Summary First introduced by General Motors in the late ‘80s, the oil life monitoring system alerts drivers whenever their vehicles…
Summary Some issues to look for when buying a used manual vehicle include transmission leaks, transmission troubles, and gear shifting…
Summary In some cases, extremely hot temperatures can become too unbearable even for a cooling system that’s been running well…
Summary Must-haves for your DIY roadside emergency kit include a lug wrench, tire patch kit, tire pressure gauge, and spare…
Summary Your air suspension system does a lot of things for you一it enhances your ride comfort, prolongs the lifespan of…
Gift-giving season is almost here一which also means there’s tons of shopping to do! Delight the car enthusiasts in your life…
Summary Veterans Day is the perfect occasion to show appreciation to former servicemen of the United States Armed Forces. Step…
Summary Some of the best items for weatherproofing your vehicle include car covers and wiper blades. Other accessories for driving…
Summary You can do a lot with old car parts that could contribute to the environment and even make you…
Summary While brake pads do have a predicted lifespan, there might be times when they tend to wear out faster…
Summary A radiator shroud is a piece of metal or plastic that fits over the radiator fan to draw air…
Summary On vehicles where the timing belt drives the water pump, it only makes sense to replace the timing belt…
Summary There are four different types of hybrid cars: plug-in, series, parallel, and series-parallel hybrids. Hybrid vehicles can be classified…
Summary Braking downhill and slamming the brakes are bad habits that can potentially destroy your vehicle’s brakes. Inspect your brakes…
Summary The turbocharger increases a vehicle’s overall performance by boosting horsepower and fuel efficiency. Some signs of a bad turbocharger…
Summary Jack stands support a vehicle after it's been lifted by a jack. Place the jack stands underneath the car…
A car's cooling system keeps the engine running at a safe temperature to prevent overheating. One component that aids in…
Summary A car door vapor/moisture barrier is the protective plastic sheet you see when you remove a car door panel.…
Summary No, EVs don’t have radiators like those in traditional combustion vehicles, but they do use heat exchangers that are…
Summary Overfilling your engine with oil may result in engine damage caused by foaming in the crankshaft, increased oil pressure,…
Summary While most vehicles use the BCM to control the lights, some vehicles are equipped with a lighting control module…
Summary As its name suggests, a hydrogen engine is a type of engine that uses hydrogen as a clean fuel…
Summary The auto button activates the HVAC system’s auto setting, which optimizes various HVAC settings such as the blower’s fan…
Summary Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) can point you in the right direction if you or your mechanic is looking to…
Summary Also known as the transmission cooling line, the transmission cooler line is a type of hose that helps regulate…
Summary Long-term check-ups are inspections you should do at least once a year. Some of them include checking the transmission…
Summary The engine lubrication system stores, splashes, and pumps oil inside the engine to keep moving parts lubricated. Some of…
Summary The engine assembly is among the most expensive parts to repair and replace. It can cost you $16,400 or…
Summary Injection control pressure sensors (ICP) are responsible for monitoring the pressure levels of the fuel in the rail feeding…
Summary If you plan on doing maintenance on the undercarriage of your vehicle, you can make the process much easier…
Summary Cars naturally exhibit various types of wear over time. Some easy short-term check-ups you can do yourself include checking…
Summary Humidity, condensation, and surface tension all cause fogging on the windshield. Some tips for defogging a windshield include activating…
Summary You may need a replacement oxygen sensor if your existing O2 sensor’s pattern on a scan tool appears ragged…
Summary Towing a trailer or any sort of heavy weight behind your vehicle affects braking distance, meaning it’s more difficult…
Summary Blockages in your vehicle’s exhaust system like a clogged catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter can cause increased backpressure,…
Summary An inline transmission filter protects your vehicle’s transmission system by filtering contaminants like dirt and debris from your vehicle’s…
Summary Manufacturers typically design ignition coils to last the vehicle's lifetime, so you don’t need to change them as often…
Summary Bidirectional charging is a two-way process that lets EV chargers flow energy into and out of a vehicle. Vehicle-to-house…
Summary While a lot of diesel engines come with turbochargers nowadays, there are still a handful of them that are…
Summary Faulty parts like the power regulator and wiring harnesses can lead to situations where the trailer brakes are locked…
Summary A brake pedal stopper is a small part that acts like a cushion for the brake pedal. The stopper…
Summary While the terms motor and engine are often interchangeable, their automotive terms have significant differences. This interchangeability is partly…
Summary Aeration is the main cause behind foaming power steering fluid. If air gets into the line, the power steering…
Summary Three-cylinder engines are just as reliable as any other engine type. Cylinder count doesn’t determine engine reliability. Instead, the…
Summary If your clutch pedal is stuck to the floor, you’re likely dealing with a broken clutch cable, low clutch…
Summary An inline-6 engine has a single row of 6 cylinders, while a V6 engine has two rows of 3…
Summary Most professional mechanics choose to use a hydraulic shop press to remove suspension bushings. The press makes it easier…
Summary A thread chaser is a small tool specifically designed to clean and reform the threads of a spark plug…
Summary Engine bearings are the main supports for the major moving parts of an engine, reinforcing the operating loads and…
Summary Approximately 27 million cars are recycled annually. For the average vehicle, about 90% of its parts can be recycled,…
