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How To Replace Your Spark Plugs Yourself

1. Cut Off The Engine And Wait For It To Cool Down

Before replacing the spark plugs, you need to ensure you purchase the right ones for your vehicle. I usually fire up Amazon and filter the selection by the make, model and manufacturing year of my vehicle.

If you overlook this step, it won’t be possible for you to remove the spark plugs from their location without damaging the threads. The cylinder heads are made from aluminum, so their threads can easily get damaged if you aren’t careful. Once you’ve damaged this thread, repairing it will be extremely difficult and it will require an expert to do it.

2, Remove Dirt Around The Spark Plugs

Blow out all dust and debris around the spark plug. You can use an air compressor. Your man goal should be to prevent any dirt particles to fall into the engine, as they can lead to premature wear and various other problems.

3. Check That The Spark Plugs Are Correctly Positioned Before You Start Screwing

If you don’t position spark plugs correctly, they will cross-thread, causing huge problems. I usually wiggle the spark plugs a bit before screwing, just to make sure they are straight. Anyway, start screwing them very slowly and stop at the first sign of resistance. Take a breathe and do it again from the start until you get it right.

4. Replace Spark Plugs One By One

Getting all those wires mixed up is a very easy thing to do. For safety reasons, it’s much better to change your spark plugs one at a time. If your car has a coil-and-plug unit, you’ll be fine either way. In addition, newer models of vehicles won’t allow you to misplace parts. Older cars, however, need more attention.

What Tools You Need To Replace Your Spark Plugs

Changing your spark plugs is easy, provided that you have the right tools. I’ve already mentioned the need for an air compressor that will allow you to blow off dust and debris around the spark plugs before removing them. You’ll also need a spark plug gap tool to adjust the gap between electrodes.

Another must-have is a spark plug socket. This socket features a rubber insert that protects the spark plug during handling.

If your car has a coil-and-plug system, you may have to buy a small socket wrench or a screwdriver to remove them from their positions. Most often than not, these spark plugs are bolted on.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

How To Change Your Car Battery Safely

Connect A Memory Saver

If you want to keep all of your settings when changing the battery, you need to connect a memory saver. If you do not do this, you could face some problems with your car potentially running rough or not shifting as normal. All of your radio codes will also be lost and you will need to put the code in again.

Most of the memory saver devices that you get will have a small 9V battery and an alligator clip. The clip will be placed on the battery cables. There are some devices that will plug into a port inside the car such as the cigarette lighter.

Disconnecting The Battery Cables

Before you can change the battery, you will have to put on work gloves and some safety goggles. This will protect you from acid leaks which could occur.

Once you have your safety gear on, you need to turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition. You need to use an adjustable wrench to loosen the black negative terminal first. Once the nut can be removed, you need to pull on the end of the cable to detach it. The same process will need to be completed for the red positive terminal.

Remove The Old Battery

It is likely that the old battery is held in place with a strap or clamp. You will have to unfasten or loosen this before you are able to remove the battery from the tray. When ready, you will need to slowly lift the battery out and take care to not spill any acid while doing this.

If you are going to return your old battery, you need the receipt from the store. In these cases, you will generally get a refund on the core deposit. This should be done when you can because you will help the environment and get some spare change.

Before you buy your new battery, you will need to check the year, model, make and engine size of your car. You may also need to know what the trim level of your vehicle is. Once you have this information, you can choose the right battery for your vehicle.

Clean Out The Corrosion

Before you place your new battery in, you have to look at the battery cables, tray, and clamps. You should check for any damage or corrosion. All corroded areas will need to be scrubbed with a contact cleaner and a wire brush. You could also use baking soda mixed with water, but the results will not be as good and some residue could be left. After cleaning, you will need to coat the terminals with an anti-corrosion solution.

Install The New Battery

Your new car battery will generally weigh around 40 pounds and you might need to ask for help if you have issues lifting it. The battery must stay upright at all times. You should place it on the battery tray and secure it with the strap or clamp.

The red positive terminal will need to be connected and tightened first. You should then attach the black negative terminal. All of the cables will need to be tight and the battery properly secured before you remove the memory saver. You can start the car and check that everything is working correctly.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

DIY Auto Repair Tips

When it comes to DIY projects, it is wise to leave complicated problems to professionals, and this fact does also apply when it comes to DIY auto repair projects. With just basic mechanic knowledge and tools, you can save both time and money by performing basic vehicle maintenances.

Spark Plug Replacement

Replacing spark plugs has always been an easy task that anyone can do. All that is needed is basic DIY repair knowledge and diagnosis. A few years back, the hardest thing was keeping track of plug wires and not getting them crossed. On the other hand, according to the latest technology, changing spark plugs might be challenging to replace due to the fact that the ignition component does not have to be changed regularly.

