Car Maintenance

Solenoid switches are used to switch high power circuits on and off using a much smaller electrical control signal to actuate the switching. This allows extensive logic and decision making...

The BMW E34 uses a bleed screw to remove air from the cooling system. While some vehicles use a bottom radiator hose or the radiator cap itself for this job, BMW has chosen this simpler method to...

You should check the headlamp bulbs on your Ford Mondeo every six months or so to make sure they are functioning normally. Of course, if you are driving at night and a headlight bulb blows, you'll...

The EPA tests vehicles in a laboratory setting to determine estimated gas mileage for city and highway driving. The city mileage estimate is for driving in stop and go traffic whereas the highway...

Gasoline burns relatively slowly. It is not the explosion we all imagine, but a slower, controlled burn. As the fuel burns in a car, the hot gases expand with an increasing pressure until the...

Did you park under a tree and didn't even think about what type of tree it was. Later on you come back after some time and see a blob of tree sap on your car. You really really wish you hadn't...

For those of you that pay the high prices to get your vehicle's oil changed, this article will explain to you that you can do it yourself in a short time and save on the labor costs! This is...

It is important to prepare your vehicle for cold environments. The exterior of your car needs protection from the elements in order to maintain your paint, wheels and glass. Snow and ice and the...

This article will help to show you how to install the Grip Stud tire studs. These are very easy to install and requires only a cordless drill and a install tool. Once installed, these studs will...

So, how much is a new battery these days? $60 for a cheapy? Oh, you have an import, well now were talking $$$ ! Oh, And you want it installed? $$$$ ! How about we take some everyday things...

We all agree that proper maintainence will increase gas mileage and longevity of your vehicle. But saving at the pump is not the only place you can save. You can save a lot by doing your own...

Over time, engine blocks---especially those with a silver exterior---start to look dirty and dingy. A simple coat of paint can limit the unsightly effects of dirt and oil stains. Use the right...

A freshly cleaned, waxed and polished car looks sharp. Car wax creates a shiny layer of protection that helps to prevent substances from coming into contact with the paint of the car. The wax will...

Many Buick vehicles have cabin filters installed to improve the interior air flow quality. These filters are commonly called cabin air filters or A/C filters. The cabin filter in most Buicks is in...

Setting up a home auto spray booth is an excellent way to save money while taking control of the painting process. Complete paint jobs can cost more than $1,000 at many auto shops, so even a...

A front door lock must stay lubricated for the tumblers inside to work properly. A door lock will jam if it isn't lubricated. You should lubricate the internal lock and components when you notice...

A strong smell of gasoline inside of your car could point to a serious problem. Perhaps the gas tank is leaking or maybe the fuel filter is clogged. In these situations, take the car to a mechanic...

You just got your car washed only to find someone decided to place their used chewing gum on the hood of your car. The sticky foundation of gum makes it difficult to get off. However, with a few...

Nothing is more attractive on a new car than a polished front end and crystal-clear headlamp covers. It's fairly simple to clean and protect the headlamp covers with the latest acrylic sealer /...

Having a car professionally painted takes time and money. Some auto shops may keep your car for up to a week and charge more than $1,000 for a complete paint job. Painting at home is a good option...

When Honda first introduced the Type-R to the American market in the '90s, they sold out pretty quickly. Since then, other models of Type-R have been introduced, and people even buy Type-R...

Cigarette smoke is a strong scent. If you're a non-smoker and bought a used vehicle, you know if a smoker was the previous owner. The windows could have a coating of tar, giving them a yellowish...

If you live in an area that gets yearly snow, it is likely that you will end up with some calcium stains and buildup on your car by the end of winter. While most calcium stains in households are a...

Prior to 1981, the system for assigning automobile VIN, or vehicle identification numbers, varied from car model to car model and from one production year to the next. Beginning in 1981, a uniform...

Many vehicles on the road today use plastic in the manufacturing process, in particular on the headlights. But over time the headlight lenses can get some surface scratches, and their fine shine...

Rubber floor mats are convenient because they can take a lot of abuse but still look good. Like any type of car maintenance, however, you must clean rubber mats on a regular basis. This is simple...

Most cars today use vinyl extensively, from the roof to the interior and everywhere in between. If you don't properly maintain your vinyl, it can dry and crack, which looks unsightly. It's all...

Engine parts that have been chromed look beautiful when they are brand new or freshly polished, but they can get rusty and dingy very quickly, especially when installed in the oily, dirty confines...

One of the easiest maintenance procedures for many of today's cars is swapping out an older cabin filter with a new one. The cabin air filter is typically made of pleated paper and does a great...

It's important to take care of your convertible to keep it looking new. Special care is needed to wash the car and the cover, and care needs to be taken not to damage the top. It's best to wash...

If you must ever remove the gasoline from your vehicle's fuel tank, you must do so safely and correctly. Never attempt to siphon out gasoline by mouth, as the risk of ingesting it is highly...

Most types of lubricant, including motor oil, will not harm the paint on a car. Oil will make a slimy mess and cause ugly streaking, but it won't damage the vehicle. But if the oil gets onto the...

Love bugs are undoubtedly a problem on the front of your car if you live in the southeastern U.S. These little bugs are everywhere in the south and seem to be more prevalent on the busy roads. ...

Motor mounts play a critical role in ensuring that your car's engine and transmission remains fixed to your car's frame. When motor mounts wear out, your engine can separate, causing the engine to...

Auto detailing involves thoroughly cleaning the interior and exterior of a car as well as waxing or polishing the body. A mobile auto-detailing service will come to the customer to work on his car...

Clack, clack, clack. That's the sound you don't want to hear when driving a front-wheel drive vehicle. The loud clacking noise you hear when turning means the constant velocity joints are shot. A...

At the advice of the Tahoe's manufacturer, Chevrolet (as well as GMC, which manufactures the nearly identical Yukon), it's imperative to follow a suggested, regularly-scheduled maintenance...

A new thermostat will improve the health of your Ford Mustang. It means that the coolant is flowing properly through all the channels in your motor. The thermostat is a valve that regulates your...

Cleaning your car can be a very relaxing experience that not only makes your car look better, but will help keep its finish for years. When cleaning wheels, pick a product that suits your style of...

Rust can build up on your vehicle's chrome wheel rims, especially if you store it for a long time without driving it. The rust is most likely to develop in the crevices between the spokes and the...

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...

A headlight lens is a transparent plastic piece surrounding the headlight. Over time the headlight lens can get scratched, turn yellow, and oxidize. A cloudy headlight lens hinders how well your...

One-man brake bleeding is most often accomplished using a hand-held vacuum pump to draw air out of the brake system. While the air is drawn out, new brake fluid is drawn into the system using the...

Getting gum on clothing can ruin a garment, but getting gum on a car can completely ruin its paint job, which is a much more expensive problem. The good news is, if you find some chewing gum on...

Cylinder plating refers to coatings that are given to engine cylinders or the metal piece in which cylinders are drilled or formed to give the pistons space to move. This is one of the most easily...

Why take your car to an expensive shop to change a broken front light? Step by step instructions on how to do it yourself.

Most people would change their broken tail/break lights if they knew how. Now they can.

Vehicle maintenance programs are generally provided at intervals of mileage or time, depending upon whichever comes first. Ford and Mercury provide the following minimum maintenance requirements...

The plastic face of a car speedometer tends to get dirty as the car ages. As a result, it becomes harder to see what your current speed is, making you more likely to be stopped by for speeding or...

There's nothing more irritating than finding a wad of gum stuck on your car. Gum is a sticky pain to remove and can become an even larger mess if you try to remove it incorrectly. Many products...