Latest news with #MyMobileMechanic
Motor 1
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'Sometimes That Stand Will Tilt:' Veteran Mechanic Says You're Using Jack Stands Incorrectly. Then He Shows How to Do It Right
A veteran mechanic uploaded a PSA to show people how to use a jack stand properly when changing a tire. According to him, most people use it incorrectly, which can lead to major accidents. The TikTok account for My Mobile Mechanic ( @mymobilemechanic978 ) claims that they posted this tip on the social media platform a year ago. Since then, he says it's gained so much popularity that a number of other creators have uploaded videos about the same trick. In his viral post, My Mobile Mechanic shows how to properly keep yourself safe while jacking up your car. He also explains why it's an important extra step to take. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . 'If you've ever had a jack lose pressure and you witness the car drop on a stand, sometimes that stand will tilt, slide, move, etc. And then it's coming down and killing you,' he says. The mechanic places the jack stand under the jack itself and demonstrates how effective the stand is at keeping the jack in place. He explains, 'With the weight of the vehicle pressing down, this stand can never tip, move, slide. It's locked in place, meaning you're gonna live.' The mechanic then removes the jack stand. 'If you have this on a pinch weld, the weight of the vehicle drops, crushes the pinch weld, tips, moves. That's it. You're done,' he says. 'Dangerous and Improper' My Mobile Mechanic's post received over 798,000 views. But his advice was met with some skepticism from a number of people who believe that he is using jack stands incorrectly. Trending Now 'What Vehicle Is It?': Man Shows How AutoZone Workers React When You Ask For Custom Parts 'I Got Scammed:' Man Buys Volkswagen From Italy. Then He Sees the Sticker Over the Check Engine Light 'This is definitely NOT the way to do it. Jack the car up, put the stand under the car, lower the car onto the stand. You can leave the jack in or take it out. The most important thing is most or all of the car's weight should be on the stand,' one person said. 'What you are telling people to do is actually dangerous and improper use of the equipment,' argued another. 'If this is how the guy uses jack stands, I shudder to think how he uses other tools,' a third commented. One fan of the mechanic added, 'Guys, this man is correct most of the time but on this let's all agree [he is] not.' What Is the Right Way? When attempting to perform any repair that requires reaching under the car, it is essential to know the correct way to use a car jack. This prevents the car from falling and possibly crushing the person underneath the car. Home Depot recommends the following for anyone trying to use a car jack. 'First and foremost, never use the jack to hold the car in place while you are under it. Use only jack stands that are properly rated for the weight of your vehicle,' the home improvement retailer states. To begin with, ensure the car is parked on level ground. If it must be on an incline, park close to the curb and turn the tires inward. Then, secure the downside wheels with wheel wedges or bricks to prevent the vehicle from accidentally rolling. Also, make sure that the car is in park and the emergency brake is engaged. Before using any jacks or jack stands, make sure they have an adequate weight capacity for the car. The owner's manual can help determine the best placement of the jack. The jack stand can be positioned under the car frame at a reinforced point or 'pinch weld.' Only lower the car to rest on the jack stand once it is locked in place. Then remove the jack and push the car gently to ensure it is securely on the jack stand. Home Depot notes that for safety, 'never use a car jack on dirt or grass when changing a tire or making repairs. If needed, use car jack accessories such as stabilizer pads to ensure the jack is secure.' Motor1 has reached out to My Mobile Mechanic via Instagram and TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. More From Motor1 'Any Car I've Ever Owned:' Mechanics Reveal Which Cars 'Look Fast' But Actually Aren't 'That's One Way to Get a Free Rental:' Mechanic Calls Out Customers Who Get Their Car Serviced Just Before a Road Trip 'I Guess if It Works, It Works:' Mechanic of 23 Years Works on Ford Ranger. He's Never Seen Something Like This 'How to Get 100 MPG In Any Vehicle:' Mechanic Starts a Toyota Yaris. Then He Pops the Hood Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I'll Swap These Out:' Veteran Mechanic Performs Routine Job. Then He Issues a Controversial Warning About This Duralast Product
