If you have a broken door handle on a 2005-2008 Kia Spectra, a new one can be installed. This is a common problem for Kia with many broken door latches. A handy DIY type of person can replace a broken door handle. It does require removing the indoor panel and the wires that connect to… Read More »
The ThinkScan Plus S4 is a new OBD2 scan tool for 2021 with many advanced features and options. The unit runs Android 7.0, has a 5-inch touchscreen along with a handle to easily carry it about. It can connect to almost any vehicle, both foreign and domestic, with features such as reading SRS (Airbag), ABS… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2007-2016 Toyota Highlander 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. Toyota Highlander High Beam Bulb… Read More »
A hot car in the summer is all but unbearable, especially in very hot climates. Many things can go wrong with a car or truck A/C system, with the most common being that the unit has a low refrigerant charge. Once all other possible problems are eliminated, recharging a system is an easy task that… 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.… Read More »
The TOPDON OBDCAN Plus 2.0 is a low-cost OBDII scan tool that has a lot of features. Like most all OBDII scan tools it works on 1996 and newer US-Based cars and trucks, as well as 2000 and newer EU-Based and Asian vehicles. It can read and clear engine codes as well as do O2… 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 »
Small Bluetooth OBD II scan tools have become very popular and used by everyone from DIY mechanics to used car buyers. The Vgate iCar2 is once such small unit that will link to a smartphone, tablet, or computer via Bluetooth and give errors and clear codes. These small units are very cheap and are able… 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… 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… 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… Read More »
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 14mm Socket and Ratchet C-Clamp Screw Driver New Brake Pads A 14mm… 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… 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… 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… 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… Read More »
There are several components of an air conditioning system in a 2001-2005 VW Passat with the cabin air filter being one of them. If your A/C system is not blowing cold air properly the filter may be dirty and unable to let air pass through the system. The cabin air filter keeps out debris from… Read More »
I had a second generation 2003 Dodge Neon that had very long start times. It would crank for 5-10 seconds before it started. After reading through the forums I found that Neon’s have a Pressure Regulator which is also a fuel filter that keeps the gas pressure in lines when the car is turned off.… Read More »
Replacing a car thermostat is an easy straight forward tack that most DIY mechanics can do. A 2000-2004 Volkswagen Passat with a 1.8 Liter engine is no different with most able to replace it with moderate skills. Below is my experience at replacing the thermostat. The most difficult part is the placement the the thermostat… Read More »
Being a mechanic and buying tools is a never ending process. Many think that like other trades a few tools are bought and that is it. In reality, as many beginner mechanics will find out, is that after the basic tools are bought there is always one more tool needed. Often, a tool will bee… Read More »
Checking the power steering fluid on a 1998 – 2005 VW Passat is not difficult and falls in the do-it-yourself category. A special type of steering fluid is needed so be sure not to use any other fluid type. After reading online and asking around I found the type used is called Pentosin Power Steering… Read More »
An OBDII scan tool can read and erase engine error codes from a vehicles computer that the engine has given. A vehicle engine problem is often displayed to a driver with the dashboard engine light. Cars and trucks today all have an onboard computer (ECM, PCM) that controls the vehicles engine and will get an… Read More »
OBDII WiFi adapters for cars and trucks that send information to a smartphone have become very popular. They are low-cost units that can do anything a standalone OBDII unit can do at a much lower cost. They are also simple to use with many Apps available for both Android and Apple smartphones. The ELM327 is… Read More »
The Launch CReader 5001 is a stand alone OBDII scan tool with a lot of built-in functions. OBDII is a set of protocols that work with most any vehicle from 1996 and newer. Besides reading the basic OBDII engine codes it also has a lot of extras such as Real Time Data and 02 Senser… Read More »
The Autel MaxiScan MS300 is a low-cost diagnostic scan tool code reader for vehicles 1996 and newer. Since it a low-cost OBDII scan tool this makes it ideal for those on a budget, just don’t expect all the extra features an expensive model would have. Pros It will display the error codes for almost any… Read More »
The Audew is an Emergency Power Bank with a vehicle Battery Jump Starter that is easy to store away until needed. This makes it a good unit in many scenarios from camping to simply storing away in the trunk for an emergency battery boost. It can charge almost any device from a smartphone to a… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the post for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2011-2013 Toyota Camry is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. There are two bulbs located inside the headlight assembly called Low and High beam. The Low beam bulb is on the… Read More »
Replacing a bad headlight bulb in a 2009-2014 Toyota Corolla is a very simple DIY task. Of course, if in doubt call a knowledgeable friend or a professional. There are two headlight bulbs located in the headlight assembly called the Low-Beam and High-Beam. The outside bulb is Low-Beam and the inside bulb is for High-Beams.… Read More »
Spray On Bed Liner is very popular since it has a good look, is very durable, and falls into the DIY category. This makes it perfect for many trucks that need the bed liner protected and also look good at the same time. While a truck can be take to an auto body shop to… 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 high beam and the center one the low beam. The outer one is the turn signal. The inner and center headlight bulbs are replaced the same way… Read More »
The Launch 6001 is a handheld OBDII scan tool that hooks up to most any vehicle and displays the problem it is having. All vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port that can connect to a scan tool and give information, such as why an engine light is on. An OBD2 connector is usually… Read More »
Testing a car or truck battery health can be done a few ways with most using a multi-meter to check the voltage. If more information is needed on the state of a 12-volt automotive battery, testers can be used which give much more information. One such unit is the TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 which can… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014 GMC Sierra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. The driver side is much easier to replace compared to the passenger side which needs the air box removed. As always if in doubt take your vehicle to a professional. Below are the steps with screenshots… Read More »
Replacing the air filter on a 2000-2005 Dodge Neon is suggested to be done every 30,000 miles according to the manual. Of course, if you live in a dirty dust filled environment changing more often is likely best. Replacing the air filter is an easy job that most anyone can do and falls in the… Read More »
To change out the fuel filter on a 1998 – 2005 Volkswagen Passat the following tools are needed. Tools Needed Jack Screwdriver Ratchet with Sockets New Fuel Filter Steps to replacing the fuel filter. The fuel filter will be located on the passenger side. It is under the car on the frame in… Read More »