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: Review: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII… »
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: Review: Audew Portable Emergency Vehicle Battery Jump Starter Power Bank »
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: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2011-2013 Toyota Camry »
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: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2009-2014 Toyota Corolla »
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: How To Spray On Bed Liner Into a Truck Bed… »
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: How To Replace a Headlight Bulb Toyota Camry 2007-2011 »
When a dent is so badly damaged it cannot be pulled out it must be cut out and removed. There are some cases where rust is also so bad that it cannot be repaired and it too needs cut out. If you find yourself in need of a major repair on your vehicles body! Then… Read More: How to Repair Rusted or Damaged Metal: Panel Fabricating »
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: Review: Launch 6001 OBDII Code Reader with O2 Sensor Test… »
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: Review: TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 Digital Automotive Battery Analyzer Tester »
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: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2014 GMC Sierra »
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: How To Change an Air Filter for a (2000-2005) Dodge… »
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: How to Replace the Fuel Filter on a 2004 Volkswagen… »
*This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The CReader 4001 OBD2 scan tool doesn’t have much for appearance, but were it lacks in looks, it sure makes up in features. I am use to a great packaging and appearance of items I purchase. But the operation of… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic OBD2 Scan Tool »
If you are a professional auto body repairman using an electric sander will be unthinkable. But what if your a do-it-yourself at home person, that wants to do bodywork? Can an electric orbital sander be used to do auto bodywork? The short answer is yes they can be used. I have seen many at home… Read More: What is a Good Electric Orbital Sander for Auto Body… »
If you are an iPhone user and have a vehicle with a check engine light on a small low-cost device can be bought to tell you what the problem is. It is called an OBDII adapter and can talk to a car or trucks onboard computer and display the problem on an iPhone. The onboard… Read More: How To Use an iPhone to Troubleshoot a Check Engine… »
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: How To Remove a GM or Chevy Power Steering Pump… »
Reading engine codes is an easy task that any DIY type person can do with the right scan tool. The scan tool needed is called an OBD2 scan tool which reads information from a vehicles computer and displays the problem. OBD2 is a universal port installed in any car made from 1996 and newer. The… Read More: Easy to Use Engine Code Reader for the Beginner »
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: How To Replace a Fuel Pump and Filter 2005-2006 Kia… »
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: How to Replace Dodge Neon Headlight Switch (2000-2005) »
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: How To Replace a Starter on a 2004-2007 Kia Spectra »
Changing the oil in a Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) is an easy task for the DIY home mechanic. A VW Passat uses special European synthetic oil that should be changed every 5,000 miles. The majority of Passat’s built (1999-2005) use the 4 CYL 1.8L motor be sure this is what your Passat uses as this post… Read More: Step by Step How to Do a Volkswagen Passat Oil… »
Having a backup camera that also has night vision can go a long way to improve safety while driving. This is especially true for vans, RVs, trucks with campers, but any vehicle can benefit from seeing a clear view behind them. There are many units available with some of our favorite picks below. As always… Read More: Our Picks for Best Backup Camera with Night Vision »
This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The Car Code Reader Launch CReader 4001 is an OBD2 automotive scan tool. It comes with all the features needed to troubleshoot a car or truck engine light or diagnose vehicle problems. It is also a low-cost unit making it… Read More: Review: Car Code Reader, Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic Scan Tool… »
Replacing the air conditioning air filter on an Kia Sorento is a easy task that fall into the DIY category. Of course, call a professional if in doubt. A cabin air filter needs to be replaced every so often or it will block air flow which can stop the A/C from blowing cold air properly.… Read More: How To Replace the Cabin Air Filter on a 2010-2014… »
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: How to Replace a Coolant Temperature Sensor Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) »
Replacing the fuel pump on a Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) is a job that most DIY mechanics can do. First of all before replacing the fuel pump be sure it is bad by following our step by step guide to see if it is bad here. Once you know it is bad and needs replacing keep… Read More: How to Replace a Fuel Pump on a Volkswagen Passat… »
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: Troubleshooting a 1996-1999 Ford Taurus Fan Not Spinning »
Having to get up in the early AM to go to work I find my car always waiting for me everyday frozen. Having a car that starts remotely will have to wait for another day but there are things I found to help warm up a frozen car or truck. 12 Volt heated seat cushions.… Read More: Review: Wagan 12 Volt Heating Cushion Pad for Car Seat »
The AUTOWN OBDII automotive scan tool is a low cost unit built to read engine codes, clear codes, and more. It works on 1996 and newer US-Based vehicles, as well as 2001 and newer EU-Based Asian cars. The main menu on the unit has OBDII / EOBD, DTC Lookup, Review, Print Data, About and Setup.… Read More: Review: AUTOWN EOBD OBDII Scanner Universal Car Diagnostic Tool »
A friend of mine who has a 2010 Toyota Camry had a problem were the car ran but when the gas pedal was pressed nothing happened. I took My OBD2 code diagnostic tool over and it gave a P2118 which is the ETCS. First of all we still have the problem which may be a… Read More: 2010 Toyota Camry P2118 ETCS Electronic Throttle Control System Problem »
I thought I would update my progress on the 68 Charger project. After a lot of sanding we got it down to the bare metal to make sure all the rust was gone as much as possible. It took a lot of time to get the old paint off and the spots of rust that… Read More: 1968 Dodge Charger Restoration on the Cheap: #5 »
It has been awhile since I have updated the progress on the 68 Charger project so I thought I would update the status. I finally got the 360 bolted up with the Headers which was a pain. I used the electronic ignition from the donor truck along with the wiring harness to fire it up.… Read More: 1968 Dodge Charger Restoration on the Cheap: #4 »
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: How To Repair a Broken Brake Light Switch With Out… »
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: 2007 through 2012 Dodge Caliber Transmission Overview »
Reviving old power tool batteries is something we all want, and need to do. These batteries are very expensive and tossing them away can be even more expensive. There is a life span of these batteries, however we very seldom get to use them for that entire time. When charging and killing these batteries over… Read More: How To Revive Old Power Tool Batteries »