Keeping the Wheels Turning: A Practical Guide to Vehicle Repairs in a Supply Chain Crisis

From scrounging for old parts to DIY fixes, here’s how to keep your ride running when the world isn’t.

When was the last time you thought about what you’d do if your vehicle needed a part that suddenly couldn’t be found anywhere?

With supply chain hiccups, inflation, and more folks clinging to older vehicles, this summer is shaping up to be a rough ride for anyone trying to keep an old truck or car on the road. In my latest post, I break down practical ways to keep your vehicle running when parts are scarce. We talk cross-model compatibility, junkyard scrounging, homemade gaskets, and even making small metal parts yourself—plus some choice words about the 2008 “Cash for Clunkers” fiasco that left us high and dry.

Whether you’re a weekend tinkerer or you just want to make sure you can get to the store when things get weird, this one’s for you.

Give it a read and share your own tried-and-true fixes in the comments. Let’s keep each other rolling.

These days, it feels like everything is in short supply. Eggs, baby formula, basic meds—and yes, even the parts we need to keep our trucks and cars on the road. If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’ve probably seen headlines about global supply chain snags still dragging on, inflation making basic maintenance parts double in price, and factories overseas shutting down from unexpected disruptions.

Just last month, several major automakers warned about possible new delays on replacement parts due to ongoing strikes and parts shortages out of Asia. Meanwhile, shipping costs are still high, and that trickles right down to the cost of a simple oil filter at your local shop.

Here in the Midwest, we’re not big on relying on luck. We’re big on taking care of what we’ve got. Your vehicle isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline to work, groceries, the kids' soccer games, and everything in between. So, let’s break down what it really takes to keep your car or truck running when parts are scarce, shops are overbooked, or the world just decides to get weird.

The “Cash for Clunkers” Debacle: How We Got Here

Before we jump into parts and fixes, we have to talk about the “Cash for Clunkers” program from 2008–2009. Officially called CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System), this was supposed to stimulate new car sales and supposedly help the environment. Instead, it yanked hundreds of thousands of older, perfectly repairable vehicles off the road.

A lot of folks forget (or didn’t know) that part of the program required dealers to destroy the trade-in engines with a sodium silicate solution. The idea was to prevent older, “less efficient” vehicles from returning to circulation. But in reality, it meant fewer used cars for working folks and an even tighter supply of parts for the older cars and trucks we rely on.

Fast forward to today, and you’ll notice a serious lack of older, simple vehicles that could be kept going for decades. Thanks, Obama.

Why Older Vehicles Matter Now

Older vehicles, especially ones built before the early 2000s, were designed with fewer electronics and simpler systems. Carburetors, manual windows, straightforward ignition systems—they’re easier to work on and don’t need fancy diagnostics.