Car Battery Replacement

This is the easiest thing anyone can do. The whole process involves taking out the old battery and replacing it with the new one. However, it is wise always to ensure that the battery is the problem. Furthermore, you should always exercise caution to avoid erasing your car’s computer memory.

Alternator Problems

The truth is that this is not an easy DIY project. That is because a majority of vehicles today come with an automated or computerized alternator. Therefore, diagnosing the problem may be challenging that you think. To know more about automated alternators and how you can DIY repair the alternator, click on this link.

Brake Repair

Brake replacement is a straightforward and yet common DIY project that many car owners perform. For you to carry out this DIY project effectively, check the in-depth article written; with pictures on how to fix this problem.

Tire Rotation

Changing the tire is another common DIY task many drivers can do. Tire rotation is subject many car owners know because some cars are all wheeled and it is essential for tires to wear evenly. If car tires do not wear evenly, then you may be doing more damage to some parts of the drivetrain.

Headlight Replacement

It is incredible how some car engineers make these basic DIY auto repair jobs difficult. In the past, it used to be that anyone can replace a broken or burnt headlight in minutes. However, today, things are different. Many time you will be forced to refer to the actual manufacturer’s guide or repair manual simply to replace the bulb.

Other DIY Auto Repairs

• Fluid check
• Oil change
• Fuel filter replacement
• Air filter replacement
• Coolant flush
• Tire change
• Windshield wiper replacement
• Tire change
• Interior detailing

NOTE: Before you begin or attempt any DIY project, ensure that you have a complete set of tools as well as diagnosing equipment. Also, you will not go wrong with a dependable auto repair manual.

A typical DIY project should begin with troubleshooting, repair, and then maintaining. For this to be successful, you will need diagnostic and repair data that is very specific to a car and model. As such, it is wise to use the recommended ALLDATAdiy. It is equipped with over 30,000 full vehicle manuals, which makes it easy to find an exact match for your vehicle’s year and model.

These manuals are available to you at a lower price compared to factory manuals. They do come with a step by step repair instruction and detailed diagram.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

Common Alternator Problems And Repairs

Many people do not realize that problems with your alternator are common. At some point, you are likely to have a problem with this part of your car.

How An Alternator Works

The primary purpose of your alternator is to maintain your car battery. The alternator will use the power from the engine to create electricity which it pumps into the battery to keep it charged. The engine drive belt is what sends the power to the alternator. This is why you need to have this belt tightened and replaced at times.

When you have your headlights on or use your wipers while driving, a lot of electrical power. If you only had a battery, all of the power in the battery would be drained in a few minutes. Of course, this would depend on how good your battery is. To prevent your battery from being drained, you need to have an alternator that is in good working condition.

Signs Of An Alternator Problem

If you do not have any tools, it can be hard to diagnose an alternator problem. A problem with the battery can often appear to be a problem with the alternator and vice versa. One of the most common issues is that your car will not start, your battery dies and there is a squealing noise from the drive belt. These are the most common issues you can have, but they are not the only ones.

How To Check The Alternator Voltage

If you want to check if your alternator is the problem, you need to have a digital volt-ohmmeter or CVOM. This will tell you the output voltage of your alternator.

When checking, you need to first turn your engine off. You are going to start the car later for the test, but it is better to leave it off at this point. You should then take your voltmeter and put the red lead on the red positive battery terminal. The black lead will need to be placed on the negative terminal. At this point, you need to ensure that the voltmeter is set to DC volts.

The reading you get from the meter should be above 12.65 volts. This is a sign that your battery is fully charged. If you do not get this reading, you either have a faulty battery or a problem with the alternator.

You should now remove the leads from the battery and start the car. Once the car is on, carefully place the leads back onto the battery. You need to be careful as they could get caught in the drive belt or another part of the engine.

You should now read the meter and the reading should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If you have this reading range, the alternator is fine. However, it is important to note that some alternators have intermittent problems and it could still have issues when you have this reading. If your alternator is completely fine, the problem is the battery and you will need to have it tested.

Repairing A Defective Alternator

It is possible to repair the alternator yourself. However, you could also take it to a repair shop to have this done for you.

You can consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

 

Brake Repair Tips And Advice

Brake repair can be easier than you can imagine. In some situations, even someone with very little experience or mechanical abilities can do it.

Even if the job appears to be easy, you should still know what you’re doing there, so make sure you have your user manual handy.

Troubleshooting and repairing the brakes, or any other part of your vehicle for that matter, requires a proper diagnostic and very specific repair information.

