General Car Maintenance

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...

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...

In order for the power steering system to operate properly on your Honda CR-V, make sure the fluid is at the proper level, since it can diminish over time. As part of your routine maintenance,...

The 12-volt battery is a heavy-duty type of battery that is commonly used to power various types of transportation vehicles. A rechargeable version of the 12-volt battery is also available,...

Fluids keep a car running. They provide power for the car to move, cool the engine and lubricate parts to reduce friction. Sometimes the hoses that carry those fluids can wear out and cause leaks....

Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that flows through a vehicle's power steering system and provides the transfer of energy from one hydraulic cylinder to another. By doing so, it allows...

Power steering fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid designed specifically for use in power steering systems on most modern automobiles, aircraft, and other vehicles. When serving its intended...

There are many things that can cause an auto battery to deteriorate and expire before its projected time. Temperature, usage, maintenance and other car parts will affect its life span. The...

One of the biggest changes in automobiles from the earliest models to today's complex cars and trucks has been increasing reliance on electrical systems and features. Every car has a battery, and...

Power steering is important in modern vehicles because it allows smoother driving and easier control. By taking external power and applying it to the process of turning the wheels, power steering...

Power steering systems require a special type of hydraulic fluid. Housed in a vehicle's power steering pump unit, power steering fluid performs a variety of critical roles necessary to ensure the...

After being used for a while, your Toyota power antenna can develop problems with not extending or retracting when turned on or off. The antenna can also have problems, such as being bent or the...

Replacing the power steering fluid in your car can preserve the life of the power steering pump and save money on repairs. Manufacturers typically recommend changing the power steering fluid every...

Replacing a power steering belt is a simple process, and will correct a lot of issues with sloppy steering or squealing sounds. Vehicles manufactured before 1990 normally do not have "serpentine"...

Converting how your computer requires electrical power can allow you to use your computer in your car without ever having the need for AC power. You can convert your computer power supply to DC...

A Nissan power window relay allows the windows to function, even when the engine is turned off, and the key is not in the ignition. Typically, power windows, as well as all other electronic...

Driving through heavy traffic can be challenging enough without having to manage how and when you're transmission changes gears. And while some may enjoy the interplay of clutch-and-shift travel,...

Power steering fluid is an integral component of a vehicle's power steering pump operation. Power steering fluid is housed in the power steering pump reservoir, and it performs a variety of functions.

Drive belts, often referred to as fan belts, are used to transfer rotary motion between two shafts via a series of pulleys. This rotary motion provides power in many engine-mounted accessories,...

The drivetrain on a car refers to the transmission and the way in which power gets to the wheels that drive a vehicle. Find out how power is transmitted to the final drive of a car with help from...

Even for a trained mechanic, it can be difficult to diagnose a failing or weak fuel pump. The symptoms can easily be confused with other mechanical problems, causing unnecessary repairs. Learning...

Weak and failing fuel pumps can be difficult to diagnose. While the symptoms may be easy to identify, they also may be confused with other mechanical problems. By learning the warning signs of a...

A vehicle's safe and smooth operation depends as much on fluid quality and levels as it does on the nuts and bolts machinery. The complex design of the power steering system is largely based on...

Power steering depends upon several elements, and one of the integral parts of power steering is the steering pump. This type of pump is called a rotary-vane pump. It is powered by a belt and...

The Nissan Maxima debuted 1976 as an executive and sports sedan. The Maxima has been made continuously, although it has only been offered as a 4-door sedan since 1989. You can keep your 4-door...

The Oldsmobile Alero replaced the Cutlass as Oldsmobile's compact offering. The Alero entered production in 1998 and was the last car sold under the Oldsmobile brand. If you aren't ready to move...

The Pontiac Grand Am popped in and out of production from 1973 to 2005. In the 1970s it was a mid-sized car, then Pontiac reintroduced and sold it as a compact from 1985 to 2005. You can keep your...

