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CarTechTalk Podcast
CarTechTalk Podcast episodes
- Rugged Truck Seat Covers: CORDURA, Airflow, and Real Fit
Alex and Emma break down what ballistic truck seat covers actually offer, comparing heavy-duty CORDURA fabrics, breathable mesh designs, and crucial airbag safety considerations.
In this episode- Ballistic is a marketing term for tough fabric, not occupant armor
- Carhartt Gravel covers fit bench seats with 500-denier CORDURA and Rain Defender repellent
- CAT MeshFlex offers front seat pairs featuring a honeycomb mesh back for airflow
- Carhartt Black covers provide specific sizing ranges for individual bucket seats
- Side-airbag breakaway seams and headrest designs must match vehicle requirements
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Ballistic Seat Covers for Trucks: Rugged Fabric and Fit
- this guide to removing mud from all-weather floor mats
- Best Custom Fit Seat Covers for Tacoma and Silverado Trucks
- Best Neoprene Seat Covers for Universal Fit and Specific Trucks
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min - Professional Shop Battery Testers: 12V and 24V Guide
Alex and Emma break down professional battery testers for automotive repair shops. Learn which models fit different shop workflows, battery chemistries, and voltage requirements.
In this episode- TOPDON BT600 offers 12V and 24V testing with built-in thermal printing for shop records
- FOXWELL BT705 features long 5.9-foot cable for solo cranking checks
- TOPDON BT200 covers broad vehicle types from motorcycles to heavy trucks without printing
- Budget 12V options include ANCEL BA101, KONNWEI KW208, and compact TOPDON BT100
- Schumacher BT-100 provides traditional load testing for 6V and 12V systems
- None of featured analyzers support lithium batteries
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Professional Battery Tester for Shops: 12V and 24V Picks
- Battery Council International
- Battery Tester Buying Guide for Beginners
- Best Battery Tester for All Batteries Across Household and 12V Formats
- Best Battery Tester For Household Batteries
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
6 min - Best OBD2 Scanner for Diesel Trucks: Complete Heavy-Duty Guide
Alex and Emma break down heavy-duty diesel truck scanners, protocol requirements, and regeneration features. Learn how to match connectors and software to specific commercial engines.
In this episode- Commercial trucks require J1939 or J1708 protocols plus six-pin or nine-pin connectors
- Base code readers lack diesel particulate filter regeneration and bidirectional controls
- DPF service tools target specific engine platforms like Detroit, PACCAR, Cummins, or Caterpillar
- Advanced shop tablets add bidirectional actuation, ECU coding, and multi-system resets
- Passenger car scanners lack heavy-duty vehicle protocols and fail on big rigs
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best OBD2 Scanner for Diesel Trucks: Coverage That Fits
- OBD2 Scanner Buying Guide for Beginners
- Best Rated OBD2 Scanner
- How to Update an OBD2 Scanner
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
8 min - Best Portable Level 2 EV Chargers For Home And Travel
Alex and Emma review portable Level 2 EV chargers for NEMA 14-50 outlets. Discussion cover power limits, weather ratings, cable lengths, and vehicle compatibility.
In this episode- Match charger amperage to circuit capacity and vehicle intake limit
- Most units use J1772 connector, requiring separate adapter for Tesla vehicles
- Cable lengths range from 16 to 25 feet for parking flexibility
- Enclosure ratings like IP66 or IP67 do not replace safe dry placement
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Portable Level 2 EV Charger: Picks for Home and Travel
- why some EV charging adapters do not support DC charging
- guide to charging electric vehicles at home
- Best Level 2 EV Charger Under $700
- Best Portable EV Charger Under $300
- Procurement and Installation for EV Charging Infrastructure
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
6 min - Best Truck Bed Cargo Management System: Choose by Bed Size and Load
The best truck bed cargo management system for a typical driver is the Keeper Adjustable Cargo Bar for Pickup Truck Bed: its 40 to 70 inch adjustment suits a range of truck beds, and it holds loose cargo without taking…
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Truck Bed Cargo Management System: Choose by Bed Size and Load
- how to secure cargo under A tonneau cover
- tonneau cover weather seals
- tonneau cover drain tubes
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
7 min - Choosing the Right Motorcycle Lift Table for Your Home Garage
Alex and Emma break down how to choose the right motorcycle lift for your garage setup, comparing full pneumatic tables, wide decks, and compact manual jacks.
