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The Daily Dot

Heather Stewart is a freelance reporter. She was previously an executive producer at The Drag, UT&#8217;s award-winning podcast production house as well as a projects intern for KUT Austin. Her work can be found in the Austin Chronicle, the Victoria Advocate and more.

Heather Stewart

Mechanic Talking(l+r), Catalytic converter(C)

‘Prius and Tundras are on thieves’ radars’: Mechanic shows the real reason thieves steal catalytic converters—and what you can do to protect your car

Phil West is a veteran professional writer and editor, and his works include two nonfiction books and articles in myriad print and online publications.

Phil West

Driver says Toyota falsely advertised the 2025 Camry’s fuel economy

‘Nowhere near the 46 miles per gallon you should be getting’: Driver says Toyota falsely advertised 2025 Camry

Mechanic reveals what really happens when you bring in your car and they look over whole vehicle

‘I would rather tell a customer this is your current issue’: Mechanic reveals what really happens when you bring in your car and they look over whole vehicle

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture writer for over a decade. He has a passion for connecting what’s trending on social media to solid research—helping to separate clout-chasing claims from facts.

Mustafa Gatollari

‘Today’s generation doesn’t care about deprecation, reliability’: Salesman says Honda, Toyota, and Lexus are ‘by far’ the hardest to sell. Here’s why

Braden Bjella is a culture writer. His work can be found in Mixmag, Electronic Beats, Schon! magazine, and more.

Braden Bjella

Sorento driver says Kia’s motor broke down in the middle of the road. She can't believe the dealership's response

‘We could’ve died’: Sorento driver says Kia’s motor broke down in the middle of the road. She can’t believe the dealership’s response

Chad Swiatecki is a 30-year journalist who relocated to Austin, TX from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He writes regularly for Austin Monitor, and has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin Business Journal, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.

Chad Swiatecki

Jeep logo(l), Man talking(c), OBD port(r)

‘I am constantly replacing them on Fords due to over use’: Man working on girlfriend’s Jeep issues OBD port warning

Mechanic reveals why newer cars are using such different types of oil

‘The new Toyota Corolla goes down to 0w8’: Mechanic reveals what type of oil newer cars really need—and why they’re so different

Grace Fowler is freelancer reporter and past summer media fellow with the Daily Dot. She&#8217;s a graduate of Texas State University, where she studied mass communications.

Grace Fowler

Mechanic reveals exactly why he’s going to deny this insurance claim

‘Nobody with an extended warranty bring they car to this man’: Mechanic reveals exactly why he’s denying CarShield claim. Don’t make the same mistake

Parks Kugle is a writer and reporter based in San Antonio. His work has appeared in Lumina Literary Journal, Wicked Local Newspapers, and various publications across the U.S. He enjoys comics and gardening.

Parks Kugle

Mechanic shares truth about full synthetic oil

‘What you think is full synthetic isn’t really full synthetic’: Mechanic shares truth about full synthetic oil

Mechanic reveals how he was told to upsell parts that you don't need.

‘They’d been to Jiffy Lube recently’: Mechanic reveals how he was told to upsell parts you don’t need. Here’s what to check for when they give you a diagnosis

Nina Hernandez is a writer, journalist, music critic, and culture commentator based in Austin, Texas.

Nina Hernandez

Woman tells car salesman she doesn’t need GAP insurance because she has God

‘I tried to do the right thing’: Woman tells car salesman she doesn’t need GAP insurance because she has God. He was trying to give it to her for free

Man talking(L+r), Woman in car putting her hand out to receive keys(c)

‘All car guys shake people’s hands like this’: Dealership worker shares the 5 signs of a knowledgeable car shopper

Expert reveals how to refill your car’s AC this summer for cheap

‘Yeah do not overfill your system’: Expert reveals how to refill your car’s A/C this summer for cheap

Mechanic says he can’t work on your car because they’ve officially been locked out of computer systems

‘It has officially happened’: Mechanic says he can’t work on your car because they’ve officially been locked out of computer systems

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, and more.

Melody Heald

Woman negotiates window tint into deal at car dealership, says they tried to bamboozle her

Cars