Latest news with #ScottyKilmer
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
I've been a mechanic for 50 years... here are the new cars you should desperately avoid: 'Blowing up'
He's the most outspoken mechanic on YouTube — and that didn't change in an interview with the Daily Mail. Scotty Kilmer, 71, has been fixing cars for 50 years. His grease-stained experience and candid rants have grown his YouTube channel (@scottykilmer) to more than 6.5 million followers, with viewers seeking his no-nonsense repair advice.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Mechanic explains why drivers should 'never buy' popular used car
Scotty Kilmer has been working on cars since the 1960s and regularly shares his expertise in a series of YouTube videos in which he explains how drivers can save money Renowned car expert Scotty Kilmer has starkly warned motorists against purchasing a particular used hatchback, despite its status as one of the top sellers. Scotty, with decades of experience in auto repair since the 60s, is a prominent figure on YouTube, dishing out tips that can spare drivers from shelling out on costly mechanical repairs. In his latest video, he scrutinises a fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf and finds it wanting when compared to its rivals in terms of construction quality. He clarified: "If you've watched me for any great length of time, you'd have noticed that I'm not a big fan of Volkswagen - and here's why. READ MORE: Pet owners rush to claim free flea treatment as UK heatwave sees pests rise "The quality isn't job number one with Volkswagen. They're full of all kinds of plastic that breaks all the time and can cost a fortune to fix." Available in the UK between 2003 and 2009, this iteration of the Volkswagen Golf came in three or five-door hatchback forms, as well as an estate version, offering a breadth of trim options and engines to buyers, reports the Express. Though the engines' performance and the generous space on offer were commended by owners, Scotty argued that the interior's fit and finish might not prove durable. Hence, he advises avoiding higher-mileage models which could showcase worn interiors and potentially fragile plastic components. Further into the clip, Scotty cautioned viewers about the automatic gearboxes in Volkswagens from that time, highlighting a significant concern, especially in the US where he is based. He elaborated: "Plus, their automatic transmissions stink, they break a lot and they cost a fortune to fix. That's why this one is a standard [manual], so we don't have to worry about that. "But 96 percent of Americans drive [vehicles with] automatic transmission, so all of those people, theirs wouldn't last so well." Despite his warnings, numerous Volkswagen enthusiasts contested Scotty's opinions, sharing their own positive experiences in the video's comment section. A commenter shared their personal story: "My 2013 [Golf] GTI is still running strong with almost 150,000 miles on it. And everything is holding together very well. [It's] been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned." Another chimed in: "Americans must get different VWs than us Europeans because build quality is never really a problem with VWs over here. Plus they're great cars."
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petrol and diesel cars can last 400,000 miles more with small changes
A top mechanic says petrol and diesel cars could last up to 400,000 miles with small changes. Scotty Kilmer, a mechanic who regularly goes viral on YouTube, has shared his expertise with road users and drivers via his vlog. Scotty said: 'You're driving down a road and you step on the gas and your car doesn't accelerate right, what could be wrong? 'Well it could be a lot of things but check the simple things, make sure your air filter is clean. Make sure you're spark plugs aren't worn out, these are easy to check, they just pop off and you can get right to them. READ MORE: Drivers who step foot in car on Thursday morning are risking £2,000 fine READ MORE: Everyday driving manoeuvre set to be banned in part of UK READ MORE New UK heatwave set to hit next week with 22 counties in England roasted 'Make sure your mass air flow sensor is good, in this case it's been replaced so it's not that. You could also have a bad oxygen sensor but you can see this one's new too, it's all shiny. 'It could also be a catalytic converter that's starting to clog up, if that's the case your temperature gauge will run slightly high and you'll lose acceleration. 'So if you're lucky you just need an air filter or speaker plugs or have to clean the mass airflow sensor. Press one of those.' In reply, a viewer said: "Some people don't even get oil changes and wonder why their car is a pile of heaping garbage." "I had an acceleration problem in my 04 Camry 186k miles and my car felt like it jumped when I pressed on the gas…I cleaned my throttle body and it runs like a dream now," a second said. A third typed: "Hello Scotty , I appreciate all the professional advice and the money that you've saved me over the years ! Thank you brother and God bless you and your family for generations to come." Another said: "Scotty... I refurbished many a car from the 30s 40s 50s but you are the best source on the Tube for me. "Love the no nonsense videos you put out. Keep them coming. Everything I see you do here is mechanically professional. "The tricks, tips, and knowledge are like a college education in surviving when you own a car. Great Stuff..."
