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Basic Car Care: Video Series

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Simple car care and maintenance can go a long way in making sure a car stays running in good condition for a long time. Avoid major breakdowns and trips to the auto shop by performing simple car maintenance with tips from a mechanic in this free series of videos on car care.

There are 21 videos in this series:

Viewing 1-21 of 21
  1. If a car driver notices a unique smell, it could be an exhaust leak, a catalytic converter smell, a burning oil smell or a gasoline smell. Diagnose car smells and their potential danger with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 770
  2. When installing license plates, use bare hands to line up the screws before tightening them with a screwdriver. Install license plates, one or two depending on the state, with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 338
  3. When a car's instrument lights come on, it could be because of low fuel, it could be a check-engine light that requires a trip to the auto shop, or it could be an engine overheating. Interpret a car's warning lights with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 863
  4. Wait until a radiator is cool to check the fluid levels and check the owner's manual to see what kind of antifreeze is needed and if it needs to be diluted with water. Check and add radiator fluid to the radiator and the reservoir with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 1,087
  5. The way to check how many cylinders a car has if by looking at the number of spark plugs or by checking the label on top of the engine. Determine how many cylinders your car has, usually four or six, with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 326
  6. Horsepower is the amount of power required to lift 33,000 pounds one foot off of the ground in one minute. Determine how much horsepower your car has by searching for calculators on the Internet with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 467
  7. A car with front-wheel drive will have drive lines that go to the front wheels, while a rear-wheel drive car will have drive lines going to the back wheels. Determine if your car is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, and look for differences in engines, with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 462
  8. After draining a car's motor oil, seal the oil up tightly and take it to a local auto parts store or service station that advertises such a service. Recycle motor oil with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 342
  9. Before changing a car battery, be sure to clean the terminals of corrosion, disconnect the terminals and disconnect the clamp that holds the battery steady. Change a car's battery with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 1,608
  10. Usually, the red jumper cable goes on the positive side of a car battery and the black goes to the negative side, but the wires should never be crossed. Jump-start a car and keep jumper cables on-hand with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 287
  11. Use a wrench to remove an oil filter, or fuel filter, and let the oil drip out before replacing the filter. Change a fuel filter and recycle the oil with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 3,002
  12. The inches used to describe tire size refer to the diameter of the tire's rims, and the recommended size of tires should always be used. Discover how tire sizes work and how wrong sizes can be detrimental with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 557
  13. In most cars, the air filter is inside a plastic box and can be unclipped without the use of tools. Clean a car's air filter or replace it with a new one with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 825
  14. Brake fade can be combated by breaking sooner, shifting to a lower gear or tapping the brakes. Reduce brake fade by slowing in advance with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 357
  15. Standard motor oil evaporates under extreme heat and becomes clumpy in extreme cold, while synthetic oil is designed to maintain a regular consistency. Compare synthetic to standard motor oil with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 383
  16. Some car batteries are sealed, but water batteries have a lid that can be pried off to check and see if water is filled up to the rim. Add water to a car battery, but don't overfill it, with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 665
  17. Changing a tire is as simple as jacking up the car, removing lug nuts with the jack handle and switching the tire with a spare. Change a tire and be sure to have a spare ready with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 460
  18. In order to change rotors, the caliper and brake pads need to be removed first, while the rotor itself has a number of bolts that hold it in place. Change rotors and replace brake pads with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 4,871
  19. There are a number of different brake problems that a car can have, including squealing brakes, unevenness and braking that is loose and not solid. Diagnose brake problems with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 1,428
  20. Jack up a car in order to change a tire and check the manual to see where it needs to be placed for each corresponding wheel. Jack up a car and put the emergency brakes on with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 362
  21. Rotors usually appear on the front of a car and are used for braking, pushing hydraulic fluid into the caliper. Discover how rotors work and when they need to be replaced with tips from a mechanic in this free car-care and automotive maintenance video.

    Views: 407
Viewing 1-21 of 21

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Major car tune-ups, or vehicle overhauls, are vital to the upkeep and maintenance of an automobile. A car is a complex machine made up of simple machines that have many different parts and processes which must be checked for breakage, leaks and wear. A mechanic does all of these tune-up checks when a car comes into the auto shop. However, many car owners learn how to check their cars to fix common problems without costly mechanic visits. A little automobile knowledge goes a long way in saving money, avoiding scams and keeping cars in top shape. In this free series of videos, a mechanic discusses basic car care and how to perform simple maintenance on an automobile. Learn how to install license plates, how to jump-start a car and how to change a tire. Perform fluid checks on the radiator, check oil levels and diagnose brake problems. With these auto repair tips and techniques, trips to the auto shop will decline and major breakdowns will almost disappear.

 
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