If you have a check engine light come on in your Jeep Wrangler, built-in diagnostics can show the code. After the code is read, it can be Googled to find the problem. The steps are simple by cycling the key from Off to On three times, and the code will flash once on the dashboard… Read More: How to Read Jeep Wrangler Check Engine Light Codes Without… »
If you have a bad headlight bulb in a 1999-2006 GMC Sierra, they are an easy component to replace. Many home DIY type individuals replace the headlight bulb themselves but of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a professional. The headlight assembly is held in place with two pins that,… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulbs 1999-2006 GMC Sierra »
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: Replace Camshaft Position Sensor 2011-2017 Hyundai Elantra »
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: How Do You Change a Tail Light Bulb? »
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: How To Replace the Headlight Bulb on 2005–2010 Pontiac G6 »
If you have a 2003-2007 Honda Accord and a headlight bulb has gone out, it is easy to replace. The driver side is more difficult than the passenger side since the battery needs to be removed to reach it. Replacing a headlight bulb falls in the DIY category, but if in doubt, be sure to… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb (2003-2007) Honda Accord »
If you have a Dodge, Jeep, or Chrysler with a P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, there is a problem with a fuel injector. The last digit in the code points to which cylinder is having the problem. For example, a P0201 is cylinder-1, and P0202 would be cylinder-2. There is several fuel injector test that can… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0201 P0202 P0203 P0204 Dodge Jeep Chrysler »
If you have a Honda Civic and need to check, add, or flush the power steering fluid, it is easy to do. Keeping the fluid at the right level is needed for the power steering to operate correctly. A flush should also be done periodically as part of regular maintenance. Type of Power Steering Fluid… Read More: How To Check Add or Flush Honda Civic Power Steering… »
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: How To Replace Transmission Filter 2012 Toyota Corolla »
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: How to Replace Upstream O2 Sensor 2007-2012 Toyota Camry »
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: What is the ESP BAS Light and How To Clear… »
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: How To Replace a Door Handle on a (2005-2008) Kia… »
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: Review: ThinkScan Plus S4 OBD2 Automotive Scan Tool »
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: How to Replace Headlight Bulb Toyota Highlander 2007-2016 »
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: How to Recharge a Car or Truck Air Conditioner DIY »
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: Our Picks for Best Car 12 Volt to AC Power… »
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: Review: TOPDON Plus 2.0 Universal OBDII Scan Tool with O2… »
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: Our Pick for Best OBD2 Scanner Tool for the Money »
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: Review: Vgate iCar2 OBD-II Bluetooth Scan Tool For Android or… »
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: How To Change an Air Filter for a Kia Spectra… »
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: Our Picks for Best 12 Volt Portable Car Window Defroster »
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: Guide: Dodge Neon Thermostat Replacement (1999-2005) »
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: How To Replace Front Toyota Corolla Brake Pads (2010-2019) »
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: How To Replace 2012 Toyota Corolla Fuel Pump (2010-2013) »
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: Review: KW680 OBDII Automotive Car Truck Engine Scan Tool »
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: How To Connect an OBD2 WiFi Dongle to an Android… »
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: How To Use a Smartphone and OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter To… »
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: How To Replace the Air Conditioner Cabin Filter on a… »
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: How to Replace a Fuel Filter / Pressure Regulator on… »
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: How To Replace a Thermostat on a 2000-2004 VW Passat »
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: Top Ten Must Have Tools For Mechanics »
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: How To Check and Add Power Steering Fluid VW Passat… »
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: What is an OBDII Scan Tool? »
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: Review: OBDII WiFi Diagnostic Scan Tool for Smartphone Android or… »
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: Review: Launch CReader 5001 CAN OBD2 Scanner Full OBDII/EOBD Function… »