General Car Maintenance

The check engine light on your Dodge Caravan model is designed to warn of possible problems in one or more of the vehicle systems. The first generation of on-board diagnostics (OBD I) used during...

Exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) are an important component for any diesel motor. EGTs are a representation of the temperature that occurs in the combustion chamber of the engine. Air and fuel mix...

People that maintain and repair their own vehicles and equipment will eventually have a situation where they need a hydraulic press. Handymen seldom need a hydraulic press unless they don't have...

There are several reasons why you might need to install longer wheel studs, which are the component that the wheels are fastened to. If you are planning on running wheel spacers on your car to...

Though wheel bearings are small, they play an important roll in a car's suspension. Located between the hub and the axle or spindle, wheel bearings ensure the wheel stays in its proper orientation...

Rust is the dreaded result of water and oxygen attacking the metal on the body of your car. Rust can quickly destroy the beauty of a car and, if left untreated, it can even get on important...

To extend vehicle life over 200,000 miles, ConsumerReports.org suggests, "Buy a car that has performed well in government and insurance-industry safety tests and has the latest safety equipment."...

When winter arrives and you live in a cold climate, it's time to get your vintage car off the road and ready for storage. The one thing you should not overlook is how to get the car battery ready...

One aspect of car maintenance that often gets overlooked is replacement of the transmission fluid. Unlike changing your oil, changing the transmission fluid is not something that you have to do...

Wheel bearings are an important part of an automobile's suspension. Located between the hub (which carries the wheel) and the suspension's spindle or axle, the bearing ensures that the wheel...

The Saturn S-series; SC1, SL1, SC2 and SL2 ran from 1991 to 2002. These models featured the 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine which was available in single or dual overhead cams. Regardless of which...

A hub bearing, also known as a wheel bearing, is a crucial component of a vehicle's suspension system. Bearings support the hub on the axle or spindle and ensure that the wheel stays in the proper...

The thermostat is located in the water jacket near the output side of the radiator on most cars. The Buick V6 and V8 engines use a housing on the top front of the motor that directs coolant from...

Some older vehicles do not have license plate mounts that fit today's license plate hole style. Furthermore, after an accident or car wreck your license plate holder may not stay in place, and you...

You're stranded. Car is disabled and you need to get it to a repair shop. You need a tow truck. Here's what to do and what to expect.

The Chevy S-10 has been around for many years and has featured a few different engines, including both four- and six-cylinders. The procedure to change the coolant remains fairly universal...

A properly functioning floor jack is an essential part of any auto shop. From the dealership garage to the guy who does all his own maintenance, floor jacks allow you to lift the vehicle off the...

Most modern light vehicles employ coil springs in their suspension systems. A coil spring, known also as a helical spring, is a mechanical device that absorbs shock and maintains a force between...

Pulleys and drive belts make up a large segment of fractional and multiple horsepower drive systems found in myriad powered devices and equipment used in industry, transportation and domestic...

The axle, parts of the brakes and other parts of your car's suspension require certain fittings to be packed with grease to keep internal metal bearings from wearing out or becoming damaged. The...

Many manufacturers have the same basic instructions for removing the rotors on a car and Honda's are no different. The Japanese car company has made removal very easy, and in a few simple steps...

Cabin air filters began appearing on vehicles in the 1980s in import vehicles. Today, almost 80 percent of domestic and import vehicles come equipped with them. Designed to filter our pollutants,...

When looking for a way to save money on car repairs, many people first stop at an auto salvage yard, rather than ordering car parts new. New parts cost more than used ones. It is best to get a...

Checking the power steering fluid level on a BMW is a routine part of maintenance. If the power steering fluid gets too low, it can damage the power steering pump, leading to a costly repair. If...

The distributor rotor is a small but important plastic device located inside of the distributor. As the motor spins, the rotor spins with it, sending a spark signal to each spark plug wire, which...

