Cars

The thermostat in your Audi regulates water flow to the engine and controls the heater. The thermostat is basically the same in all vehicles, as it controls the temperature and is designed to...

The modern internal combustion engine is a remarkable device in many ways. It is literally the engine of our mobile society, bringing goods to market and people to wherever they need to be. Even...

A bumper diffuser is a piece of automotive equipment that most people choose to buy after they purchase their vehicle so that they can get it at lower cost. The ostensible purpose of a bumper...

A harmonic balancer is designed to absorb the vibrations produced by the engine. For this reason, the balancer is sometimes referred to as a "vibration dampener." Although the exterior of the...

Subaru's overhead cam engine was introduced in the late '80s and is still used today. Unlike Subaru's earlier push-rod engines that used a chain and sprockets to rotate the camshaft, the new...

Removing vinyl letters and graphics from a vehicle can be a tedious, time-consuming process. Fortunately, it can be done safely and successfully with the right tools and patient attention. While a...

The process of painting a car, whether to blend in a new body panel or give the vehicle a completely new look, involves several steps and requires knowledge of the techniques and materials used....

When shopping for a new car, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by purchasing a dealer's demo car instead of one that has never left the showroom. These cars have the same factory...

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...

There are a few different ways to remove paint from material, but some methods are much harsher to the material underneath the paint than others. While chemical stripping tends to be easier to do...

A power steering pump belt is used to transfer the rotating energy produced by the engine to the pump, where the fluid within the pump is then directed to the rack and pinion unit. Over time, the...

The ignition switch is usually the first thing to get replaced when there is trouble starting a vehicle. It is easy to access and it does not take much time to replace. There are several...

If you have a turbocharged car that has been modified or is putting out a lot of boost, a boost gauge is good insurance against excess boost, which can damage the motor. A boost gauge reads the...

One of the most challenging steps in restoring a motorcycle is dealing with rust. Most often, rust occurs on the metal frame where it may be difficult to access. Removing the engine or other...

Riding a motorcycle is one most freedom-inspiring moments in life. The downside to tearing up any respectable amount of black top is, quite literally, a pain in the backside. Even though most...

You get in your car and attempt to start it, but something's not right. It's either not doing anything or it's cranking but not turning over. Many things could be causing this. It could be as...

The S80 is a mid-sized luxury car sold by the Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo. Compared with other components on the S80, the door panels are simple to remove for the average person. Rather than...

A blown head gasket can not only cause your Chevy 350 engine to run poorly, but if left unattended could cause much longer lasting and more expensive damage to your engine. To ensure against...

One common modification to the popular Jeep Wrangler SUV is adding a snorkel. A snorkel attaches to the engine's air intake and moves the point at which air is captured to wherever the other end...

If you're in the market for a truck, buying one used can save hundreds or thousands of dollars over buying a new truck. When buying a used truck it is critical to find a reliable seller or dealer...

The 10 bolt Positrac differential is a rear-end differential found stock in IROC-style Chevy Camaros in the early to mid-1990s. The 10 bolt Posi is a slightly smaller version of the much heavier...

There is nothing more aggravating then getting home and noticing you have industrial line paint marring the surface of your car's once glorious finish. Road paint is tough to get off of your...

A Dodge truck can be used for any type of work or be modified to perform any type of job. The bed can be removed and replaced with anything that can be mounted on the frame. You can convert your...

Installing a Reese Receiver hitch on your truck or car can be a very good investment. You will be able to haul trailers and help stranded motorists get out of a bind. The Reese hitch will also...

Good tires are critical to the smooth operation of your vehicle. Keeping your tires in proper condition helps you save money and, of course, avoid major accidents. Understanding how temperature...

Horsepower is literally the driving force that allows vehicles to travel. Vehicles can always be altered and improved to provide more power and performance. There are several ways to do this,...

Removing speakers from your car's door is usually a simple process depending on the make, model and year of your car. Some speakers are easily accessible because their covers pry off with a...

Paint pens are useful for coloring objects that cannot be written on easily with normal pens or markers. For this reason, paint pens are sometimes used to touch up paint or scratches on cars. If...

Performing minor body work on automobiles is within the reach of anybody. Repairing a small scratch yourself requires only minimal legwork ahead of time. The first thing you'll need is the paint...

When a power window fails to operate, it is necessary, given all the components in the system, to narrow the failure down. If a window has failed in only one door, you can safely assume the...

Jump-starting a vehicle is an old-school but effective way to start your vehicle when the battery does not have enough stored electricity to turn over the starter and get your vehicle going. It's...

An engine thermostat is an essential component of the engine cooling system. It regulates the temperature of the coolant and ensures that your engine remains cool. Thermostats work because of a...

Head gaskets are essential to the proper functioning of your car. The Nissan 240SX, just like any other car on the road, is equipped with a head gasket that helps seal the connection between the...

A car's head gasket provides a seal between the head (where all the valves and rollers are located) and the block (the "main part of the engine" that houses the camshaft and part of the pistons)....

Selling cars and trucks is not about talking a customer into buying a vehicle. Any successful salesperson agrees that selling is about meeting the customer's wants and needs. Using a specific...

Replacing the water pump is a last-resort repair to salvage your truck's coolant system. To replace the water pump, located above the crankshaft, you must work your way through many parts. The...

The Honda Element was added to the Honda lineup in 2003 as an all-purpose utility vehicle and is still in production today. Offered with a powerful four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, and...

Painting your own car may seem like a daunting task, but it is certainly possible if you follow all the steps in the correct order. Several factors -- preparation, compressor pressure and...

The Lincoln Town Car has been available since 1982 through American automaker Ford's Lincoln Division. The full-size luxury sedan is the basis for limousines and is commonly used as a livery...

Gauge pods are important to those who modify their cars because it allows them to install gauges that give them the ability to monitor every aspect of their motor, whether it be coolant...

Long ago A sports car enthusiast's preferred means for providing a car's propulsion, a manual transmission provides the driver with a direct connection to the motor's power and allows for more...

The ignition switch is the most vital part of the ignition system. It allows the Chevrolet to crank and it will isolate the switch as soon as the key is turned and the motor is started. The...

When your Jeep Cherokee overheats or makes a kind of "duck" noise, your water pump may be failing. Replacing a bad water pump is essential to the life of your vehicle. This can be a challenging...

The Ford Windstar minivan was first sold in 1995. Ford undertook a major redesign between 1998 and 1999, making the Windstar available until 2003. Over its nine year model run, the Windstar...

Even for the least initiated among us, the car battery presents little mystery when compared with the rest of the automotive repair world. A dead battery can usually be recharged with a jump from...

Since General Motors introduced them in 1937, many cars have come with automatic transmissions. The alternative to standard or manual transmissions, cars with an automatic transmission shifts...

Trucks are great utility vehicles, and can perform a lot of tasks, including carrying people. If you find yourself carrying a lot of people in your bed and want to make their trip a bit more...

When Ford introduced the new body-style F-250 trucks, they soared in popularity, partially because of the super-powerful Powerstroke diesel engine. Routine maintenance for a diesel engine is...

Looking to save money by buying a used car instead of a new one? By following these hints you can end up with a good solid car that will give you many miles of dependable service.

Can insurance is one of the most expensive monthly expenditures, particularly for families with teen drivers. Senior drivers may also have problems with automobile insurability. The good news is...