Today’s vehicles rely upon an intricate web of electronic controls to increase operating efficiency, and to reduce emissions output. Such technology initially arose in the 1970s, under regulatory pressure from the US government, in a bid to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. Modern vehicles are now able to monitor their own performance, thereby making on-the-fly … Read more
For the average motorist, few circumstances are as frustrating as that which surrounds the sudden appearance of oily residue on the driveway. This, of course, is the tell-tale sign of a fluid leak, which indicates that your vehicle is experiencing a mechanical issue of one sort or another. Be this as it may, one must … Read more
Do you need a large truck because you are a “mountain man”? You’re just looking to get out there in the wilderness, do some 4 x 4 driving, and haul cords of lumber because you live out in the country and a truck is the only way to get it done. If you want to … Read more
Try as we might, it is simply impossible to wish away all that can potentially ail our vehicles. If one drives enough miles, they will eventually face mechanical hardship of one sort or another. However, not all mechanical issues are the same, either in type or severity, which creates a “luck of the draw” type … Read more
Today’s vehicles are designed to operate in the most efficient manner possible, making the most out of each combustion cycle. This is accomplished through the monitoring of engine-related data, by a dedicated engine computer, known as an ECM. This computer relies upon feedback from various sensors when determining appropriate fuel trims and throttle plate positioning. … Read more
If you are having cooling system problems with your car, truck, or SUV, such as intermittent or continuous elevated engine temperature, the presence of a cold lower radiator hose may help in the diagnosis of the problem. This can be true because a cold lower hose is an indicator that coolant (antifreeze) is not properly … Read more
Do you remember the opening chariot race in Ben Hur? There is a moment in the race where the camera zooms in on the wheel and you can see a bunch of daggers poking out from the centerpoint of the wheel as it gets towards our main character’s chariot. This is meant to be a … Read more
Today’s vehicles are nothing short of highly complex when compared to those of previous generations. Modern vehicles rely upon a series of sensors and circuits, as well as several control modules, to facilitate proper operation. In most cases, these electronics are now tasked with completing many of the same jobs that were once controlled in … Read more
The last thing you want to deal with when you’re driving down the road is a check engine light. But for millions of drivers, that’s exactly what happens each year. So, you rush to read the OBD-II code, but then what? Well, if you have a code P0118, we’ll walk you through everything you need … Read more
If you log enough years behind the wheel, you will inevitably find yourself faced with a number of peculiar issues. Why you might not immediately recognize the cause of such puzzling issues, you are likely to understand that something is amiss. Under these circumstances, further investigation is warranted. One scenario of this nature is that … Read more