Summary Performance chips adjust and optimize various systems in a vehicle to increase engine output and boost performance. Some benefits…
Summary Engine oil smells like gas because of engine blow-bys, faulty piston rings, leaks in the fuel injection system, and…
Summary Since brake lines are made from stiff steel tubing (unless you’re replacing them with the nickel/copper alloy, which most…
Summary When installing a new clutch assembly, professional mechanics use the clutch alignment tool to align the clutch disc to…
Summary In most batteries, battery acid consists of sulfuric acid and water. Battery acid produces an electric current that runs…
Summary A flywheel with hot spots on it can cause the clutch to chatter, vibrate, and fail prematurely. It can…
Summary The engine drives the torque converter and automatic transmission pump that affect the transmission fluid level. Park your car…
Summary When the torque converter is bolted to the flex plate, there is no space between the converter and the…
Summary Every vehicle needs a transmission because it prevents the engine from destroying itself. Without a transmission, most engines would…
Summary If oil comes out of your vehicle’s exhaust, you’re likely dealing with bad valve seals, a damaged PCV system,…
Summary Exhaust cams are responsible for controlling when the exhaust valves in the engine open and close. Their operation affects…
Summary Trailer wiring is what’s used to power lights and other electrical accessories in trailers. Passenger cars have seven pins,…
Summary The electronic throttle control (ETC) sends electrical signals to the ECU to open the throttle. The benefits of using…
Summary Wash your car every week and bring it to a professional car cleaner every few months to help prevent…
Summary Also known as an edging or a bushing, a rubber grommet is a small tube covering a panel hole's…
Summary Clutch chatter is a vibration or shudder that affects the whole vehicle, and it originates from the driveline or…
Summary Generally, you shouldn’t drive at high RPM in diesel vehicles unless you need high speed, such as during overtaking.…
Summary Replacing air bags could cost you anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000. The impact sensor, the control module, and the…
Summary Bottle jacks are compact, bottle-shaped, heavy-duty jacks with a vertical hydraulic piston. Floor jacks are flat and use a…
Summary In some cases, extremely hot temperatures can become too unbearable even for a cooling system that’s been running well…
Summary How to clean a garage tool typically depends on its size, use, and material. Cleaning tools usually require rust…
Summary Driving slower than 60 mph can help you save gas, but driving slower than 30 mph can burn more…
Summary Brake pad delamination is when the friction lining on a disc brake pad separates from the steel backing plate.…
Summary Dieseling happens in carbureted spark plug-fired gasoline engines because of a combination of high compression ratio and a heat…
Summary The A/C compressor circulates and pressurizes the A/C system’s refrigerant. If the compressor is inoperative, your vehicle’s A/C will…
Summary To fix a faulty car horn, you’ll need to prepare the necessary tools and diagnose the issue first. Check…
Summary It's a good idea to replace the oil pan gasket during an oil change. Choose a replacement oil pan…
Summary Torque wrenches are used to tighten fasteners such as bolts, screws, and nuts to a specific torque. You’ll need…
Summary Exhaust hangers are used to secure and fasten a vehicle’s exhaust pipe to its undercarriage, preventing it from hanging…
Automakers have always been in pursuit of creating the best vehicles possible, whether it be in the field of engine…
Summary Powder coating is a dry finishing process that uses powder to give surfaces a decorative and functional finish. Common…
Summary New brake pads can wear out early because of bad calipers and pins. Some causes of uneven brake pad…
Summary You may need a replacement alternator if your existing one is producing a bad ripple pattern viewable on a…
Summary The crankshaft and camshaft work together to allow the engine to “breathe.” The engine delivers torque through the transmission…
Summary Yes, you can jump-start hybrid cars. Make sure to consult your vehicle owner’s manual because some models have special…
Summary A total of 1,020,729 vehicles were stolen in 2023, resulting in a staggering 25% increase in vehicle theft rates…
Summary Brake pad glazing happens when the brake friction material hardens and crystallizes due to excessive heat. Some symptoms include…
Summary Air conditioning systems in vehicles are closed and sealed units wherein a belt-driven compressor circulates refrigerant throughout the system.It’s…
Summary A complete brake job has an estimated labor time of anywhere between four and six hours, depending on several…
Summary While your car battery is a 12-volt unit, its voltage readings appear higher for various reasons. Factors like battery…
Summary A battery tender prevents the car battery from getting discharged. Car covers, jack stands, and wheel chocks help prevent…
Summary Anti-seize compounds are lubricants that mechanics and DIYers place on bolts, fasteners, flanges, and other metals to prevent corrosion,…
Summary Also known as the reluctor ring, the tone ring is the part of the wheel speed sensor that sends…
Summary An air chisel or impact hammer is the perfect tool to push the bolt stuck in the leaf spring…
Summary There is a difference between “difficult to steer” and locked up. If your steering wheel locks up when driving,…
Summary The common types of mufflers are chambered, straight-through, glasspack, and turbo mufflers. Consider noise reduction, sound adjustment, and space…
Summary The fuel-efficient choice between driving with the A/C on and driving with the windows down will depend on several…
Summary Testing your brake lights can be as simple as having a friend or family member stand behind the vehicle…
Summary It’s generally a good idea to check your engine’s oil levels every month or before a long drive. Checking…
Summary Your vehicle’s temperature gauge is a part of its emissions control system. The gauge measures engine coolant temperatures, relaying…