You probably wash your car regularly. Some people wash and wax weekly — even do interior detailing — but many forget the engine. After all, it’s out of sight and out of mind. Before picking up a pressure washer and just blasting away at the engine bay, however, you need…
Hot cabin temperatures mean cranking up your car’s A/C, but what a disappointment it is when a rattling noise accompanies the air flow. On closer inspection of each vent, you might discover a foreign object such as paper or leaves caught between the slats. If there is no object present…
The air around us is a veritable cocktail of several gasses. Oxygen gets the most attention, but nitrogen actually outstrips it in volume, and there are several others rounding out the atmosphere that sustains life as we know it. As engines rely on the intake of atmospheric air for the…
Cars are meant to be driven, but where you drive them actually has a measured impact on their lifespan. Of course, your commute is what it is, but it’s good to know what you’re up against in terms of potential problems, future resale or if you’re in the market for…
For decades, DIYers and professionals alike have been accustomed to checking automotive fluid levels with a dipstick — a long plastic or metal rod with notches or other graduations on it. They measure anywhere from a couple of inches to several feet long. Cleaned and dipped into your vehicle’s fluids,…
Car brands come and go. The number of discontinued cars on the road has climbed over the past decade, as brands such as Pontiac, Suzuki, Saab, Hummer and Saturn exited the market. Sometimes specific models are canceled as well, such as the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart, leaving owners wondering…
George Gershwin once composed: “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” We all have memories of long, languid days spent by the pool or at the beach, followed perhaps by a creamy treat wedged inside a waffle cone. Then, on the trip back home, we’re suddenly reminded of how tough heat…
Inside your engine is a set of valves that open and close inside the combustion chamber. This is what allows fresh fuel and air to enter the chamber and the spent gases to escape into the exhaust. When everything is working well, these operations occur a few thousand times a…
A quiet car makes for a happy driver, but once a rattle or some other odd noise emerges, your peace of mind may evaporate. Fortunately, most car noise can be easily identified, and you can often resolve the problem on your own. Here’s a look at car rattling noises from…
Caring for high-mileage vehicles is one thing, but how do you identify when a vehicle needs high-mileage maintenance in the first place? While shopping for used cars or considering their current car, most people put a lot of stock in numbers. Comments like: “My car’s 10 years old; I think…