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I have a hunch unless EBC can get the backing plates from Europe, they are likely using NRS plates. NRS is one of the major aftermarket suppliers of brake backing plates and shims. Japanese and Korean calipers are known for pad clunk if the pads don’t fit as precise as the OEM(Advics, Akebono...

Composite head gaskets were a graphite/fiberglass(or asbestos) material with metal fire rings and sealing elements. The new MLS gaskets are all steel with FKM/silicone sealing beads, embossed fire rings and a PTFE/FKM coating overall. Many modern engines since the 1990s come with MLS as OE.

Toyota calls for plugs in the 2GR-FKS/FXS/FSE/FXE every 60K, Subaru does the same. TGDI is harder on plugs.

OEM. Keep in mind Mercedes has two lines now - the regular “warranty” which will be made in Europe by Pagid/Textar, Jurid or Ferodo and their cheaper StarParts line. The StarParts pads are made in India by MAT Holdings(Dan-Blok) - the same company who makes Carquest Blue/Platinum for AAP and...

The local transit agency is using those in their MCI and Prevost commuter coaches. They look to be decent tires but they are a taxpayer subsidized(via regional grants and BART feeder bus subsidies) operator, and they should be using American-made tires. But they’re also cheaper than running...

I think Toyota used a hydraulic tensioner on those. The UZ/UR and GR engines used a mechanical tension with a coil torsion spring.

FWIW, I’ve installed a Chinese WP in an 4.0L Explorer. No issues, this was 10 years ago. It still works. If it’s Chinesium, it’s worth paying the FLAPS premium for the “warranty”.

There was a ContiTech line years ago - and Conti Germany/Portugal made belts as OEM for Mercedes and BMW. The current Conti belts are similar to the former Goodyear lineup. I think Optibelt is Italian, and also OEM for the Europeans. I do know Bando belts for the aftermarket use a smooth...

I’d stick to M1 EP/Hybrid or Edge Extended(the Mercedes approval is icing on the cake). I think keeping receipts and records is more important than what oil is used. The T24A turbo hybrid is more of a parallel hybrid like the new iForce Max setup in the Tacoma/Tundra/Sequoia. The engine won’t...

Leave the OEM filter in place - it’s made by Filtran/Toyo Roki/Mahle out of a polyester density “felt”. They don’t plug unless there’s a catastrophic transmission failure from internal parts failing(like the sun gear in a 4L60 shattering). Even Allison transmissions used in buses and beer...

I’m debating which 0W-20 to get. There is another Prius(2017, 2ZR-FXE “improved” version) in the family fleet that will see hard taxi miles and I’m debating switching the RXh back to 0W-20 now that Uber is no longer in play and it’s now the road trip car(and me driving it once a week). 5W-30 was...

holy Saab flashback. Saab was the first to use ionization to detect combustion events and used that to control the engine. They boasted that they didn’t need a knock sensor. I knew someone who worked on Saabs, and he said he always used Bosch or NGK on them without issue.

So far, so good. But I doubt it will hold up as long as OE did.

I installed a aftermarket MAF on a 1998 Ranger. Motorcraft or Hitachi was NLA. Blue Streak. I’m not thrilled but it was all that available.

They’re a player in aftermarket brake upgrades for your Chevy or Ford. I’ve seen their stuff in the catalogs. GM did use PBR brakes on the Corvette/Camaro, their Holden-based GTO/G8/SS/Caprice PPV and for parking brakes on the GMT800/900 platform trucks.

Gen Zers and Zoomers don’t much care for cars either. When my dad was driving for Uber/Lyft he told me a lot of teenagers used the apps to get around. I know how to drive a stick, I’m not the best at it. In the Bay Area, stick is cruel and unusual punishment in our traffic.

I like the EyeSight systems in the Subarus I’ve driven. Toyota Safety Sense/Lexus Safety System can be a little annoying.

The Koreans tend to be closer to the Germans when it comes to their engines IMO. HyunKia hires a lot of former BMW/Mercedes/VW engineers to work for them in Korea and the US(Irvine area and Alabama/Georgia). Today’s HyunKia isn’t merely a Korean-made Mitsu or Mazda anymore. Even Daewoo(GM...

well, the current Prestone Cor-Guard formulation since 2014 is a pHOAT AMAM. I’m running it with no issues in a Toyota. And it does meet Toyota’s specs for a coolant. I’m running Final Charge in another car. I’m probably going to standardize on Final Charge but use Zerex Red/Peak OET pink or OE...

Yea, I’m in Portland once a year to visit friends and I have access to bikes - TriMet isn’t bad at all, they live near one of their busiest routes that has buses picking up every 5-15 minutes and I can be at PDX in 20 minutes via transit. Never needed to rent a car in Philly, Seattle and NYC and...