Do It Yourself Auto Repair

Learn how to install a car battery.

Learn how to change a car battery.

A well-crafted repair manual can reduce the number of trouble calls and can increase user satisfaction. Writing a repair manual is more than typing instructions on a computer. Although writing...

If your convertible top has a separated seam, there are two repair options: sew it together yourself or pay someone else to sew it. There is no need to pay someone to repair a separated seam when...

Health hazards aren't the only problems with cigarettes; dropping one inside of a car usually results in a burned car seat. The cigarette burn in the car seat is is more than just unsightly...

One feature common to all new and used cars is the need for occasional maintenance and repair. Besides the need to replace fluids and parts that wear down over time, nearly every model is...

When fixing your car or something around the home, you may need to reuse a bolt which has been stripped, which means that the threads have been deformed or damaged. You could replace the bolt...

It has happened to us all... We are driving down the road, and a small rock comes flying up from the car or semi in front of us. It hits our windshield, and we see a crack or damage appear....

The Dodge Neon, which was also sold as the Plymouth Neon and Chrysler Neon at certain times and in various markets, was a compact car produced by Chrysler Corp. for 11 model years beginning in...

As cars and trucks age, the ravages of road grime and salt take their toll. Trucks are very susceptible to rust in the wheelwell area since a lot of grime is picked up from the road and deposited...

With the advent of today's halogen headlights, and the complex shape of the headlight covers permitted with them, replacing an entire lens has become a very expensive proposition. This is why...

When you've spent a lot of money purchasing, insuring and maintaining a car, what you don't want or need is a dent marring the look of that car. No matter what the cause--a careless driver, a...

If your Honda is having problems and you're worried about the bill from the mechanic, try doing a few things home by yourself. With car repair costs on the increase and worries about the...

It happens to all of us. We get stuck somewhere with a car problem and realize that there’s no repair shop nearby. Mr. Turtledove went through seven years of college and experienced many kinds...

From time to time all of us get stuck somewhere with a car problem and there’s no repair shop nearby. Mr. Turtledove went through seven years of college and experienced all kinds of unusual car...

Over time, outside rear-view mirrors give in to rain, snow, ice and humidity. The glass, any plastic and other materials within the outside mirror may become weak and break. Replacing an outside...

From time to time we’re stuck somewhere with a car problem and there’s no nearby repair shop. Mr. Turtledove went through seven years of college and experienced all kinds of strange car problems....

It happens to all of us from time to time; we’re stuck somewhere with a car problem and there’s no nearby repair shop. What do you do? Mr. Turtledove went through seven years of college and...

Sending a car an auto repair shop can be, and usually is, expensive. For those who are sure they could fix a car problem on their own if they only had advice on where to start, such expenses can...

Auto body repair takes some skill but almost anyone can do it with a few tips and instructions. The most important part is to have the right tools for the job. All of the tools needed to repair...

Dented and damaged bumpers can detract from the appearance, and value, of your car. As of 2009, a damaged bumper cost about $700 to fix. Tears and cracks are some of the worst damages that a...

The 1998 Ford Mustang has rear, triple-bulb acrylic plastic taillights that can break or split upon impact. They can be repaired with specially designed repair kits, or removed from the car and...

Scooters are a fun, cost-effective way to get from point A to point B. But the more miles you log, the greater chance yours will need to be repaired — a reality that can end up costing you...

The 1999 Ford Ranger with the four-wheel-drive option employs a front solid axle to provide engine power to the front wheels. This system, while sturdier than constant velocity joint setups, can...

If someone informs you that your brake lights don't work, or are stuck on. If you notice your auto locks on the doors don't work, in addition the speed control doesn't work.

Fiberglass body parts have a variety of advantages over steel parts, but a major drawback: It cracks and shatters on impact. Repairing the damage is more complicated than repairing steel, but is...

Autobody repair normally consists of repairing dents and repainting repaired areas. Collision shops charge by the hour, plus materials, so the price can add up quickly. With the right tools and...

Autobody repair is a common need for car owners, but can get expensive very quickly. The tools and equipment needed to repair your own car are readily available at almost any automotive parts...

Auto body repair can be expensive, depending on the amount of damage. It can also be hard to justify bringing the car to a collision repair shop if the only damage is a small dent. Once you...

When one buys a new car, the last thing a person wants to do is have to fix something that's gone wrong with it. Inevitably, however, that's exactly what's necessary. Heeding a few tips can make...

Volvos are known for their safety, reliability and longevity. With routine maintenance and repair, Volvos can top the 250,000-mile mark easily. Dealer repairs are often very expensive on these...

There are several sources you may consult to repair almost anything on your Lincoln Town Car. You can consult a factory workshop manual, an aftermarket service manual (both print and CD media), an...

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 841,000 injuries and 1,747 fatalities occur every year from non-crash-related automobile accidents. A majority of...

I own a 1990 Nissan Maxima with 249650 miles. Nothing indicates the vehicle will fail anytime soon; in fact it's running as well as ever. I perform most maintenance activities myself but do know...

Scratches can make your car look ugly and cause rust damage. From light scratches that are barely noticeable to deep scratches down to the bare metal, you can repair them yourself. There are ways...

Some people take their vehicles to professionals to have cracks or chips in the windshields repaired, but it is actually a task that most people can handle on their own. Windshield repair kits...

When your car has been damaged in an accident you will want to know the extent of the damage and the cost of returning your car to its pre-accident state. Automotive repair shops, automotive body...

Vinyl and plastic dashboards are often thought of as nearly impossible to repair once they become cracked or faded. A number of repair shops claim that the only option available to car owners with...

It never fails, does it? On a particularly hot day, your windows are up, the air conditioner is blasting, and you're driving steadily down the turnpike. As you make your approach to the tollbooth,...

Time and wear can cause damage to your car's vinyl. Any damage or tears from large to small are an easy fix when you follow the proper procedures.

Automotive wiring has been standardized over the decades, and most cars will have "color-coded" wiring for lighting, radio, ignition, and secondary systems. This color coding makes it easier for...

Installing the door skin simply requires re-hanging it on the hangers. Learn how to install door skin on your car in this free auto repair video featuring a certified mechanic.

Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a seasoned pro, online repair manuals can serve as a great reference when you need crucial information related to repairing your automobile. While there are...

Before making an attempt to repair a scratch in the paint of a car, you need to take time to inspect each scratch carefully. Do this in a well-lit area, and, if necessary, use a magnifying glass...

A convertible is a great way to enjoy the open road. It's also a hard thing to maintain. Convertible tops will tear because they are opened and closed so frequently. When you have a rip in your...

Cars have gotten more complex to work on today, but that does not mean that a person has to take his or her car to the mechanic for every little thing. It just means that some basic knowledge and...

If you're not mechanically inclined (i.e., you don't know the difference between a carburetor and a radiator), this book should be your first stop. Part of the megasuccessful "For Dummies" series,...

Body work on an automobile can be costly. A small chip or crack in the bumper of your car may not affect the way it drives, but it doesn't do much for the aesthetics. You can avoid costly repairs...

How to properly repair engine heads in a automobile and save hundreds thus giving you the savings that you deserve.In turn you get some of my technical shortcuts.

A common failure of plastic and aluminum car radiators is a crack in the plastic tank at either end. This procedure is for small hairline cracks in the tank which are common in radiators of all...