If you're shifting into drive while your car is rolling backwards, your killing the transmission. Wait until you come to a complete stop before changing gears.
If your vehicle's halogen headlight bulbs are due for replacement, you may want to hold off buying the standard part and go for an upgrade. LED bulbs in particular are a good option as they provide better illumination, while consuming less energy.
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you are is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you are is a maniac?” - George Carlin
If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, all of the components need to be replaced whenever you change the tires to make sure it continues to function as expected.
When you have your oil changed also have the wheel alignment on your vehicle checked and rotate the tires. Not only does this improve steering it also balances tire wear to get the longest life out of them.
Do not take any chances with your brakes. If you hear them squealing when you depress the pedal, or they don't feel right, bring your car in to have the brake pads checked and replaced.
There are no spark plugs in diesel engines. They inject fuel into a highly compressed air, and the fuel is ignited by the heat already present within the internal combustion chamber.
Operating a vehicle with one tire that’s under-inflated by 6 lbs. per square inch can reduce the life of the tire and increase fuel consumption by 3%. It can also reduce your handling, so keeping your tires at the right pressure also keeps you safe.
If your mechanic needs to use an electric welder on your vehicle, he will need to unhook the battery first. If he fails to do this, there's a very good chance that the expensive engine control unit (ECU) will be irreparably damaged by the surge of electricity that will course through the car or truck.
Tired of the cup holders in your car getting gunked up and sticky? Here's a simple hack to prevent that: place cupcake liners in them. Not only do they protect the holders, they are easy to remove.
Has your car or truck's fuel efficiency fallen off? It could be an old, faulty or damaged oxygen sensor. Having it replaced can improve MPG by as much as forty percent.
Who introduced the first air conditioning units in cars? They were introduced by the American carmaker Packard in the year 1939. At that time, the refrigerating coils were located behind the back seat.
If your car is constantly overheating, this obviously means that there's something wrong with the cooling system. However, the issue could be one of many things like a broken water pump, leaky radiator hoses or even a blocked radiator so you're going to want to have a mechanic check things out.
If you notice that your vehicle is consuming oil at an unusual rate, the first thing to do is check for a leak. Place a clean sheet of cardboard underneath the car, and check later for signs of an oil leak. If there isn't any indication of one, have the engine analyzed for other problems.
One of the best things you can do for your car is to make sure you meet all the scheduled service milestones. Whether it’s according to mileage or time (or both), their purpose is to keep your vehicle in top running condition.
If you want to keep your car under warranty, make sure to have the required work done at the intervals indicated in the owner’s manual. Failing to do so will not only void the warranty, but could also lead to greater problems.
Have you ever noticed that many of Volkswagen’s cars are named after various types of wind? For example, The Passat, is German for “trade wind,” Polo is German for “polar winds,” and the Jetta means “jet stream.”
While you may be able to change your car's oil yourself, you may have trouble removing one particular component—the oil filter. Depending on the vehicle's model, this part may be tucked in deep in the engine bay and you will most likely need to have a special filter tool for the job .
Car frame damage is no longer the devastating condition it once was. Modern machines are more accurate and efficient when it comes to restoring a car or truck to its normal alignment.
Keeping the radiator fins clear of bugs and other debris helps the engine run cooler and makes it easier to spot problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Do you absolutely need to make it to your destination on time? Then the best thing you can do is to leave earlier. Leaving late can make you feel like you need to speed and the more you speed, the more likely you are to have an accident.
If you're planning to add electrical components to your vehicle (e.g. a louder horn or extra lights), it would be prudent to have a professional shop do the work. After all, the electrical system of the car, as well as sensitive on-board electronics, can become irreparably damaged should you make a mistake.
Asafa Powell, a famous Jamaican sprinter, once said: “I think about cars to try and distract myself. It's a good way to relax, take your mind off everything.”
Did you know that some cars may have more than one differential? While cars with two-wheel drive have one, four-wheel drive vehicles have two, and those classified as all-wheel drive have three.
