Having a good VAG-COM scan tool can go a long way to help not only find a mechanical problem but to do some light modding. There are many VAG-COM VCDS scan tools available for Volkswagen, from low-cost units to high-end expensive models. Below are some of our favorite options that would be a good fit for the DIY… Read More »
There are many good OBD2 scan tools for most any vehicle including Honda’s. Some scanners can only read basic functions while a few have more advanced features that are Honda specific. With the many available below we list some of our favorite options. As always be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, here, forums, or elsewhere to… Read More »
Having a good Portable 12-Volt DC tire inflator with a built-in tire pressure gauge to see the air pressure is ideal in many situations. From having a spare tire that has deflated to airing up a bicycle tire having a good working inflator is invaluable. A 12-Volt unit that can run from the cigarette lighter or hook directly… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have when troubleshooting these types of vehicle problems. There are many OBDII scan tools available from low-cost to high-end units. Everyone will have a different requirement from an automotive scan tool. For example, a DIY mechanic will not have the need… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing a bad headlight bulb on a 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla is simple DIY task. Of course if in doubt take your car to a professional. There are two bulbs located from the back of the headlight assembly. The outside bulb is Low Beam… Read More »
Automatic Shifters are a specialty performance part that gives more control to a driver and looks cools doing it. While mainly used for drag racing they also can be used whenever more control over a vehicle is needed. If you are looking to get an automatic shifter there are many available with those below some of our favorite… Read More »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine to not run correctly. If the leak is small enough it can often be ignored but an engine light will come on which is not good in many scenarios. An Evap Smoke machine is an easy answer to this and… Read More »
Having a good OBDII Scan tool can help greatly when it comes time to troubleshooting a car. They display the error code that points to the problem a vehicle is having. There are many OBDII scan tools that give basic engine codes with most unable to read ABS, SRS, or transmission errors. Transmission codes are in the P0700… Read More »
Having a good book on automotive repair can go a long way to help understand how a vehicle works. Repair manuals are good but require the fundamentals of mechanical repair to be already understood. There are many articles online that are also a good resource but can often skip subjects and leave gaps in explanations. This is why… Read More »
OBD2 automotive scanner tools come in a wide range of packages from small wireless scanners to large professional units. With the huge variety available there is no-doubt that the Best OBD2 scan tool is debatable. What it really comes down to though is how often will the tool be used and in what conditions. For example, a large… Read More »
Since their introduction, OBD2 Bluetooth scanner tools have become a favorite among part-time mechanics and professionals to find and fix engine problems. They are low-cost engine diagnostic tools that can help troubleshoot a problem. For example, if an engine light comes on which gives no indication to the problem a small low-cost OBD2 adapter code scan tool can… Read More »
A car or truck engine light can come on for many reasons, from a loose gas cap to a more serious engine problem. Clearing an engine light can be done in a few ways depending on the vehicle. Keep in mind unless the problem if fixed more than likely the engine light will come back on. Below are… Read More »
If you own a Kia and need a good OBDII scan tool there are many available. Owning an OBDII scan tool is ideal for troubleshooting a car or just knowing why the engine light is on. What Is a Kia OBDII Scan Tool? All modern vehicles including Kia have an OBDII port which communicates with the onboard computer.… Read More »
Replacing the intake air filter on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra falls in the Do-It-Yourself category and is an easy task to do. Most car intake air filters are replaced every 15,000 – 30,000 miles. Of course, the environment will make a big difference how often it should be changed. For example, if you live and drive in a… Read More »
Portable car battery smart jump starters have become popular in recent years. Smart jump starters are a great item in an emergency when a battery has lost its charge. Modern-day devices from smartphones to laptops can drain a battery leaving a user in need of a jump which makes emergency jump kits a good item to have while… Read More »
Having road side emergency lights is something that is nice to have when broken down or back tail lights stopped working. Using them when being broken down is no doubt the time they are used the most but I have also used them in many another scenarios. For example, a trailer I was towing one time had the… Read More »
Having a good book on auto body repair can go a long way to learn not only how to do automotive body repair but also tips and tricks. Online resources are great also but often times can skip steps. A good book will guide you though the entire process from start to finish. Our Picks for Best Auto… Read More »
