7
votes
1answer
6k views
Brakes make grinding noise during stops at low speeds
I've got a Mazda B2300 pickup that's started making a grinding sound whenever I come to a stop. Braking at a high speed doesn't make any noise, but once I get under 25-30 MPH, the grinding sound gets ...
7
votes
2answers
179 views
My mazda milenia wont rev past 2500 rpm
So I just recently bought a 2000 Mazda Milenia s Millennium edition,and on my first day out with it, I experienced a very unusual problem. After about 20 minutes of driving the car wouldn't rev past ...
7
votes
3answers
889 views
Is it better to drive across a speed bump at a right angle or slightly skewed?
I'm wondering if it is better for your suspension to drive across a speed bump at a right angle (so that the two front tires and the two rear tires hit the bump at the same time, respectively), or at ...
7
votes
1answer
498 views
What is the cause of belt squeak in the morning?
For the past month or so my 2003 Honda Accord squeaks in the morning when I start driving to work. After a couple of minutes of driving the squeak stops. I'm pretty sure it's from the belt area. What ...
7
votes
3answers
381 views
What problems may occur if clutch is not used?
I was curious about what problems may arise if clutch is not used when shifting gears. Are the problems similar for both cars and bikes?
7
votes
1answer
2k views
Where can I find my car's colour code?
I'm currently shopping around for a touch-up pen to repair some very light scratches on my car. I've found out that our local hardware automotive store can mix the exact colour for any vehicle. ...
7
votes
2answers
5k views
What is BCM(Body Control Module) in a car?
I own a Fiat Grande Punto. Recently I was told by the authorized auto workshop that the BCM in my car has failed and needs to be fixed.
So i have two questions regarding that -
What is a BCM and ...
7
votes
2answers
7k views
How to test for defective glow plugs?
On a diesel engine, how can I know which glow plugs are defective, and can I change these only?
7
votes
2answers
128 views
Can my tire blowout be attributed to a lower speed rating?
Yesterday I had a tire blowout. When I visited a tire shop (Costco Tire Center) afterward, the person there told me that my tires are under-rated for my vehicle. My vehicle is a Honda Accord 2002, ...
7
votes
3answers
709 views
How long can I drive on a donut spare?
This is a pretty common question and I get a lot of conflicting responses from "Extremely dangerous could blow out at any minute" to "I've driven on it for a month". A mechanic at midas told me I ...
7
votes
3answers
460 views
Is it harmful to drive at high rpms
Does driving at high RPMs (3000-3500) in a manual transmission car cause any extra wear and tear to any mechanical parts? It obviously hurts gas mileage, but does it hurt anything else?
7
votes
3answers
5k views
Timing Chain vs. Timing Belt
What is the service life of a timing chain and how does having a chain drive cam benefit from a belt drive cam and vice-versa?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the benefits to waxing a modern car?
I was taught that waxing a car helped protect the finish by preventing damage from the elements - water, salt, etc.. The first vehicles I owned (a 1981 Impala and a 1978 Thunderbird) developed larges ...
7
votes
2answers
449 views
Should a mechanical “click” Torque Wrench be set to zero when not in use?
I have a standard click torque wrench. I was told I should set it to zero when not using it in order to keep the accuracy high. Is this true?
Secondly, I have not been doing this since I purchased ...
7
votes
1answer
429 views
How to interpret tire condition
What information can be gleaned by visual inspection of a set of tires on a car? How would I interpret excessive wear on the outside edge of the tires vs. wear on the inside vs. wear in the center? ...
7
votes
2answers
81 views
Is there a measurable benefit to replacing spark plug wires?
My 92 Civic has very old spark plug wires, probably original, but their resistance is in-spec (under 20k ohms), they have no external damage, and the vehicle has no misfire or other symptoms ...
7
votes
1answer
75 views
Should I replace the Timing belt in 2004 Kia
I own a 2004 Kia Spectra. It only has 47,000 miles on it (I don't drive much) When I had the transmission fluid changed they said the 3 outer belts needed to be replaced due to dry rot. I am in ...