Tie rods are an important aspect of a Volvo's suspension. The tie rod is made up of a straight metal rod that's threaded on either end, where the tie rod ends (or ball joints) are attached. Tie...

You wake up excited. Big trip ahead. Just need to shower, eat breakfast, grab your bags, and out the door you go... only... wait... where are the car keys? They're not in the usual spot, on the...

Sway bars are torsion springs used to resist body roll movements. They consist of a U-shaped tube steel connected to the body at two points, the left and the right faces of the suspension. In an...

The annual registration of a vehicle is a necessity for all car owners. This process allows the car to be lawfully driven in your state. Being caught without a vehicle registration or an expired...

The de Prony Brake, or prony brake as it is often called, is a simple device used as a dynamometer for measuring engines. Invented nearly two centuries ago, it remains a reliable method for...

Maintaining the fuel system in your GMC Envoy is a matter of keeping your filter clean and running clean gasoline. The fuel filter itself can be replaced in a matter of minutes it takes to...

Hi, I am an ex tech and there are too many operations to describe at once. simply emai me and I will write an article, if I am able, for your specific problem. Thanks, Harry

Every now an then, you may find it necessary to remove your motorcycle's gas tank and keep it in storage for a while. Perhaps you are rebuilding your bike or you are effecting a repair that takes...

The Buick Century is equipped with a multi-switch. This switch is an all in one switch that controls your cruise control, windshield wipers and turn signals in one switch. This switch also...

If you are trying to sell your car but have lost the vehicle title, which you must have to complete the transaction officially, all you need to do is contact your state's Department of Motor...

The cabin air filter (CAF) is a fairly new component installed on many newer vehicles. Many car owners may not even realize they have one until a maintenance service facility points it out to...

Anyone who has driven on a day that is pouring rain like someone in the sky was taking buckets and dumping it on your car in a constant stream knows that visibility can become a problem. Rain,...

We all like to see our car looking shiny and brand new. Getting our car waxed makes us feel good and we enjoy simply looking at the vehicle. But getting your car waxed can become very expensive....

Golf cart vinyl windows and enclosures have a dual purpose---to protect you from the elements when you use the vehicles and to protect the golf cart from dust, dirt and debris. Like other pieces...

The bumpers (or bumper caps) on most modern cars are manufactured from fiberglass. While fiberglass is a durable material that can bend a little and still return to its former shape, if it is hit...

Fuel filters comprise an important component of any internal combustion engine. The filters generally consist of cartridges of filter paper and are usually found within the fuel line of the...

Few things in life are as annoying as driving down the road in the rain with the accompanying squeak of windshield wipers. You can't escape it and you don't know why they are squeaking. Taking...

Looking for a way to increase your gas mileage? Don't have money for a new fuel efficient car? Well if that's the case don't worry because here are some cheap and easy things you can do to...

Pneumatic solenoid valves are on-off valves widely used in manufacturing, industry and power production to provide an interface between electrical and electronic control systems and the pneumatic...

Keeping your headlights adjusted can improve your driving at night. Having your headlights focused together and slightly down will keep the road visible and away from the vision of oncoming...

Simply put, hydraulics is a method of producing power through the movement of liquid. When a liquid is confined in a system, the force of the movement of the liquid can transmit power, multiply...

Grade 8 bolts are specified for high strength applications and should not be replaced with regular bolts or bolts of a lesser hardness grade. The system used to mark the heads of bolts with simple...

Gelcoat chalking is actually oxidation which occurs from extended sun exposure. Oxidation is a common problem with outdoor gelcoat applications such as boats because of the extended periods of...

Car paint colors may seem to be the same, but car manufacturers actually use specific tints of paint, which are categorized by a proprietary paint code. The format of this code differs from...

Floor jacks enable the safe lifting of vehicles for maintenance work. They are sturdier and safer choice over the standard scissor jacks that most vehicles are equipped with for emergency use....