Cars & other Vehicles 2024, November

Fuses have been designed to protect the most important parts of an electrical system from overheating and subsequent damage. When a sudden and dangerous wave of current flows through the circuit, the wire inside the fuses "breaks" and interrupts the connection.

If you own a late 1990s or early 2000s General Motors (GM) vehicle made by Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, or Pontiac, your stock radio will "freeze" if you disconnect the battery. In this case you will need to enter a code into the radio to be able to use it again after reconnecting the car battery, but in most workshops they will charge you a lot of money to get the code for you.

Each car comes out of the dealership warehouse with emblems. Most of them consist of the make, model, trim and possibly the dealership logo. Older cars have the emblems directly inserted into the sheet metal with holes, but today, for the most part, they are attached with a strong adhesive that does not damage the paint.

When driving on wet, slippery and snow-covered surfaces, snow chains are absolutely essential for safety. While these tools may sound complex, the basic concept is pretty simple: put the chains on the tires, slowly move the car forward and tighten them.

It is very important to regularly check your car battery electrolytes (which are not just water) for two reasons: firstly because they are subject to natural evaporation and secondly because a small amount of liquid separates into oxygen and hydrogen each time you charge.

Here you will find instructions on how to remove and install a car engine. You can do it, but know that it is a big job. If you can, let it be done in a workshop, otherwise keep reading. Steps Step 1. Position the vehicle where you will be able to keep the lift level You will need to drain liquids, and lots of light.

Car windows can get dirty and scratched making it difficult to see. When you find any light scratches on your car glass, consider removing them by polishing the glass. The first step in polishing the glass is to clean the inside and outside.

This information is derived from the Workshop Manual for a 2002 Ford Explorer, but can still be used for all Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Mercury Mariner from 2002 to 2005. Steps Step 1. Remove the rim with the rubber Ask an assistant to hold down the brake pedal to prevent the rear axle from rotating.

Changing the old pillars is a way to keep the car stable at high speeds, thus ensuring a comfortable, safe and peaceful journey. They are spring structures made to absorb shocks and have been an essential part of cars since the 1950s. Over time they wear out and can break if you drive on particularly rough terrain, resulting in a deep snap when turning.

The passenger compartment ceiling can get dirty over time due to contact with hands, hair, skin and other objects. Since the fabric that covers it is glued, you need to be sure that the cleaning technique and detergents do not damage the laminate and the glue.

Scratches on car paint can be frustrating, even if they are small. They can be caused by trees with low branches, other cars or doors, shopping carts, pets, toys, or sports equipment. To get rid of it, you won't have to completely repaint your car or pay a lot.

A car battery provides the electrical energy needed to start the engine and power all the various electronic devices when the car is not in motion. Although a car battery is normally charged by the alternator when the car is in motion, it may happen that the battery is flat and needs to be connected to a charger.

The braking system of a car is essential for the safety of the vehicle. Without working brakes it is impossible to slow down or stop when necessary. Solving the problems associated with this system is not always a simple task. Each component must be in good condition to work properly and recognizing malfunctions requires some knowledge of mechanics and the ability to diagnose the specific damage.

If you have to leave your car, boat, camper, tractor unattended, or just want a deterrent for thieves, know that an emergency battery switch is very useful. Furthermore, disconnecting the battery when you leave the vehicle stationary for a long time prevents it from discharging.

The braking speed of a vehicle is more important than its acceleration. Despite warning lights indicating a decreased fluid level in the main reservoir, a car's brakes can stop working quite unexpectedly. Here are some general tips on how to change your brake hoses although the procedures may vary slightly depending on the vehicle.

Insects, resin and tar can accumulate on your car's surface and penetrate through the paint, leaving bad marks and compromising visibility. Fortunately, all of these three substances can be removed without much effort. Read on to find out how to remove any sticky residue from your car to make it shine like the first day.

The piercing screech emitted by the windshield wipers makes any storm a truly unpleasant experience. This noise is often caused by dirt on the windshield or wiper blades, so you need to clean them thoroughly. If you don't get satisfactory results, try to fix common problems like stiffened rubber strips or loose bolts;

Changing the fuel filter is part of routine vehicle maintenance and extends the life of the fuel pump. This element retains the residues present in the fuel, but over time it becomes clogged and its performance decreases; a blocked filter reduces the pressure and volume of gasoline in the fuel system.

Most passenger cars, except some electric and hybrid models, have a hydraulic power steering system that allows the driver to turn the steering wheel without too much effort. The system consists of several elements: a rack and a pinion connected to the front wheels;

Seat belts are essential devices for the safety of car passengers; however, they can become soaked with sweat or get dirty with coffee and food splashes. Unfortunately, it is also very easy to forget them during normal cleaning, as a result of which stench, stains and even mold become quite common.

