Auto Repair

Automatic transmissions are great to drive... when they're working well. Let's look at what to do when they're not.

The important function of a working PCV valve, how it works, signs that it's failing, and how to test.

Test your vehicle catalytic converter in your own garage.

Do it yourself (DIY) replacement of the timing belt, water pump, and oil seals on the 4-cylinder Toyota Camry and similar cars, with photos, lists of tools, and parts recommendations.

Brake fluid leaks: learn how to find a leak in the brake system before it's too late.

Loss of cooling at high engine speeds? It is very likely that you have a variable-displacement compressor. Before deciding to replace the compressor, read this article.

Find the source of valve train noises and other symptoms using this simple guide.

If your car stalls at idle, check these symptoms and the potentially faulty components that may lurk behind the problem.

This article, via video, will demonstrate how to replace the a/c compressor and condenser on a Lexus ES300 with over 170,000 miles.

When your brake lights don't work, apply these simple diagnostic tests.

Test the throttle position sensor in a few minutes using a digital multimeter.

DIY Toyota Camry tuneup, plus PCV valve cleaning. Use iridium plugs for better fuel economy and performance. Also, if you notice an oil leak inside the spark plug tube, I have a video showing you how to fix it.

How to test your vehicle yourself to investigate common and not-so-common reasons for a sluggish engine.

How to replace worn rear suspension struts and springs on your Camry. Video included.

Check common sources of engine misfires using this friendly tip-filled guide.

How to replace an in-tank fuel pump and its associated filter assembly, with pictures. The disassembly and the assembly of parts, the testing of the installation, and trouble-shooting.

If your car won't start and the battery won't take a charge, you don't necessarily have to buy a new battery! You can swap the battery with a traded-in battery from your local auto parts retailer, or a discarded battery from a trash collection center or auto salvage yard.

The starter uses the battery and battery cables to provide the power to crank over the engine. The starting system can be tested to find a slow-crank or no-crank problem.

Learn how coolant loss happens, where to look for the leak, and what tests you can do at home to find the leak source faster.

This video shows a valve cover gasket being replaced on a 2004 Acura TL V6 which shares the same engine as the Honda Accord V6. No special tools are required.

Though old news, 6-speed DSG transmissions are still on the road in many vehicles. So let's look at some of the more common problems you might encounter with yours.

Automatic transmissions need love too. Why and when should you service yours?

DIY how-to instructions, with photos, for replacing the head gasket, timing belt, water pump and radiator on a Honda Accord. The repair pictured here was done on a Honda F23 2.3L I4 engine, the engine also used in the '98-'99 Acura CL, '98 Odyssey, and '98-'99 Oasis.

Of all the faults the ZF 6HP automatic transmission can throw at you, the E Clutch fault is by far the hardest to determine the cause of.

Common brake problems, such as a soft brake pedal, pulling to one side while braking, or vibration while braking can have serious implications for your car's health (and your health, in turn!). Learn more about the most common brake issues and their solutions, here.

Find out why your car stalls and get tips to fix the problem yourself.

Diagnose the most common problems with your car's starting system without special equipment or knowledge, based on the symptoms described here.

Clean your MAF sensor in minutes using a simple procedure. Fix rough idle problems and other performance issues.

Diagnose and fix common vehicle charging system problems using a few tools and this guide.

Troubleshoot an inductive or Hall effect type crankshaft position (CKP) sensor using a digital multimeter.

Why should you wash your car regularly? It matters to the life of the car, as well as the resale value.

Using a DVOM is an important tool to diagnose vehicle components, including batteries, starters, alternators, computer sensors and actuators, injectors, lighting and accessories like ABS and AC systems.

This guide helps you diagnose turn signal problems when one or more of the signal lights refuses to work.

Ten possible events that can trigger a "check engine" light in a Honda. Read the ten questions here; they will give you useful information that will help your mechanic diagnose the problem quickly.

