Car Maintenance

Replacing a damaged fender panel on your Dodge Ram can help improve the appearance of the truck. You can remove the fender using only a ratchet and socket. The fender protects the important...

Auto wraps can turn an entire car into a mobile marketing message. The vinyl wraps are such good advertising that some companies will even pay consumers for the rights to place a colorful wrap on...

Adding window tint to your vehicle helps to increase gas mileage and cool down the interior temperature of the vehicle as well. But over time, some window film can start to turn blue or purple, or...

You might think that the wheel bearings of your Isuzu aren't a critical component, but they are. If the bearings aren't greased properly, they can seize, causing the wheel to seize and potentially...

Injector driver modules, also known as IDMs, work with the central computer system and the fuel injection system in a vehicle. Only vehicles with fuel-injection systems will use an injector driver...

Installing the rear shocks on a car or truck is a straightforward and quick procedure, provided you buy the correct-size shock for your vehicle. Two bolts hold the shocks into place: one on top...

Removing the ignition key cylinder is a straightforward task. This repair is essential if you have broken a key off in the switch or want to re-key the ignition system. You can buy the new...

Removing the driveshaft when towing your Silverado can save excess wear on your transmission and differential. The driveshaft itself is easy to remove and re-install. Before removing the...

Protecting your vehicle's tires from the sun and excessive heat is important in preserving the life of the rubber. Tires left in the sun quickly become damaged. When storing tires (either as a...

Optima batteries are long-lasting batteries suitable for use in starting vehicles, cranking over engines and running households, as in an RV. They are made by Johnson Controls.

Any vehicle that drives on public roads must have at least one license plate to help identify its owner. Cars and other vehicles purchased new do not come with license plates, instead after filing...

The air conditioning clutch relay transfers power, like a switch, from the interior A/C controls of an automobile to the A/C compressor, engaging the compressor clutch. Checking an A/C clutch...

Sometimes your car's air conditioner doesn't cool properly. The most common cause of this is a lack of refrigerant in the cooling compressor. This is a simple thing to fix, but you need to be...

Manual transmissions utilize a clutch to engage and disengage the power from the engine to the transmission. This is necessary so that when you are at a complete stop, you can rest at idle without...

In areas with heavy storms and rain, or any other weather issues, one of the best ways you can protect your car is by using a tarp. There are tarps made specifically for cars that allow the cars...

Changing the transmission filter on your Jeep Grand Cherokee should be part of your annual car maintenance routine. A clogged or dirty transmission filter can reduce oil flow to your transmission,...

Transmission fluid cools and lubricates the transmission's interior components. As the fluid travels through the transmission, it picks up small metal particles produced by normal wear and tear....

The electrical system in your car serves a vital function--it connects the various engine sensors with the electronic control module (ECM, or "brain" of the car) and provides power to operate the...

Cars and trucks with a differential in an axle housing driven by an open drive shaft have a pinion shaft seal used to contain 90W gear oil inside the housing. A pinion gear translates the...

The wiper blades on your Ford Explorer should be inspected once every six months, according to Ford Motor Company. The replacement interval depends on how frequently the blades are used;...

If you can't afford a replacement part at a car dealer or body shop, or if you are working on a project car, getting used parts may be your best option. Your local junkyard may have the perfect...

Flash rust is rust that appears quickly--literally overnight--and can occur on any surface including stainless steel. Generally, flash rust is a result of small iron particles that have become...

Vinyl windows are found in convertible tops and boats. Because they are exposed to the weather, bugs, dirt, pollen and other airborne items, the windows grow dirty and dull over time. Harsh...

For your engine to stay at the proper operating temperature, the coolant needs to be working as it should. As time goes on, the coolant breaks down and becomes diluted with contaminants. A coolant...

Alright girls - The question of the day is as follows: Why pay Valvoline or Jiffy Lube potentially double what you would spend to change your oil yourself? Ok, so we have 2 questions of the day:...

Organizing your car and getting rid of all the clutter will help you drive safer and minimize distractions while driving. We spend plenty of time in our cars doing more than driving. From...

Motor oil is important to ensure that your car runs properly. Though it doesn’t need to be changed more often than once in three thousand miles or so, using the best motor oil can improve your...

We all want our car to run for a long time, especially when we don’t have the money to go out and buy a new one. It is always a problem when a car breaks down and you have to get it towed to the...

When you drive often or if you’ve bought a used car, the mileage can be very high. Once a car gets to the point of about 100,000 miles or more, there is a risk of your car having a break down and...

Our standard vehicles use a 12 volt battery to store power for starting the motor and for powering vehicle components. When the battery dies (is depleted of its stored power) the vehicle will not...

If you plan on doing a lot of traveling during the winter months, be prepared for the unexpected. Below are some good tips for winter driving and maintaining your car for those winter trips.

Why pay $20-30 to let someone change your oil when you can do it yourself cheaper and in about 30 minutes. This article will provide you with easy steps to change the oil and oil filter on your...

Due to the high expectations placed on car paint---a lustrous shine, an ability to stand up to extreme weather, etc.---it is some of the most sophisticated paint you can buy. The downside is that...

Even for the most careful person, stains are sometimes unavoidable. A vehicle can acquire upholstery stains from all sorts of sources, especially if you are transporting children. One of the most...

An Ohm meter, which is part of a multimeter, can only check a spark plug for a short circuit or a breakdown of insulation resistance. A good spark plug should show an open circuit between the...

Small engines (defined as anything too small to power a car) are used in a number of ordinary and extraordinary applications. These can range from leaf blower to mine-sweepers, and rarely is...

Because an impact wrench exerts a different kind of pressure than even the longest cheater-bar, a different kind of socket must be used. As many mechanics have learned, using standard sockets on...

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...

When applying a new wax or sealant to your vehicle, remove any car-wash wax that was used previously. Car washes use commercial cleansing products and sealants that that are not readily available...

Toyota dealers generally charge customers to program a key fob (keyless entry). Most dealers charge a small amount but other dealers may charge more. It is unnecessary to visit the dealer and pay...

Dust and oxidation build-up from driving can leave your headlight lenses looking foggy. Foggy headlights can impair your driving by dimming lighting and cutting down the range of your headlights....

Coil boot plugs are becoming the standard in newer vehicles, replacing the old coil and spark plug wire system. With a coil boot, or coil-on boot plug, each spark plug has its own ignition coil,...

A paint booth is a room that is fitted with exhaust fans and an air intake system to create a dust-free environment for painting and finishing automobiles and other vehicles. Paint booths, also...

The rear end of a car contains two gears called ring and pinion gears. The ring gear is round with teeth on one side. The pinion gear can be best thought of as a spear that has teeth that spiral...

Converting your vehicle from a mechanical fuel pump to an electric fuel pump system can help you avoid vapor lock issues, even out idle speeds and increase the torque of your engine by providing...

The chain on your motorcycle is the most important part of its drive system. Without it, there would be no transfer of power from the engine to the rear wheel. A chain that isn't installed...

The front suspension on a Ford Explorer is a bit different than most because instead of using a traditional coil or spring to control the height, it uses a torsion bar, which acts as the spring by...

Troubleshooting trailer turn signal light problems might seem like a daunting task for those unfamiliar with automotive and trailer wiring, but, relax. It's not difficult. Learning just a few...

Removing bumper stickers from a car can leave a buildup of leftover adhesive on the paint, chrome or glass, but, with caution, you can remove bumper sticker adhesive without harming the underlying...

When your filter life warning light comes on in your Acura, it's time to check the filter element. Once this has been replaced, you'll need to shut off the warning light. The light will stay on...