7
votes
3answers
389 views
What to know before buying and OBD-II reader
I read the features to look for in an OBD-II reader, but I am curious if getting one is the right move. I'm just planning to get a cheap one, which is proving to be interesting shopping local. What I ...
7
votes
3answers
735 views
How do you get the carburetors out of a 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000 P?
It's a 4-cylinder engine, and the carbs are really wedged in there. The best way I know is to loosen the boots on both sides, pull the carbs back, and try to slip them out sideways, but what a pain! ...
7
votes
2answers
466 views
Wire a headphone jack into a head unit
I have a tape deck in my car which only gets used to read one of those dummy tapes that feeds from a 3.5mm headphone jack. I have no use for a CD player and would not like (nor can I afford) a new ...
7
votes
2answers
70 views
Extending the Cargo Space of a 2007 Honda Fit
My wife and I are moving 1,000 miles away. Because we have dogs, we have to drive. We don't have enough stuff to merit a moving van, so we are loading up her 2007 Honda Fit with all of our worldly ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the life expectancy of a Honda Civic Hybrid Continuously Variable Transmission?
I have a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid with continuously variable transmission (CVT). At the 90k tuneup, the mechanic added 3.5 quarts of the regular automatic transmission fluid. At 110,000 miles, the ...
7
votes
1answer
108 views
Tires stick when turning after a car wash
I have a 2010 F-150 that just went through a car wash. After the car wash, I immediately noticed that the turning feels reduced/impaired. Specifically, when I have the steering wheel turned more ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Good template for keeping maintenance records?
I'm looking for ideas on templates to use to record service for multiple vehicles. Excel is preferred format, but open to all in interest of gathering ideas. Anyone have any templates?
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Is Start & Stop technology good or bad for my car? (Alfa MiTO)
I was recently in the lucky position to obtain an (almost brand new) Alfa Romeo MiTo, Progression. Like many new cars coming out these days, it has "Start & Stop" technology that turns the engine ...
7
votes
3answers
233 views
Are used tires valuable?
I'm in the process of having my 1994 Corolla being picked up for recycling. Currently the car is equipped with relatively unused winter tires with excellent tread.
Are used winter tires valuable? ...
7
votes
5answers
943 views
2001 Ford Explorer clunk during turns, especially inclines or bumps
I have an early-model (it has 2000 model brakes) 2001 Ford Explorer that demonstrates a noticeable (tactile and somewhat loud) clunk occasionally during turns.
It seems to be much more likely when ...
7
votes
1answer
578 views
Is this what is making my car sound like a racecar?
Recently, my car (2000 Mercury Grand Marquis) started sounding like a racecar: the engine became very loud. There's clearly something going wrong with the exhaust system. I'm trying to understand ...
7
votes
3answers
89 views
Gas mileage down significantly the last few tanks: what should I look for?
The gas mileage in my car is degraded significantly the last three tanks. What should I look for? Details of the vehicle are below, but this question could also apply to anyone who sees this problem ...
7
votes
2answers
183 views
What factors affect the maximum air pressure that should be put in a vehicle's tires?
For just about every car, there's at least two different "maximum tire pressure" ratings.
The vehicle manufacturer's rating. This is usually found on a sticker attached to the driver's door.
The ...
7
votes
2answers
758 views
Oil in air intake: is this a faulty breather valve or by design?
I noticed the other day that a component (breather valve) was not fitted properly (the clip that held the valve cover breather in place was sitting between the O-ring and the lip, instead of fastening ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Honda Civic (2004) gauge cluster is intermittently dead
My 2004 Honda Civic gauges have started failing in an intermittent way. When this happens, all the gauges (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, temp, LCD odometer) all read zero. When the gauges are in ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
how to optimize fuel consumption by changing the rear differential ratio?
Is it possible to improve the fuel consumption (decrease it) in my van by changing the rear differential ratio? I would like to optimize it for low-speed driving about 40 km/h (25 mph).
Is it true ...
