|
The tire plug method or repairing tires is a mysterious thing. The first time you see one installed brings feelings of amazement and doubt. You're amazed that it held air but doubt it will last more than a day or two. The fact is that a proper tire repair will last forever. Why should you have to replace one of your tires with perfectly good tread just because a nail danced its way into your life?
|
|
|
There's nothing more frustrating than an intermittent problem with something we use as often as our power windows and locks. Sometimes they work fine, other times they don't. And then sometimes they just stop altogether. It's no fun being the guy at the toll booth who's inventing a new yoga move to pass the collector 50 cents through an open door. It could be a bad switch, motor or solenoid that's on its last legs causing your problems. But it could also be electronic leprechauns haunting your electrical system.
|
|
|
If you're new to About.com's Auto Repair Guide Site, let me say welcome. If you've made it this far you are obviously the type of person who likes to be in control of their life. Whether you do your own repairs and maintenance and want to brush up, or you've never even peeked under your hood, this site intends to leave you empowered.
|
|
|
If you're driving at night and all of a sudden find yourself navigating by moonlight, the last thing you want is to be stranded in the dark. Luckily you're in the Automotive Empowerment Zone and you know how to fix things when they go awry.
So your headlights are out. Chances are it's not a bulb since you just replaced your headlight bulb last week. Besides, what are the chances of both bulbs going at the same time? It's time to check the fusebox to see if anything blew.
|
|
|
If you forget to periodically check your headlights, there's a fleet of black-and-white cruisers who will gladly do it for you. Unfortunately they charge quite a bit, and that's if you don't have to show up in court with a picture of your car with both lights on to prove that you fixed it. So go ahead and take a peak at the front of your car. If you're lazy you can wait until you're behind a big trailer and check them from your driver's seat.
|
|
|
Make sure you've got everything ready to go before you start this project. Most important, be sure safety is at the front of your mind. You'll be taking the wheel off so be sure you have your car jacked up and resting securely on jackstands. Go ahead and break the lugs before you jack it up. It's much easier and safer with the wheel on the ground.
|
|
|
Let's get something on the table. This About.com Guide Site is all about Automotive Empowerment, which means that we are here to help you repair and maintain your car to the best of your abilities. A 5-minute read can prepare you to change your own air filter, but it will take a little more experience to tackle a clutch replacement. Our motto is "You Can Do It!" Knowing exactly when you can do it is key to your success as an empowered auto owner.
|
|
|
The EGR valve helps your car more efficiently and completely burn fuel by recirculating a portion of your exhaust and running it through the combustion process again. This results in a cooler, more complete burn of the fuel which decreases you car's noxious emissions by prohibiting the formation of some harmful gases. Buy Direct Pros
|
|
|
In the beginning, gas powered vehicles used a carburetor to get gas into the engine. This worked well, but when fuel injection came along, things changed quickly. Fuel injection, especially electronic fuel injection produces fewer emissions and greatly increases gas mileage.
|
|
|
The fuel injector is the last stop for fuel in your engine before it goes boom inside the combustion chamber. It is basically an electrically operated gate that opens just long enough to meter the perfect amount of fuel to run the engine. On one end of the gate is the cylinder where the gas is ignited, and on the other end is a whole bunch of gas under high pressure. When your car's brain (connected to a Mass Airflow Meter or MAF to take measurements) sends an electrical impulse to the injector, it opens the gate for an short burst of fuel.
|
|
|