12-volt electric car heaters are an option when it comes to helping to heat your vehicle. Notice I say help to heat. 12-Volt heaters do not have enough power output to heat a car or truck the way a standard heater does. In fact, depending how cold the place you live in is they might not even seem… Read More »
Having a portable window heater defroster on colds days can be very handy to have. There are many units available most of which are 12 volt defrosters that sit on the dashboard. One thing to keep in mind is that 12-volt systems don’t put out a lot of energy and so can be slow when it comes to… Read More »
Having a good heated car seat goes a long way in helping to stay warm and comfortable during cold days. They have many uses from simply getting warm quick or even getting heat when a vehicles built-in heater stops working. There are many units available including material type and heat output. There are many good units available with… Read More »
Setting up a car with a power inverter is easy to do and is a nice feature to add to any vehicle. Adding a 110/120 AC power outlet is useful for for many situations from traveling to simply recharging a laptop. Inverters have different Amps and Watts they can supply depending on the unit bought. Since cars use… Read More »
Changing out a second generation Dodge Neon thermostat is a straight forward task that definitely falls in the DIY category. A bad thermostat will cause a Dodge Neon or any car to overheat and needs replaced when bad. As always call a mechanic if you don’t feel comfortable working on your own car. Only a few tools are… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the post for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014–2016 Chevrolet Malibu is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. The driver side has the windshield wiper fluid fill in the way which simply pulls out. The passenger side is easy to get to… Read More »
If you own a Diesel truck and have an engine light on or simply need to pull the codes there are many scan tools available. The first thing you’re going to need is a scan tool to find out why the check engine light is on with dealerships having the best equipment to troubleshoot a problem. Most people… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the brake pads on a 2010-2019 Toyota Corolla falls in the DIY backyard mechanic type of job. They are not difficult to replace but if in doubt be sure to call a professional. Items Needed To Replace Front Toyota Corolla Brake Pads… Read More »
Replacing the fuel pump on a 2012 (2010-2013) Toyota Corolla is a straight forward job that falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt be sure to call a professional. Be sure to take all the necessary precautions when working with gas since it is highly combustible. (2010-2013) Toyota Corolla Fuel Pump Location The fuel pump… Read More »
I recently needed to replace the fuel pump on a 1970 Dodge Monaco with a 383 engine. The Dodge 383 was a popular engine in many vehicles including the B-Body Mopar muscle cars Charger, Roadrunner, and Challenger. Having replaced fuel pumps many times in the past I ordered a new unit and started to install it. A problem… Read More »
There are a few different ways you can get a free diagnostic test done on your car or truck. All vehicles from 1996 and newer have an OBDII port under the dashboard that with a scan tool can read engine codes. Many vehicles also have built-in diagnostics for basic troubleshooting. Here are the best options to get a… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool when troubleshooting a Chevy or GM vehicle is a nice thing to have. An OBDII scan tool can point to the problem a car or truck is having. Being able to communicate with the onboard-computer (ECM) will give invaluable data as to what the problem is. What Is a Chevy OBDII Error… Read More »
A video review is at the bottom of the post. The KW680 OBDII automotive scan tool is a popular low-cost unit. It can read and clear a vehicles engine codes and is easy to use which makes it a good unit for home users or backyard mechanics. *This unit was sent to me to review with my honest… Read More »
When it comes to auto body work deep dents are not easy to get out and either need to be hit from the back or pulled out. Since many dents cant be reached from the back dent puller options are often looked at as the best method. One of these methods is called a Stud Welder Dent Puller… Read More »
OBD2 Bluetooth WiFi dongles have become very popular since they are low-cost devices and work well. There are many to choose from with most using the Torque App or similar with a smartphone. One of the more frustrating things is using one and getting no Bluetooth or WiFi Device Selected error code. Below are the steps to connect… Read More »
Air compressors come in all shapes and sizes from big industrial units to small portable models. Having a compressor for home use is always a good idea and will come in handy in many situations. Below is some of our picks for good home units. As always be sure to read reviews on Amazon, here, or elsewhere to… Read More »
Using a Bluetooth scan tool with the OBD2 port in a car or truck allows you to read the vehicles information and give you the data in real-time. The adapter is paired with your smartphone and plugs in under your dash of your car into the computer OBD2 port. It reads the data from your car to your… Read More »
Having a good OBD2 scan tool goes a long way to help troubleshoot a vehicle problem and point to the repair needed. There are many good OBD2 scanners to use that come with different menus, features, and price ranges. Often, what works for one person may not work for another so below we list our favorite picks for… Read More »