Showing 1-50 of 1,517 results
Since becoming mandatory in U.S. cars in the late 1990s, air bags can be found in virtually every car and truck on the road today. Although they are credited with saving thousands of lives, they...
Soil testers are a necessary tool in helping gardeners establish healthy garden soil. Soil should be tested in the spring and fall and anytime you add any amendments. Soil can be analyzed by a...
ambient light
artificial light
The blower motor in a car is a small electrical motor located inside the vehicle's heating and air conditioning duct. The blower motor works in conjunction with the heater core by drawing air from...
Onboard diagnostics, or OBD, is an electronic system that allows an auto technician or car owner to see the health of a car. The OBD was first introduced in the early 1980s and the OBD2 is the...
Diagnosing your car's problems can save you time and money at the mechanic or in the parts store. The car's thermostat system is an important one, as it tells you how well the temperature is being...
The check engine light on your vehicle is something that may be cause for alarm, but should not force you into making rash decisions in regards to your auto. Make sure you don't overreact when...
The muffler is part of the exhaust system of a Chevy Avalanche. The purpose of a muffler is to reduce toxic emissions and noise. The noise of a car comes from pressure waves from the opening and...
The Saturn Ion was only in production for the 2003 through 2007 model years and came standard with a four-cylinder engine. When parts wear out inside of the engine, the car loses power, burns oil...
When you're playing the Xbox 360, you may find your game play interrupted by an error screen. You might get a message that states "System Error. Contact Xbox Customer Support." Once you receive...
The Focus is a compact car from American automaker Ford that has been available since 2000. Since that time it has undergone several styling and mechanical changes but has remained Ford's major...
Electric baseboard heaters are very reliable electrical devices. Over time though, the internal resistive elements that make the heat may burn out and fail. Testing or troubleshooting an electric...
The engine codes for auxiliary emission problems are generated and stored on a vehicle's ECU or Engine Control Unit. On some vehicles, this is simply referred to as an On-board Diagnostic System...
The Jeep Grand Cherokee features either a V6 or a V8 engine, although some earlier models came with an in-line six-cylinder. A compression test is a useful tool performed on the engine when it is...
A V6 engine powers the Chrysler Town and Country minivan. and it is important to keep it running properly. A compression test is a simple way to find out what happens inside of the engine without...
The check engine light on your vehicle is something that may be cause for alarm, but should not force you into making rash decisions in regards to your auto. Make sure you don't overreact when...
A short ram intake is a very simple version of a cold air intake system, which reduces the air temperature inside an internal combustion engine. A short ram intake system usually consists of a...
Despite the mystery that surrounds most auto repair, there are many mechanical problems you can diagnose and fix yourself. That rattle and clank in your engine may result from uneven wearing in...
The Taurus is a mid-size sedan produced and sold by American automaker Ford Motor Company. Since its introduction in 1985, the Taurus has taken several forms and undergone significant redesigns....
The Pontiac Firebird was first produced in 1967 and, aside from a few aesthetic changes, was virtually identical to Chevrolet's Camaro. Although not as valuable as the Camaro, the Firebird has...
That mechanical beast that lives in the belly of your boat may raise the noise and smoke levels when it's in use, but when you need it, there's nothing like your diesel engine. Bringing it to life...
Air conditioning problems are too common in many cars, especially in older models like a Plymouth Voyager which is no longer made. You may save yourself a lot of money by avoiding a trip to a...
The Mazda 6 is a mid-sized, front engine, front wheel drive sedan introduced by Mazda in 2002. Variations include a five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. The Mazda 6 was named one of...
Tools and equipment such as lawn mowers have small engines that need to be maintained. Proper care of these small engines can result in improved performance and longer life of the engine. Cleaning...
Fuel injectors can cause a whole host of problems that can lead to major engine damage if not diagnosed and replaced or repaired as soon as possible. To diagnose a fuel injector problem you need a...
Two things make an internal combustion engine function: fuel and fire. If the engine in a Toyota Tacoma isn't working the way it should be, then it's because there's a restriction on one or the...
The U.S. Department of Energy has a Fuel Cell Technologies Program that tests fuel cells as a source of power for automotive, stationary and portable power applications.
Gas pumps seem so straight forward--you buy gas and pump it into your tank. But beneath the surface of the cabinet and hose of the gas pump lies a series of circuits, pumps and valves that send...
