General Auto Repair

Windshield wiper arms can bend for a variety of different reasons. From something as simple as putting on new wiper blades to having them frozen to the windshield and everything in between. If the...

The General Motors HEI (high-energy ignition), introduced in the early '70s, became the standard General Motors ignition system after 1974. Its simple one-wire hookup makes it a common retrofit to...

The computing power in today's Dodge Caravans makes them more efficient, more versatile and longer lasting, but each advance in technology puts home auto repair further out of reach for the...

If you suspect sugar has been put in your gas tank by a vandal or merry prankster, don't fret too much about it ruining your car's engine even though it can be a headache to fix. Sugar does not...

Back in the mid-1980s, a few car makers experimented with talking cars. Your new Nissan 280Z could tell you things like, "lights are on" and "door is ajar." The voice was female, soothing and...

Jumper cables are an important tool for motorists. They are used to start a vehicle that has a dead battery by using the power from another vehicle's battery. A vehicle with a dead battery, often...

The window mechanism in a Ford Focus consists of a window motor and regulator contained in a single unit. To remove this unit, you must first remove the interior door panel. This repair is within...

The power steering pump on a Dodge Intrepid supplies pressurized power steering fluid to the steering rack. The pump is mounted in a bracket next to the engine, and is driven by the serpentine...

Transmission issues for the Tundra seem to have begun in earnest with the 2007, second generation of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The earlier models were plagued with a recall on the brake and...

If you work with motorcycles or perform your own transmission fluid changes, you will have been introduced to gear oil and specifically hypoid oil at some point in your mechanical learning. That...

You have had a busy day. You get in the car, stuff the key in the ignition, turn it--and it breaks off in your hand. Don't panic. If you are away from home, try pushing the part of the key in your...

The oxygen sensor is a device located in the engine of your car that determines the mixture between oxygen and fuel. This information is relayed to the fuel control computer, which can then either...

Wiring a trailer is not difficult, and can be completed with minimal investments of time and expense. Trailer wiring is exposed to weather and harsh mechanical conditions, and extra care in...

The Jeep Cherokee uses a solid front axle with open knuckles and solid axle shafts running to the front wheels. The outer knuckles are mounted to the inner knuckle using two ball joints, one upper...

Automotive air-conditioning systems on the Chevrolet Camaro utilize a refrigerant called Freon to generate the cold air that is blown into the passenger cabin. The heart of the system, the...

The ball joints on a Chevrolet vehicle are the joints which connect the control arm to the steering knuckle. The ball joint allows the front wheel to travel up and down when traveling over rough...

Toyota added an internal air filter to the Tundra beginning with 2007 models. The cabin air filter performs an important function, purifying air inside the truck to reduce or eliminate dust,...

The Subaru WRX model was produced in Japan from 1992 to 2009 and is a model in the Impreza line. The WRX is known for durability, speed and handling in the sports-car world. Speed is derived from...

The mirrors on the Ford Taurus feature powered directional control. Because of this, you have to remove the interior door panel to access the wire harness for the mirror. If the mirror breaks or...

Based in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Lunati is a company that manufactures automobile parts. Lunati parts are available online and from a number of traditional retailers.

Depending on the vehicle, there are two ways to access the bolts for the torque converter. There will either be a cover or plate at the bottom of the bellhousing that conceals the converter, or...

It is possible to have copies of lost car keys made by contacting your local GMC dealership or locating a third-party car locksmith. Getting replacement keys for older model cars is easier since...

Threads in softer metal, like aluminum, can strip from the base material when you remove and reinstall a fastener repeatedly. To make a threaded hole in softer metal stronger, you install a...

Ford's large displacement engines have always been known more for their monster torque and pulling power than their high-RPM revs. The company's little-known iron behemoth 534 is no exception.

Whether they are fluid-filled, polyurethane or traditional rubber, a mount's job is to support the weight of the engine or transmission and to prevent unwanted vibrations from snaking their way...

