If you don’t know a socket wrench from a tube sock, an illuminated check engine light might seem like the end of the world. That simple little icon can send some drivers spiraling and conjure images of pricey invoices from your local auto shop, but the truth is usually a little less dramatic. That’s not […]
Category: Self Diagnose
Stalling, Whining, and Other Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump
When it comes to some common vehicle components, the name isn’t always very descriptive (I’m looking at you: catalytic converter) but that’s certainly not the case when it comes to fuel pumps. As the name implies, fuel pumps are small pumps powered by electric motors that move gas from the fuel tank to the engine. […]
Understanding Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Few drivers ever take a moment during their daily commute to appreciate just how much is going on under the hood of their vehicle. From cylinders firing hundreds of times per minute to spinning shafts, whirring pumps, and rotating belts, it’s a veritable symphony of automotive harmony…until something goes wrong. Today’s vehicles are a marvel […]
How Do You Check Your Alignment at Home?
Checking and adjusting your car’s alignment at home is not impossible, but it is somewhat complicated and takes some work–that shouldn’t dissuade you from trying it; just be prepared. If you prefer to Google “auto alignment near me” and take your vehicle to a service station, then that’s completely fair, but it is something you […]
Why Does My Car Keep Stalling?!
Short answer: your car’s stalling because the engine isn’t receiving what it needs to function, or you’re trying to do something that will damage it. Longer answer: keep reading. When your car stalls, your engine essentially stops working for one of several different reasons, most of them mechanical in nature. Any engine can stall, though, […]
Get Familiar with Your Car’s Precious Bodily Fluids
Allow me to paint a picture for you: it’s 7 am on a Monday morning, you’re dragging hard from enjoying your weekend and running a bit late for work; you get to your car and notice a pool of strange, brown fluid slowly drying below your vehicle. Your first thought is a string of expletives; […]
6 Easy Car Care Routines You Shouldn’t Skip
Even if you have a mechanic you trust or a dealership where you can get affordable auto service near you, it’s still a good idea to take care of some things yourself. I’m not about to tell you to rebuild your engine or fix your transmission if you don’t have a lot of experience with […]
How To Self Diagnose And Benefit
We’ve all been there at one point or another during vehicle ownership – something has gone wrong, but you’re not really sure what. When an unexpected problem occurs, what do you do? The majority of people will take their vehicle to a mechanic who will figure out what’s wrong and correct it. That is a […]