Do It Yourself Car Maintenance

One of the many conveniences of the newer Jeep vehicles is the built-in garage door opener or Homelink system. This system allows you to program your garage door opener into your Jeep so that you...

Improving the sound of your Toyota Corolla's audio system can be accomplished in several different ways, but one of the most effective and simplest is to replace the existing stock speakers with...

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...

Your 1994 Mazda 323 comes equipped with a power steering and an alternator drive belt. Removing the steering pump belt is a straightforward task. However, to gain access and replace the alternator...

If you would like to put covers on your Mercedes seat or need to do some deep cleaning, chances are you are going to have to remove the headrest. Removing the headrest in a Mercedes Benz is an...

There are a number of factors that may require you to reline your gas tank. Rust in the tank, shellac buildup from sitting with old gas, a desire to return the tank to its factory condition: these...

Replacing the wiper on a Toyota 4Runner is a quick, simple job. It is important to be sure your wipers are in good condition, as worn wipers can damage your vehicle's glass. Worn wipers can...

The thermostat on the Mazda Millenia is the heart of the coolant system. The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant to your motor and ensures your Mazda runs cool at all times. The thermostat...

Transmissions are hydraulically controlled components, and therefore use fluid to build the required pressure and to prevent overheating. Although new transmission fluid is clean, the internal...

Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a petroleum product that liquefies and cleans internal engine components of varnish and gummy oil and fuel. Old trucks, cars and motorcycles sitting for long periods of...

Automotive power windows can wear out and make noises, such as squeaking and squealing, that can become annoying. The window regulator, used in most vehicles, is a series of joints and metal bars...

Polycarbonate headlights are becoming the standard in today's cars. While durable and crack resistant, the lenses are prone to yellowing, clouding and scratching. This can dramatically reduce...

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...

You're about to leave for work early in the morning, and you need to review directions to a meeting that day. It's still dark out, and you need a reading light. The interior light doesn't come on...

The thermostat governs the flow of coolant in an internal combustion motor. When the engine is getting warm, the thermostat will release enough coolant to flow through the canals of the motor....

A catalytic converter uses a catalyst of platinum and iridium in order to oxidize carbon monoxide and other pollutants into water and carbon dioxide. In other words, it is a device intended to...

One of the optional pieces of equipment for your car is an air-conditioning unit. This unit cools the outside air as it enters your engine compartment, then pumps that cooler air into the cockpit...

The struts on your vehicle are designed to absorb the bumps and irregularities in the roadway to provide you with smooth and comfortable riding conditions. If the struts are worn out or damaged,...

Check the coolant level when diagnosing an overheating motor. This will usually cause your motor to run hot and possibly blow your head gasket. Immediately check and replace your thermostat if the...

The thermostat housing on your Honda is accessible and, in most cases, very simple to remove and replace. The thermostat itself is responsible for maintaining the temperature of your Honda. When...

Replacing leaf spring bushings on your vehicle can be a big job, but if you have the right tools, a little patience, and time, you can do it in a weekend. Leaf spring bushings serve to isolate...

Wilwood calipers have a few differences from standard calipers. Some models will have four bleeder screws on each caliper because they have internal fluid passages, but the bleeding process is...

Chevy Astro vans have the fuel pump located inside the gas tank. This is the primary reason why the design of the gas tank allows for it to be removed with relative ease compared to other styles...

R-134a is the refrigerant found in most automotive AC units today. Procedures for checking the refrigerant level do not vary much from one to the other. The best way to check the refrigerant level...

To maintain your radiator, you will need to test the pressure on the radiator as well as on the cap. The coolant system of your vehicle relies on pressure to properly circulate air in your vehicle...

Air tools use compressed air from any type of air compressor. These tools utilize a small high-speed turbine to generate the power needed to perform work. Inside the small hand-held tools are...

Properly setting the idle screws on a Holley carburetor is one of the most commonly overlooked maintenance task. The idle screws determine the ratio of air and gasoline mixed by the carburetor...

According to the website listed below in the Resources section, it is recommended that you inspect and change your timing belt on the Chevy Aveo every 60,000 miles to maintain proper performance...

If you've got a broken door lock on your Volkswagen Jetta or Golf MK III, or you just wish to install a new exterior door handle, then you're in luck. Volkswagen made the MK III door handles a...

Replacing the hood lift struts on most vehicles is a quick and simple process. Replacement lift struts are available at most auto parts stores, as well as some major retailers in the automotive...

The Odyssey is an award-winning minivan sold by Honda; although the Odyssey is known for its reliability, every vehicle is susceptible to light failures. The most common lights you'll need to...

Applying dielectric grease as a preventative measure is simple task that should become a regular practice on all automotive connectors that may be exposed to the elements. Bulbs, under-hood...

Sticky, jammed up lock cylinders can often be salvaged. Rarely does the lock need replacing.

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...

Since its founding in 1902, Cadillac has represented American luxury at its finest, building world class automobiles including the Eldorado, Seville and, most recently, the CTS. Enthusiasts have...

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...

A sticking thermostat will cause the Oldsmobile Cutlass to overheat causing serious motor damage. The thermostat controls your coolant system allowing enough coolant to flow through the motor...

People have used Baking Soda for a great number of things from cleaning everyday household items to curing or preventing bothersome health ailments. This article lists the more unusual uses...

Occasionally you must replace the timing belt on your Saab because of wear or damage. Saab recommends that as a matter of maintenance you replace the belts approximately every 60,000 miles. The...

Hacking into a jammed glove box could either be a quick fix or a dramatic part of your day. There could be multiple solutions to apply to this specific problem.

Modern cars have air filters within the engine bay that keep dirt and debris from entering your engine. Over time, these filters get clogged up and require replacement. Most manufacturers...

The Chevrolet Cavalier was produced until 2005; prior to that, the Cavalier had not been redesigned since 1995, which makes many repairs and maintenance procedures the same for all models between...

Your 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier has two coolant hoses that run between the radiator and engine. One connects to the upper part of the radiator and the other to the lower section. These hoses are one...

Installing the transfer case in your Jeep Cherokee is something every avid off-road enthusiast who owns one will probably do at some point. While it isn't rocket science, there are right and wrong...

Preventative maintenance on your vehicle will almost always prevent added expenses later. The car battery is no different. Cars depend on the battery for their many electronic components. Poor and...

Some mystique surrounds the use of VINs, or vehicle identification numbers. We need them for everything: registering the vehicle, selling it or insuring it. It is easy to figure out lots of...

Chrome on wheel rims can sometimes become scratched or worn, or you might simply decide to go with another look. In either case, it can be a problem getting the old layer off a wheel. Most...

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...

Welding the body panels of an automobile is much different than welding bars of steel together or repairing a mailbox stand. Auto-body sheet metal is very thin, and if proper care is not used when...

Gas tanks need removal for various reasons. They can become contaminated with water or some other substance, in which case they have to be removed and completely flushed out so that no damage is...