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The $120,000 Mechanic Job Headline And What Nobody Tells You – Part 1
Multiple people have reached out asking what I think about the recent comments from Ford’s CEO Jim Farley. I enjoy it when people ask for my opinion on things like this- so let’s get into it.Farley went public and said he has 5,000 open mechanic jobs that pay about $120,000 a year and he still…
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The Arrest
Cody “WhistlinDiesel” Detwiler bought a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo, lived in Tennessee, drove it in Tennessee, filmed it in Tennessee, and the car wore Montana plates. That combination is enough for any state revenue office to act. A grand jury charged him with evading Tennessee sales tax. His bond landed at two million dollars. The…
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Why Modern Brake Fluid Exchanges Cost More — and Why They’re Worth Every Penny
If you’ve owned a European vehicle in the last decade, you may have noticed something when getting a brake fluid exchange: It’s not as cheap as it used to be. In fact, for many newer vehicles, the cost is almost double what it was years ago. The big question is — why? Are shops just…
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Are Touchscreens in New Cars Actually Better? Here’s What We Think at ABR Houston
Every new car on the market seems to come with a giant screen. Climate controls? On the screen. Radio volume? Also on the screen. Want to turn on your heated seats? You’re digging through a menu—while driving. At ABR Houston, we work on everything from classic BMWs to brand-new Audis and Porsches, and we’ve got…
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5 Weird Car Problems We’ve Fixed at ABR Houston (And What They Mean for You)
At ABR Houston, we specialize in European vehicles—and that means we see some strange issues come through our doors. Not every problem throws a warning light or follows a pattern. Here are five real-world, unusual failures we’ve recently fixed in the shop—and what they mean for you as a driver. 1. BMW X5 That Wouldn’t…
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“That Repair Costs More Than the Car’s Worth!”
Why That Mindset Can Cost You More in the Long RunWe’ve heard it more times than we can count: “That repair costs more than the car is worth!” It’s a common reaction—and honestly, we get it. But here’s the truth: your car’s resale value has nothing to do with how much it costs to repair…
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When you’re performing at a high level, the edge comes from chasing the final 1–3%
At this stage, the improvements we’re making aren’t loud or obvious. They’re not massive overhauls or flashy new tactics. Instead, we’re focused on the final 1–3% — the tiny adjustments that can unlock a massive difference in your results. Why That Final Few Percent MattersHere’s the truth: when you’re working with professionals who already deliver,…
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Dealership Woes – Why Customers Are Fed Up with “No Problem Found”
If you’ve ever walked into a dealership with a real issue, only to be told “no problem found,” you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy either. Let me tell you a quick story. My personal truck—a 2024 F-250 Lariat with the 6.7 Powerstroke—has had an appointment for a transmission technician at the local Ford dealership since…
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5 Common Check Engine Light Causes and How to Diagnose Them
When your car’s Check Engine Light (CEL) flicks on, it’s easy to panic—or worse, ignore it completely. But the light is your vehicle’s way of telling you something’s not quite right. Whether it’s a minor issue like a loose gas cap or something more serious like an internal engine problem, understanding the root cause is the first…
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Why Your Repair Bill Isn’t Skyrocketing (Even with These New Tariffs)…..yet
Lately, you may have heard that the U.S. has placed a new 25% tariff on many imported car parts. Understandably, that raises a big question: Are my car repairs about to get a lot more expensive? Short answer: not as much as people feared—and here’s why. What’s the Deal with These Tariffs? In March 2025,…