10 Ways to Pass the Car Emissions Test
With the 1970 passage of the Clean Air Act, and new attention being paid to the pollutants being emitted by cars and trucks, many states began requiring that every car on the road pass an emissions test prior to the renewal of the registration. In some states, the tests are annual, others require it every…
Read MoreHow to Improve the Fuel Efficiency of Your Car
In an age of electric cars and hybrids, the majority of us with ordinary gas-powered automobiles are becoming increasingly aware of the gas mileage our vehicles achieve. If your neighbor’s Prius gets 50 miles per gallon, it’s going to make you think twice about the 20 mpg you’re getting – and paying three dollars a…
Read MoreWhy Are Some Car Repairs More Urgent Than Others?
Every car owner needs to know the signs of problems that may require emergency car repair. Some Car Repairs Require Immediate Attention, and Some Don’t You fell and hurt your arm. It is painful to lift it over your head or reach behind your back. You might make a doctor’s appointment right away – or…
Read MoreCar Repairs That May Cost More Than Your Car Is Worth
Car repair cost is something every driver deals with, whether you do some of the maintenance yourself or always take your vehicle to the shop. Those dreaded words: You have a blown head gasket. They rank up there with “We need to talk” and “The IRS is auditing you” among the things we all least want…
Read MoreWhat Every Car Owner Should Know About Their Coolant Reservoir
The coolant reservoir tank offers temporary refuge for the coolant when it expands as a result of engine heat. When the engine cools and the heat is dispelled from the coolant, it slips out of the plastic reservoir tank and into the radiator. The coolant reservoir doesn’t actually do anything: it just sits there, ever…
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Car Engine Cool in the Summer
Think about how hot you get in the summer. Now imagine you are running miles at a time in the sweltering sun, surrounded by fire, steam and hot exhaust, with metal reaching hundreds of degrees all around you. You would need a drink. Better yet, a cold bath. Without them, you might burn up. Congratulations, you are…
Read More7 Reasons There Is Smoke Coming from Your Exhaust
Your car has an exhaust pipe for a reason. During the combustion process that powers the vehicle, a mixture of air and fuel is burned, then must be expelled. The used-up gaseous mixture is pumped out of the engine through a series of pipes and filters and is known as engine exhaust emissions. During ordinary…
Read MoreWhy Is My Exhaust Smoke White?
Everything is going along great with your car, then you notice white smoke is coming out of your exhaust pipe. And not just big clouds of tissue-thin white wisps that billow out of the pipe when you start your car on cold days. That’s nothing more than condensation being heated into water vapor in cold…
Read MoreWhat Is Leaking from My Car?
When you see fluid coming from your car or truck, it is often an indication of a problem with the vehicle. It may be a minor drip that could go on indefinitely with little consequence, or an indication of a much larger problem that should be addressed immediately. Thus, it is important to determine what is…
Read MoreHave a Car Leak? Here’s How to Find and Fix It
Your car has a leak. Now what? It could be the car is leaking oil, or the car is leaking water, or the car is leaking coolant or the car is leaking some other liquid. How can you determine the kind of car leak, the source of the leak and the proper action to take…
Read MoreWhat Is an Oil Injector and What Is It Used for?
While a functioning air conditioner isn’t required to make your vehicle run, it sure makes it more comfortable. This system requires routine maintenance, just like the other parts of your engine, including keeping it lubricated so it can run properly. One way to perform this service yourself is with an AC oil injector. In this article,…
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