If the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on in your Toyota Corolla dashboard, it is simple enough to reset. The Maintenance Required Light usually turns on as a reminder it is time to change the oil. The vehicle does not know if the oil has been changed; it is simply a reminder light that… Read More »
If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle and the driveshaft is making a clunking noise, it can be caused by different components. The driveshaft works with several components that will need to be examined to see which one has failed. The main components include U-joint, differential gears, bearings, and more. Any noise being made by… Read More »
I recently had a 2006 Kia Spectra that had no spark, and I could only find limited information. If you find yourself with the same problem, below is what I found. If you have an OBDII scan tool for the Kia, be sure to scan for any engine errors if possible. First, be sure it… 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… Read More »
If you have a Honda with a P3400 OBDII error code the onbard computer is seeing a problem with the oil pressure. This includes the Honda Odyssey, Pilot, Stream, Shuttle, Accord, Palisade and more. What is a Honda P3400 Engine OBDII Error Code? A Honda with an Error Code P3400 is a “Cylinder Deactivation System… Read More »
Antifreeze is used as a coolant in an engine to help protect it from very cold temperatures and corrosion. Water was originally used to cool engines but quickly caused issues since the freezing point is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When a fluid such as water freezes, it expands, which can crack the engine block. Different additives… Read More »
An ignition coil is a necessary component of any engine to provide voltage to the spark plugs. No matter how old or size a gas engine, 4, 6, or 8 cylinders all will have an ignition coil. How Many Ignition Coils are in a V6 engine? A V6 engine can have 1, 3, or 6… Read More »
A Dodge, Jeep, or Chrysler vehicle with a P0113 OBDII error code, means the onboard computer (PCM) is reading an error at the intake air temperature sensor. It is usually an easy problem to diagnose and fix with the most common fixes below. What is a P0113 OBDII Error Code? A P0113 OBDII error code… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb in a 2013-2017 Honda Accord is an easy task that most car owners can do. No tools are needed; only a new bulb needs to be bought. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a professional. 2013-2017 Honda Accord Headlight Bulb Type High Beam 9005 Headlight… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Equinox and it gives the message “Engine Power is Reduced” error message along with an exclamation mark, this can be caused by several things. When the vehicle on-board computer (ECM) detects a system error, it will go into reduced power mode, also called limp mode. The most common fix is… Read More »
If you have a Toyota and a “Check Charging System” error message displays on the dashboard, there can be several causes and fixes. What Is the Toyota Check Charging System Error Message? The Check Charging System message is a warning that the alternator is not keeping the battery charged. Vehicle electronics, including the engine, use… Read More »
3 Ways to Replace Headlight Bulb 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Bulb Types 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee How To Replace Headlight Bulb 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Passenger Side) How To Replace Headlight Bulb 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Driver Side) If you need to replace the headlight bulb in a 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it falls… Read More »
If you are bleeding brake lines and no fluid is coming out, there can be several causes. Causes include blocked lines or ports, leaky hoses, bad parts, and more. Below we look at the most common reasons no fluid comes out when bleeding the brake lines. How Come When I Bleed My Brakes, Nothing Comes… Read More »
Testing an alternator with a multi-meter is a common method, but if no meter is available, there is another method. There is an old-school method to check the alternator by starting the engine and removing the battery cable. While I always suggest using a multi-meter to check the battery, there are some scenarios when no… Read More »
A Honda with the D (Drive) light that keeps flashing means the onboard computer is seeing an issue with the transmission. If you are driving when the D (Drive) starts flashing, it is best to find a safe spot to pull over and get the vehicle examined. Why Does the D (Drive) Light Flash in… Read More »
If you suspect your vehicle has a bad alternator, there can be several symptoms. Symptoms can vary but include the car not starting, dim lights, dashboard lights coming on, and more. How Do You Know if Your Alternator is Failing? The alternator will not charge correctly when it has failed. A test can be done… Read More »
Alternators provide electrical power for a vehicle to operate, including the engine, lights, radio, or any electronic device. It also keeps the battery charged, which is necessary to start the engine. If the alternator fails, the battery will no longer receive a charge and will drain until it is dead. Type of Multi Meter Needed… Read More »
