Changing the motor oil on a 2012 Toyota Corolla falls in the backyard mechanic DIY category. The steps will be the same for any 2009-2016 Corollas. Usually, the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on when it’s time to change the oil. Read here for the steps to turn off the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD)… 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 of reasons and will need a 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… Read More »
If you have a 2008-2016 Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L engine and the water pump has gone bad, it is often replaced by DIY individuals. It is a straightforward job which, like many vehicles, requires working in small spaces. All the work is mainly done from the front top of the engine with little to… Read More »
Recently I began to have fuel problems on a 1978 Dodge truck. I did all the obvious things, such as changing out the fuel filter and pump. which at first seemed to solve the problem, but it came back. Finally, I pulled out the fuel tank sending unit, which was rusted up good clogging up… Read More »
Replacing the alternator on a 2012-2018 Honda Civic falls in the DIY category and is done by many backyard mechanics. Like many mechanical projects, it requires working in tight spaces. While working in tight spaces can be difficult, having the right tools and taking your time is key to getting the job done. The belt… Read More »
If you have a (2005-2009) Kia Spectra that has a P2626 error code, the O2 sensor is likely bad. Be sure to check the wiring and connections, which can also cause the same error. Usually, the O2 sensor will need to be replaced. Replacing the sensor is easy enough with the right tools. It is… Read More »
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There are times when a battery in a vehicle has such a low charge and in an emergency needs a jump start from another vehicle. This is done with jumper cables that hook to the battery on a vehicle with a good battery to the vehicle with a dead battery. Using jumper cables to jump… Read More »
Replacing the air filter on a car is usually a simple procedure and can be done by almost any home do-it-yourself type of person. What is a Car Air Filter? All combustible engines need to air fed into the intake for combustion to happen. If the air fed into the intake is dirty, it can… Read More »
The trunk latch on my 2003 VW Passat would not close. After reading the forums, I dived into it, and below is what I have found out about the trunk latch and how I fixed the problem. I believe this is the same procedure for 1998-2005 Passat since the parts are the same. First of… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft sensor on a 2011-2017 Hyundai Elantra is an easy task that falls into the DIY category. There are two camshaft position sensors, A and B, both located next to each other. The Hyundai Elantra, 1.8 Liter DOHC, has two camshafts, so it has two sensors. The OBDII code for a Hyundai with… Read More »
Changing out a rear tail light bulb is an easy DIY task that almost anyone can do. Some basic tools will be needed, usually a screwdriver but this changes from vehicle to vehicle. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a professional. Below are the basic steps for replacing a… Read More »
Replacing the Headlight Bulb on 2005–2010 Pontiac G6 falls into the DIY category. It does require removing some bolts and inserts, so call a professional if in doubt. The bulbs on the Pontiac G6 have the inside as High-Beam, and the middle is Low-Beam. The outer one is the running light. Tools and Parts… Read More »
Replacing the transmission filter and adding ATF fluid in a 2012 Corolla is a task that many backyard mechanics can do. The 2012 is a 10th-generation Toyota Corolla that uses a 1.8-liter engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Full Transmission Flush vs. Partial Flush A full transmission flush is when all the fluid is replaced and… Read More »
Replacing the Upstream O2 sensor on a 2007-2012 Toyota Camry very much falls into the DIY category. Of course, always call a professional if in doubt. 2007-2012 Toyota Camry Upstream O2 Sensor Location The Upstream O2 Sensor is located inside the engine compartment. The O2 Sensor is located on top and front of the engine… Read More »
The ESP system on a car or truck is built to help a driver have better control while operating the vehicle. If the system malfunctions, the light will stay on and need the system to be looked at to find the error. The ESP light should not be on continuous but only when driving conditions… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
In most cases when working on any vehicle the key is not only to know what you are doing, but to have the right tool for the job. In my experience I have pulled, bent, and even broke these pulleys trying to remove them. Having the right tool not only save you time, but it… Read More »
A step-by-step video replacing the fuel pump is at the bottom of the page for visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the fuel pump on a 2005-2006 Kia Spectra is a task that fall in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt be sure to take your car to a professional. There is gas involved… Read More »
If the starter has gone bad on your 2004-2007 Kia Spectra replacing it falls in the DIY backyard mechanic category. Of course, if in doubt take your car to a professional. The difficulty of replacing it is the location which is in a tight spot under the engine. The car will need to be up… Read More »
The engine light came on in my 2004 Passat with a 1.8L engine, so I hooked up a OBD2 scanner and it gave me a P0117 code. P0117 is a Coolant Engine Temperature Circuit code which usually means the Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS) or thermostat. There are other things that can cause it such as… Read More »
I had a 1998 Ford Taurus that the fans would not spin which was making it overheat. (Video at bottom of page.) I finally found the problem and these are the steps I went through to find the solution. These same steps can be applied to any third generation Ford Taurus 1996-1998. Fuses and Relays… Read More »
There are a couple of tail-tail-signs that your brake light switch is bad. One is that you have no brake lights, and your fuse and wiring are good. And the second is that your vehicle will not come out of park. Even pressing on the brake harder does not seem to help. You use to… Read More »
The 2007 through 2012 Dodge Caliber has a transmission that confuses a lot of people. On most all vehicles, there is a dipstick for the oil and transmission fluid levels. The process is simple. Pull the dipstick and read the oil, or fluid levels. If it is low, then you would add more of the… Read More »