Exhaust Brakes (a.k.a. Jake or Jacobs brakes) are one proven way of reducing brake wear on heavy trucks, and increasing downhill safety. After installing one of these simple butterfly valves, the...

The Volkswagen Eurovan has been out of production for a few years, but numerous companies still offer touch-up paint as well as other maintenance parts. Before ordering touch-up paint, however, be...

Car ignition systems control when the spark fires during the engine cycle. This is accomplished either mechanically or electronically. Distributors are of the mechanical variety. Vacuum Advance...

Over time, wiper blades can become dried, cracked and damaged. A poorly functioning blade can lead to poor visibility while driving in rainy conditions. Auto manufacturers typically recommend...

All car batteries self-charge while the car is being driven; however, occasionally a battery that has gone unused for a long period of time, or a battery that was depleted by leaving on the lights...

Buying a scooter is one of the best ways to save money on gas without giving up mobility. With proper care and maintenance, a quality scooter can provide years of trouble-free service. It is...

There are a few different types of steering out there, and one of the older models is known as recirculating ball steering. The steering wheel is connected to a steering box, which transfers...

The sway bar on your vehicle is designed to connect the driver's side suspension to the passenger side, so that when you turn a corner, the vehicle won't lean heavily from side to side. The sway...

Removing a mirror, or mirrors, on a Chevy Silverado is a relatively easy process. If you are getting rid of the mirror to upgrade to defrost and directional light features, remove the interior...

The ball joints of your front suspension are critical components. Their job is to allow the spindle to travel vertically with the suspension, but not tilt in or out towards the fenderwell or...

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid vehicle that uses both electrical power and gasoline to run its engine. What this means is that the Prius essentially has two engines: a gasoline engine (on the 2001...

Few vehicles on the market today offer the option of either a four-link or leaf spring suspension. As such, the question of whether to upgrade to coil springs from leafs comes down to one of...

While it may seem like a heavy task, removing the mirror switch for a Volkswagen is in fact relatively easy. There are simple tips and shortcuts that can guide you through an easy removal without...

Removing or replacing mirrors in a Volvo is not an overly difficult task, but it will require some mechanical skills. Your side-view and rear-view mirrors may be operated via remote control or...

The Ford Taurus uses an electrical water pump to circulate engine coolant throughout the engine. The electric motor inside the pump can burn out, or the seals inside the pump may begin to leak,...

The Chevrolet Corvette C5 was produced from 1997 to 2004. This model of Corvette came equipped with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. Significant design changes for the drive...

The Vortec V-6 engine is a trademarked name given to an engine model produced by General Motors displacing 4.3 L, or 262ci (cubic inches). The "Vortec" moniker references cylinder head airflow...

When getting your transmission repaired, it is crucial to understand what parts make up the transmission. This will allow you to understand what your mechanic is doing to your car. While the cost...

There is only one way to remove Freon from a HVAC system, and that is with the use of a reclaimer. The machine is designed to capture the Freon, filter out the impurities and store it for future...

Many early import automobiles shared a common feature--their reputation for fuel economy and reliability. One of the tradeoffs for that economy, however, was a lack of power that was translated...

The Neon was a compact front wheel drive car built by Chrysler from 1994-2005. Neon engines utilize an oil pan mounted underneath the engine to collect oil as it circulates through the engine....

The thought of transmission repair will often cause one's heart to sink automatically--unfortunately, repairs to a vehicle's transmission are usually expensive, or if you decide to try and make...

With today's increased demand for versatility, it comes as a small wonder that there are so many transfer case-equipped vehicles on the road. Once a gear-driven appliance for off-roaders,...

Rivet nuts have a cylindrical body with a flared head. Inside the cylindrical body are threads for locking a fastener to the rivet nut. A rivet nut tool collapses the cylindrical body of the rivet...

A countersink screw has a taper that is largest at the head and reduces in size until it reaches the threaded shaft of the screw. Creating a countersink in the metal allows the head of the screw...