Do It Yourself Car Maintenance

The air filter on your Ford Escape filters the outside air before it gets into the air intake and throttle. You need to change the air filter every time to change the oil in your Escape, or at...

When it's time to get maintenance done on your Dodge truck, a service light indicating that maintenance is required will illuminate. This maintenance light, however, will not go out until or...

When diagnosing a coolant leak on your Ford Ranger the best possible scenario will be a busted radiator hose. The worst possible scenario is of course a blown head gasket. When troubleshooting...

Most cars that are produced have some sort of emblem or car ornament installed on the hood of the car and even on the truck. This includes BMW. If you own a BMW, you may find that you want to...

Car wont start. It just goes click or it will not turn over fast enough to start. It is probably your battery. Here is a few steps to making your car run again.

Subaru introduced the Impreza to their line of economical automobiles in 1993. The Impreza has become known for its reliability and excellent traction in slick conditions due to its standard all...

Most Volkswagen vehicles use "switchblade" keys and key fobs. The process for programming these remotes is the same, no matter what Volkswagen model you have. You must have at least one programmed...

Oil in your water is very bad for your engine. Oil in water can also make your car smoke, which may lead to problems with local authorities for emissions violations. Usually, your oil filter will...

The low beam on the HID lights of an Accord should be checked twice a year to make sure that they are working right. Obviously, if you experience a burn out on the bulb at night, you'll know when...

HID bulbs use a special gas, usually Xenon, to illuminate the road ahead of you while driving. HID lights also have a longer service life than regular halogen bulbs, sometimes up to 40 percent...

Ford fog lamp bulbs need to be checked every 6 months to make sure that they are functioning properly. When you notice that one of the bulbs is out, replace it right away. Replacement bulbs can be...

When parking a motorcycle over the winter, it is customary to disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery to keep the motorcycle from going dead while sitting for an extended period. ...

The alternator is a device under the hood of your car that is spun via the serpentine belt. While the alternator is spinning, it is charging the vehicle's battery, so all the electrical components...

Changing the spark plugs on a vehicle with aluminum heads is a little different from the process for cast iron heads, but is just as important. The spark plugs are a vital part of your ignition...

Everyone knows they should change their oil on time. What most people don't know is that they have 4 major hurdles to overcome if they want their vehicle to last indefinitely. They are: Heat,...

Changing the spark plugs in a Ford Crown Victoria is not unlike most other similar-size cars in the class. The spark plugs are a crucial part of the ignition system, as they deliver the spark to...

Removing the wheel bearings off a Buick Rendezvous is a very detailed task. You can determine a bad wheel bearing when driving. The wheel bearings will make a roaring noise when you accelerate....

Replacing your inline fuel filter is essential to the smooth operation of your motor. The filter is designated to remove any sediment or debris from your fuel system before it reaches your motor....

The first thing you want to do when your Ford Tempo is not starting or running rough is inspect the fuel filter. The fuel filter pulls debris and sediment out of your fuel system. Your gas tank is...

The oil in your Jeep Liberty is essential to maintaining the vehicle. By keeping the engine cool and properly lubricated, an oil change every 3,000 miles makes certain that your car works well for...

Many states require drivers to install license plates on both the fronts and backs of cars. The Unofficial DMV Guide suggests that you check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV,...

Restoring a car involves redoing every part of the vehicle, including the gas tank. Many times, old vehicles have rusty gas tanks that don't appear to be salvageable. Fortunately, there are lots...

Your car is often left out in the harsh weather elements and typically can put up rather well against the precipitation and wind. However, not all of the car has proper weatherproofing, including...

Whether your recreational vehicle camper is a trailer, motorhome, or fifth wheel, you must protect its plumbing from ice damage before the next freeze hits. Here are some ideas for winterizing...

Changing your own oil is a quick and easy project that will save you money. Using auto ramps allows you better access under the car and will make the job easier, but you need to use some basic...

Changing the lower ball joint on a Honda Accord requires using a special press tool and a large machinist vise. The lower ball joints are the only units that can be replaced separately on the...

In order to keep your Chevy Cavalier running at optimum efficiency you will need to replace the filters on a regular interval. The fuel filter is an essential filter to replace to maintain your...

Your Subaru requires an oil change at 3,000-mile intervals. The oil change should include a new oil filter. Pick up the correct filter when purchasing the oil. Do this by referencing your make and...

Regularly changing the oil in your Ford Contour is vital to the life of the car. You should replace the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. The oil filter helps to separate the debris and sediments...

The dimmer switch on a 1991 Chevrolet Blazer is a multi-switch. This switch will power everything on your turn signal lever. This will include switching from high and low beam lights, operating...

A bar MAP sensor monitors the air flowing into the air intake system. It's called a "manifold absolute pressure" sensor. When this component fails, your turbo Buick will stall suddenly while...

The Toyota Matrix uses a 143a freon coolant air conditioning system to lower the interior temperature of the vehicle. This coolant can leak out and require additional freon. If this is the case,...

The coolant return hose on your vehicle connects the water pump and the radiator. The hose allows the pump to force low-temperature coolant from the radiator into the engine to keep it from...

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 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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...