equipment. A social media clip from Range Rover owner Rohan (@hinduhomeboy) starts out absurd, since he’s got an open umbrella sticking out of the vehicle’s sunroof.
Man Drives Range Rover With Electric Sunroof. Then It Starts Raining: 'This Is My Sign...'
Car dealerships sometimes hand out branded umbrellas as promotional gifts, hoping customers will carry a little free advertising around on rainy days. But for one Range Rover driver, an umbrella has become something considerably more important than a marketing accessory, and might even qualify as essential equipment. A social media clip from Range Rover owner Rohan (@hinduhomeboy) starts out absurd, since he’s got an open umbrella sticking out of the vehicle’s sunroof.
Man’s Car Gets Hit. A Tow Truck Shows Up. Then The Alarm Bells Start Going Off: ‘Don't Let It Take Your Car’
Tow truck drivers have never been contenders to win popularity contests among motorists. But there's a special category for those who descend on accident scenes like vultures, hoping to haul away a damaged vehicle before its owner even knows what hit them—literally. That less-than-flattering side of the towing business is on full display in a recent TikTok clip that follows the aftermath of a multi-car accident.
Man’s Car Gets Hit. A Tow Truck Shows Up. Then The Alarm Bells Start Going Off: ‘Don't Let It Take Your Car’
Tow truck drivers have never been contenders to win popularity contests among motorists. But there's a special category for those who descend on accident scenes like vultures, hoping to haul away a damaged vehicle before its owner even knows what hit them—literally. That less-than-flattering side of the towing business is on full display in a recent TikTok clip that follows the aftermath of a multi-car accident.
Chevy Bolt Driver Pulls Into Charging Lot After Forgetting To Charge At Home—It’s Full Of Teslas: ‘I Can Feel The Hate’
Unless you’re driving a luxury vehicle, you’re probably picking the cheapest gas every time you fill up. Gas is already expensive as it is; you likely don't want to make it an even bigger expense unless you have to. In a video with more than 132,000 views, fuel hauler Blaine (@houseofblaine) shares a “gasoline fun fact” while he fills a gas station's underground fuel supply. “When you fill up your car at the pump, you probably put in 87-octane regular gas,” Blaine says.
Chevy Bolt Driver Pulls Into Charging Lot After Forgetting To Charge At Home—It’s Full Of Teslas: ‘I Can Feel The Hate’
Flipboard provides you with personalized news and content based on your interests. We use Essential cookies and similar technologies to (i) help tailor content based on how you interact with content in our services and (ii) analyze site usage. We also work with our 58 partners to use Advertising cookies and similar technologies as described below: You can object to the processing of your information for advertising purposes at any time.
Chevy Bolt Driver Pulls Into Charging Lot After Forgetting To Charge At Home—It’s Full Of Teslas: ‘I Can Feel The Hate’
Unless you’re driving a luxury vehicle, you’re probably picking the cheapest gas every time you fill up. Gas is already expensive as it is; you likely don't want to make it an even bigger expense unless you have to. In a video with more than 132,000 views, fuel hauler Blaine (@houseofblaine) shares a “gasoline fun fact” while he fills a gas station's underground fuel supply. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Man Takes GMC Denali To Shell Gas Station. Then He Opens The Fuel Door—And It Starts Smoking
Some drivers treat the low-fuel warning as an urgent directive to find a gas station. Others seem to regard it as a polite suggestion that can be ignored until the vehicle provides more persuasive evidence that it may literally be running on fumes. Then there’s the rare breed of folks who apparently believe that the laws of internal combustion are negotiable.
Man Takes GMC Denali To Shell Gas Station. Then He Opens The Fuel Door—And It Starts Smoking
Some drivers treat the low-fuel warning as an urgent directive to find a gas station. Others seem to regard it as a polite suggestion that can be ignored until the vehicle provides more persuasive evidence that it may literally be running on fumes. Then there’s the rare breed of folks who apparently believe that the laws of internal combustion are negotiable.
