If you have a car or truck and are not sure it will pass a smog test, an easy way to test it, is to use an OBDII scan tool with an emission check option. While each state has its emission requirements, a compatible OBDII scan tool has built-in functions that can show if it… Read More: Our Picks for Best OBDII Scan Tool for Smog Test »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0299 error code, there is an issue with low pressure from the turbo. The official definition of a P0299 code is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” What is a Chevy Cruze P0299 Error Code? A P0299 OBDII error code in a Chevy Cruze is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” A Chevy… Read More: 3 Causes and Fixes P0299 Code Chevy Cruze »
A bad purge valve can have varying symptoms and will need to be examined and tested to see if it has failed. The main symptoms include the engine light staying on, less fuel mileage, and failing an emission test. What is the Purge Valve? The purge valve is a component in a vehicle’s EVAP system… Read More: 5 Symptoms of a Bad Purge Valve »
If you have a vehicle and suspect it has a clogged fuel filter, there can be various symptoms. The symptoms will vary depending on how clogged up the filter has become. A clogged fuel filter will block the flow of gas to the engine, causing it to run badly or not at all. What Happens… Read More: Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter »
If you have 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. A dealership will have the best equipment to troubleshoot… Read More: Our Picks for Best Diesel Diagnostic Scan Tools »
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 on how cold the place you live is, they might… Read More: What is the Best 12-Volt Portable Plug In Car Heater? »
Since their introduction, OBDII 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 of the problem, a small, low-cost OBDII adapter code… Read More: Best Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tools for a Smartphone »
A PCV valve is a necessary part of an engine that allows the pressure that builds in the crankcase to be released. When a PCV valve fails, and the pressure is not released, it can cause several symptoms, such as blowing out gaskets or engine misfires. The symptoms will vary and depend on whether the… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad PCV Valve and How to Test… »
A Chevy P0300 is a common engine OBDII code that means one or more of the cylinders are not firing correctly. There can be several causes, including spark relates issues, gas delivery issues, or air intake-related problems. The engine will need to be troubleshot to find the cause. What is a Chevrolet P0300 engine Code?… Read More: Causes and Fixes Chevrolet P0300 Code: Engine Misfire Detected »
How a Fuel Injector Works Symptoms of a Bad Injector Common Faulty Injector OBDII Codes How to Test if a Fuel Injector is Good or Bad Test #1: Listen for Clicking Sound Test #2: Check Injector Coil Resistance with a Multimeter Test #3 :Spray Pattern Test Test #4: Circuit Power Test Test #5: Ground Trigger… Read More: How to Test if a Fuel Injector is Good or… »
A multimeter is a tool that makes life easier when testing electronics or wiring in a vehicle. Checking if a battery has a charge or testing the alternator are common problems that can be quickly checked with a multimeter. A good meter for automotive work will have basic requirements that almost any meter should have.… Read More: What is the Best Multimeter for Automotive Repair? »
A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a necessary component in modern vehicles that sends information about the amount of gas that goes into the engine. When a TPS fails, it can cause various symptoms since the air-fuel ratio will be incorrect, which can cause the engine to run badly. What is the Throttle Position Sensor?… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad Throttle Position Sensor »
There are many good OBDII scan tools for almost any vehicle, including Honda’s. Some scanners can only read basic functions, while a few have more advanced features that are Honda-specific. Do Honda Vehicles Have an OBDII Port? All Honda vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port built in. It is usually located under the… Read More: What is the Best OBDII Scan Tool for Honda? »
If you have a Chevy Trailblazer with a P0014 OBDII error code, there are several causes and fixes. A P0014 Code means the onboard computer is seeing low oil pressure. Below are the most common symptoms, along with causes and fixes. What is a Chevy Trailblazer P0014 Code? A P0014 error code is an “Exhaust… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0014 Code Chevy Trailblazer »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there are a few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when it’s time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Can You… Read More: 4 of the Best Ways to Bleed Bake Lines by… »
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 that communicates with… Read More: Our Picks for Best OBDII Scan Tools for Kia Vehicles »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0171 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the air/fuel ratio going into the engine. When too much air is in the system, it will run lean, and when too much gas is in the system, it runs rich. The air gas ratio is managed by… Read More: What Is a Chevy Cruze P0171 OBDII Code and What… »
If you have a Honda with a P1456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing an error with the Evap system. The official definition for a Honda P1456 is EVAP Control System Leak Detected (Fuel Tank System). The Evap system helps a vehicle run more efficiently and reduce emissions. When the system is not… Read More: Causes and Fixes Honda P1456 Error Code »