Brake Problems And How To Fix Them

Brake Light Always On

If your brake light stays on even when the brakes aren’t active, you have to find the culprit right away. This warning light is a sign that something isn’t right. Keep reading to identify the main reasons why the brake light is on. You’ll also find out some remedies that might help you fix this issue.

Brake Noise

If you hear noises other than the well-known squeaking, you should take a look at this section of the website. You’ll find out details about the most common causes of brake noise and some possible solutions.

Squeaking Brakes

If you’ve noticed a sharp squeaking when you push the brake pedal, you should check out this part of our website. Some of these causes have very simple remedies while others will require a mechanic to take a closer look at.

Steering Wheel Shaking During Braking

This problem has one single cause in 99 percent of the situations. Click here to find out what this problem is and what you can do to fix it.

Brake Fade

If you’re on a road going down the hill and you notice your brakes are not as effective as they used to, you may have a brake fade problem. This issue is very easy to avoid. I’ll reveal the reason why this happens and what to do to prevent it from occurring.

Master Cylinder Issues

All vehicles come to a point in life when they need a master cylinder replacement. Here are a few of the things that may trigger this problem and some possible solutions.

Brake Caliper Sticking

This isn’t a problem that occurs too frequently, but it can happen. If you suspect it, I’ll tell you where to look to diagnose it correctly. I’ll also give you some tips on how to fix it, so that you can avoid the fees of a vehicle mechanic.

There are various vehicle issues or questions that need an answer, that we will get into over the next few weeks. Stay tuned as we examine each of these and post a full blog for each. Remember your vehicle’s make and model, as well as the manufacturing year when researching auto repairs online. You can try JustAnswer Car, as this website has a team of certified and experienced car mechanics ready and willing to answer to any questions you may have. This service isn’t free of charge, but the fee is reasonable, taking into consideration the rates of brick and mortar mechanic shops.

You can consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

A Comprehensive Guide On How To Replace A Car Headlight Bulb

The replacement of headlight bulbs is an easy process if you know what you are doing. It is usually advised that one replaces their headlights the moment any problem is observed. Not only do unfixed lights present a safety hazard, but they can also lead to issues with the authorities if spotted. The fixing of headlights is a Do It Yourself (DIY) project but they are some things to keep in mind prior to undertaking this type of venture.

A Guide On How To Change Light Bulbs

1. You should first open the hood of your car and locate the bulb holder which is typically located at the back of the headlight. On opening the hood, you will see a connector containing three wires held together by a screw cap, plastic catch or metal clip. If by any chance you spot dust over the power protector, remove it first.

2. The next step is disconnecting the power connector. If it is held in place by a metal clip, pull the clip out. If it is a plastic catch holding the connector in place, press down on the lever of the holding catch and pull to disconnect the power connector. It the connector is held in place by a screw cap, simply uncork the screw to disconnect the power connector.

3. The next step is usually to securely remove the bulb of the headlight from the socket holding it.

4. After removing the old bulb, remove the replacement bulb from its packaging. As you are handling the replacement bulb, avoid touching the glass surface with your bare hands. If by any chance you have oil on your hands and it touches the glass surface, it can cause the replacement bulb to overheat and burn out. Prior to installing the new bulb, it is usually advised that one wipes it with an alcohol wipe.

5. You should then hold the replacement bulb by the base and insert it into the headlight. The next step should be to reconnect the power connector. After this is done, you can turn your headlights back on to ascertain that everything is working as it should.

If you cannot spot the headlight area in your car, you may need to find specific instructions on how to handle bulb replacement for your car model. If you work without a manual for your car, you can end removing important parts whose return position you do not remember.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

7 Must Know Tips for Safe Fall Driving

Don’t brake on leaves. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Drive slowly through them and avoid hard braking. Leaves may obscure lane lines and other road markers, so pay attention to the edge of the road and take care to stay in your lane, advises PennDOT.

Avoid sun glare. On and near the autumnal equinox (which fell on September 23 in 2015), the first 15 to 45 minutes after sunrise and before sunset can make for more difficult driving due to sun glare. The sun perfectly aligns with east/west roadways during this time. Grab a good pair of sunglasses for the daytime, keep your windshield clean and use north/south streets or streets with tree cover when possible, says the National Weather Service.

Use your rain smarts. During fall, many cities see increased rainfall. When it’s raining, be sure to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, as the wet roads may be more slippery than usual and you may be at higher risk of hydroplaning. Use your low beams or fog lights (never high beams) in fog conditions, says the Minnesota Safety Council.

