General Car Maintenance

In order to extend the life of your car some products have been introduced in the market and additives are one among them. Fuel (gas, diesel or oil) additives are used for the protection of your...

The crank sensor is a tiny, yet important part in the modern internal combustion engine. Developed to work with emerging electrical and computer-based systems, the crank sensor is ubiquitous to...

Knocks, clicks and raps coming from under the hood can be disturbing for any driver. Diagnosing the problem is the first step toward fixing the problem. That can be a tricky undertaking for folks...

In today's tough economic climate, getting the most miles out of your car is not only smart, but can serve as a token of pride. Who hasn't felt inspired by tales of gearheads getting more than a...

Removing the engine from a Corvette C5 is a little bit complex and challenging. You must go about it differently than what you would in most engines, as the engine and drivetrain must be lowered...

Clogged radiators are responsible for a multitude of potentially dangerous engine problems. Repairs of clogged coolant systems should be done as soon as possible to prevent serious and sometimes...

The importance of obtaining appropriate maintenance for your vehicle cannot be overstated. Your Kia Sportage is a significant investment. Provide for its basic maintenance on a regular,...

The alternator in your vehicle is a critical component responsible for the charging of the battery as well as providing electricity to the ignition system. Changing it can be tough on some...

Many home mechanics go through the process of draining and refilling their engine coolant only to discover that it has not made a difference in the ability of their engine to maintain the correct...

The great "clutch vs. torque (Stall) converter" debate has been going on at least as long and as colorfully as any concerning a carbonated beverage. Torque converters have a number of advantages...

The knock sensor is a small part on a car engine. It helps regulate the air-fuel mix that enters the engine and notifies your car's computer when the engine is knocking. It stops the fuel from...

Buying a new car is a huge purchase, and you want to protect your investment. One of the best things you can do for you car's engine is break it in properly. All makes have different recommended...

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...

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...

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...

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...

For more than three decades Buick's 3.8L (231 cubic inch) V6 engine has served a wide variety of vehicles, providing years of reliable service and good fuel economy to cars powered by this...

A Power Commander is a brand of fuel injection or ignition timing manufactured by Dynojet Research Inc. The Power Commander is used by motorcycles as a way of boosting their engine performance to...

The Montana was a minivan produced by American automaker General Motors through its Pontiac division between 1998 and 2009. In 2006 the Montana was pulled from the U.S. market but continued to be...

Audi engines use a mix of antifreeze and water to cool the engine while it is running. Over time the coolant in your engine can break down. It can collect contaminants including oil and corrosion...

Your car's timing chain is tasked with operating the inlet and exhaust valve gear at the precise moment during the piston's stroke cycle. When the timing chain, which is sometimes referred as a...

Fuel injectors replaced the carburetor in newer vehicles as a means of supplying gas to the engine. Using pressure, the fuel injector injects pressurized gas into the intake manifold, where it is...

Because of a lack of proper knowledge about oxygen sensors, many car owners don't know how they are tested and end up getting them replaced, even when their oxygen sensor is in good condition. In...

The Ford F-150 pickup truck engine, with displacement sizes ranging from the 4.2-liter Essex V-6 to the 6.2-liter Boss V-8, has had remarkably few problems. Ford Motor Company issued no recalls...

Identifying a Pontiac automobile engine block casting numbers on the distributor pad allows owners to determine the date and size of the engine, and whether it's original to the vehicle.

The General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic 350 (TH350) is a mid-mounted 3-speed automatic transmission for rear wheel drive vehicles. Towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission requires that careful...

An engine's spark plugs are an essential part of the ignition system. The plugs deliver the spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders. Fouled or old plugs can often run rough,...

If you are many of us who drives a car, you have to know that repairing a car can be costly. Therefore, one must always remember to have his/her car maintained. This will increase the life of your...

In most applications, the oil pump is found inside and above the oil pan and is actuated by gears either on the end of the distributor or the crankshaft. As the engine spins, the gears in the oil...

Vehicles equipped with vacuum advanced distributors (usually older models) have a "pod" on the side of the distributor, with a rubber hose attached to it. The hose connects directly to the intake...

Exhaust Gas Recirculating valves (EGR) were first introduced in the 1970s as a way to reduce exhaust emissions that were not being cleaned by smog control devices. When the temperature in the...

The Jetta is a small car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 1979. Redesigned several times, the Jetta continues to be a popular mid-range car in the United States and around the...

With the "check engine" light on, automotive technicians would have to determine the cause from a relatively wide range of factors, from the innocuous to the serious.

Cars are not supposed to leak antifreeze, also known as engine coolant. The fluid runs from different parts of the engine to others and is always contained. If you see this greenish fluid on the...

The Ford Freestar minivan was designed to accommodate families, with features like built-in bins for children's toys. The minivan's engine and powertrain were one of the most powerful among...

Determining the size and type of engine in your Volkswagen can be helpful for a number of reasons, especially during car maintenance. It can save you and your auto mechanic time when you go in for...

Rats can pose a big problem when they seek shelter in cars, which they often do in winter months. Car owners end up having to deal with chewed-up engine wires, destroyed car parts and possibly...

For those car owners that have had their vehicle in storage, starting it up for the first time can be a little scary. It is natural to wonder if you can do the engine harm by trying to start it...

Engine oil passages and coolant passages cross over a number of times in an engine. This means that there are a number of opportunities for fluid crossovers. The one common denominator in fluid...

Honda Metropolitans are one of the most popular scooters. Known for their reliability, they are not as prone to breaking down as other brands of scooters; however, you can keep your Metropolitan...

It seems that car problems are just a fact of life. No matter how meticulously an owner is about auto maintenance, there are problems that just can't be avoided. Regular oil changes, tire rotation...

Tachometers indicate the rotational speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) of shafts, wheels, gears and engines. They are used in every integration of transportation and industrial machines. ...

Kia is immensely popular for manufacturing quality sedans, minivans and coupes at prices that don't break the bank. On at least three separate occasions the Korean car manufacturer has been forced...

Home maintenance of your Toyota Tacoma truck gets more difficult with each new model as the engines get more complex. Most work on truck parts is best left for a professional to replace when...

If you are looking to perform upgrades on your Chevrolet engine or are just a little curious, you need to know the size of the engine you have. The easiest way to do this is to check your owner's...

If you have a Corvette that refuses to crank, let alone start, you have several troubleshooting options for modern starter systems. Heat or compression is usually the culprit in problems with the...

Depending on the year and model of your Ford, the engine might be internally or externally balanced. Sometimes, especially with externally balanced engines, the harmonic balancer can get out of...

A knock sensor can be characterized as a tiny electronic microphone; it is put in place to listen for pre-ignition knocks and then regulate the timing by retarding it at two degree intervals....

Mercedes-Benz automobiles have long enjoyed a reputation for longevity, safety, expert engineering and quality craftsmanship. But Mercedes cars do require care and upkeep. Costs of repair and...

A Subaru Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) consists of 17 characters. Prior to 1981, Subaru VIN characters ranged from 11 to 17 characters. The characters and numbers of the VIN represent a...