All Questions
4
votes
4answers
717 views
Uneven rotation sounds when my car gets to 50-60 MPH
My 2005 Mazda 3 with 73K miles (roughly 20K on the tires) on it starts to make a sound, just like your washing machine does when all of the clothes go to one side and its still spinning, when I get to ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
I lost my Mercedes smart key, how do I get a new one?
If I lose a Mercedes smart key fob, how do I get a replacement? Is there anything I should do to prevent the old key from being used if it was stolen?
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Car not starting: How likely that it's the fuel pump?
So I have a 1987 Hyundai Pony that was a little stubborn starting last time, but did run in the end. Then it sat for a couple of weeks. It's kind of cold (but not that cold—I'm in Vancouver). Now ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How to know if timing belt failure will result in immediate engine damage?
I own two cars: a 2003 Acura TL and a 2005 Volvo S60.
I've been told that depending on what car you drive, a failed timing belt can result in immediate engine damage.
I would like to know (not just ...
4
votes
2answers
233 views
Is it best to replace HID headlights in pairs?
I've heard that halogen headlights should be replaced in pairs. I've been wondering if the same is true of HID headlights. They are much more expensive, so I would like to avoid having to buy two of ...
4
votes
4answers
16k views
What is the difference between normal, platinum, iridium plugs?
What is the difference (besides price) between normal, platinum, and iridium spark plugs?
4
votes
2answers
339 views
Engine never warms up (actually: it cools down) at highway speeds
I have a 1997 Caravan (base model) and normally on my drive to work and my highway drives in rush-hour, the engine warms up just fine.
I took a road trip for work, about an hour and fifteen minutes ...
4
votes
2answers
899 views
Is 30k mile maintenance really required?
Is 30k mile maintenance really required? I have a subaru wrx '09 and the time has come for the check. I called the dealer after going through the manual. They quoted me 500+ for the check which ...
4
votes
1answer
370 views
Why should winter tires not be used at summer? [closed]
I heard a tire salesman say winter tires are dangerous in summer.
What are the structural and material features that make winter tires not suitable for summer use?
4
votes
5answers
380 views
All weather tires vs winter tires
I have a Honda Civic 2005 Value Package. The tires are worn out. I have moved to a location where there is heavy snow in winter. Are All-Weather Tires helpful or should I buy winter tires in winter ...
4
votes
1answer
833 views
Difference between high octane and low octane?
What is the difference between high octane and low octane fuel? I'm not asking if one is better than the other for my vehicle, specifically, but rather what occurs differently both scientifically and ...
4
votes
3answers
442 views
What happens if unsuitable oil is used in a vehicle engine?
I recently heard an urban legend-like story about a guy in a developing country who decided engine oil was too expensive and so used some vegetable oil instead. The story says the car ran for some ...
4
votes
2answers
512 views
does a car normally continue moving at a constant speed when in gear and the foot is taken off the accelerator pedal?
I remember when driving a passenger car, when I took my foot off the accelerator pedal completely, but remained in gear, the car would normally continue to move at some low speed, different for each ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Can a motorcycle's brake lever be bent back into shape?
I recently had a low speed spill on my bike leaving the brake lever rather bent. Can I bend it back (roughly) straight or it is likely to just break? Given that it is cast aluminium, I suspect is will ...
4
votes
1answer
500 views
Why might lower settings of a dashboard fan not work if the highest does?
My wife bought a Nissan Note second hand and the internal ventilation fan works on the highest setting (3 or 4) but not on the lower settings. We've checked the fuses and all seems fine there. Could ...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
1995 Mercury Mystique - No more cool air from AC
I've got a '95 Mercury Mystique that I have been trying to fix the A/C or for awhile (as budget allows). I just had an overhaul from the shop...
Had a new compressor installed - the old one had ...
3
votes
2answers
570 views
BMW 330D 2001 E46 Turbo Charger not working as expected after changing
I have a problem with my car.
My car:
BMW 330D, 135kw, 2001 year, E46.
A week ago my turbo charger got broken when I was driving. There was a lot of white smoke going out of exhaust and there was ...