Be careful on bridges. As the temperature begins to drop, morning frost can leave icy patches on bridges, overpasses and shaded spots on the road. Slow down.

Adjust your eyes. We lose 1 to 2 minutes of daylight daily after the autumnal equinox according to the National Weather Service. After leaving home or the office and before hitting the gas petal, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark, advises the Minnesota Safety Council. It takes them between 2 and 5 minutes to start adjusting.

Watch out for deer.  Autumn marks the beginning of deer breeding season and they will be more active in areas near the road, says the PennDOT. Deer are most active during sunset and sunrise so be extra watchful when driving near the woods and near deer crossing signs.

Make sure your vehicle is up to the task. That means you should:

  • Check your tire pressure. Tires lose 1 to 2 pounds of pressure for every 10-degree temperature drop, according to the Utah Safety Council.
  • Replace your windshield wipers. A really clean window can help you see when there’s glare.
  • Adjust your headlights. If your headlights seem too dim, ask your mechanic to make sure they’re aligned properly.

Full Article at: http://www.safebee.com/travel/7-fall-driving-safety-tips

12 Easy Ways To Save On Gas

When it comes to our vehicles, it is always a plus to get the most efficiency from the gasoline purchased. Of course, the ideal situation is to understand the culprits that contribute to the quick consumption of our vehicle’s precious gasoline. Let us look at some of the things that have a negative impact on our automobile’s gas consumption.

If a vehicle is left to idle excessively, one runs the risk of also decreasing the amount of miles per gallon for a vehicle. The reason it is not wise to drive at higher rates of speed is that driving at high velocity increases the aerodynamic pull (wind resistance). When we exceed 80 miles per hour, fuel efficiency takes an even steeper dive.

Factors that can reduce fuel efficiency are colder winter weather as well as shorter and more frequent trips. An engine does not operate as efficiently as when the motor is warmed up. Allowing your vehicle to idle in order to warm up the engine actually uses more fuel.

Now that we know about gas-guzzling bad habits, here are a dozen terrific gas-saving tips, which will keep you from having to make those costly trips to the gas pump.

 

Original Article At: https://www.buzzfeed.com/purplefeed/12-easy-ways-to-save-on-gas-3686u

Be a prudent driver

Never be an aggressive driver. Fast acceleration, speeding, and applying your brakes heavily wastes gas by over 30 percent. Prudent driving is safer for you, your family, and others. Therefore, you would be saving much more than fuel costs.

Observing the speed limit is important

Vehicles reach optimum fuel efficiency at varying speeds, and gas mileage decreases quickly at speeds of over 50 miles per hour. Besides, observing legal speed limits is also a much safer way to drive

Use your overdrive gears

When in use, your overdrive gears help your vehicle’s engine speed decrease. This saves gas and reduces wear and tear on your engine.

Cruise control is your friend

Turning on your cruise control feature while doing highway driving, will most definitely help you save on gasoline because you are maintaining a constant rate of speed.

Prevent extreme idling

Idling will consume up to a half gallon of gas per hour, depending upon the size of your engine and the use of the air conditioner while in idling mode.

 

Keep your engine well tuned

Repairing a vehicle that is obviously out of tune or has failed a smog inspection, will improve that car’s gas mileage. Fixing a bad oxygen sensor will increase your mileage by over 35 percent.

Use the recommended motor oil

Using your automobile manufacturer’s recommended motor oil grade, will improve your gasoline mileage by one to two percent.

Replace clogged air filters

Make sure to replace air filters at the recommended mileage intervals. If you replace a clogged air filter, it will help with acceleration.

Keep your tires properly inflate

Your car’s gas mileage improves by over three percent when your tires are kept inflated to the factory recommended tire pressure. The tire pressure for your vehicle is found on the driver’s side door.

Remove extra weight

Stay away from storing needless items in your car, especially heavy items. Even an additional 100 pounds in your car will reduce your miles per gallon by about two percent.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you will have a good chunk of money saved up