Recommended by "Consumer Reports" as a pickup truck, the GMC Sierra, is a reliable truck and sibling to the Chevrolet Silverado. It comes in two versions, the regular 1500 and the heavy duty 2500....
The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve controls the amount of pressure that goes through the compartments of your engine. If this valve gets clogged or breaks on your Hyundai Santa Fe,...
Shock absorbers prevent your car from flailing about on the road while you drive. Whenever your vehicle bottoms out, the wear and tear on your springs reaches dangerous level. This is a serious...
When the shocks go out on your vehicle, the driving experience can become a bit less desirable. You'll be floating down the road, wearing your tires unevenly and causing control issues at the same...
The internal combustion gasoline engine operates on a four-stroke system: intake, compression, power and exhaust. These four processes occur inside the cylinders of the engine, where the air/fuel...
Tire pressure monitoring systems must be reset or "relearned" after a tire is changed or rotated. In a perfect world, your dealer or service professional will have performed the procedure for you,...
The pressure provocation test is one of many physical examinations a doctor or hand specialist might perform in an effort to detect if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Physical evidence of the...
If you've made a commitment to breastfeeding your baby after you return to work, then you will most likely use a breast pump during the day. This isn't always easy to do, depending on your place...
Sony Vaio computers, both the notebook and desktop models, are often thought of as the Mercedes-Benz units of the computer world. They are generally high-end, high-performance computers that come...
A speed bump may aggravate you when one comes up unexpectedly, but it does serve an important purpose. Statistics show that a speed bump can reduce the speed of cars to as little as 5 miles per...
Buying a new or used car should always involve a test drive. It is not enough to think you are getting the right car but you should know you are getting the right car. The only way to do that is...
Test engineers play an integral part in the research and development process of a product. After the designers create a prototype of the product, whether it's a car, computer program or circuit...
The Ford Mustang comes with either a V6 or a V8 engine, and it is important to keep these engines running properly to get the most out of them. If the car loses power, burns oil or runs poorly,...
Bicycle speedometers are a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your cycling experience. They can help you progress as a cyclist or just serve as another way to make riding your bike fun by...
The best prevention is regular maintenance. Have your car's brakes checked at least once a year, more if you drive frequently in city traffic or live in a hilly area. If you wait until you hear...
Your VW's air flow sensor is an electrical component that calculates the air entering the engine. In doing this, the air flow sensor monitors the airflow for the correct air-to-gasoline ratio. The...
The fuel lines transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the throttle body or the fuel rails. Fuel lines are made of plastic, nylon, rubber, or metal. They are also called hoses, tubing, or pipes. A...
Few things are as frustrating, and have as much ability to produce anxiety, as a car that suddenly will not turn on. If you drive a 2003 Dodge Neon, then, as with most cars, there are some general...
The temperature sending unit, more properly known as a temperature sensor, is one of the most important sensors in your car. It is the sensor that tells the computer when the engine has warmed up...
If a power window stops working on your Ford Expedition, you can expect the problem to lie with the fuse, the power window switch, the motor, the regulator or, in extreme cases, the wiring for the...
The 1996 Cadillac DeVille featured the first year of on-board diagnostics two (OBD II). This second phase of diagnosing engine, body and chassis trouble codes simplified the procedure for...
The power-steering fluid in your Ford Focus flows through the power-steering pump. The power-steering pump pushes this hydraulic fluid to the steering rack and pinion assembly to give the driver a...
The extend of the damage caused by an antifreeze leak depends on where the leak is coming from. If the leak comes from the water pump, the problem is more of an inconvenience rather than a major...
The electronic control module, or ECM, stores error and fault codes that pertain to critical vehicle functions. The on-board diagnostic system is part of the ECM and will help you get fault codes...
The temperature controller in your Ford vehicle controls the heat and air conditioning. When the temperature controller is not working normally, you will not be able to operate the heating and air...
The axle bearings in your SUV give flexibility to the axle shaft and allow you to turn the SUV left and right. When these axle bearings dry out, the axle will fail. This will never happen,...
The bearings on your axle are part of a special joint called a "constant velocity" joint, or CV joint. A CV boot protects thes bearings by keeping axle grease on them. If the boot rips, the axle...
The alternator in your car serves two very basic yet crucial goals. The first is to provide enough electricity to maintain a 12-volt charge in your automobile's battery so there is ample power to...
A safe and professional body piercing is performed with instruments and needles that are sterilized in a piece of equipment called an autoclave. A common misconception by an unprofessional or...