Woman Sits In Hyundai Elantra. Then She Realizes Something Strange About All The Doors
Locking your car door is second nature to most drivers. You've done it countless times, so you just reach up and pop the lock without thinking. Hyundai apparently wants its drivers to break that habit—or learn a new one. That's one of the conclusions to be drawn from a recent TikTok, which features a befuddled Elantra owner checking to make sure her doors are locked while she's inside the car.
Woman Sits In Hyundai Elantra. Then She Realizes Something Strange About All The Doors
Locking your car door is second nature to most drivers. You've done it countless times, so you just reach up and pop the lock without thinking. Hyundai apparently wants its drivers to break that habit—or learn a new one. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you. Email is required Email is already registered. Please sign in instead.
Mechanic Works On Toyota That Reads 'Toyoda.' Then He Realizes It's Supposed To Be Toyoda
If you found a Toyota part stamped “TOYODA,” you’d be forgiven for assuming somebody at the factory had a bad day. Or maybe that the part came from some questionable aftermarket supplier. Neither explanation would be right. The natural question is, is it a mistake or treasure? That single D lands the part somewhere between mechanical oddity and pre-globalization artifact, and opens up a history lesson to the days before Toyota was actually Toyota.
Mechanic Works On Toyota That Reads 'Toyoda.' Then He Realizes It's Supposed To Be Toyoda
If you found a Toyota part stamped “TOYODA,” you’d be forgiven for assuming somebody at the factory had a bad day. Or maybe that the part came from some questionable aftermarket supplier. Neither explanation would be right. The natural question is, is it a mistake or treasure? That single D lands the part somewhere between mechanical oddity and pre-globalization artifact, and opens up a history lesson to the days before Toyota was actually Toyota.
Man Goes To Car Dealership. Then He Falls Victim To The Little-Known ‘Technician Trap‘
Here’s the fairytale version of life as a mechanic: the better you get at fixing cars, the more money you make. That’s how things are supposed to work in a perfect world, but a former dealership technician says auto repair at a dealership can completely flip that equation on its head.
Man Goes To Car Dealership. Then He Falls Victim To The Little-Known ‘Technician Trap‘
Here’s the fairytale version of life as a mechanic: the better you get at fixing cars, the more money you make. That’s how things are supposed to work in a perfect world, but a former dealership technician says auto repair at a dealership can completely flip that equation on its head. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you. Email is required Email is already registered. Please sign in instead. Start reading
Man Goes To Car Dealership. Then He Falls Victim To The Little-Known ‘Technician Trap‘
Surveillance 5 hours ago He built his own Flock-style camera to track police. The police didn’t like it Straight Arrow - Mikael Thalen • 5h Full story As he watched the U.S. debate over law enforcement’s use of Flock surveillance cameras, an idea came to Canadian YouTuber Anthony Sistilli.
Woman Uses State Farm Roadside Assistance. Then The Company Cancels Her Coverage: ‘I’ve Been A Customer For 17 Years’
A dead battery, flat tire, or breakdown is frustrating enough on its own. Insurance is supposed to make those moments easier by providing a safety net. But some people find out that after you finally use it you can apparently wind up getting penalized for it. That’s what TikTokker Mandy (@mandyv91) says she recently discovered when she received a letter from State Farm notifying her that her roadside assistance coverage had been canceled despite her being a loyal customer for 17 years.
Woman Uses State Farm Roadside Assistance. Then The Company Cancels Her Coverage: ‘I’ve Been A Customer For 17 Years’
Flipboard provides you with personalized news and content based on your interests. We use Essential cookies and similar technologies to (i) help tailor content based on how you interact with content in our services and (ii) analyze site usage. We also work with our 58 partners to use Advertising cookies and similar technologies as described below: You can object to the processing of your information for advertising purposes at any time.
Woman Uses State Farm Roadside Assistance. Then The Company Cancels Her Coverage: ‘I’ve Been A Customer For 17 Years’
A dead battery, flat tire, or breakdown is frustrating enough on its own. Insurance is supposed to make those moments easier by providing a safety net. But some people find out that after you finally use it you can apparently wind up getting penalized for it. That’s what TikTokker Mandy (@mandyv91) says she recently discovered when she received a letter from State Farm notifying her that her roadside assistance coverage had been canceled despite her being a loyal customer for 17 years.
