Engine Misfire: Symptoms, Causes & How to Diagnose It
When I diagnose a misfire, I first want to know when it happens: at idle, under acceleration, or only when the engine is cold. That pattern, along with the codes,
Troubleshooting
Oil Coming Out of the Exhaust? Causes & Fixes
When there’s oil coming out of your exhaust, you have every right to be alarmed. Clearly, motor oil is not meant to travel out of the exhaust pipes, so you
Electric Parking Brake Problems: Common Causes & Fixes
Today’s newer vehicles are often equipped with an electric parking brake, making the design seamless and clutter-free. While this upgrade seems like a great advance, there have been a lot
Car Makes a Rattling Noise When Accelerating? Causes & Fixes
It’s never a good thing to hear a rattling sound coming from your car. If the car rattles when accelerating, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. Whether it’s
Jeep Check Engine Light On? Meaning, Causes & Fixes
When you are heading down the road and see the Jeep Check Engine Light, you are sure to be worried. This warning is meant to get your attention so you
Check Fuel Cap Light on Honda Accord: Causes & Fixes
There are some universal automotive warnings that are the same across all manufacturers, such as the Check Engine Light. Others are designed to come up only on certain vehicles, such
Oil in My Coolant Reservoir? Causes & How to fix it
By now, you probably know the differences between motor oil and coolant, so you are aware that they are completely different colors and don’t smell the same. When you pull
6 Symptoms of Loose Battery Cables & How to fix it
You all know what it’s like to deal with a dead car battery, but you may not be as familiar with loose cables. The symptoms of loose battery cables resemble
Coolant Leak: Causes & How to fix it
A coolant leak has a distinct smell and color, making it unmistakable from other fluid leaks. If you notice antifreeze dripping from the vehicle or the reservoir seems to be
9 Reasons Your Check Engine Light Is On, But Car Runs Fine
The Check Engine Light has just come on your dash, but you don’t feel like the car is running any differently than normal. Now what do you do? If the
Dead Key Fob? Here’s How to Unlock and Start Your Car
Today’s cars have advanced equipment that seems to make everything easier until something goes wrong. While the key fob has been a great innovation and makes it so much simpler
Steering Wheel Not Straight: Common Causes & How to fix it
When you hit the road, you don’t want to fight with your vehicle to keep it on the road. Yet, that can happen if the steering wheel is not straight.
High Oil Pressure: Causes & How to fix it
It’s obvious that low oil pressure is going to cause major damage to the engine if left unchecked, so what does high oil pressure do and what’s it caused by?
Starter Won’t Engage: Causes & How to fix it
If you hear the dreaded clicking when you try to get your car’s engine going, you may be having trouble with your starter not engaging as it should. When the
Car Jerks When Accelerating: Causes & How to fix it
As you drive, you’ve grown accustomed to a smooth, enjoyable ride. If the car jerks when accelerating, it may catch you by alarm and cause a degree of panic. Plus,
Brake Caliper Won’t Compress: Causes & How to fix it
The caliper piston is an essential part of the car’s braking system. If the caliper piston won’t compress, you will have serious braking issues. Why would this part seize and
Car Burning Oil: Common Causes & How to fix it
Regular oil changes are imperative to keeping the car engine running as it should. Yet, what happens when the car uses oil in between these changes? Why is the car
Car Pulls To One Side: Common Causes & How to fix it
If you are driving down the road and the car pulls to one side, you know there’s an issue that needs to be dealt with. It may be tempting to
5 Symptoms of a Bad Car AC Condenser Fan & Replacement Cost
When you are driving on a hot summer day, you want to get cold air coming out of the vents. With so many working parts in the automotive air conditioning
Car Smell Like Burning Rubber: Causes & How to fix it
There are some car smells that cause alarm. One of these is the smell of burning rubber. It’s never a good sign when rubber smells like it’s burning. Due to
Car Leaking Fluid: What to Do and How to Identify the Leak
If you see your car leaking fluid, it can be difficult to determine what’s going wrong. That’s why it’s important to know the color and odor of each fluid. In
Why Is My Jumper Cables Melting or Smoking?
If your car battery dies, it’s helpful to know how to use a set of old-fashioned jumper cables. This emergency tool should be in every car for those “just in
Top 15 Most Common Car Problems We, as Mechanics, See
Owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility. You have to check it and do the required maintenance regularly. Many people do not care about this, though, and just
7 Engine Noises You Should Never Ignore
Does it ever feel like you need to be a sound expert to figure out what’s wrong with your car? With all the moving parts, there is a lot that
How To Diagnose And Troubleshoot Car Problems Like A Pro
If you don’t know much about cars, you might feel clueless when something is wrong. Without automotive training, it can be difficult to figure out what is happening. However, there
What Causes A Spongy Or Soft Brake Pedal?
Your car’s brakes are one system that is meant to ensure you remain accident-free. If the brakes aren’t working as they should, you are at risk of not stopping in
What Does “Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive With Care” Mean?
Today’s automotive technologies ensure that the ride is safer than ever before. One system that is found on newer vehicles is the Steering Assist program. However, this system isn’t foolproof.
What Does “Pre-Collision System Malfunction” Mean In My Toyota?
Today’s advanced safety systems are designed to keep people protected on the road. According to the IIHS, it dramatically reduces the instances of crashes when it’s working correctly. However, there
Why Isn’t My Car Horn Working?
Whether you are hoping to tell someone that you have arrived at their house or you are looking to yell at a bad driver, it’s important to have a functional
Why Is My Car Running Hot But Not Overheating?
When the car engine starts to run hot, you know it’s time to take immediate action. You don’t want the car to overheat. So, what does it mean when the
Why Does My Car Not Have Any Electrical Power At All?
We’ve all dealt with a dead car battery before, but what do you do if there’s no power to the car at all? It’s important to start by looking at
Why Are Both The ABS and Traction Control Light On At The Same Time?
Your dashboard has many different types of warning lights on it to let you know when something is wrong. When both the ABS and traction control lights are on, you
Why Did The Check Engine Light Suddenly Turn Off By Itself?
When the Check Engine Light comes on, you know it means there’s something wrong with the vehicle. In most cases, the light isn’t going to go off before you fix
Why Is My Car Overheating But Then Going Back To Normal?
You know how serious of a condition it is when the car overheats. It can lead to a blown head gasket and permanent engine failure. But what does it mean
Car Hard To Start When Warm: Causes & How to fix it
It’s not uncommon to have trouble starting the car first thing in the morning, especially if the battery is dead and it’s cold outside. After all, a warm engine shouldn’t
P2196 Code – Meaning, Causes & How to fix it
The P2196 code indicates a rich-running fuel situation. However, figuring out what’s causing this condition can prove to be daunting if you aren’t sure what to look for. That’s why
Car Jerks When Slowing Down: Causes & How To Fix it
It can be troublesome when your ride is anything but smooth and enjoyable. Car jerking is one complaint that is sure to ruin even the shortest drive. It’s even more
What Does Service Theft Deterrent System Mean?
If you drive a GM vehicle, you have access to some of the latest technologies, especially when it comes to the safety and security of your vehicle. Today’s cars are
Why Is My Car Engine Ticking?
The last thing you want to hear while driving are engine ticking noises. These are alarming and for a good reason. Because these noises are not normal, serious engine damage
What Does White Spark Plug Tips Mean?
Your car’s spark plugs are responsible for igniting the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders. When the spark plugs stop working as they should, car performance diminishes. One problem you need