7
votes
1answer
172 views
Finding And Fixing A Short
Make: Chevy
Model: Cavalier
Year: 1993 (old I know)
Symptoms
Turn signal no longer works. The lights do not come on, and there is no "ticking" sound.
New Fuse for signal blows as soon as the car ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it OK to mix oil of different viscosity?
I have a Mazda RX-8 (with a Wankel rotary engine). Mazda advises North American owners to use 5W-20 oil. The engine was just replaced 200 miles ago by the dealer so it currently has 5W-20 in it.
...
7
votes
2answers
4k views
What would be the most likely cause of engine sputter?
Most of the time my 2001 Honda Civic sounds like this... Vrooooooom. But some times when I start driving it sounds like this... Vrooom putt pa putt pa putt pa vrooooom. When it's in the "putt pa ...
7
votes
1answer
433 views
how can I measure the amount of fuel injected into a diesel engine in real time in a purely mechanic pre-OBD vehicle?
This is a Mercedes-Benz 308D van, year 1992, model 602.316. Pre-OBD, no electronics of any sort, everything is purely mechanical.
I would like to retrofit a system which would measure the precise ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
What would cause motor mounts to go out on a factory engine?
I got my factory motor mounts replaced on my 2000 eclipse at 175k miles. I am now at 189k and the mounts blew again. I can hear the same rattling and squeaking.
I had the spark plugs and valve cover ...
6
votes
7answers
6k views
Diesel vs Petrol motorcars. Pro's and cons?
I realize this may be a silly question to those of you on here who are proper petrol-heads and this may even be a repeat question, but I could not find anything on it on here, so here goes:
What are ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Can radiator cool down a car too much?
Recently they replaced my stock radiator with aftermarket one (at dealership, so I hope they knew what they were doing), and since then I feel that a car is not warming up enough.
Even if I warm it ...
6
votes
3answers
236 views
Car enthusiast beginner kit
What is a good place to begin building a kit/set up for performing your own service?
For ex:
oil changes
waxing
detailing
What is the best starting equipment one can start on?
6
votes
4answers
81 views
What to check for when purchasing a used and/or imported motor
I'm planning to perform a motor swap on a Z32 chassis (1990-1996) 300zx twin turbo. Low mileage japanese motors are plentiful and cost a bit less than motors sourced from US cars. The specs and ...
6
votes
3answers
230 views
Tire runs flat every 30 days [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to fix leaky tires after 2 shops couldn't
Ever since I bought my car new I have had one tire that goes to 20psi every 30 days. Discount tire said theres no ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
What colour should power steering fluid be?
Recently started shopping for first car, so want to know as much as possible when going into a sale.
Car I looked at recently has a brown dirty colour in the power steering reservoir, but the stuff ...
6
votes
4answers
624 views
Subsitute for Leaded Gas
I have an old '73 240-Z that I am fixing up in class. Once I get it running, will I need to add something to the gas? I know that old cars ran on leaded fuel, the lead lubricating the parts as it ...
6
votes
3answers
525 views
Third brake light (LED) test
I have a 2008 Honda Civic and the 3rd brake light is having an issue. It seems in the morning (first cold start) it works when I depress the brake (I can see it light up the rear window). But after a ...
6
votes
3answers
568 views
How effective are exhaust patch kits?
How effective are exhaust patch kits in terms of longevity and limiting noise and leakage?
Specifically I'm looking at using the kind that consist of heat-activated tape, an aluminium sheet and two ...
6
votes
6answers
258 views
Tips for an oil change at home: cleanliness and disposal?
Drain oil, add new oil... find oil everywhere. It spills, the funnel is full of it when I'm done and drips forever, and I'm pouring kitty litter all over the driveway. If I had a proper garage this ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
What is a good car to start with if I want to learn auto repair?
A couple of other "getting started" questions have been closed (as redundant with these questions), so I hope that my question is different and specific enough.
I'm interested in learning to repair ...
6
votes
4answers
16k views
Cold start squeaking noise in engine
I just purchased a used 2010 Corolla 3 days ago. I've only now noticed that when I start the car, there is a squeaking sound coming from the engine. It lasts no more than a second. Sounds like it ...
