Car Maintenance

Having a new paint job is like starting over with your car. It's fresh and new, ready for you to make sure it never gets chipped, scratched or damaged. Caring for the clear coat on that paint job...

Rotating and balancing tires is an important maintenance procedure to help the longevity of the tires. Many people are too busy or forget when they last had their tires maintained and front tires...

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...

Regular auto maintenance can save you time and money. More importantly, regular maintenance will insure a safer ride.

Gauging tire pressure on a regular basis will not only save you money, your vehicle will handle its best. This includes its stopping power. So, the real issue is safety. I think we've all heard...

If you'd like to know the original paint color of a vehicle to repaint or touch up scrapes, one of the ways to find out is by looking up the Vehicle Identification Number, more commonly referred...

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."...

Cars today are not as simple as they once were. These days there are several types of oil filters for every make and model of car. Oil filters use a rating system to help you determine what filter...

Whether you want a camouflage vehicle for hunting, showing support for the military, hiding dirt from off-roading,or expressing your personality, there is no need to hire a professional and pay...

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...

Everyone knows they should change their oil on time. What most people don't know is that they have 4 major hurdles to overcome if they want their vehicle to last indefinitely. They are: Heat,...

Every automobile has a finite period of time in its usable lifespan, and there comes a time when you must part with it when you can no longer find a buyer who would desire to have it. Such a...

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...

For those individuals who take great pride in the appearance of their motor vehicles, not many things can be more irritating than the ugly spots of pine tar that can accumulate on their vehicles. ...

During the past decade, concerns about the negative effects of vehicle emissions on the environment have increased. Every vehicle on the road is required by law to undergo a smog emissions...

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,...

Millions of people around the world take great pride in their vehicles. To those individuals one of the most irritating things to deal with is pine tar becoming attached to their perfectly...

Changing the oil filter on your Suzuki automobile is essential for the smooth operation of the vehicle's engine. The filter, as the name suggests, filters out contaminates in the oil and helps to...

Hard water spots, while unsightly, are not permanently damaging to automotive paint. They are usually the result of incomplete or improper drying of your vehicle. When water is allowed to air-dry...

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...

Detailing your vehicle can be a relaxing experience, but that delight can quickly turn to anger if you spill motor oil on your paint. Although it's not going to damage the finish if it's quickly...

Choosing a new color to paint your car is a relatively easy task. With color guides available at auto paint companies and at online sources such as MAACO.com, you can compare colors and find a hue...

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...

You should know how to use electric pressure washers for mobile detailing if you want to avoid damaging a vehicle, electrocuting yourself or someone else, or just work efficiently and profitably....

If you wish to customize your car to add a style and design that is out of the ordinary, you might consider painting lace on your car. Doing so can cover up a bad paint job or simply add flair to...

Wandering on a straight and level road occurs if your tires are not properly aligned. Constantly moving the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead can be a hassle. The life of...

The coolant return hose on your vehicle connects the water pump and the radiator. The hose allows the pump to force low-temperature coolant from the radiator into the engine to keep it from...

Scratches are an unfortunate inevitability of owning an automobile and can decrease the visual appeal of the car. To help protect the vehicle's paint, a clear coat finish is applied over the...

Fuel filters are extremely important to vehicles. When a fuel filter becomes clogged or dirty, the fuel attempting to get through the filter ends up becoming stuck. This can cause engine problems...

You may need to lift your Jeep to perform general maintenance such as oil changes and more involved procedures such as brake service. Lifting your Jeep is a relatively easy process if you follow...

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....

Though many people think nothing of smoking in the car while they drive, this noticeable odor sticks around and can be a nuisance. Cigarette smoke clings to every surface it touches, and the smell...

Routinely checking the air pressure in your vehicle's tires is important to your safety, and also helps prolong the life of your tires. Here's how to do it.

Most of us have been or will be in a situation that requires using jumper cables some time within our lives. The situation is unfortunate, but almost unavoidable. Sometimes we forget to turn off...

The fuel filter on a VW needs to be replaced after 30,000 miles. The filter helps to remove contaminates from the fuel that are picked up from the gas station, the gas tank or both. When the fuel...

If you have to jump start your Mercedes, it may indicate you have other problems. It could be a sign the battery is dead or perhaps the alternator is about to go out. In most cases, the...

Excessive starting and stopping can cause a distortion of the brake pad or brake shoe material, known as a glaze. This condition will increase the distance it takes to stop your vehicle. Steps...

Accidents happen, usually at the most inconvenient times. But sometimes, the worst kind of accident is the one that doesn't do much damage. Maybe you just pulled too close to a car in a parking...

You don't need a Prius to be fuel efficient. With a few simple changes and maintenance the average vehicle can gain 15 to 40% more miles per gallon.

Changing oil in your own automobile can save you money from having some on else do the labor for you. It can seem to be difficult if you are not familiar with automobiles, but it is not that...

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...

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...

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...

The struts on your vehicle are designed to absorb the bumps and irregularities in the roadway to provide you with smooth and comfortable riding conditions. If the struts are worn out or damaged,...

Painting a vehicle can be as simple as performing a quick touch-up to cover up a small scratch or as advanced as painting the entire body of a vehicle to cover up years of wear. Whether you choose...

A transponder key, by basic definition, is a device that transmits or accepts data from another device. In the case of a vehicle, the transponder key is usually found in the ignition key itself,...

Some mystique surrounds the use of VINs, or vehicle identification numbers. We need them for everything: registering the vehicle, selling it or insuring it. It is easy to figure out lots of...

Car ramps are an excellent method of raising the end of an automobile for easy access to the undercarriage of the vehicle, removing the need to purchase more expensive hydraulic-powered floor...