Subaru released the Outback in 1995 as an all-wheel drive crossover. Originally only a station wagon, Subaru offered it as a 4-door sedan after 2000. If you want to keep your Outback on the road...

Suzuki discontinued the Geo Metro line in 2001, which means it's even more important to stay on top of steering system problems as your car ages. You can keep your car steering straight with a few...

The GMC Sierra is the counterpart of the better-known Chevy Silverado full-size pickup truck. If you drive your Sierra frequently with heavy loads you will want to keep on top of maintenance,...

Honda offered its Prelude sports coupe from 1978 to 2001 before replacing it with the Accord. If you want to hold onto your Prelude for as long as possible, you will need to keep the steering...

Honda introduced the CR-V, the compact crossover SUV, in 1996 using the Civic as its model. You can keep on top of steering system repairs in your CRV by following a few simple troubleshooting...

Modern Chevy Corvette models require far less maintenance than a vintage model, but you still need to stay on top of repairs. Troubleshooting the steering system on Corvette models made after 1997...

The Dodge Caravan minivan is one of the three Chrysler minivan series credited with creating the minivan market. Currently in it's fifth generation, it remains a popular family transport vehicle....

The VW Jetta is a popular choice for the small, stylish sedan market in America. Jetta drivers can also ensure that their vehicle lasts many years by performing basic fluid maintenance. Checking...

The VW Passat has been a popular choice since the 1990s for car buyers looking for a stylish, luxury mid-sized sedan. While the VW Passat delivers quality inside and out, you can help maintain the...

The Mitsubishi Galant is a popular family sedan and has undergone a series of changes from the 1990s to later models. While at-home maintenance is easy to perform when checking fluid levels on...

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been a popular sport coupe since its debut in 1989 and new Eclipse vehicles continue to be a popular choice for sporty drivers. Most drivers can do their own basic...

The Mitsubishi GTO, marketed as the 3000GT and sold from 1990 to 2001, also sold in America as the Dodge Stealth from 1991 to 1996, is a popular sport tourer known for its muscle car styling. If...

The Nissan Altima has been on the market since 1993 and is a family sedan known for its superior handing capabilities. Drivers interested in prolonging vehicle life and cutting costs on service...

Since the 1990s, the Nissan Maxima has been a popular and powerful family sedan with up to date features and functionality. Performing basic maintenance on your Nissan Maxima is easy to do and can...

The Nissan Sentra has undergone several changes to the vehicle and its features since the 1990s, but basic maintenance is easy to perform at home for all Sentra vehicles. Checking your fluid...

The Nissan Pathfinder has undergone a range of revisions to accommodate the constantly changing American SUV market, but at home basic maintenance remains simple to perform for any Pathfinder...

The Oldsmobile Alero ran from 1999 to 2004 with a few changes over the years, but at home maintenance on any Alero vehicle is easy to perform. Checking your fluid levels is one of the simplest...

Maintaining the power steering fluid levels is a basic maintenance procedure you can do at home for your Plymouth Neon. You can prolong the life of any Neon by performing fluid maintenance. The...

Checking the power steering fluid level in your Plymouth Voyager is an easy way to perform at home maintenance on your vehicle and prolong vehicle life. You can save time by checking all fluids at...

The Pontiac Grand Am has changed a lot since the 1970s, but for any Pontiac Grand Am vehicle performing at home maintenance of fluid levels is a simple routine. Checking the power steering fluid...

The Pontiac Grand Prix comes in several types, defined by engine size. The ease of performing at home maintenance and fluid checks for your power steering fluid depends on which Pontiac Grand Prix...

The Saturn VUE is Saturn's (and GM's) first effort to enter the car-sized SUV market, and has been extremely popular during its first few years of production. While basic fluid checks should be...

The Saturn Ion replaced Saturn's S-series as the entry-level sedan for 2003 to 2007 and is a popular choice for young buyers. Drivers buying on a budget may also want to save money by performing...