HOME     SERVICES     TECH TIPS     COUPONS     DIRECTIONS    CONTACT US     CODE OF ETHICS     MEMBERSHIPS     WARRANTEES

Tech Tips

Please Click on the links below to see tech tips.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE High mileage vehicle inspection and maintenance OBD I and prior check engine light The OBD II System What type of motor oil is recommended? Why cars need preventative maintenance Why timing belts need replacement AIR CONDITIONING Coping with chilling changes EPA finalizes CFC recovery rules What are the new rules for selling R12 AC refrigerant ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Battery keeps running down Can you replace a halogen headlight with an ordinary headlight? How do you know when a sensor needs to be replaced? How does the oxygen sensor work? What size battery is needed? Which engine sensors are the most inportant Why are there no returns on electrical and electronic parts? STEERING AND SUSPENSION Are struts simply oversized shock absorbers? Do wheels have to be realigned when struts are replaced? How do electronic suspension systems work? How do you know when a vehicle needs a new springs? How to tell if the FWD constant velocity joint needs replacing U.S. metal studded snow tire regulations What are the significant causes of excessive tire wear What do variable rate springs do? Why replace rack-and-pinion steering rather than rebuild it? Why should ball joints and tie rod ends be changed in pairs? Why should shocks and struts always be replaced in pairs? COOLING SYSTEMS Are molded radiator hoses better than flex hoses? How often should belts and hoses be replaced? What can make an engine overheat? What is the best way to fix a coolant leak? What kind of maintenance is recommended for the cooling system?

VEHICLE TUNE-UPS Basic emission control systems and what they do Do engines with distributorless ignitions need tune-ups? Is it better to clean or replace dirty fuel injectors? Is it better to rebuild or replace a carburetor or throttle body? What are the recommendations for changing filters? What are the rules for replacing catalytic converters? What causes spark knock, and how do you get rid of it? What kind of fuel hose is best? What should a complete tune-up include? Why are there many different types of spark plugs? ENGINE INFORMATION Difference between low-tension and ordinary piston rings How often should oil and oil filters be changed? Picking the right performance camshaft The crank seal has been replaced but it still leaks What is the difference between asbestos and non-asbestos gaskets? What kind of replacement pistons are best? What motor oil is recommended? What things should be included in a complete valve job? When replacing a camshaft, what other parts are recommended? Why do some engines use RTV sealer insted of gaskets? Why shouldn't torque-to-yield head bolts be reused? BRAKES AND EXHAUST ABS warning light Bleeding the brakes Brake calipers How thin can rotors and drums be safely turned? Can DOT 5 brake fluid be used instead of DOT 3 or DOT 4? Difference between four wheel ABS and rear ABS Turning new rotors or drums Periodically replacing brake fluid Replacement brake linings to recommend What is a good rotor surface finish What is included in a complete brake job What to recommend for cleaning brake parts EXHAUST SYSTEM INFORMATION