In this episode- Lift tables provide broad platforms for standing work, while compact jacks offer lower-profile targeted lifting
- Pneumatic models often require an external air compressor running at 90 to 110 PSI
- Table width and length must match vehicle dimensions, floor clearance, and loading paths
- Rear drop-out panels and center jacks simplify wheel maintenance and drivetrain access
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Motorcycle Lift Table: Picks for Bikes, ATVs, and Small Garages
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min - Permanent OBD2 Codes: Why Fault Records Linger After Repairs
Powertrain control modules store permanent diagnostic codes until built-in monitors run and pass. Understand drive cycles, monitor rules, and proper verification methods.
In this episode- Permanent codes survive scanner clearing and battery disconnects
- Vehicle removes permanent DTC only after related monitor passes
- Drive cycle requirements depend on speed, temperature, and fuel levels
- Code clearing resets readiness monitors and delays emissions testing
- Active or pending codes signal unresolved underlying faults
Links & resources- Read the full article: Why a Permanent Code Remains After Repair
- J1962 Diagnostic Connector standard
- J1979 E/E Diagnostic Test Modes standard
- Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M)
- OBD2 scanners guides
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min - Best Truck Ladder Rack: Picks for Different Loads and Beds
The best truck ladder rack for most full-size pickup owners is the VEVOR Extendable Steel Truck Ladder Rack, with an adjustable 46 to 71 inch width, an 800 pound listed capacity, and removable J-bolt mounting. It suits long cargo when…
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Truck Ladder Rack: Picks for Different Loads and Beds
- securing cargo under a tonneau cover
- how to prepare a truck bed for winter
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min - Clearing Codes Before an Emissions Test: How Long Should You Wait?
Alex and Emma break down why clearing a check engine code resets your vehicle readiness monitors and why waiting a fixed number of days or miles will not guarantee an emissions pass.
In this episode- Clearing diagnostic trouble codes resets onboard readiness monitors back to incomplete.
- A vehicle can have no active check engine light and still fail an emissions inspection due to unset monitors.
- Drive cycle requirements vary widely by vehicle make, temperature, and specific system like EVAP or catalyst.
- Always verify monitor readiness with a scan tool instead of relying on elapsed time or a fixed mileage target.
Links & resources- Read the full article: How Long After Clearing Codes Before Emissions Test
- OBD2 scanners
- OBD2 scanners with live data for fuel trim
- Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance resource
- professional car diagnostic tools
- OBD2 scanners guides
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min - Choosing the Right Budget Car Battery Charger for Your Garage
Alex and Emma break down how to match a car battery charger to your vehicle needs, comparing charging speeds, voltages, and battery chemistries.
In this episode- Match charger amperage to your goal: low current for long-term storage, high current for rapid recovery.
- Always check battery voltage and chemistry, especially for AGM, gel, lithium, or 24-volt setups.
- NOCO GENIUS2 suits mixed six-volt and twelve-volt storage across lead-acid and lithium types.
- Higher output chargers like Schumacher, CRAFTSMAN, and TowerTop balance speed and displays but differ on lithium and engine start support.
- Plug-in consumer chargers require wall power and differ fundamentally from standalone jump starters.
Links & resources- Read the full article: Best Car Battery Charger Under $100: Picks by Charging Need
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charger
- How to Connect a Car Battery Charger
- Today's verified car tech deals
- How we review car tech
- Visit CarTechTalk
5 min
About CarTechTalk Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The CarTechTalk Podcast turns our car tech buying guides and how-to articles into short, friendly conversations. OBD2 scanners, jump starters, battery chargers, dash cams, tire inflators and EV…
charging, explained for everyday drivers. Every episode links to the full article on cartechtalk.com.