This reader was in a serious pinch. No tail lights is a bad thing. It's tough to get everything you need done if you have a curfew of sundown.

Help, I need tail lights! I really need only one since the other one works fine. I have a tail light that won't light up. It's the right side if that matters. I have replaced bulbs and checked fuses to no avail. It was suggested to me that the wiring to the trailer hookup could be shorting it out. I have checked the wiring bundle and rewrapped in all to make sure no wires were crossing. It did not fix the problem. I'm now at a loss for what to do, with the exception of possibly paying someone else a ton money I don't have to fix something that may be a simple fix. Any suggestions? Thanks, Alan

Alan, congrats on your decision to tackle this electrical demon on your own. You can do it! If your fuses are all good, and you have installed good bulbs, but still have no light, it's time to get dirty. You need to get a circuit tester or test light and test your circuits for positive current and ground. This will tell you where the problem really is so that you can go ahead and get it fixed without a costly wild goose chase.

Wallets are getting tighter these days. Even for those of us who aren't affected by economic woes, the price of gas will have you down right squinchy! A recent article quotes one shop owners saying his regular maintenance business is down because car owners are deciding to hold off because they are spending so much on gas. We know the gas prices are killing you, but don't skimp on your regular maintenance! It may seem like you're saving money, but maintenance is what keeps your car out of the shop. Skipping important maintenance jobs will end up costing you more money in the long run, and that doesn't make much sense at all.

So what's the answer? Do it yourself! Most regular maintenance jobs are quick, easy and inexpensive. We can show you how to get them done, so you have no excuse. Performing your own scheduled maintenance can save money in many ways, but you'll also be getting to know your car or truck better. This means you can catch problems before they get out of hand and you'll be able to communicate much better with your mechanic should something need serious repair.