QuickTips Index
Buying a Repair Manual: Choose the Make of Your Car
Before you start working on your own car doing your own repairs or maintenance, you need a good repair manual. Having a proper automotive repair book will mean your repairs will happen quickly and reliably. Let me help you find the best repair manual for your car so you can get down to the business of auto repair!
How To Test Your Brake Lights ... Alone!
If you've ever tried to check your own brake lights, especially during the day, it's a pain! This method will help you test your brake lights without asking your neighbor for help.
Replacing Your Charcoal Canister is Easy!
Check your codes, and if your check engine light has been telling you that you need to replace your EVAP system charcoal canister, you can do this repair yourself. Replacing your charcoal canister is not hard to do. Here's how.
Why Does My car Whine in Reverse?
Why does my car whine in reverse? Why is my reverse gear so noisy? What's that sound in reverse? Good questions. Here's the answer.
How To Test Your Reverse Lights All By Yourself
If you need to test your reverse lights, and you don't have a helper around, we'll show you how to do it -- SAFELY!
Inspect Your Brakes!
Brakes are pretty much the most important safety device on your car. If you've even partially lost your brakes in the past, you'll remember the change of underwear that followed. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your passengers while saving you money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly.
10 Things to Think About at the Repair Shop
Check out these 10 Things to Think About at the Repair Shop so you'll be fully prepared if you have to have a mechanic repair your car. You'll avoid upsells, miscommunication, ripoffs, scams, and you'll save money on auto repair.
Tire Pressure and Your Gas Mileage
Did you know that your tires can directly affect your gas mileage? Gas prices are too high to ignore the little things you can do to get the most for your money at the pump. Check out this and other tips to optimize your fuel consumption and save a little green.
Checking & Removing Your Wheel Bolts
You should check the tightness of the lug bolts on all four wheels on a regular basis. If you have had any work done on the car, be sure to double check after 10 or 20 miles. Properly checking them will make your car safe.
A Work Shop Essential - The Fluorescent Work Light
Lighting your work space is very important. Any auto maintenance done in the dark is risky. A proper shop light is a must. You could buy any shop light, but knowing which one works and which one stinks will help you in the long run. Whatever you do, don't try to work without a work light under the hood.
A Third Hand For Wrenching
Haven't you even needed a third hand? Here's a tip that can help you out of some tight auto repair situations.
Ford 3.6 Liter V6 Cylinder Firing Order and Timing Marks
Firing order for Ford 3.6 liter V6 engines. Also timing marks location.
Used Auto Parts: Good Idea?
When is it ok to buy used auto parts for auto maintenance or repair? That's a good question. Used auto parts can save you lots of money, but choose carefully or you might be doing the same repair twice.
Dash Lights: The Battery Light on Your Dashboard
The dash lights on your car all mean something, and the battery light is no exception. Be sure you know what to do if your battery light comes on while you're going down the road.
Dash Lights: The Oil Light on Your Dashboard
Dash lights carry important messages. If you see your dashboard brake light or oil light illuminated, you should start troubleshooting the reason behind the light to avoid expensive repairs.
Dash Lights: The Brake Light on Your Dashboard
Your car's dash board is full of lights. Some are important, some are decoration. When you are troubleshooting an issue based on a warning light be sure you know what's important.
Car Sounds: Grinding Brakes
Listen to the sounds your car makes. If it's making a grinding sound when you stop, it's not something to ignore. Brakes can be expensive to repair if you wait too long.
Support Your Car Safely!
If you're taking one of your wheels off to perform a repair, it's important to securely support the car while you work underneath. A jack is not enough. If you've never used a jack stand, you need to become familiar with them, it's the only way to fly. Car safety should be top priority when performing auto maintenance.
Performing a Timing Belt Inspection
A visual inspection of your timing belt is always a good idea. Checking your timing belt every 10,000 miles is important, and changing your timing belt at the manufacturer's designated mileage intervals is a must. Failing to do so can result in bent valves and other expensive engine damage.
Cure For Sudden Poor Radio Reception
If you suddenly find that your car radio is giving you more fizz and pop than music and news, there might be a simple solution to your woes. For most of us, the car stereo is the peacekeeper of the interior of the car.
Eco Friendly Gas Saving Tips For Drive-Thru Windows
Gas mileage is more important than ever, and you'd be surprised at how much your gas mileage can be affected by things you never thought of. The impact of small eco friendly driving changes can make a difference.
Did The Repair Shop Do The Work They Said They Did?
Believe it or not, there are people out there who are trying to rip you off. When it comes to auto repair shops, most of them are 100 percent honest. But every bunch has a bad apple or two, including repair shops. If you know what common auto repair shop ripoffs to watch for, you can avoid becoming the victim of a scam at the repair shop.
Do You Really Need a Chassis Lube?
Back in the day your car was designed with lots of nooks and crannies that required an auto repair shop to perform what they called a chassis lube. What happens when a repair shop lubes a chassis? Is a chassis lube needed anymore? Does my repair shop need to do a chassis lube?
A Little Help to Loosen a Tight Bolt or Lug Nut
If you're in the middle (or beginning) of an auto repair project and find a stuck bolt, you may need a third hand to loosen it. Breaking a bolt or nut, such as a lug nut, can be easier if your third hand has some extra leverage. Great tip for wheel hubs, bearings or brakes.
Check Your Car Tire Wear
It's important to keep up with your car tire wear. Worn car tires can be very dangerous. The penny test is as old as car tires themselves, but it still works!