Scotty Kilmer: A Discussion 

"Robert Alexander" (bobbysgarage) 04/14/2018 at 09:35 • Filed to: YouTube, Scotty Kilmer, Tavarish, Turbo

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Scotty Kilmer is pretty huge in the YouTube world, with just over one million subscribers and 890 videos to date. This begs me to ask the question, why?

I have watched plenty of Scotty’s videos, and I don’t doubt that he knows his stuff with working on cars, but so many of his videos come across as ill-informed. He uses anecdotal evidence to prop up his opinions as “facts” and “common sense”. I know Tavarish wrote an article a while back on his Mercedes video, but there have been many transgressions since then. One that sticks out is this one.

The Ford Focus in the beginning is a 2.0 naturally aspirated Duratec. Come on, You have all this knowledge and experience, but you don’t know that doesn’t even have the aforementioned turbocharger?

Basically in Scotty’s world, if you don’t drive a mid 90's Toyota product with no fun modifications whatsoever, you’re DUMB. Can anyone here who might watch Scotty’s videos give me some insight on why you like him?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 09:55

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i avoid him, otherwise you’re simply encouraging him to continue.

Alfalfa > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 09:55

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People like to feel special and smart. Many people would rather feel special and smart by listening to idiots tell them what to think is right rather than doing some research for themselves. Basically, people watch Scotty Kilmer for the same reason people listen to Rush Limbaugh.

That’s my take on it, anyway.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 10:06

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I hate this guy and his dumping of garbage in the stream of information on the internet. He has bad opinions, dangerous beliefs, questionable knowledge, and boisterously describes them in a way that appeals to people with low intelligence.

Robert Alexander > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 10:17

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Well it’s nice to see I’m not the only one. The thing that concerns me is if you look at the comments on his videos, they are almost all positive. I watch and I think, “how can no one be roasting this tool?”

Mercedes Streeter > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 10:18

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People like him are infuriating. He appeals to low information people that aren’t going to fact check him. He has a way of twisting his beliefs as “fact” that appeals to people that don’t know any better. He talks just like them, looks just like them, and lives in a house...just like them. He is insanely relatable.

Meanwhile, an actual informative channel in 2018 would be lucky to break 10k views a video.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 04/14/2018 at 10:24

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He’s basically the Trump of automotive Youtubers

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 10:42

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I only watch him if I want to piss myself off.

He’d probably say my Acura will cost a fortune to fix and maintain because it’s luxury and therefore idiotic to buy and it’s probably ready to explode any second now that it’s close to 200k miles.

Urambo Tauro > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 10:46

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I’ve been avoiding his videos ever since the whole thing with using compression fittings on brake lines. YouTube’s been recommending more of his videos to me recently, which makes me wonder if he’s somehow gaining popularity lately. Some of his video thumbnails do pique my curiosity, but I just don’t want to contribute views to his channel. I’d rather have my viewing history help steer YouTube’s algorithms so that more people will discover SouthMainAuto, EricTheCarGuy, or ChrisFix, etc. instead.

McMike > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:05

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I’m sure his neighbors wish they had a mute button. Imagine living next door to this guy listening to him record an episode.

Has got to be worse than a barking dog.

Fun fact, I was watching the video you posted, and paused it right after @1:26 when he said “I’m always driving like a maniac”

From the other room, Mrs McMike said, “Well you sound like a maniac”

I watch his videos. Not as a viewer, but if he shows up in a google result. I usually watch to see if there is anything I did’t think of. Sometimes there is, most of the time there isn’t.

I find them entertaining - mainly because of the low quality, the fact that they are always outside in that driveway, and for him. OMG him. The glasses, the lack of a script, the delivery of the content, and his weird persona. It’s almost a parody itself of car repair videos.

I would be delighted to find out that this “Scotty Kilmer” was a character this guy plays on camera, and he’s actually a fairly normal guy.

Just like DeMuro.

DipodomysDeserti > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:06

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Anyone who uses this guy’s videos for advice and isn’t driving a mid 90s Toyota is dumb.

My bird IS the word > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:09

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because clickbait. Why are obnoxious youtubers popular in general? I think it’s because being boisterous overshadows actual quality.

also scotty is basically most car forums.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 04/14/2018 at 11:17

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Perhaps worse. People probably put more faith in the accuracy of this guy’s statements than they do to Trump’s.

ThePenguin > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:27

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Because people are idiots.

Simple as that.

traitor joe > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:33

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Wow, lots of hate for Scotty in these comments. I think his videos play a role. He does a good job of getting the salient points across in a very short amount of time. Of course, not all of his opinions are correct or well-supported. But for those people who want a basic overview of a topic without spending half an hour or going into detail, his videos can be valuable.

I’ve watched many of his videos, mostly out of boredom. I don’t think I’ve ever learned anything new from them. I do think they are easy to understand and remember for people without a lot of car knowledge, and I suspect that is the audience he caters to. There is only so much (displacement, air/fuel ratio, compression ratio, psi) you can throw at a non-car person before their eyes glaze over..

E92M3 > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:45

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He has to be removing the negative comments.

E92M3 > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 11:49

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I discovered him while researching how to replace an E70 X5 waterpump. In his video he says you have to take the motor mount off and jack up the engine to remove it. Turns out I was able to replace it without doing that. I watched a few more of his videos that came up in my feed, and it was obvious he hates anything that isn’t an older Toyota.

Robert Alexander > McMike 04/14/2018 at 12:36

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I get the feeling Doug isn’t much different in real life. I’ve read his Reddit AMA and wasn’t surprised by much. I’ve always enjoyed Doug’s videos because of how genuine it seems. The guy just LOVES cars.

fintail > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 12:44

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Someone close that trunk, lock it, throw away the key.

Nah, we need him, someone has to air idiotic opinions about German cars.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 14:03

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Maybe it’s like a live train wreck, you just can’t look away.

Teh Penguin of Doom > Mercedes Streeter 04/14/2018 at 14:12

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People like him are infuriating. He appeals to low information people that aren’t going to fact check him. He has a way of twisting his beliefs as “fact” that appeals to people that don’t know any better.

At first I thought you were talking about somebody else.

Teh Penguin of Doom > McMike 04/14/2018 at 14:13

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Really? I could imagine enjoying hanging out with DeMuro in person. I think his nerdiness resonates with many of us.

Dave the car guy , still here > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 15:46

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I have worked in the car parts and repair business over 3 decades. I’ve watched exactly two of his videos and have skipped over any others that come up on searches. I myself think he is a moron. I don’t have any clue as to why anyone watches him rant except for the fact that much of that viewing public is of a lower IQ .

shop-teacher > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 17:38

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I met Doug a couple years ago. He was exactly what I expected. Very nice, genuine dude. He even ran a Carfax on my old Roadmaster wagon :)

shop-teacher > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 17:44

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He’s a dangerous hack. I hate that guy.

shop-teacher > Robert Alexander 04/14/2018 at 17:44

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He’s a dangerous hack. I hate that guy.

Robert Alexander > Robert Alexander 04/15/2018 at 09:19

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Hey guys, remember. He’s an “emmy award winning car host”

John Smither > Robert Alexander 01/04/2019 at 22:16

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At least he’s mildly entertaining. I wouldn’t say that much about “ all flash no cas h” Tavarish.