Having a good OBDII scan tool goes a long way to help troubleshoot a vehicle issue and point to the repair needed. There are many good OBDII 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… Read More: What is the Best OBDII Scanner for the DIY Mechanic »
If you have an engine light on and get a P0102 OBDII code, it indicates a Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) error. The official error code is labeled as a “Mass or VAF A Ckt Low Input.” The MAF sensor regulates the flow of air into an engine to keep the air/fuel ratio at an optimal… Read More: What Is a P0102 OBDII Code and What are the… »
If you have a gas pump that keeps clicking off when you are filling up, and the tank is not full, there are three main causes. Causes include a bad EVAP vent valve, charcoal canister, or rollover check valve. Each part will need to be checked to see what component has failed. Why Does a… Read More: Why Does the Gas Pump Keep Clicking Off When Filling… »
A bad engine thermostat can cause several symptoms, most commonly overheating, but other symptoms can also occur. Symptoms include overheating, not warming up during cold weather, coolant leaks, and more. What is an Engine Thermostat A vehicle thermostat helps an engine heat up quickly and then helps to maintain a set temperature. It will stay… Read More: 7 Common Symptoms of a Bad Engine Thermostat »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is overheating or has no heat, you may have an issue with the thermostat. The thermostat is a common failure on the Chevy Cruze and also one of the more easier DIY fixes. Symptoms of a Chevy Cruze with a Bad Thermostat Overheating No Heat During Very Cold… Read More: Chevy Cruze Thermostat Symptoms and Replacement »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is is overheating, but the engine is not overly hot, the coolant temperature sensor may be bad. One way to test the sensor is to let the engine cool down and then start it up. While the engine is cool, in the first 1-2 minutes, the car should… Read More: Errors and Fixes Chevy Cruze Coolant Temperature Sensor »
Having the right tools goes a long way when doing auto body repair and getting the job done quickly and right. One of the more common tools is the Random DA (Dual Action) sander. A DA spins and moves about sanding off paint or rouging in Bondo on a car or truck body. Most professionals… Read More: Our Picks for Best Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work »
The Chevrolet Traverse battery is located inside the vehicle on the passenger side floorboard. It can be located behind or in the front of the passenger seat on the floorboard under a cover. There have been many changes to the Chevy Traverse with many variations on the design, including the models L, LS, LT, Premier,… Read More: Where is the Battery Located in a Chevrolet Traverse »
If you have a Chevy Cobalt and can not find the battery, it is located in the trunk next to the spare tire. To access it, open the trunk, remove the carpet, and locate the battery at the rear of the car. Why is the Chevy Cobalt Battery Located in The Trunk? The usual reason… Read More: Where is the Battery Located on a Chevy Cobalt and… »
If you have a Honda CR-V and the “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. This is a common error for a Honda CRV and is often fixable by many DIY car owners. Often Honda CRV owners ignore the message, but it can be troubleshot and fixed. Of course, if… Read More: Causes and Fixes Honda CRV Check Fuel Cap Message »
If you have a car that has overheated and now will not start up, it can be caused by several things. The first step is to solve why the vehicle overheated and then solve why it will not start again. How Can I Get My Car to Start After it Overheats? The first thing to… Read More: How to Fix a Car that Overheated and Now Wont… »
DOT 3 and DOT 4 are commonly used as brake fluid in many cars and trucks. Both types work very well, with DOT 3 used for routine driving and DOT 4 used more in newer vehicles, or for high performance. Can You Mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? Yes, you can mix DOT… Read More: Can You Mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? »
The INNOVA 6100P is an advanced scan tool that can read standard OBDII engine codes as well as ABS and SRS errors. Almost any OBDII scan tool can read and erase standard errors, but only advanced units can also scan and erase ABS and SRS. Troubleshooting ABS (Anti Brake System) or SRS/Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System)… Read More: Review: INNOVA 6100P SRS ABS Engine OBDII Scan Tool »
If you have a vehicle and the alternator is charging, but the battery light stays on, there can be several causes and fixes. A bad charging system often is caused by a failed alternator, but there are other components that can cause the issue. Why Does the Battery Light Come On? When a vehicle’s computer… Read More: Causes and Fixes Battery Light On But Alternator is Charging »
Having AC electrical power in a car or truck is necessary sometimes when a device has no DC inputs or adapters. AC power outlets can be added with a power inverter and can give power to small devices such as laptops. The BESTEK 300W Power Inverter is one such unit that converts 12-Volts DC to… Read More: Review: BESTEK 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine light to stay on. Sometimes 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… Read More: Best Evap Smoke Machines or Find Vacuum Leaks »
If you have a Toyota with a P0441 OBDII engine error code, there is a problem with the Evap system. The Evap system is for emissions which keeps gas vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. What is a Toyota P0441 Code Engine Error Code? A P0441 Code is an “Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge… Read More: Causes and Fixes for a Toyota P0441 Engine Code »