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 »
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 »
Having an OBD2 scan tool is useful in many situations when an engine light comes on. But what if you dont have a scan tool and need to know the code? Many vehicles has a built-in diagnostic that will give the code as I recently found out with Dodge cars and trucks. I haven’t tried… Read More »
If the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on in your Toyota Corolla dashboard it is simple enough to reset. The Maintenance Light usually turns on to remind you its time to change the oil. The car does not know if the oil has been changed, it is a simply a reminder light that a mechanic… Read More »
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 the more popular options that would be a good… Read More »
Anyone who has an engine light come on will no doubt like to know what the problem is. The standard way is to use an OBD2 scan tool which will give the error code which can then be looked up. But what if you dont have a scan tool? Most vehicles have a built-in diagnostic… Read More »
A Video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a 2009-2013 Toyota Corolla and the air conditioning stops blowing cold air it may need to be recharged. This is a common problem with cars as they age with it being a simple fix to add more refrigerant to the… Read More »
If you own a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra and the air conditioning stops blowing cold air it may need to be recharged. This is a common problem with older cars with it being a simple fix to add more refrigerant to the system. I have a 2006 Kia Spectra that needed charge last year so I wrote this post… 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… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have while troubleshooting 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 of an… 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… Read More »
Finding the right OBD II scan tool to work on a Volkswagen Passat is easy enough, some with more features than others. One of the things that VW Passat’s have unique is VAG-COM VCDS which goes beyond industry standard OBDII codes. All vehicles 1996 and newer have an OBDII port which started with OBD version 1,… Read More »
Having the right tools goes a long way in doing auto body repair and getting he job done quickly and right. One of the more common tools is the Random DA (Dual Action) sander. A DA spins and is moved about sanding off paint or rouging in bondo on a car or truck body. Most… 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 »
System Too Lean (Bank 1) Below is the basic causes and common fixes for a P0171 OBDII error code. What Is a P0171 Error Code? A P0171 code indicates there is a fuel/air mixture problem on bank 1 of the engine. The term Lean means the cylinder is receiving too much or too little air creating a… Read More »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that spark plug 1 is not sparking correctly. Other P030 errors point to other cylinders not working correctly for example P0302 code is spark plug 2 misfire, and P0303 would be spark plug 3. P0301 Error Code Causes Bad Spark Plug Spark Plug Wires Bad Coil Fuel Injector P0301 Error Code… Read More »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there is few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when its time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Here are some of… Read More »
Bleeding a new car or truck master cylinder is necessary to remove any air that is in the unit. It is easy enough to do for a handy DIY type person with the right tools. Of course call a professional if in-doubt. It is best to bleed the cylinder before installing it since the rod usually does not… 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… Read More »
A leaking plastic radiator can be fixed with DIY kits or even with a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator many think it must be replaced, when it can be repaired at home easily. Repairing a leak is an easy task that most any DIY backyard mechanic can do. … Read More »
Checking the brake fluid on a 2012 Toyota Corolla is easy to do and falls in the DIY category. The 2012 Toyota Corolla’s uses standard DOT 3 Brake fluid that can be bought at any automotive parts store or online. The top of the refill cap has DOT 3 on it to verify the fliud type. If you… Read More »
Resetting a Toyota Highlander Maintence REQD Service light is easy to do with a few steps. The light often comes on and needs reset after an oil change or similar. Below are both quick steps along with the steps with pictures if needed. Button Used and Location The button used To Reset Light Maintenance Light is the odometer… Read More »
Replacing a Headlight Bulb on a Toyota Camry 2007-2011 is an easy task that most any DIYer can do. There are 3 bulbs with the inner one the running light, the center one the headlight, and the outer one the turn signal. The inner and center headlight bulbs are replaced the same way and have the same… Read More »
Resetting the Service light on a 2011-2015 Mini Cooper is easy to do. The Maintenance light can come on for a variety reasons and will need reset, mainly after an oil change. A series of buttons are pressed in the right combination of steps to reset the light. These same steps are used for other service lights that… Read More »
There is a video at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a check engine light come on in your Jeep Wrangler there is built-in diagnostics that show the code. After the code is read it can be Googled to find the problem. The steps are simple by… 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 »
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 »
The maintenance light for a 2012-2017 Honda Accord comes on when basic service is needed such as an oil change or tire rotation. It is easy to shut off with a few steps. The onboard screen can be used or the speedometer method can also be done to clear the light. Using the onboard screen is the easiest… Read More »
If the check engine light comes on in your car or truck there are a few ways to find out why on a budget. The check engine light comes on when a vehicles computer receives and error from the engine and will store the code. Reading the code will point to the problem the car or trcuk… Read More »
A headlight switch problem in a Dodge Neon (2000-2005) is an easy repair job. The same replacement procedure also works in PT Cruisers. The headlight switch also controls the wiper, fog lamps, and turn signals. The first thing to do is to buy a compatible switch assembly to replace the old one. It can be… 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 requires 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. … 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… 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… Read More »
How To Start a Car with a Bad Neutral Safety Switch Turn the Key to the On Position Press and Hold the Brake Put the Vehicle into Neutral Start the Vehicle There are many causes for a vehicle not to start with a bad neutral safety switch one of them. There are a few ways to see if… 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. Here is our picks for the best heated car seats. Be sure to read the reviews… Read More »