·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Wireless Reverse Camera for Cars
The dealer wanted $300 to install a wired backup camera on my old F-150, claiming 'complex wiring harnesses' and 'integration challenges.' Absolute garbage.
Smart Car Tech
Gear Guides (27)
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Car Accessories for Long Road Trips (2026 Complete Guide)
The dealer wanted $280 to replace a blown headlight bulb on my 2017 Tacoma, claiming 'complex wiring.' It was a standard H11 bulb, a 5-minute swap if you know how to unclip the dust cover and twist.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Car Fm Transmitter
The dealer quoted my buddy $280 to install a new head unit in his 2007 Honda Accord.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Car Vacuum Cleaners (2025 Guide)
Forget the glossy ads showing pristine interiors.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Dashcam for Tesla (2025 Guide)
Tesla's built-in dashcam system? It's like buying a wrench set that only has one size.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Dashcam for Uber & Lyft Drivers (2026 Guide)
You're clocking 40,000 miles a year, hauling strangers, and navigating urban chaos for 12 hours a day.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Radar Detectors (2025 Guide)
The dealer wanted $12 to change a tire pressure sensor battery on my old F-150, which is sealed inside the sensor itself.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Blackvue vs Thinkware (2025 Comparison)
The dealer wanted $240 for a new battery on my 2018 Accord.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Garmin Dashcam Review (2025 Complete Guide)
Forget the 'peace of mind' marketing fluff.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Nextbase Dashcam Review (2025 Complete Guide)
Forget the shiny marketing and the claims of 'peace of mind.' A dash cam is a liability reduction tool, plain and simple.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Viofo Dashcam Review (2025 Complete Guide)
The dealer wanted $180 for a dashcam install on a new Ford F-150, claiming 'complex wiring.' This is for a device that mounts with adhesive and plugs into a 12V socket.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Volkswagen California Camper Van Reviews (2026 Complete Guide)
The 2026 Volkswagen California camper van, starting around $65,000, claims to redefine the mobile living space.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Vw Camper Van 2026: Your Expert Review
The 2026 Volkswagen Camper Van, now dubbed the California, has traded its workhorse chassis for a car platform, specifically the Multivan.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Tire Pressure Monitoring System for Road Trips
The dealer wanted $120 to 'inspect' a slow leak on my buddy's F-150.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
How Obd2 Scanners Diagnose Common Engine Problems Before a Road Trip
Before a long haul, I always run a quick 3-minute scan on any vehicle I'm taking.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
How Obd2 Scanners Reveal Hidden Car Issues Before Buying Used
I once saw a guy pay a dealership $350 for a 'pre-purchase inspection' that missed a P0420 code - catalyst efficiency below threshold - the kind that means a new catalytic converter at $1,500.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Backup Cameras for Older Cars
The dealer quoted my buddy $480 to install a backup camera on his 2017 F-150.
·Jake - The Dirtbag Engineer
Best Dash Cam for Trucks
The dealer wanted $300 to install a basic dash cam in my buddy's rig last month.