Do It Yourself Car Maintenance

Fuel filters are extremely important to vehicles. When a fuel filter becomes clogged or dirty, the fuel attempting to get through the filter ends up becoming stuck. This can cause engine problems...

Replacing blown or failed light bulbs on an Audi is a regular part of maintenance. And while bulbs are cheap--they usually cost $15 to $20 each, or even less for cheaper brands--having an Audi...

The Subaru Legacy cabin air filter is similar to your engine air filter, but its filtering capability is much greater. It cleans ambient air from any pollen and dirt so that you can breathe clean...

When an engine is made, it is molded from molten metal. This process involves a cast, which must eventually be removed from the now formed engine. The cooling system is handled this way as well,...

Charging SLA batteries is a simple task that must be done from time to time as these batteries will occasionally drain down. SLA or Sealed Lead Acid batteries are commonly used in cars, golf carts...

The thermostat in your Nissan Frontier is required to regulate the flow of coolant through your motor. The thermostat will send enough coolant through the motor to keep the engine running...

Replacing the front bumper on your Jeep Wrangler usually is a quick and easy task. But unlike the process of swapping out bumpers on other vehicles, the Jeep sometimes has components that get in...

A radiator keeps the engine cool and operating smoothly. Without the radiator the engine would overheat and seize up. Leaks in the radiator should be addressed as soon as possible. Quick fixes are...

You may need to lift your Jeep to perform general maintenance such as oil changes and more involved procedures such as brake service. Lifting your Jeep is a relatively easy process if you follow...

Many new cars ride low to the ground. Low ground clearance improves the handling and fuel mileage by forcing air over the car instead of under it. For the weekend mechanic, getting under one of...

The fuel filter on your Jeep provides a means to strain out contaminants so that the fuel going to the combustion chamber of the engine is as pure as possible. You should service your Jeep's fuel...

Checking your headlights should be a regular part of your weekly vehicle inspection. When you're driving your Jeep at night, headlights act as your second pair of eyes by allowing you to see in...

Replacing drum brakes is often thought of as a project that is too difficult for the average car owner to do by themselves. This is not true. By taking your time and paying attention to the...

Jeeps are most recognized by their open cab, functionality and rugged look. The removable hardtop is constructed of metal and plastic and can weigh over 200 lbs., depending on the Jeep model....

The term "advance" refers to the amount of time in degrees of crankshaft rotation that any individual cylinder's spark plug fires before the piston reaches the top of its compression stroke. This...

There are many ways to put those nasty deep ugly scratches on your windscreen, including leaning your bike against a wall, getting too close to a garage door, or even dropping your bike so that...

It happens at least twice a year. You have to reset the clock on your Honda Accord. Funny how you have to keep relearning the process every time! The manual is buried in a closet somewhere, and...

General Motors has produced numerous engines through its various brands, including Chevrolet, the automaker's most popular brand by far. Several 2.2 liter engines have been developed over the...

Replacing your fuel filter is an essential piece of maintenance that is often overlooked. The fuel filter is the second line of defense in maintaining clean fuel lines. The first step is the...

The fuel filter on a 1989 Ford Taurus filters the gasoline coming from the car's fuel tank to get rid of the impurities in the gasoline so they don't make their way into the engine. You should...

Installing the fuel tank on your Ford Escort does not have to be a problem. The tank when empty is very light and requires minimum effort to hold it in place while you tighten the straps. The...

The first step in replacing your fuel pump or replacing the fuel tank is removing the existing tank. You'll also need to remove the tank if you're attempting to repair the gas gauge. The fuel...

When troubleshooting your Jeep for oil leaks there are a few possibilities. Inspect around the drain pan and even look around the motor. The most possible cause of leaking can occur in the oil...

Ignition timing refers to the point during the engine's revolution at which the spark plugs ignite the air and fuel within the engine's cylinders. The ignition timing must be precisely set, or...

"Jumping" a starter solenoid can be necessary if you are stranded in the middle of nowhere and your car's starter will not turn over or seems to be frozen. Along those lines, if you operate your...