The Chrysler Concorde's climate control regulates the temperature inside the passenger cabin. When this system is not working normally, you may have trouble controlling the temperature inside the...
The heater in your car keeps you warm in the winter when it's cold. The heater system uses coolant from the engine's cooling system to heat the passenger cabin. It does this by routing some of the...
Your 1995 Nissan Altima uses a variety of different lubricating oils to lubricate various components. Normally, these oils won't leak. But when you do find a leak, you will almost always need to...
The airbag in your Geo Tracker will deploy in a crash to help protect your head from hitting the steering wheel. The airbag deploys from the center of the steering wheel and inflates (and...
The wiper motor circuit board module on your Chevy is protected by the outer casing of the wiper motor. The wiper motor circuit board module controls the function of the motor. If this circuit...
The manual transmission fluid in your Toyota lubricates the transmission gears and makes it easy for you to change gears without damaging the internal transmission components. Since the planetary...
The alternator on your Cadillac DeVille powers the electrical system of your DeVille. Without the alternator, your Cadillac would not run, because the fuel system, braking system and even the...
Front disc brakes are made up of calipers, rotors and pads working together mechanically and hydraulically to bring your vehicle to a halt. Hydraulic force is applied to the caliper, which in turn...
The coolant in your diesel van cycles through the engine cooling chambers and helps keep the engine cool. The fluid is pumped through the cooling system via a water pump and draws heat away from...
A motor mount or engine mount is designed to attach the car engine to the frame of the car itself. Mounts are usually made of rubber and metal. The rubber is used to keep the engine shake from...
Car problems are probably the bane of the existence of many owners. You are ready to go, but the car just won't start. If you believe the vehicle's fuel pump is the culprit, this troubleshooting...
Vehicles with power steering require only minimal effort to turn the wheel. A power steering pump aids your vehicle's power steering capabilities. Its function is to provide a hydraulic boost to...
Small block Chevrolet engine cooling systems use a sending unit to control when the coolant flows from the radiator to the engine. Once the engine reaches a specified temperature, the sending unit...
A broken strut is very dangerous as it allows the car's balance to shift to one side while turning corners. Broken struts cause difficulty steering and braking on the highway. Even a fairly new...
Whether your wondering if the Toyota you own falls under the recent recalls or your trying to find out how to get your recalled Toyota repaired, this article will answer those questions. For those...
The media, as usual, has everyone worked up improperly about the Toyota Accelerator pedal recall. As a Toyota owner, 2009 Tundra, I am well informed of this problem. ONLY TOYOTAS MADE IN THE USA...
The Jeep brand has been known for its off-road capable four wheel drive vehicles since the 1940s. Jeep has been operated as a division of American automaker Chrysler since the 1980s and continues...
An oxygen regulator is designed to be used by medical patients who have difficult breathing due to respiratory problems. The oxygen regulator is connected to an oxygen tank and controls how much...
A differential is a component in a vehicle that allows each wheel to rotate at different rates. The differential consists of a set of gears that convert the rotating motion of the driveshaft into...
The starter motor in your car turns the flywheel and helps facilitate the starting of your car's engine. It gets the flywheel turning, which turns the crankshaft and gets the pistons moving. This,...
Electrical systems on modern cars are much more complicated than models from just ten years ago, but all share a few common basics. New or old, a car needs a battery to store electricity and start...
The introduction of EFI (electonic fuel injection) on light duty pick-up trucks has taken a mechanical device and placed it squarely into the realm of electronics. The fuel pump is now located in...
The charging system of your car or light truck consists of the battery, the alternator, and the associated wiring. Proper diagnosis of the alternator includes the testing and inspection of the...
The Ford EDIS (Electronic Distributor-less Ignition System) uses a set of coil packs to fire the spark plugs. Like the more traditional e-core and oil filled coils, this coil pack works on the...
The ignition coil on your Chevy car or light truck provides the spark energy to fire the compressed air and fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. The design of the ignition coil that...
An oxygen sensor is an important part of your vehicle and must be kept in good working order. Oxygen sensors lose their ability to function properly as they age. This increases the amount of...
Detecting leaks in the evaporator core of your vehicle's a/c system can be a challenge. Tucked between the firewall and the dash on the inside of the vehicle, this radiator-like component is...
Prior to the second phase of on-board diagnostics (called OBD II) implemented in 1996, reading engine codes was difficult and often manufacturer-specific. To standardize the codes and equipment...