Woman’s Work Truck Gets Towed. Then She Tries To Just Drive Away Without Paying
The tow truck driver had already pulled off the hard part, extracting a tractor-trailer that had bottomed out in a parking lot. That should have been the toughest part of his day. Instead, a viral TikTok clip that's been viewed more than 470,000 times shows the real struggle came afterward, when the driver of the briefly land-locked semi apparently decided she wasn’t ready to pay for the rescue.
Woman Doesn’t Realize She Needs Tires Rotated. Then She Sees How Much It Costs 30,000 Miles Later: ‘They Rotate When Driving?’
Of course tires rotate when you drive. That, unfortunately, is not what mechanics mean when they tell you to rotate your tires, as one woman recently learned thanks to an unexpected $500 repair bill. Ohio-based creator Tori (@chickfilalvr) let her guard down in a recent viral clip. She shares the details of learning far too late how important it is to have her tires moved around to the different wheel wells on her car.
Woman Goes To Take 5 For Oil Change. Her Ford Explorer Begins Smoking When She Drives Away: 'My Random Day Off Cost Me My Car'
An Ohio woman believes her car was damaged—possibly beyond repair—at a Take 5 Oil Change. What was supposed to be a routine oil change ended in heavy smoke, leaking oil, and a phone call suggesting the 2017 Ford Explorer might actually be on fire. Stephanie (@stephanie_ann_s) is clearly distraught in a recent TikTok clip. She says she made it through the past two weeks without her beloved Ford Explorer, which has been sidelined since a trip to a Take 5 Oil Change shop in her neighborhood.
Woman Buys Mercedes-Benz. Then It Rains: ‘This Is Why BMW Is Better’
The sunroof was closed; that much was certain. But in a recent video filmed inside a premium trim Mercedes-Benz, the sunroof was taking in water like a submarine with a leak. The clip from New Jersey creator Helen Santana (@helensantanahomes) catches her nearly at a loss for words. Water cascades from her sunroof, pooling at her feet as rain falls. “It’s literally raining in my car,” she said in the clip that's been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
Woman Buys Mercedes-Benz. Then It Rains: ‘This Is Why BMW Is Better’
The sunroof was closed; that much was certain. But in a recent video filmed inside a premium trim Mercedes-Benz, the sunroof was taking in water like a submarine with a leak. The clip from New Jersey creator Helen Santana (@helensantanahomes) catches her nearly at a loss for words. Water cascades from her sunroof, pooling at her feet as rain falls. “It’s literally raining in my car,” she said in the clip that's been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
Man Complains About Bicyclists Using The Road Instead Of The Bike Path. It Sparked A Major Debate
The two cyclists riding side by side on a two-lane road don’t seem to think they’re doing anything more than enjoying a sunny day and getting some exercise. But for the driver stuck behind them, they’re misusing valuable infrastructure while also ignoring some bicycle-friendly accommodations located just a few yards from them.
Man Complains About Bicyclists Using The Road Instead Of The Bike Path. It Sparked A Major Debate
The two cyclists riding side by side on a two-lane road don’t seem to think they’re doing anything more than enjoying a sunny day and getting some exercise. But for the driver stuck behind them, they’re misusing valuable infrastructure while also ignoring some bicycle-friendly accommodations located just a few yards from them.
Man Complains About Bicyclists Using The Road Instead Of The Bike Path. It Sparked A Major Debate
8 hours ago It’s not every day that Kate Middleton comes to pick you up for lunch, but 94-year-old Stella Drewett was unfazed by her royal encounter. The Princess of Wales, 44, spent the day with West Sussex Minibus, a volunteer-led community transport organization in Pulborough, England, that helps people stay …
Austin's grayDUCK gallery closes after 16 years — on founder's own terms
grayDUCK Gallery invited supporters to a wake Saturday night. But there wasn’t much mourning going on inside the compact art space that had carved out a distinct niche on East Cesar Chavez. More than 100 people passed through over several hours, celebrating owner Jill Schroeder’s 16-year run since opening grayDUCK in an even smaller space off South First Street.