In this article, I will explain the most common reason for a slipping automatic transmission and the most common reason for a slipping standard transmission. What's more, I'll teach you to fix it in either case.

How to bleed the brakes at home fast using a vacuum pump, plus tips and warnings.

Basic electrical knowledge applies to so many vehical components: batteries, starters, alternators, lighting, sensors, actuators, AC systems, electric windows, and computer systems.

How to replace the radiator on your Toyota Camry. No special tools required. Plenty of photos and step-by-step instructions.

Do-it-yourself Front Wheel Drive (FWD) wheel bearing replacement for most Toyotas and many other cars. Lots of photos, and details about tools needed.

Match these common symptoms to your possible manual transmission issues for a faster diagnosis.

How to replace front-end strut mounts (and struts) on the '97–'01 Toyota Camry, with a video. Plus other causes of front-end noise.

Does your engine crank, but won't start? This guide tells you where to begin your diagnostic and what to do next.

I show you (via video) how I cleaned up the throttle body and IAC on my 20-year-old Toyota Camry with the I4 5SFE engine.

There are a few types of transmission you might find in your vehicle; here are the differences between them.

P0300 random misfires can be hard to diagnose, leave you stranded and with an expensive repair bill, but this guide can help you.

The GM 5L40-E is a popular transmission, but it is not without its faults. Here are some of the most common ones.

Noticing weird clunking noises when accelerating or driving over rough roads? Engine revs up before the car moves? It could be worn engine mounts. This article, via video, will show you how to replace these mounts, as demonstrated on a 2003 2.4L Toyota Camry.

If your engine won't turn over, this guide will help you find the most common—and not so common—problem sources.

When your engine starts but stops, concentrate your diagnostic efforts on those systems or components most likely to cause the failure.

DIY Toyota I4 (5SFE) engine oil-leak repair. Plenty of photos and step-by-step repair instructions.

This article will explore signs and symptoms of a bad heater core in your car, from fog and drips to funny smells in the cabin, no heat in the cabin, or the engine overheating.

How to do a timing belt replacement for the Toyota V6 Camry, Avalon, Solara, Sienna, HIghlander, Lexus ES300 and Lexus RX300. Video instruction, lots of photos, and step-by-step instructions.

Diagnose alternator and charging system problems with this practical guide to get your car back on the road faster.

How I eliminated front end clunking, rattling, and scratching noises that perisisted after I replaced the suspension struts on a 99' Toyota Corolla with over 200,000 miles.

Learn how to check an oxygen sensor and eliminate hit-and-miss repairs using a digital multimeter.

The 7-speed DSG has made many improvements over the older 6-speed variant, but it's not without its problems.

AC systems remove heat and moisture using refrigerants such as R134a in a closed system. The pressurized refrigerant boils after a pressure drop using the heat from the cabin of the vehicle.

How to replace a clogged fuel filter and clean the throttle body on a Camry.

Check for cooling fan problems using this simple guide and tips.

How to tell if your MAP sensor is bad and how to test it in your garage.

Fix your car's electrical open by looking for the most common faults, using simple tests and tools.

This article, via video, will show you how to replace a malfunctioning a/c compressor and condenser on the Lexus ES330. The ES330 chassis changed from the ES300 (except the '02 and '03 ES300) making service access to the compressor and condenser different.

The "check engine" light is your warning system for engine and control-emission problems. Understanding what makes this light go on or flash can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

If your engine fires and coughs after it's been turned off, this guide helps you target the different systems and components you should pay attention to.

Diagnose a water pump failure faster with these three simple step-by-step methods.

AC system diagnosis can be done by feeling the lines for the correct temperature/ pressure relationship. With gauges hooked up, the pressures can be measured and then diagnosed.

Check your fuel pump relay — and other automotive relays — in minutes using three different simple methods.

Mice, rats and other rodents can do surprising damage to your car engine and other automotive parts. How do you keep them out of your vehicle?