The Dodge Magnum headlights should be checked every six months to make sure they are functioning normally. If you notice that a headlight is out, replace it as soon as possible. Replacement bulbs...

You should check the headlight bulbs on your BMW E39 every six months. If you notice that a bulb is out, you'll need to replace it. You can buy replacement bulbs for the E39 at any auto parts...

A lead acid battery consists of a set of lead electrodes (called plates) immersed in an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. This technology provides good power storage in a reliable...

The fuel filter in your Volkswagen Passat cleans dirt, grime, rust and dust out of the fuel that enters your engine, keeping the inside of your motor clean and running well. If a fuel filter is...

The automotive thermostat is a controlled on and off valve. When the temperature of the vehicle gets higher, the thermostat will allow the flow of coolant throughout your motor. This will keep...

Cars and trucks today are held together with bolts, nuts and screws. Sometimes, it's difficult to remove those screws because they're either frozen from rust, the head is stripped out or you just...

Replacing the fuel filter in your Ford Windstar is the first step in ensuring your van runs better and remains fuel efficient. The fuel filter has the responsibility of trapping debris the...

Some Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle are equipped with a transmitter that you can program with the code from your garage door, allowing it to open and close the garage door. Programming the...

If your car seems to be losing power or begins to stall out, especially when you press the accelerator, you may have a problem with your fuel filter. Fuel filters are one of the easiest car parts...

Most of us have been or will be in a situation that requires using jumper cables some time within our lives. The situation is unfortunate, but almost unavoidable. Sometimes we forget to turn off...

Brake lights occasionally burn out just like any other incandescent bulb. It's inconvenient for sure; fortunately, changing the bulb is easy. Car manufacturers understand that certain maintenance...

A loose drive belt on your Mazda 323 model can become noisy, affect the operation of any of the components that depend on it or slip off the pulleys. On the other hand, an over-tight belt will...

A flat tire can be upsetting and frustrating. A tire can go flat from a variety of things: a puncture in the tread or sidewall, a broken bead seal or a faulty air valve. Over time, a valve stem...

Welding a cracked exhaust manifold can save you a lot of money. The task can be done with just about any welder meant for steel. The most important part of welding the manifold is the preparation...

Polishing an intake manifold on a Mustang is an ideal way to add horsepower and throttle response. By polishing the insides of the intake tracts, incoming air is able to move through the manifold...

Corroded battery cables and electrical connectors can prevent a vehicle from starting. The electrical power that is needed from the battery is blocked by the corrosion. This corrosion needs to be...

The fuel filter in an Isuzu cleans the fuel before it gets to the fuel injectors. This is necessary in order to remove most of the contaminates in the fuel. Contaminates are naturally found in the...

The fuel filter on a Ford Escort is located on the firewall, next to the brake master cylinder. While many vehicles use an in-line filter underneath the vehicle, Ford mounts the filter inside the...

Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades are known to be long-lasting and high-quality wiper blades. The Aerotwin design is unique; it replaces the existing wiper-arm connection and adds a "quick-connect"...

The fuel filter on a VW needs to be replaced after 30,000 miles. The filter helps to remove contaminates from the fuel that are picked up from the gas station, the gas tank or both. When the fuel...

Check the headlight bulbs on your Mercury Cougar every six months to make sure they are functioning properly. There is no set service life for headlight bulbs; but when they blow out, replace them...

Long gone are the days of the dimmer switch being a switch activated by your foot. Modern cars have placed the dimmer switch within the smart lever, which is installed on the steering column. The...

Replacing the fuel filter in your Chevrolet will increase engine performance as well as fuel mileage. The fuel filter is a quick and easy fix for sluggish acceleration and poor gas mileage. You...

A fuel filter tends to get clogged after years of running gasoline through it. When it's time to replace the fuel filter on your Ford, you'll find that it is not a troubling task. The filter is...

The fuel filter on your vehicle is designed to prevent contaminants or particles from getting into the engine from the gas tank. The fuel filter can generally be found in the engine compartment of...