Man Gets Valvoline Oil Change During 800-Mile Road Trip. Then His Toyota Starts Being Weird
An oil change is supposed to be one of the least eventful parts of owning a car. Seven hours after getting their oil swapped out at Valvoline, a South Carolina family says they were staring at a dry dipstick as oil poured out of their Toyota Tacoma. The viral TikTok from creator @astrid.arv shows the dipstick with barely a trace of lubricant, while a look under the truck shows oil dripping and evidence of oil splashing on other parts of the undercarriage.
Man Gets Valvoline Oil Change During 800-Mile Road Trip. Then His Toyota Starts Being Weird
An oil change is supposed to be one of the least eventful parts of owning a car. Seven hours after getting their oil swapped out at Valvoline, a South Carolina family says they were staring at a dry dipstick as oil poured out of their Toyota Tacoma. The viral TikTok from creator @astrid.arv shows the dipstick with barely a trace of lubricant, while a look under the truck shows oil dripping and evidence of oil splashing on other parts of the undercarriage.
Man Goes To The Car Dealership. Then He’s Faced With An All-Too-Common Price Decision
A car salesman says there’s one question buyers should answer before deciding between a low annual percentage rate (APR) and a big rebate: How long are you actually going to keep the car? Addressing that question is a useful place for prospective buyers to start their negotiation process, but it’s not the hard-and-fast rule the salesman's video makes it sound like.
Man Goes To Dealership. Then He’s Faced With The All-Too-Common Decision About Price
A car salesman says there’s one question buyers should answer before deciding between a low annual percentage rate (APR) and a big rebate: How long are you actually going to keep the car? Addressing that question is a useful place for prospective buyers to start their negotiation process, but it’s not the hard-and-fast rule the salesman's video makes it sound like.
Car Catches Fire. Then A Stranger Puts Out The Flames. But Could He Get In Trouble For Helping?
A car fire doesn’t offer much time for deliberation. Many people just drive past and thank their lucky stars it isn't their vehicle going up in flames. On a Houston, Texas roadside, one driver saw the black smoke, pulled over, and sprang into action. Thankfully, he had what he needed to put out much of the fire before the big red fire truck arrived. His actions left some people wondering if he could be held liable for trying to help.
Junkyard Worker Goes Through Man’s Car. What She Finds Has Her Making A PSA For The Girlfriend: ‘If This Is Your Man'
Sherlock Holmes had his magnifying glass. Dr. Who has the TARDIS. Olivia Benson has a badge. A Florida junkyard worker apparently needs only a wrecked sedan, an abandoned iPhone, and a box of prophylactics to put together a case against the vehicle’s former owner. A viral TikTok clip filmed in a Florida junkyard finds creator Ashlyn (@waterwithash) putting on her detective hat as she sorts through a totaled car.
Junkyard Worker Goes Through Man’s Car. What She Finds Has Her Making A PSA For The Girlfriend: ‘If This Is Your Man'
Sherlock Holmes had his magnifying glass. Dr. Who has the TARDIS. Olivia Benson has a badge. A Florida junkyard worker apparently needs only a wrecked sedan, an abandoned iPhone, and a box of prophylactics to put together a case against the vehicle’s former owner. A viral TikTok clip filmed in a Florida junkyard finds creator Ashlyn (@waterwithash) putting on her detective hat as she sorts through a totaled car.
To book a venue for his show, an Austin musician sold tickets first
At his first-ever headline concert in Austin, soul-rock singer Pascal Kerong'A showed little trace of jitters as he led his four-piece band through a pulsing, sweaty set at How Much?! Studios in Central Austin. But it wasn’t just his standout stage presence that made the night distinctive. Kerong’A had sold tickets before he had the venue booked. Like many emerging musicians in Austin, Kerong'A had little local ticket-sales history.
Woman’s Custom Maserati Gets Destroyed In Flood. Then The Progressive Worker Tells Her Something Shocking: ‘Not Appropriate’
A flash flood can destroy a beloved, high-performance car in a matter of minutes. What takes a whole lot longer, though, is getting an insurance carrier to realistically figure out what that car was worth. That waiting game purgatory is where Ohio woman Amanda (@amandaleanntiktok) finds herself. She says she's been making daily unanswered phone calls to Progressive insurance representatives in hopes of getting far more than their initial offer of $15,000. So far, she says it hasn’t been going well.