Computer systems operate and monitor almost every system on our vehicle today. Sensors and switches are used for inputs to the computer. Output devices are solenoids, relays, lights, and injectors.

The four noises that car owners complain about most often: CV joint noise, water pump noise, belt noise, and heat shield noise. Find out what these noises mean and what might fix them.

I discovered how to avoid expensive car repairs when the check engine light is on. If it’s a catalytic converter warning, this solution may help avoid repairs.

Three common brake noises I encounter every day: a grinding sound, a thumping from the rear, and a squeak. Includes a repair technique for noisy drum brakes that I found by trial and error.

Learn how to replace a timing belt and water pump on an Accord/Acura CL F23 2.3L I4 engine (w/ video). The replacement should be performed every 100,000 miles or 10 years; whichever comes first.

If your car has a rough idle when cold, check those common source or trouble and fix your car sooner.

Batteries are the heart of the electrical system on cars, trucks and boats. The battery is a storage unit that converts chemical energy into electrical voltage. Problems can effect the entire vehicle.

Do you know what to do in the event that you get in and turn your car on but it doesn't start? Check out this hub for some helpful tips on what to do.

How to drain and replace the ATF on your Camry, or flush the ATF if necessary. Includes videos of flushing the ATF with and without the help of a 12-volt oil pump.

Regular automotive preventative maintenance is conducted at intervals that, allow you to discover potential issues before they become serious problems down the road.

Find and fix a vacuum leak in your car in a few simple steps using simple tools.

Troubleshoot your potentially bad brake booster by using the simple tests in this guide to save time and money.

If you smell gas inside your car, your first guess might be that there's a fuel leak, but here are five other very common reasons you might smell fuel.

Here are the most likely reasons for bad clutch performance, a noisy clutch, or strange behavior by the clutch pedal. Look for your symptoms here.

If your car loses power going uphill, check these common potential faults.

Tips and precautions to use when replacing your brake pads, so you can get quality results on a Honda or any other vehicle.

Your mechanic said you need a $900 catalytic converter because your check engine light is on with code P0420. I discovered this trick you can try first.

Find that parasitic battery drain that's causing your car battery problems whether you have a newer or older vehicle model.

Often, car lighting problems require just an easy fix you can do in minutes.

How to replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and guide pulleys on the 2005-2015 Honda V6 Pilot, 2004 Acura TL (same as Accord) with a video showing the repair performed on a 12' Pilot and another on a 04' Acura TL.

Fluid leaking from a car could mean immediate repairs are needed, or it could be something totally normal. In this article, you will learn how to identify the leak and figure out what, if anything, needs to be done about it.

DIY instructions for cleaning or replacing the MAF (mass airflow) sensor in a VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Passat, New Beetle, A4. Included are step-by-step pictures, part numbers, and tools required for the job.

Find out why your car battery discharges by applying these simple tests at home.

How to troubleshoot a mass airflow sensor in a few simple steps. What to look for, and how to interpret your results.

If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, have a look into your camshaft position sensor before it gets you in trouble.

How to replace the timing belt and pulley yourself on the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra. Step-by-step instructions, plenty of photos, and a video!

EPA emission standards don't allow engine blow-by gases to be released into the atmosphere. But channeling these spent oily gases back into your engine will eventually carbonize engine internals and impact performance. Installing an aftermarket oil catch can is a easy and simple solution.

Simple, easy-to-understand, proven methods on how to earn the highest salary as an automotive technician without stealing from the customer.

If your brakes squeak and you want to know why, maybe I can help! Here are four common brake squeaks plus a bonus scraping noise; compare these situations to yours. Questions are welcome.

Diagnose engine backfires with this guide and prevent potentially serious engine damage.

This guide will show you how to use a digital multimeter, hydrometer, and other simple tools to troubleshoot, inspect, and clean your battery if necessary.

Install a car thermostat replacement in minutes without causing coolant leaks, damage to components, or engine overheating.