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Mechanic warns drivers over fuel feature that could cost a fortune to replace
Scotty Kilmer, who has been a mechanic for over 52 years, has warned drivers about the capless fuel-filling systems that are increasingly being used in popular vehicles A leading mechanic has shed light on the potential drawbacks of capless fuel-filling systems found in many modern vehicles. Capless technology is designed to prevent motorists from mistakenly filling their car with the incorrect fuel, as the nozzle will only fit its specific design. However, Scotty Kilmer has warned drivers that a malfunctioning system could lead to a hefty bill, posing a significant financial hit for some petrol and diesel vehicle owners. The expert mechanic highlighted that repair costs could be up to twenty times higher than replacing a traditional fuel cap. In a video on his YouTube channel, Scotty said: "Today I'm going to talk about these crazy capless gas filling systems." He continued: "It looks like somebody forgot to put the cap on but no this is a capless system. Why the heck are they doing this? Basically, because they can." Scotty noted the origins of the innovation, saying: "It was a great innovation in race cars; they could put the gas in faster and go without having to wait to put the cap on. But really you're not driving a race car." He pointed out the inconvenience of repairs, stating: "Now unlike a gas cap, if it goes bad you can just go and buy another one and put it on. With these, you have to replace these assemblies. "It isn't just that they cost a lot of money, it's that you have to take a lot of it apart to access and replace them," he added. Scotty concluded with a stark comparison, "Then in some cars... you have to buy the whole assembly and it's going to cost you 300-500 bucks instead of buying a $15 gas cap." YouTube users were quick to rally behind Scotty's opinion, many voicing their dissatisfaction with the system, reports the Express. @asimpson164 wrote: "Just another system of siphoning customer money back to the dealership." @heroknaderi shared: "Hi Scotty I absolutely agree with you. This is definitely a silly design. I just stick with the standard gas cap." @matthewnelson1420 noted: "Exactly why vehicles keep getting more and more ridiculously expensive." However, there was also a contingent that spoke up in favour of the capless fuel filler, shedding light on the advantages of the innovation. @busa89 stated: "I don't know anyone who has had an issue with this lol." @richards6431 commented: "Capless tank is designed to prevent people from siphoning off gas. You need to use a special funnel to fill up from the gas can."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers of popular cars could risk losing 'fortune' due to common feature
Drivers of certain vehicles have been warned that they could be at risk of losing a huge amount of money and being targeted by criminals for one simple reason Top mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a stark warning to motorists about the risks of certain modern vehicles with keyless ignition systems, potentially leading to financial losses and heightened chances of theft. He highlighted that owners of petrol, diesel and electric cars equipped with keyless ignitions could be particularly vulnerable. Kilmer noted that fobs which rely on buttons rather than a traditional key turn could invite trouble, from simplicity issues to significant replacement costs. The statement came with the caution that such keyless fobs are not only "cost a fortune to replace" but also may make the associated vehicle "easier to steal", striking a concerning note for car owners. READ MORE: Nutritionist says special coffee 'elevates energy' and 'manages stress' without crash Addressing his audience on YouTube, Scotty explained: "Today I'm going to talk about something I hate. Keyless ignition systems." His preference is clear as he added: "I like plain old keys. They very rarely break. These computer ones have a lot of ID signals in them." Discussing the potential drawbacks, he continued: "They cost a fortune to replace if you lose them, reports the Express. Unlike the plain old key, they are not waterproof. If these fall in the water or go through the wash. Goodbye." Kilmer also warns about the security implications of digital keys: "Lastly, they make your vehicle easier to steal. People can copy these signals, have one and steal your car." He contrasted this with the relative security of physical keys, stating: "With a regular key, they've got to make a copy of the key. There's no key to copy here, just a computer signal." As per CheckaTrade, getting a manual car key replaced could set drivers back an estimated £160. The financial burden increases for remote car keys, with the average cost hitting around £320. To compound matters, car manufacturers might demand even higher prices for replacement keys, with some premium brands' fees soaring into the thousands. Owners of keyless vehicles are also under threat from 'relay attacks', where criminals employ a cunning method to unlawfully gain access to cars. These crooks intercept signals from a legitimate device, such as a key fob, and relay them to the vehicle. This essentially dupes the car into granting access without the actual key present. Tracker specialists have flagged 'relay attacks' as a significant worry, given they remain the go-to strategy for thieves. Plan Insurance Brokers advised: "A Thatcham-approved vehicle tracker is worth serious consideration and on high-value vehicles, they can be mandatory for many insurers." They added: "The device won't necessarily prevent the vehicle being taken but it could enable the police to recover it."
