Do It Yourself Car Maintenance

So you have this great idea for a road trip, and you’re ready to set out on the road—only to find out, your car is in no condition to travel hundreds of miles. Car repairs can be expensive (and...

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.

For most motorists, the relationship between their vehicles and themselves is multi-faceted. In most cases, people appreciate their vehicles because of the mobility and the sense of freedom and...

If your alternator needs to be replaced, you will probably notice some small problems with the electrical components of your car. Dim headlights are often the first sign followed by a slow,...

Want to get the most out of every tank of gas? Want to spend less of your hard-earned money on gas? Keep reading and I'll show you exactly how to do just that!

Exposure to weather and sunlight will naturally fog over the lenses on your vehicle's lights. Fogged-over headlight and taillight lenses can dull the lights, making it harder for you to see and be...

Ordinarily, a car's CD player works without fault and seamlessly plays the content on the disc. However, you may occasionally run into some problems, one of the worst being the disc actually...

Sometimes it's impossible to avoid parking under a tree. Fallen leaves will usually wipe or blow right off your vehicle with no problem, but dripping sap is another matter entirely. Left in place...

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...

Your car's temperature gauge is a diagnostic tool for you as a driver. If it shows high temperatures while driving normally, your car may have a problem with running hot. A car that runs hot is at...

Car repairs can be expensive, even for something as basic as replacing headlights. If your headlights are scratched and you are thinking of replacing them, there are other options. With a couple...

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...

Changing the fuel filter in your Mitsubishi Eclipse can be expensive when the car is handed over to a local car mechanic or work shop. But the process of changing the fuel filter on a Mitsubishi...

Protecting your car from rust is very important, but most of us do not realize that our car--bright and shiny from all obvious angles--may be suffering from a serious attack of rust that is out of...

It's aggravating to return to your parked car only to see someone has dinged up the side by hitting it with their door. Luckily, there is a way to help prevent this from happening. Car-door...

Modern car batteries are reliable and long-lasting. When they cease to work properly, it is usually due to sulfation. Sulfation occurs when the lead electrodes in the battery become coated with...

Most accidents occur during nighttime hours. Approximately 2,300 pedestrians are killed annually in the U.S. due to a driver's lack of visibility. Maintaining your car's headlights improves...

Painting a vehicle can be as simple as performing a quick touch-up to cover up a small scratch or as advanced as painting the entire body of a vehicle to cover up years of wear. Whether you choose...

Car ramps are an excellent method of raising the end of an automobile for easy access to the undercarriage of the vehicle, removing the need to purchase more expensive hydraulic-powered floor...

It is important to prepare your vehicle for cold environments. The exterior of your car needs protection from the elements in order to maintain your paint, wheels and glass. Snow and ice and the...

We all agree that proper maintainence will increase gas mileage and longevity of your vehicle. But saving at the pump is not the only place you can save. You can save a lot by doing your own...

If you live in an area that gets yearly snow, it is likely that you will end up with some calcium stains and buildup on your car by the end of winter. While most calcium stains in households are a...

Motor mounts play a critical role in ensuring that your car's engine and transmission remains fixed to your car's frame. When motor mounts wear out, your engine can separate, causing the engine to...

Replacing the brake pads on your Mercury Topaz will save you time and money. The brake pads are the front lines in your stopping power, and maintenance will ensure your car always stops correctly...

Hold it! That's not a cat. I'm pretty sure that's what I ran over as road-kill last night coming home. Front wheel - back wheel. Ouch! The smell lingered so bad I parked my car on the street away...

Dead car batteries rarely come at opportune times. Knowing ways that batteries can be drained can help preserve the life of your battery. Being tuned in to the ease with which your car is cranking...

Back in the days of the crank window in your car, you simply cranked the window up or down manually, and the window responded accordingly. Now cars are built with electric windows; they only...

Even if you have never put any kind of decal on your car, there's probably one there anyway -- the name of the dealership that sold the vehicle, placed for advertising purposes. Why is your ride...

If you live in the northern part of the country, and your car sits outside in the wintry weather for a period of time, the windows can freeze shut. The only thing you can do to thaw the windows is...

The Maintenance Required light becomes lit when your car travels a certain number of miles. It is basically a reminder that it is time to have your car's scheduled maintenance (oil and oil filter...

Having foggy headlights is not only unsightly, but it can be dangerous when driving at night. Manufacturers have replaced glass headlights with plastic ones. The problem is plastic can...

Many of us have heard about acid rain and its effects on the environment, but it can also cause damage to your car. When certain elements and pollutants are introduced into the atmosphere, they...

Rust is the common term for ferrous or iron oxide. It is formed by iron and oxygen reacting with each other in the presence of moisture in the surroundings. Rusting is also a term often used to...

As you drive your car, you will likely get scratches, dings, scuffs or other small bits of damage that can leave marks in your paint job. While large scratches or rust patches may require a whole...

The C5 Corvette is an American-made muscle car built by Chevrolet. While maintaining a large amount of the feel and performance of earlier Corvettes, the C5 brings modern styling and daily driver...

Your car has a thin, clear protective coat over the paint to help prevent rust and other damage. However, after you wash your car or even during a rain storm, water may find a way to work...

Keeping your car in top aesthetic shape may not be essential in keeping it operable, but it's still a worthwhile endeavor. One of the easiest ways to tarnish a car's appearance is with a scratch...

Rustproofing is a simple process. Instead of going to a shop that specializes on rustproofing, you can do it yourself. You will be spending less and you can be sure that the work is top-notch....

The process of painting a car, whether to blend in a new body panel or give the vehicle a completely new look, involves several steps and requires knowledge of the techniques and materials used....

It has happened to many of us after leaving our car in a parking lot. Upon return, we notice that somebody caused a black scuff mark on the car's finish. A scuff can cause a nice car to loose its...

Auto window film is often used by individuals who want a tinted look to their car windows without paying the hefty fee of having the actual glass tinted. Most auto window film is self-installed,...

Waxing your car helps protect the paint job, and waxing at home instead of paying for a professional wax job can save you a lot of money. Choose a day when the outside temperature is between 55...

Not only is rust on your car's frame an eyesore, but it also can cause excessive damage. Rust will weaken the frame; if it's not contained, it will continue to spread. It is critical to remove...

Oldsmobile is a defunct car company shut down by General Motors in the early 2000s. However, you can still find parts and accessories for the cars. If you were part of an accident, fender bender...

As your car ages, normal wear and tear can affect the fuel line. Connectors and fittings corrode, and weathering of the fuel line itself forms cracks in the line material. The fuel line begins at...

The CV drive axle in your car connects your transmission to your drive wheels, allowing the drive shaft to turn the wheels at a constant velocity regardless of terrain. A joint connects the two...

As a vehicle is exposed to the elements, a car will begin to age. While this applies to the mechanical aspects of the car, the aging process also affects the surface of the vehicle. For example,...

If the air in your car seems stuffy, it may be because the cabin air filter needs replacing, a routine maintenance task. Different models of vehicles have different locations for the air filter,...

If you have ever been in a slight fender bender or come back to the parking lot to see a dent in one of your car doors, you've probably noticed that there is some paint scratched into your car...