3
votes
1answer
233 views
What bolt extractor will remove a broken motor mount bolt on a 2004 Subaru WRX?
Things were going slowly but well on my install last night until I sheared off the passenger side motor mount bolt while putting everything back together (at about midnight - sigh). Here are the key ...
3
votes
3answers
383 views
What should I do about PS0128 “Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)” error code?
I have a Mazda 6 and recently purchased the OBD 2 module and saw the check engine light with the PS0128 Error Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature).
I ...
3
votes
3answers
175 views
Dying car, at random intervals
So my 1996 Jaguar XJR is just stopping at random. It happens when the car is doing low RPM, like when I am coming/stading at a stop light.
Any ideas on where to start to troubleshoot this problem?
...
3
votes
2answers
243 views
Anything I should/can spray in the ductwork while I'm replacing the cabin air filter?
Every time I start the fan blower on my 99 VW gti after the car's been sitting overnight, I get this really nasty pungent disease kinda smell out of the vents. I open the windows and it blows away, ...
3
votes
2answers
436 views
Stuttering Accord at Stop Lights
My 1996 Honda accord with 200k miles has started acting up.
After a long vacation, I came back and the engine would seriously stutter at all speeds, especially on acceleration. I assumed it was fuel ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Clutch catches VERY low, is this bad?
This is similar to the 'clutch catches very high' question but obviously the opposite.
It's a Peugeot 206 X reg and I have had it since 30K miles and it has run fine and I and the previous owner ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
toyota corolla 2001 air duct smell
My 2001 Toyota Corolla recently started smelling very foul whenever the air system was turned on. According to the research I've done online, there is no cabin air filter to change. The glove box ...
3
votes
1answer
654 views
Stuff coming out from my AC
I recently left my car (Honda Accord) in the parking lot of my apartment complex for a little over a month while I was out of town. It was working fine when I left.
Now that I've come back, I've ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Why might SRS indicator light continuously?
After a trip to the beach, the SRS indicator in my 2003 Honda Civic is lit continuously. I don't think I have side airbags. A somewhat wet person sat in the passenger seat, and I moved the driver ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Will different tread depths hurt my 4 wheel drive?
I have a Ford F150 4x4. The front 2 tires treads measure 12/32, one rear is 6/32 and the other is 10/32. The dealership told me I should replace the rear 2 tires because the big difference in tread ...
3
votes
1answer
407 views
How to mark tires so they can be identified after theft?
A real-life situation: a car owner leaves his car near a multistoried building in the evening and in the morning he sees the car is standing on bricks and wheels are gone. He addresses the police and ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Best way to approach a tire with a bubble in the sidewall
I found a bubble in my front right tire's sidewall on my 2006 Mazda3 2.3L (FWD, open diff). So it needs to be replaced. The replacement tire will end up going on the rear as it's time to rotate them ...
3
votes
1answer
426 views
What is the procedure for replacing a belt tensioner pulley on a 2002 Subaru Outback?
My wife's 2002 Subaru Outback (the Legacy body) has approximately 100K miles on the odometer. Under acceleration, I'm hearing a sound like a possible failing belt tensioner. It's a very distinct ...
2
votes
0answers
72 views
Getting the best results sealing head gasket leak with Blue Devil
The 1998 Subaru Outback I've been having cooling system problems with turns out to have a combustion gas leak into the coolant. I suspected this but couldn't get a test to turn up anything; taking it ...
2
votes
2answers
64 views
What do these compression figures mean
This is a follow up question to What are the causes of fluctuating intake manifold vacuum
I have a 2005 Honda CBR600 F4i which suffers from occasional hesitation at low rpm when accelerating.
After ...
2
votes
3answers
365 views
Charger doesn't stay put in cigarette lighter outlet
The cigarette lighter outlet was never designed to be an electrical outlet the way it's commonly used today. Even so, I've yet to find a plug for charging USB devices that fits and doesn't fall out.
...
