9
votes
2answers
4k views
Why would a new gas cap cause the “check engine” light to shut off?
This happened to a friend of mine: The "check engine" light came on in his truck (Toyota). He replaced the gas cap and the light shut off.
Then I also had a "check engine" light come on in my 1994 ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
Power Steering Fluid for 1997 BMW 528i?
I'm pretty sure my power steering fluid is low (and may even be leaking). I got the car used and I've been told that this model of BMW doesn't use standard power steering fluid. Does anyone know ...
10
votes
1answer
169 views
Will snow tire studs get rusty if a tire is washed before putting to storage?
Once snow tires are changed to warm-weather tires in spring it's tempting to wash them before putting to storage so that they don't stain stuff they come into contact with. One concern is that studs ...
18
votes
3answers
5k views
Is there a way to put Prius with dead battery into neutral?
I own a 2010 Prius. It has a dead battery, front facing forward in my garage. I do not have long enough jumper cables.
I’ve searched the Internet. Did Toyota really create a car that cannot be put ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
When car is standing still, I smell Diesel exhaust. Why?
In my 2003 Opel Vectra, the cabin air smells of Diesel exhaust while stopped at e.g. a red light.
The exhaust smell goes away when driving, and it also doesn't come back if I turn the ventilation off ...
3
votes
3answers
331 views
Coolant still in expansion tank after draining from engine and radiator — BMW E46 (2003 330i)
I attempted to do a cooling system flush today (along with replacement of radiator hoses, water pump and thermostat).
After removing the blue drain plug (my car only had one, apparently some cars ...
4
votes
3answers
106 views
What is the name of this part on a 2003 Mazda Protege5?
I'm coming up empty-handed on a Google search so maybe I'm not searching with the right vocabulary.
I have 2 LEDs out and I'm not sure if the single bulb can be replaced or if it's one single part ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Timing belt sound - time to replace?
I know very little about motor vehicle maintenance and repair, so please forgive me if this is a stupid question.
Recently my car started making a puttering sound ("puh-puh-puh..."). I took it to the ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Slight deformation of rear bumper
After a low-speed parking lot encounter with a brick wall, the rear bumper on my e36 m3 has about a 1" gap from the body panel right above it, on the right wheel-well. It looks as if someone facing ...
2
votes
1answer
271 views
What damage could Gasoline “95E10” do to my Yaris?
In Europe, the standard was to have 95e5 fuel (RON 95 gasoline with 5% ethanol). New guidlines however, make that countries are switching to selling 95e10 (10% ethanol). Finland e.g. (where I live) ...
3
votes
2answers
292 views
Occasional Vibration at specific highway speeds.
Symptom: At certain speeds (70 mph, 40 mph, etc.) there is a noticeable vibration.
Vehicle: 1998 GMC Sonoma (2 wheel drive)
The vehicle was purchased used and had similar symptoms at the time. ...
3
votes
1answer
600 views
Rear Drum brake scraping and brake pulsating
I recently had a lug nut stud replaced on one of my rear tires. I believe they had to take apart the drum brake to remove the old stud and install the new one.
That same day I heard a scraping which ...
4
votes
4answers
3k views
What is the best overall ODB2 scan tool?
There are a number of different ODB2 scan tools out there, some PC based, some standalone units, some more for tuning and some more for diagnosing problems.
What are the different features that these ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Would a 06-08 Saturn radio fit into a 2002 LW-200?
I own a 2002 Saturn LW-200, with the stock radio/CD which doesn't have an auxiliary input. I want to replace the radio with one that has aux-in, so I can get rid of my crappy FM transmitter to listen ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views
Is it practical to store a gasoline powered scooter in an apartment?
From my experience with gasoline powered tools they are quite "dirty" - fuel and oil spill rather frequently and also there's a rather annoying smell of gasoline around. I'd expect the same from a ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
How will a hybrid electric vehicle electric drive perform in severe frost?
Every description of hybrid electric vehicles goes to lengths explaining how good it is that an electric motor can be used in cases where the internal combustion engine is not very efficient and thus ...
3
votes
2answers
546 views
Marine Diesel fuel filter vacuum gauge spiked — filters are new
I've got an 80-HP marine diesel engine (in a sailboat, naturally).
I've got a the Parker/Racor 75500MAX dual fuel filter system with an attached vacuum gauge to monitor resistance.
For the first few ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Stuck seatbelt on a 1998 Plymouth Breeze
I have a 1998 Plymouth Breeze that has a drivers seat belt that is stuck so that in does not roll out so that it can be used but it does not roll back in either, it's just stuck extended part way. ...
2
votes
1answer
290 views
2006 Toyota Corolla Jerks while coasting
I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla with roughly 65k miles. Problem I'm experiencing is that every now and then she will give a couple of jerks while coasting along. Most of the time the car is traveling ...
2
votes
2answers
146 views
1991 Bonneville Idles Poorly When Stopped
Recently my '91 Bonneville has been having an issue with idling while stopped, which may or may not have coincided with Service Engine Soon light turning on. The main symptom is an overall drop in the ...
0
votes
1answer
469 views
Central Locking not unlocking on drivers door on a W Reg Skoda Felicia
All packed and ready to go, and the door won't unlock!! Had to climb through the boot, as the passenger lock has never worked (just spins and spins).