All blackout films for cars, sooner or later, must be replaced. In fact, over time, two very feared symptoms may appear, discoloration, from black to a purple hue, or the formation of annoying air bubbles. The change in tone is caused by the non-metallic dyes present in the film which deteriorate over time.

In the cold months, the car's doors can freeze, and this usually occurs at the wrong time. You may end up with a door that cannot be opened, a fully locked lock, or both at the same time. However, this is not a problem without a solution; with a little preparation, some knowledge and a little ingenuity, you can get into the cockpit in no time.

If you want to get the most out of your engine, you can optimize its power by changing the air flow, the exhaust system and overall performance. To get the most efficiency out of your vehicle there are a few things you can do, read on. Steps Part 1 of 2:

You are slowing down to stop at a traffic light and find that the brakes are soft and the pedal is depressed. This may be a sign that air has entered the brake hoses. Bleeding the brakes is a two-person job and requires a coordinated effort.

Many Toyota cars are equipped with a filter for the air that enters the passenger compartment, which reduces the amount of dust and debris inside the ventilation system. It should be replaced every 16,000 km or according to the instructions given in the vehicle manual;

The lambda probe is an important piece of the car engine; it is part of the emission control system, is the size of a spark plug and tests the oxygen levels in the exhaust gases. When dirty it triggers the engine light to come on and could burn more fuel.

Bleeding the brake pump is a very simple job, but it is essential to make sure that the system is safe and free of air; the air is in fact compressible, while the brake fluid does not have this characteristic. You should first drain the fluid from the pump by placing it on a work table and then repeat the procedure after installation on the vehicle.

Perhaps the time has come to change the car suspension and you have decided to take the opportunity to make some changes or you have a vehicle or van that you have to use for work carrying or towing heavy loads and you must necessarily switch to a suspension system improve.

If the car does not start, the problem could be lurking in several places. The first three things you should check are the starter motor and battery, fuel supply and ignition - one of these is likely to be responsible. Begin to narrow down the possibilities to understand what to do to fix the vehicle.

A flat tire is the most frequent inconvenience when driving. When you don't have the spare wheel, you only have a couple of solutions left. This article will tell you how to fix it. Steps Method 1 of 2: Sealant Step 1. Read the instructions on the can of sealant you have available Depending on the manufacturer, there may be slightly different usage warnings.

If you have a problem with the vehicle's cooling system, one of the causes could be the radiator. This element is designed to disperse the heat that the coolant absorbs as it circulates in the engine; however, a drop in fluid level caused by a leak or spoiled antifreeze could affect its performance.

Fuel injectors are sophisticated components that serve to deliver the right mixture of fuel and air to a vehicle's engine. The small cylindrical injectors play a unique role in the complex fuel system, along with other elements such as the petrol pump and the fuel tank.

Self-service car washes are cheap and allow you to wash your car thoroughly; these stations are almost similar to each other and simple to use. If you show up at the car wash with enough banknotes or coins and an elementary knowledge of the various options available, you can thoroughly wash your vehicle while saving money compared to automatic stations and gaining greater control over the quality of cleaning.

When the brake warning light comes on, the brakes do not respond or the brake pedal goes down you may have a brake fluid leak. Another clue could be a puddle of liquid under the machine: the liquid is colorless and not as thick as engine oil, but has the consistency of normal cooking oil.

Mmm. Did you perhaps hit a hole that you didn't see the other day? Does your car now "pull" to the right or to the left? Or does the steering wheel have too much "play"? You can answer these questions by doing an alignment and convergence check and a road test.

Changing the timing belt is one of those things that scare car owners the most because it is a long and usually very expensive job when done by a mechanic. Most of the time, it is simply the chain tensioner that malfunctions, not always the belt (unless it is really old).

The ignition coil, a vital component of any vehicle's starting system, is responsible for providing electricity to the spark plugs. When a car does not start, starts hard or stalls frequently, this element may have problems and needs to be replaced.

The front brakes are disc brakes on all modern cars. The front brakes usually provide 80% of the braking force and, for this reason, they tend to wear more quickly than the rear ones. Replacing the entire block yourself - pads, calipers and disc - is pretty straightforward if you know what you're doing, and it saves you a lot of money.

Proper radiator maintenance is essential to ensure your car is always running at full throttle and to avoid costly engine damage due to overheating. It's not a particularly difficult job, but some of you may need a manual like the Haynes or the Chilton in case you run into any difficulties.

The car doors can freeze when water enters between the seal and the pillar or in the lock, preventing you from opening them; to get into the car you have to melt the ice with heat or with a solvent, such as alcohol. Steps Method 1 of 3: