General Car Maintenance

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....

Most people who own a vehicle will at one time or another find themselves with a dead battery. Follow these instructions and you'll be able to properly charge a car battery

The transmission fluid in a BMW 525I is a deep red color. It lubricates the gears in the transmission and helps them move smoothly. This is crucial when the vehicle is shifting gears. However, if...

You do not need to be a mechanic to save money operating and maintaining your car. If you follow a few simple suggestions, you will exceed the current life expectancy of your car.

You should make changing the fuel filter part of your annual maintenance on your Pontiac Sunfire. This will help prevent problems caused by a dirty or clogged fuel filter. A bad fuel filter can...

GM quick-connect coolant hoses don't use the standard hose clamp to secure the hose to the radiator. Instead, a quick-connect component is used as a fastener. You should check your coolant every...

If your Jetta has not been performing with the power that you expect of it, or if it has developed a pattern of stalling or hesitating when you give it gas, then you need to change the fuel...

Keys have a way of somehow disappearing, even when you set them down in the same location, every single day. This holds true for both house keys and your car keys. If you do not have any extra...

Interior light bulbs on a Chevrolet Cavalier are relatively simple to change. While it will be pretty obvious if the lights go out, you may want to periodically check the courtesy lights and dome...

Valve lash adjustment should be done according to the owner's manual for the particular motorcycle. Harley-Davidson's pushrod style engine does not require adjustment as frequently as do some of...

The 2003 Chevy Tahoe features a dual cabin air filter application. The cabin air filters help prevent allergens and pollutants from entering the passenger cab in the Tahoe. After some time, the...

Floor jacks lift objects by hydraulic pressure which is generated by forcing fluids from one area into another area. Generally these areas are cylinders, and one cylinder is larger than the other....

Orifice plates are one of the most versatile and cost-effective of all flow metering devices. They are widely used in industry and power generation to measure the flows of liquids, gas, and steam....

Troubleshooting the lights on your Ford Windstar can be tricky. Say that you have already determined that the bulbs are good and the fuse is in great shape. The next course of action is to replace...

We all have to renew our license plates every year. Now, it just got easier. You can do it in only a few minutes if you are a Colorado resident. I am sure other states have the same option as...

The control arm bushing consists of an outer metal sleeve, a durable rubber bushing and an inner metal sleeve. It's attached to the ends of the control arm as it's supported to the frame of the...

You don't need a Prius to be fuel efficient. With a few simple changes and maintenance the average vehicle can gain 15 to 20% more miles per gallon.

Many of us wish that we could bring our laptop or other appliance into our vehicles. The problem is that our vehicles run on 12V, and that the normal things we plug in are 115/120V. I will show...

Simple routine upkeep of your vehicle can save you literally hundreds of dollars. Not only will regular maintenance checkups help keep you car or truck in tip-top shape, it will also get you...

When the struts on your vehicle start to go out, the vehicle will ride rough, the tires will wear funny, and you could lose control of the vehicle. You should replace the struts as part of any...

The alarm on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle is very important. It keeps thieves from riding off on your bike, allowing you to walk away from it for a period of time worry-free. But if your lose...

Auto Specialties Manufacturing (AUSCO) started making car jacks in the 1930's. Today, US Jack Co. continues the tradition of quality products using the AUSCO brand name. AUSCO jacks are...

An oil filter wrench is essentially a wrench handle with a metal strap or a chain that wraps around the outside of a vehicle's oil filter. It's designed to help you get a good grip on the filter...

The Corvette ZR1 is an iconic automobile that first appeared in 1969. In the decades since, it remains a car with considerable prestige in both appearance and performance. While the moniker is a...

The Fram filter is one of the more popular filters because of its durable design. The Fram filter is designed with a unique blend of fibers and a special resin to ensure that it catches any dirt...

Only cars registered in certain Pennsylvania counties must pass both an annual safety and emissions inspection. These inspections are performed by private garages that have been certified by the...

Needle valves have two separate compartments to decrease the chance of a leak. The liquid or gas enters the valve, travels through the needle valve and is dispensed out of the needle head. The...

Vehicle headlights are easily damaged if you hit something with the front of your car or something hits your car. They can also burn out over time. You can purchase a new headlight at your local...

A T1000 Transmission Jack is a high-end automobile jack designed to elevate cars for changing tires and performing routine maintenance.

Adding fluid to your Acura TL transmission is fundamental to the overall operation of your vehicle. Check the fluid level every 3,000 miles or three months to ensure you have the required amount....

Butt end connectors are used to join two wires together or splice in a repair section after cutting out a bad wire section. They are primarily used in automotive applications and can be used on...

Just like engine oil and filter, the transmission oil and filter in the Hyundai Accent requires a change at the car manufacturer suggested intervals. Changing the oil gets rid of very small...

Removing tinting from a car window can be a tedious chore, but it is not impossible. Tint is constructed from two layers of tinted polyester; if you simply try to pull it off, the first layer may...

Because it doesn't conduct electricity, dielectric grease is used in many electrical applications to ensure a sound metal-to-metal connection. It provides lubrication and protection without adding...

The 4.3-liter Chevy engine can be identified by the engine-code stamping numbers found on a machined pad located near the front of the passenger-side cylinder head and usually obscured by the...

Working on the electrical system of a car is something no mechanic likes to do. Like the veins and arteries of the human body, a car's electrical system is a complex network of connections that...

The Ford Windstar was a minivan produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1995 to 2003. A front-wheel-drive vehicle, the first generation model was built through 1998, and the second generation...

There are many reasons you may want to replace the fuel lines in your vehicle, including a worn rubber fuel line and shellac deposits in a metal line. Or perhaps you are not happy with the...

The thermostat controls the coolant flow in your automobile. When the engine starts to get hot, the thermostat releases enough coolant through your motor to cool it down. When a thermostat goes...

Every mechanic has encountered the nut that just won't come undone. Whether it is from rust, heat or extreme vibration, the nut seems as if it has become a part of the car frame and is immovable....

Maintenance programs are essential for ensuring a vehicle remains efficient and effective, while also maintaining its resale value. Kia provides a general maintenance program for its vehicles,...

Since 1983, the Ford Motor Company has used about 10 transmissions for its compact Ford Ranger. The transmission identification code can be found on the vehicle's safety compliance label on the...

With the price of gas so high and rising it is crucial that drivers get the most out of their gas purchases. Here are a few rules that if followed will maximize your car's fuel mileage.