This mechanic says a routine job became a serious irritant after the customer gave him the brake pads they wanted him to put on their car. My Mobile Mechanic (@mymobilemechanic978) responded by posting a controversial warning about Duralast Gold brake pads. 'It's not a good brand at all,' he says. My Mobile Mechanic's TikTok has more than 82,000 views as of this writing. What Does the Mechanic Dislike About Duralast Gold Brake Pads? Having good brake pads is essential for safe driving. When brake pads are worn down, the risk of getting into an accident increases. This is why it's important to regularly replace your brake pads. My Mobile Mechanic's customer was having issues with her brakes, so she bought Duralast Gold brake pads. She then called a mechanic to come to her residence to replace the pads. Once she handed them over, the mechanic was displeased by her selection. The mechanic begins, 'For future reference, try to stay away from this brand. It's not a good brand at all. They don't last.' He elaborates that these brake pads squeak and chew up the rotors, and he overall believes the Duralast Gold brake pads are 'garbage.' Despite his disapproval of the brake pads, the mechanic replaces the pads. He pops off the tire and swaps out the brake pads. In conclusion, the mechanic offers a tip to the customer and viewers to stay away from Duralast Gold brake pads. 'I'm sorry, but these are the worst pads,' he posts. Is This Controversial Warning Valid or Just Personal Preference? Many commenters disagreed with the mechanic's warning against Duralast. 'Bro he's the first mechanic I've ever heard say that,' one TikToker commenter wrote. 'Use those pads all the time with no issues,' a second shared. 'Duralast gold is better than most must be you and personal preference,' another added. Browsing online, many forums and Reddit posts speak highly of Duralast brake pads as well. The mechanic's warning becomes less convincing after digging a little deeper into the product reviews. Brake pads will make this squeaky noise whenever they are worn down, which all brake pads inevitably become. Chewed-up rotors occur when metal-on-metal contact takes place when the brake pads are worn down and can no longer support braking. The damage will be shown as grooves on the rotors' surface, and the loud noise created notifies it's time for the brake pads to be replaced . More on Brakes Why Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Are Expensive. And Why They Might Be Worth It Brake Dust Is a Problem. Brembo Has a Solution So, for the mechanic to mention that Duralast Gold brake pads do this is valid. Having said that, most brake pads will have this happen once they are worn down. It appears to be a personal preference to avoid Duralast; however, the mechanic did not specify another alternative product to use. It brings up the question: Was this video made just to get views and engagement? This content creator has over 157,000 TikTok followers and could have made this post to make viewers react. Making a controversial disapproval of a popular brand's product created discourse in the comments section, so if it was a play for engagement, it worked. When to Change Your Brake Pads? Being on top of brake maintenance and upkeep is a priority for any driver. Kelley Blue Book reports brake pads typically last 25,000-50,000 miles, depending on where you drive, your driving style, and other factors. Any sign of worn-down brake pads needs to be addressed immediately. Here are a few signs that your brake pads may need to be replaced. Grinding or squeaking sound Vibration in the brake pedal when braking Visible wear showing less than ¼ of an inch on brake pads First, if you notice your car making a squeaking noise while driving in dry conditions, it's definitely time to replace them. This noise is created by the wear indicator on the brakes. This indicator is designed to grind against the rotor when the brake pads start to wear out, leading to the noise. This noise doesn't magically go away unless you replace the brake pads. Second, if you feel any vibration or soft sponge feeling in the brake pedal when braking, this vibration or sponge feeling indicates uneven, worn-down pads or warped rotors. Feeling this vibration should not be ignored, as stopping the car will only get more difficult with time. Ignoring this increases the risk of accidents as braking is compromised. Lastly, you can do a visual inspection of the brake pads. Once the tire is popped off, you'll want to look to see if the brake pads are less than ¼ of an inch thick. If the pads are less than ¼ of an inch, it's time to get them replaced. Changing your brake pads can be done at home and can significantly save money. Brake pads typically cost around $40-50 at the store, while the mechanic's tab will be higher. According to AAA , on average, it costs $100-$300 per axle to replace the brake pads in a vehicle. Replacing both the front and rear brake pads would be $200-$600. 'Brake pads are one of the first things to learn how to do on a car,' one Reddit commenter shared. Changing your own brake pads is considered one of the easiest DIY projects a home mechanic can do. It's a straightforward process that can be done in under an hour. Consider watching some YouTube videos or asking a car buddy to guide you through the process. This move can save hundreds of dollars. Motor1 has contacted @mymobilemechanic978 via TikTok direct message. Additionally, Motor1 has contacted AutoZone, the owner of Duralast, via email. We'll update this article if we hear back from either. Now Trending Toyota Salesman Finds Thousands of Dollars of 'Missing' Keys. Now He's Exposing Dealerships for Failing to Give Buyers the Spare 'Yeah, It's Totaled:' Woman Sees Small Crack on Tesla Roof. Then She Sees What It Looks Like From the Inside Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