Whats Covered in PA State Inspection

Part
Check & Fix
Average Costs
Check Engine Light Let’s start with an easy one. If this light is on or not operating at all you will fail inspection. The check engine light illuminates because the car is burning fuel inefficiently. Either using too much gas or dumping too much pollutants out the exhaust. Varies greatly based on reason for light.
Wipers Must be operating and not torn. Replace. Less than $50.
Mirrors Must have two of the following three mirrors and they cannot be cracked – Rearview, Passenger sideview, Driver sideview. Replace with new or used mirrors. Mirror with cool electrical effects like turn signals and defrost cost more money to replace. Normally $150 or less.
Horn Horn must work. Price depends on issue. May require diagnostics.
Windows Windows must go up and down. If one of them doesn’t, something electrical or mechanic that allows the window to go up and down is broken. Doesn’t require a lot of diag. Normally a window motor or window regulator must be replaced. Usually less than $200 per window
Seatbelt Must operate. May be jammed or extremely frayed. Varies based on why its not operating
Windshield Cracked windshield on the driver’s side or that is too large to be safe must be replaced. Less than $300-400 depending on car
Headlights, taillights, turn signal, and all other exterior lights All exterior lights must be operating. Depends on if bulb is blown or there is a deeper electrical issue that requires diag. If a blown taillight expect to pay $10 or less. If is a blown headlight they vary from $20-$200 depending on your car.
Light assembly Headlight or taillight assembly’s (plastic housing the light is encased) cannot have damage or cracks larger than a quarter. Entire assembly must be replaced. Placing red duct tape over the plastic is clever but will not pass inspection! Can get one used which will be cheaper. $150.
Engine Mounts Hold engine in place under the hood so it doesn’t bounce around and vibrate while drive. New mounts must be installed. Varies based on how many mounts need to be replace (most engine have 3 or less) and the location of mount. These can range from $150 – $700.
Exhaust Exhaust leaks (will make a loud noise). Repair or replace exhaust. Varies but normally less than $500
Exhaust Power steering fluid and engine oil leaking onto exhaust (because flammable). Must find leak and fix. Repair or replace any damaged exhaust. Varies based on where the leak is occurring.
Tires Tire tread needs to be 2/32” or thicker to pass. Replace. $100-200 per tire.
Brakes Brake pad thickness must be 2/32” or thicker to pass. Rotors may also need to be replaced. Look to spend $150 per axle to replace just pads, $300-400 to replace pads and rotors.
Brake lines Brakes lines will fail if they are leaking or excessively corrosive and will need to be replaced. Varies depending on length that needs to be replaced. Very labor intensive so look to spend at least $350 and up.
Steering and Suspension Any excessive looseness of wheel or hub bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints, links and rods. Rubber/plastic bushings cracked, crazed, falling off or missing. Parts will need to be replaced. Varies but look to spend at LEAST $200 and up to $800
Struts and Shocks Leak and wear from use over time. Parts must be replaced. Look to spend about $300 per strut and up.
Axles Steering axle boots making excessive noise or leaking. Axle must be replaced Look to spend about $300 per axle and up.
Car Body No excessive body damage – safety issue and will need to be taken to an auto body shop. I hope you have insurance!
Car Frame No excessive rust on frame – safety issue. Send car to it’s funeral!

Protect Your Car and Your Wallet from Thieves

If you’ve needed any car repairs recently, you’re all too familiar with the rising price of car parts.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says those expensive parts are leading to more and more car thefts. Those numbers went up four percent in 2017.

The NICB is warning people, saying thieves are stealing cars and trucks to strip them and sell those parts on the black market. If you’re not careful, you could become a victim and be out thousands of dollars.

“It’s a very lucrative business for the car thieves. The parts are worth more than the car in total,” said Roger Morris, Chief Communications Officer at the NICB.

If thieves get a hold of your expensive car parts, replacing them can put a big dent in your wallet. Air bags and tailgates can run more than a thousand dollars, while doors cost at least $500 each.

“The airbags, the headlights, bumpers, doors, catalytic converters are all within minutes you can have them off the car and be gone with them,” said Jerry Leahy, Leahys Auto Body co-owner.

In NICB’s latest report, the 2016 Toyota Camry is the most stolen 2016 model and has 15 commonly replaced components valued at thousands of dollars.

“A thief can steal that vehicle very quickly and get $11,000 worth of parts very easy. That doesn’t even include the engine and the transmission,” said Morris.

There are several ways to not fall victim to thieves. The first one is simple and you’ve heard it, lock your car.

“Try to obviously put it in a garage if you have a garage or park it in some safe, well-lit space and don’t leave items in the car in the open so that people think, ‘Well at least I can break in and grab a few things,’ a laptop or a cell phone. That’s just an open invitation for a theft,” said Morris.

The NICB also recommends taking a second look at your auto insurance. Keep in mind, if you drop comprehensive coverage you’ll be fronting the costs of replacement parts out of pocket. Also, do your homework if and when you need an auto body shop.

“If it’s too good to be true maybe check the source where the part came from. Most shops, including us, would require the VIN number that the part came off of and that can be tracked to see if the car has been stolen,” said Leahy.

This increase in car thefts is really costing all drivers, because the more insurance companies are spending for these theft claims, the higher deductibles and premiums will climb.

Article originally appeared on CBS21 News