Replacing the alternator on a 2009-2013 Toyota Corolla is a task many backyard mechanics can do. It is a straightforward job that can save money by an owner replacing it themselves. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a professional. How To Test a Toyota 2009-2013 Corolla Alternator Use a… Read More »
Replacing the turn signal bulb on a 2007-2013 Toyota Tundra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. As always if in doubt take your vehicle to a professional. Below are the steps with screenshots to replace them along with a video if needed for a visual walk through. Tools and Parts Needed… Read More »
If you have a bad headlight bulb, it is an easy replacement and task many DIY-type individuals do. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a professional. Types of Headlight Bulbs There are many types of headlight bulbs that will need to be matched to the year, make, and model… Read More »
If you want your car or truck exhaust to rumble, some of the best ways is to go with muffler delete or a straight pipe. Both are good for getting an aggressive race sound from the exhaust, with both having a distinct rumble. What is Muffler Delete? Muffler delete is when the muffler is removed,… 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 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 fluid… Read More »
I recently had to replace a 2006 Kia Spectra radiator that was leaking, and so I wrote this post to help anyone who has the same problem. I made a video of removing and installing it, which is at the bottom of this post. The radiator was leaking at the top, which at first I… Read More »
Finding the right OBD II scan tool to work on a Volkswagen Passat is easy enough, with some with more features than others. One of the things that the VW Passat 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… Read More »
Changing the oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in-doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. Items Needed To Replace the Oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 Synthetic Oil Filter 17 mm Wrench or Socket Drain Pan… Read More »
There are times when a vehicle battery has lost its charge and needs a battery charger to get it back to a charged state. This is an easy task to do that almost any DIY person can readily get done. Things To Know About Charging a Battery Every battery charger has a different style and… Read More »
If the battery light has come on in your second-generation Dodge Neon (1999-2005), a few things need to be checked to find the problem. This is not meant to give a detailed guide but a basic overview of what needs to be checked. Possible Causes of a Dodge Neon Battery Light Alternator The first thing… Read More »
12 Volt air compressors are good to have in an emergency or any time something needs air. Besides car tires, they can be used to air up almost anything from air mattresses to a football. Audew makes a few 12-Volt units, including this small unit with a PSI Gauge. It is a small unit built… Read More »
If you have a Nissan and the “Forward Emergency Braking” light is always on, it can be caused by several things. Common causes for it staying on include low brake fluid, a blown a fuse, a bad sensor, and wiring. The Forward Emergency Braking warning light is a symbol of the front of a vehicle… Read More »
Getting the best bike rack carrier for your SUV is not difficult, especially with the many available. There are three types of bike racks Roof Racks, Hitch Mount Racks, and Trunk Mounted. Types of SUV Bike Racks Roof Racks Roof racks are a good option but do have a few negatives. First, they add height… Read More »
A friend of mine had a fuel filter go bad in a 1999 Chevy Suburban 1500. Replacing the fuel filter should be part of regular maintenance, but in this case, it was blocking fuel from going to the engine. In this tutorial, I will go through the steps we went through to change it. I… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft position sensor on a 2002-2009 Toyota Camry falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. The camshaft position sensor is necessary for the Camry timing. When the sensor is bad, the timing is off, causing the car to run badly, not start,… Read More »
Having a good portable air compressor that can quickly air up car tires can come in very handy in many scenarios. From airing up a flat spare tire, to helping someone that is broken down, portable air compressors are nice to have. There are many good units available with our favorite option below. As always,… Read More »
Air compressors come in all shapes and sizes, from big industrial units to small portable models. Having a compressor for home use when working on a car or truck is always a good idea and will come in handy in many situations. From using an air gun to simply airing up a flat tire, an… Read More »
Replacing a headlight bulb on a 1994-2000 Dodge truck is easy to do and falls in the DIY category. In the old days, pre-1990s, the entire headlight assembly was removed from the front of a vehicle. The 1994-2001 Dodge bulbs are pulled in and out of a socket that is snapped into place by turning… Read More »