Woman’s Custom Maserati Gets Destroyed In Flood. Then The Progressive Worker Tells Her Something Shocking: ‘Not Appropriate’
50 Cent 1 hour ago 50 Cent spent over $1M building one of the most unique celebrity cars of all time Supercar Blondie - by Ben Thompson • 1h 50 Cent once spent more than $1 million building one of the most unique celebrity cars to ever hit the roads. The rapper – whose real name is Curtis … Autos 1 day ago Mountain Social: Vail Concours vaildaily.com - Vail Daily • 1d Classic cars took over the streets of Lionshead Village in Vail on Sunday for the annual Vail Concours.
Woman’s Kia Gets Demolished By A Ram. Then She Sees The Damage To The Truck
There are never winners in an auto accident. A viral video shows why whoever’s driving the larger vehicle is probably going to come out on the better end. The short video presents the back of a Kia crushed nearly beyond recognition, while the Ram pickup that hit it has at most some minimal damage to its front bumper and no other sign it was involved in a serious collision. TikTokker Grace Roberts (@not.yoursavinggrace) is understandably upset at her situation.
Woman Goes To Costco. Then She Gets Gas For Her Porsche Cayenne: ‘If You Can Afford A Porsche…’
Having the income to drive a luxury vehicle apparently doesn’t make gas prices any less painful. For one Porsche Cayenne owner, a first fill-up at Costco turned into a lesson in the difference a few cents on the gallon can really make. Creator Rebecca Martinez (@rebeccamartinezz_) appears skeptical as she goes to Costco to fill up her Porsche for the first time.
Car Salesman Reveals The Real Reason He Wants You To Put Money Down At The Dealership—He Gets 10%
There are some car-sales stories that sound like relics from another era: the kind of old-school dealership lore that salespeople dismiss as long-gone holdovers of another time. But every once in a while, there’s one that turns out to still be true, like the Texas lot where salespeople take home 10% of the down payment on every sale they close.
Woman Goes To Valvoline For Oil Change. Then The Tech Says It’ll Be $140—Or $30 If She Comes Prepared
“I’m just gonna be honest with you, this is gonna be expensive,” a Valvoline tech reportedly said. Consider those words and the reaction from creator @dmay.eats as a warning for anyone who hasn’t gotten an oil change lately. The sticker shock she experienced wasn’t necessarily an isolated case, and the supply problems driving up motor-oil prices could stick around for a while. “He showed me that price, $140. What?
Woman Goes To Maverik. The Pump Says She Put 24 Gallons In Her Tank. But Her Ford Ranger Only Takes 18
Most viral complaints about big companies, especially service stations with centralized management, follow a familiar script: outrage, silence, maybe a canned response. But there are rare exceptions where well-aimed customer outreach can result in a happier ending.
Woman Goes To Maverik. The Pump Says She Put 24 Gallons In Her Tank. But Her Ford Ranger Only Takes 18
Ford Maverick Vs Ranger: What Are The Biggest Differences Between Them? Ford has probably become the brand you think of for pickup trucks thanks to the immense success of its F-Series trucks. These regularly top the sales …
Woman Trades Her Toyota For GMC Before Florida Road Trip. Then It Breaks Down—Then Her Banks Calls Her About That Trade
There are plenty of reasons to replace an aging car. Avoiding a breakdown on a long family road trip is certainly a sensible reason. Trading a high-mileage family vehicle for a newer SUV seemed like the responsible move for one mom who quickly learned that good intentions can go bad in a hurry. North Carolina creator Kelly Parker (@kellyparker86) wasn’t itching to say goodbye to her loyal Toyota Highlander.
Woman Trades Her Toyota For GMC Before Florida Road Trip. Then It Breaks Down—Then Her Bank Calls About That Trade
1 day ago The NACTOY Awards have announced the 25 of 56 eligible models advancing to the next round, including four in the pickup truck category. The Crown Is Up for Grabs In the past six years, Ford has won the truck category in the North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards, …
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