Charles Krome

Michigan

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Featured in: Favicon

betanews.com Favicon

twice.com

tlnt.com

treadmagazine.com Favicon

jalopnik.com

Articles

This Automaker Leads The Industry For Recalls In 2025 So Far

5 days ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

Folks at the Blue Oval definitely had something to be blue about when the recall numbers started coming in for 2025. Despite continued efforts to improve quality in recent years, including some key leadership changes, Ford still continues leading the industry — by far — in the total number of recall campaigns. If that doesn't change by the end of December, it will mean Ford has issued the most recalls in the auto industry for four out of the past five years.
What Makes The Dodge Hellcat Supercharger Sound So Loud?

1 week ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

After a short, EV-induced respite, rumors say Dodge will once again be offering high-powered V8 engines — led by the 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat — in its production vehicles. The reports made plenty of noise when first announced, and you can bet drivers will be making plenty of noise themselves if and when they get behind the wheel of these potential new rides.
Can A Cat-Back Exhaust Increase HP Without A Tune?

1 week ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

The auto world can be a fairly feline-friendly place, with Hellcats, Cougars, Jaguars, Panthers, Tigers, and more all known for prowling the streets. While a cat-back exhaust is actually a different kind of animal, it's pretty popular in its own right –- and with good reason. Cat-back exhausts, which upgrade exhaust systems from the catalytic converter on back, can be a quick way to increase the power and efficiency of internal combustion engines. Plus, no extra engine tuning is needed.
Here's Why Truck Beds Almost Never Connect To The Cab

2 weeks ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

Have you ever noticed how nearly all pickup trucks have a visible split between their cabs and cargo beds, so the two aren't really connected to each other? It might seem kind of odd at first, but there's an important reason for this, and it goes back to the origins of the auto industry. In the beginning, cars were assembled with a steel frame as their foundation. They were then built up by adding parts, including the body and, in a truck's case, the bed, onto that frame.
This Is The Highest-HP Engine Ever Put In A Pontiac Grand Prix From The Factory

3 weeks ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

An iconic name from GM's former Excitement Division, the Pontiac Grand Prix had a 46-year production run that only ended when the brand itself finally ran out of gas during the financial crisis that began in 2008. Now, the Grand Prix went through its share of changes over time, starting life as a premium coupe to rival the Ford Thunderbird and ending as a family-focused sedan, and making some interesting stops along the way.
Which GM 5.3 Vortec Years Have The Most Issues?

3 weeks ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

With the launch of Chevy's small-block V8 in 1955, General Motors introduced an engine family that would make its way into millions of vehicles across the world. It was especially known as a mainstay of the muscle cars, powering iconic examples of the Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, El Camino, and more. But certain engines would also make some pretty big headaches for the general, leading to a class-action lawsuit and millions of dollars in fines.
Is Rustproofing Still Worth It For Modern Cars?

3 weeks ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

Unscrupulous auto dealers trying to aggressively push rustproofing is generally thought of to be a scam nowadays. Even the folks at Consumer Reports recommend skipping it. Well, I'm not going to contradict those experts, but I will say that, like much in life, the decision about whether to rustproof a modern car comes down to timing.
Not All Lexus Models Hold Their Value, This One Loses It The Fastest - Jalopnik

1 month ago | jalopnik.com | Charles Krome

When Toyota launched its Lexus luxury brand in 1989, it seemed like a pretty good play: Lexus would offer all the high-end cues drivers wanted, but with the Toyota-like levels of reliability that the usual suspects — imported or domestic — couldn't match. Flash forward a few decades, and Lexus has indeed become a leader in the luxury space, but that includes being a leader for losing value — in this case "led" by the Lexus RZ. The RZ EV SUV is by far the Lexus with the worst depreciation rates.
Brake Fluid: Everything You Need to Know

Mar 29, 2024 | carfax.com | Charles Krome

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid in your car’s brake system that transfers the force you apply to your brake pedal into pressure on your car’s brake pads. Without brake fluid, your car’s brakes won’t work. Brake fluid is formulated to resist temperature changes and compression, so your brakes perform consistently regardless of weather or heavy use. It’s also designed to avoid damaging the metal and rubber materials that make up your braking system.
Ready 4 All: A Veteran’s 4Runner

Jul 24, 2023 | treadmagazine.com | Charles Krome

Southern Oregon is home to some of the most incredible national forests in the Pacific Northwest, and the southwest corner of the state has its share of impressive examples: Rogue River-Siskiyou, Klamath, Umpqua, Fremont-Winema and more all showcase the kind of natural beauty that has long attracted those looking for peace and quiet. Needless to say, the area creates a stark contrast to places like Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops have been deployed over the years.