No prior issue, just woke up and it had gone. ...
2
votes
1answer
172 views
Do I really need to use that expensive grade of fuel? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the benefits of premium (high octane) petrol?
The owner's manual that comes with my car says that I should use the more expensive higher octane fuel for the ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How to recharge AC using booster from auto parts store?
The AC on my 2002 Chevy Cavalier stopped blowing cold in the fall and I had planned on getting it checked out and recharged once the AC check specials started. I saw this for $30 and it seems too ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Rear Brakes on 2003 Chevy Tracker
Went to replace the rear brake shoes and drums on a 2003 chevy tracker and when I pulled off the drum the adjuster, adjuster spring and pawl lever were not hooked up, they were just laying in there. ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Clutch catches VERY high, is this bad?
I have a '98 Rodeo and the clutch catches extremely high up the pedal. It's probably 1-2" down (90% up in the travel). The clutch does not slip at all and the car runs great. Is this indicative of ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Mustang charging system warning light on, but battery and alternator both passed testing?
I have a Mustang that the battery light stays on.
I changed the battery and the alternator was checked by Autozone, they said it was good.
I need help
2
votes
2answers
10k views
Symptoms of Lean or Rich carb settings on a motorcycle.
I have a 1981 Yamaha xs650. I recently put in K&N stock replacement filter (ie, they are in the airbox and conform to the size of the original), however they may be leading to a leaner mixture ...
5
votes
1answer
480 views
Heater smells like sulfur
I drive a 2006 Toyota Sienna. When driving with the heater on I often smell sulfur. This is more common when I am driving up a hill, but if I turn the heater off, the smell goes away. What causes this ...
2
votes
1answer
366 views
Turning back rust on frame welds on a FJ Cruiser
I recently purchased a 2007 FJ cruiser up here in the north where we use lots of salt. The only issue I noticed with this vehicle (and about half of the FJs I looked at) was rust developing along the ...
2
votes
1answer
430 views
Where is the fuel filter(s) located on a 2006 VW Golf?
I have an occasionally stuttering 2006 VW Golf (Mk4) with 160k miles that I believe is caused by a partially blocked fuel filter.
Are there multiple fuel filters (i.e.- one in the fuel tank and one ...
4
votes
2answers
699 views
What's wrong with my intermittent air conditioner?
When the weather first starting getting warm last month, I turned on my A/C and it didn't work. The air coming out of the vents was warm and humid. A few days later it started working just fine and ...
14
votes
5answers
37k views
what is the difference between DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluids?
What is the difference between DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluids?
What could possibly go wrong if I use a (4 times cheaper) DOT3 brake fluid instead of the DOT4 which manufacturer recommends (but allows ...
2
votes
2answers
361 views
unusual noise when switching into the second gear - other gears are fine
Almost every time I switch into the second gear, a quite loud crackle sound is heard shortly. It only happens when switching into the second gear, other gears are fine. I depress the clutch fully of ...
1
vote
3answers
154 views
Steering Wheel Replacement on a 25 year old car
I've got an '85 Corvette, and the steering wheel is really beat to hell so I'm looking to replace it with a more modern and sporty wheel.
What I'm looking to find out:
Is this a safe repair to do ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
430 views
How to start a car which was unused for a year? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time.
I left my car in a driveway for a year. I read that I shouldn't try to jump it because the battery might explode. ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
310 views
engine underpowered in idle - what can be done to improve a diesel engine power at low RPM just a bit?
There is an engine which is a bit underpowered when idling, it can not even keep the car moving on a flat road when in gear and idling at 700..800 RPM - see link.
What can be done to improve its ...
3
votes
1answer
245 views
What is the best way to prevent rust when cutting in your car's body?
For example, I want to cut a hole in the car's front left fender, to fit a snorkel.
What is the best way to prevent rusting on the exposed metal on the edge of the cut?
4
votes
2answers
130 views
How to convert a gasoline powered vehicle to all electric.
I would like to convert a Ford Escort to an Electric Vehicle (EV). I would like to have a 40-60 mile cruising range and would not need to go faster than 55 MPH.
Can you recommend a conversion kit (or ...
4
votes
1answer
381 views
The ebrake light in my car stays on when the ebrake is disengaged, should I be concerned?
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus Station Wagon, and the ebrake light stays on when the ebrake is disengaged, should I be concerned?
I tried tramping down on the ebrake peddle really hard and then ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
446 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
517 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
353 views
Audi 2001 A6 security system preventing car from starting
My father-in-law has an Audi A6 and randomly the security system prevents the car from starting, you can open the doors with the remote, but the car won't start.
The only remedy is to unlock the door ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Least wear-and-tear, most fuel efficient method of coasting in a manual transmission car? [closed]
I drive a manual transmission '08 Honda Fit.
On my daily 17 mile commute to work, there are three long hills that I can coast down, each about a half mile long. Going down these hills, I've done two ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
Patch A/C condenser?
I have a small leak at the top of my air conditioning condenser.
Last summer, I tried patching it with JB Weld. They do advertise as working with all metals, but I suspect it failed to hold because ...