2
votes
2answers
268 views
My drivers side window no longer closes with one press of the button
I have an idea what may have failed but before I take my door off I thought I should ask here:
The drivers window switch has 5 positions, open (one press takes the window all the way to the bottom), ...
2
votes
4answers
510 views
Popping / Clunking noise coming from rear of vehicle
What could be causing a popping / clunking sound from the rear end of a 1996 Caprice? The sound is only present (or apparent at least) after the vehicle has been driven for a while and seems to ...
2
votes
2answers
330 views
Driver side front inside door handle does not work on a 1998 Ford Contour LX
The driver side front inside door handle and lock tab are not working on a 1998 Ford Contour LX I'm working on. There is no tension on either part. The only way to lock the door is from the outside ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Squeaky steering?
Before going off to college, I had my car carefully inspected by a trusted mechanic whom I asked to inform me of any major problems. That is to say, the car has none now.
However, I just noticed ...
2
votes
1answer
724 views
How do I repair the O2 sensor in a 2001 Toyota Camry?
I have a 2001 Toyota Camry and the O2 sensor near the front of the car is bad (this is confirmed by the code that the computer has returned).
Though I'm not particularly knowledgable about cars ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
Power vampire in car. Where do I start looking?
I have been to the car store four times and each time they tell me that the battery is good. A few of the cold-cranking amps (maybe at 50 or so, I don't remember the exact amount) are gone otherwise ...
2
votes
3answers
944 views
Squeaking Noise when Cold Start. Suspect something wrong with belts, Also engine missing when sudden acceleration desired from Total Stop
From the past few weeks whenever I crank my car there is a squeaking noise which may continue for about 30-60 sec or even longer (This is intermittent sometimes it doesn't really happen). The engine ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I diagnose a scraping sound when turning left?
My car is a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX with 72k miles. About three weeks ago I started noticing a scraping sound when I turn left. My mechanic did a courtesy check of alignment, balance and tire pressure ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Clunking sound at back of car when applying brakes
Since having my tires changed, I've been hearing a clunking sound from waht sounds like the back driver side of my car when I apply the brakes if they're applied jsut enoug to start slowing down the ...
2
votes
2answers
429 views
SRS indicator light keeps coming on, code 7-2 “Internal failure of SRS unit”
As in this question, my SRS light keeps coming on. I read the code using a paperclip in the OBDII connector, which is always code 7-2 "Internal failure of SRS unit", and then reset it using the SRS ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does my 3rd gear grind on shifting when RPMs are high on 2002 Audi TT?
This only happens when shifting into 3rd gear (on a 7 gear Audi TT).
If I shift when the RPMs are high (say over 2k) then there will be a horrible grinding noise. Instead I have to apply the clutch, ...
2
votes
1answer
796 views
hydraulic clutch fails to fully disengage
I have a 2005 Toyota Corolla Verso 2.0 D4D (UK model). The clutch does not disengage fully with clutch pedal fully pressed. This is a hydraulic clutch. When in gear and brake is released with clutch ...
2
votes
1answer
545 views
Adjust clutch on toyota tazz…
I took my car in for a service. Upon receiving it back I have to push the clutch in to it's absolute max before shifting gears. It wasn't like this before. If I can describe in terms of percentages it ...
2
votes
5answers
7k views
What can cause a vehicle to run hot, but not overheat?
Anyway, I have a Grand Am 2003 V6. It only has 80k miles. My car ran great when I got it(used), but at some point it began to have minor temperature problems. It would always run a little bit hotter ...
2
votes
2answers
734 views
Moving a dead power window in order to remove it
I have a 2005 Saturn Ion with a failed power window motor (front driver's side). The removal procedure requires that the window be lowered, but it's stuck up (closed).
How do I get the power window ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
How should I diagnose an exhaust “howl” when descending through 3200 rpms?
As mentioned previously, I have a 2004 WRX wagon with a stainless Prodrive circular-tip axle back installed around 2006. Lately, the weather has been nice enough to drive with the windows open and ...
2
votes
3answers
6k views
What is the proper way to extract a broken sparkplug?
When dealing with a car with aluminum head(s), what is the proper way to extract a broken sparkplug?
