General Auto Repair

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 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...

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...

Every vehicle has a paint color code provided by its manufacturer. It is located in different places depending on the vehicle's make, model and year. If your vehicle needs to be repainted, it is...

Side marker lights are required on any vehicle driven or being towed on highways. Check with your state rules, but most states require red marker lights on both tail lights, and amber marker...

Chrysler vehicles utilize an airbag mounted in the steering wheel to cushion the driver when the vehicle is involved in a front impact crash. Some models may also have a second airbag mounted in...

Ford's luxury division, Mercury, started making its compact SUV--the Mercury Mariner--for the 2005 model year. Because of its luxury brand, the Mariner can be considered the souped-up version of...

The Mercury Montego was a full-size sedan produced by Ford's luxury division, Mercury. The Montego had two production periods about two decades apart. For the first one, which spans from the late...

The Mercedes-Benz G500 is a four-wheel drive military-style SUV. Although the vehicle is new to the U.S., the German automaker has been selling it to markets around the world since the late 1970s....

While removing and changing a license plate from a vehicle is not necessarily a difficult task, it can be rather daunting for first-timers. The process is fairly simple, but you should know what...

Maintaining and repairing your own car or truck is one an excellent way to save money, but it is always important to put safety first. Working around cars and other vehicles can be dangerous, and...

A 1959 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup utilizes a leaf spring rear suspension. Leaf springs are long thin strips of metal that are stacked together in packs. The ends of the spring are mounted to the...

The GMC Jimmy utilizes an electrical fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank to move gasoline from the fuel tank to the engine. Symptoms of a faulty fuel pump include hard starting, engine stalling...

The fuel filter is a necessary part of a vehicle, its purpose being to filter any impurities out of the fuel before it reaches the engine. A clogged or dirty fuel filter can restrict or even...

Although it has been around since the mid-1960s, production on the Chevrolet Malibu--more commonly known as the Chevy Malibu--was halted in the early 1980s, only to be resurrected as a more...

The driveshaft, also known as a propeller shaft, on a C4 Corvette is the long tube that takes power generated by the engine and delivers it to the rear wheels. The drive shaft must be removed if...

One of the biggest expenses of a new or used car is the cost of professional repairs and maintenance. While regular service is necessary to keep a car safe and running its best, many of the work...

The speedometer is an important part of the car engine as it indicates the speed of your vehicle while on the road. A faulty speedometer can cause major driving issues, which can lead to...

The Pilot is a crossover sport-utility vehicle manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 2003. For the 2009 model year, the Honda Pilot was redesigned. It has been offered in several trim...

Toyota's luxury division presented the Lexus GS300, characterized by its rounded design and rear-wheel drive, as a sporty alternative to similar sedans from European manufacturers like BMW and...

Referred to as the Honda Jazz in Japan and Europe, the five-door subcompact hatchback vehicle was introduced to the United States in 2006 for the 2007 model year. With a compact exterior look, it...

The gas tank on a Volkswagen is a steel or plastic tank usually located at the rear of the vehicle below the trunk. Over time water or sediment can collect inside the tank and potentially clog the...

The Chevrolet Silverado is a reliable pickup truck put on the market by American manufacturer Chevrolet. Since its debut in 1998, the Silverado has been recognized for its durability, as well as...

American automaker General Motors began producing and marketing cars through its Saturn division in 1991. For nearly 20 years, Saturn offered cars and SUVs that ranged from entry-level economy...

A rusty exhaust is not only unattractive, but can also lead to holes in the system. Prevention means getting off any rust that appears when it happens. This project should take about 30 minutes.

The Taurus is one of the all-time best selling cars from American automaker Ford Motor Company. The Taurus was first offered as a 1986 model, and since then the Taurus name has been used on...

Jeep Wranglers built from 1987 to 1995 (known as the YJ Wrangler) used leaf springs to secure the drive axles to the frame and cushion the vehicle's ride. Leaf springs are flat steel plates...

The belt tensioner on a vehicle is an important part of the drive belt as it is used to tighten the belt. Drive belts need to be replaced once they are worn out, and if not replaced they may break...

Many Ford trucks and older model rear-drive Ford cars utilize leaf springs to mount the rear drive axle to the vehicle's frame. Leaf springs resemble long thick steel plates that are grouped...

When doing the brakes on a vehicle, one of the most common things to do is to remove the rotors and get them turned. With the rotors off, the wheel bearings are accessible and should be replaced....

The alternator in the Kia Rio is located on front low-side of the engine. The alternator is much more accessible by lifting the vehicle. Since a floor jack and jack stands only offer limited room,...

Automobile recalls are fairly common, and are not usually cause for alarm. Most of the recalls are voluntary and issued by the car or truck manufacturer with the agreement of the National Highway...

A few years back while taking a strategic pricing seminar, the instructor shared the knowledge that some auto dealerships set up their business model to make most of their money from vehicle...

Even if a car has a lot of miles on it, it still can look great--that is, unless it gets hail damage. This problem can be financially devastating to repair. Knowing a bit about how hail damage...

Some may find this hard to believe, but lead acid batteries have been used for more than 100 years. When it comes to batteries storing energy, the same chemical principles are still being applied...

If you have a leased vehicle that sustains damage, you have two options: Repair it before the lease expires, or turn it in at the end of the lease and pay a hefty fee. Repairing the damage is...

Vehicles often experience "roll" while turning or during an increase in the camber of road. A vehicle's speed, height, center of gravity and weight are a few factors affecting to what degree it...

Rear end or rear axle housing on a Dodge Ram van takes the rotational input from the driveshaft and delivers it to the rear wheels. It is attached to the van's frame with leaf springs. Because of...

The transmission in your Ford Ranger is subject to a high degree of abuse, whether from towing, hauling heavy loads or the daily grind of stop-and go traffic. As the transmission ages, gears can...

Prices to replace engine mounts vary with the vehicle, the price of the mounts and the labor costs. Generally, the cost runs between $350 to $550. The mounts can be purchased relatively cheaply...

The Chevrolet Cavalier is a rear steer vehicle, meaning the steering gear and tie rods are located behind the steering knuckles. The rack and pinion unit is bolted to the firewall behind the...

It happens to the best of us: you're driving along and you get a flat tire or your engine begins to sputter. There are many reasons your car might need to be towed. Fortunately, a practical device...

Chances are, when you purchased your vehicle, it came with a warranty from the dealer or manufacturer, protecting you from the costs of repair bills. Once that warranty expires, however, you are...

Modern automotive technology has all but eliminated the backyard mechanic. Gone are the days of easily repairing your vehicle on your own. Most problems now require specially trained technicians....

Changing a car battery seems like a simple enough do-it-yourself job for the mechanically inclined person. In many cases, this may be true. However, there is a proper and safe way to do it and a...

Worn out or damaged auto seats mean it is time for replacement. Consider buying used auto seats to save money. Many used auto seats are in like-new condition; many are in horrible condition. Learn...

The ball joints connect your vehicle's control arms to the steering knuckles. They allow the steering knuckles to turn the wheels left and right while your car's suspension is moving up and down....

Tires are necessary for a vehicle to move and when a vehicle is aligned correctly, a set of tires can last over 20,000 miles. When premature wear on the tire is noticeable, it's time to check for...

It happens to the best of us. The trunk release mechanism in the cabin malfunctions and access is denied. But all is not lost. Many newer vehicles have a safety feature that will allow you to open...

An engine's power is transferred to the transmission, which allows the engine to produce power within optimal engine speeds. However, all of that power must then be transferred to the differential...