All automobiles and trucks incorporate a method to deliver power from the engine to the wheels. This method for the majority of modern passenger vehicles (excluding most two wheel drive pickup trucks) involves the use of two or more constant velocity (CV) axles. In this article we will explain what a CV axle is and … Read more
This article will discuss engines installed in automobiles sold in the United States since 1961. Engines built since that year will include a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, developed to help reduce engine emissions under regulations placed in effect at that time by the Federal Government. Positive crankcase ventilation eliminated crankcase venting systems that simply … Read more
Few things can be more frustrating than having the dreaded Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminate in your dash. While it’s true that many causes of a lit CEL are relatively minor in nature, you don’t want to take any chances so you’ll want to do one of two things: If you have an OBD2 diagnostic … Read more
If you’ve owned a car for even a short length of time, you should be aware that the engine oil level must be periodically checked. That’s because most gasoline and diesel engines slowly consume (or leak) their lubricating oil. Even your shiny new car will experience some oil consumption over time. And if the oil … Read more
There are two seasons in the life of your car, truck, or SUV where the interior can smell bad. The first may occur following several years of smell-free ownership. The second may take place immediately following purchase if you have bought a pre-owned vehicle. In either case, the result is the air coming from your … Read more
Overfilling your cooling system is not a good idea. In this article we will discuss what can happen if you overfill your coolant, how to remove excess coolant, and how to correctly top off your coolant. But first let’s look under the hood and examine the two different types of coolant tanks that might be … 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
CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. The first CVT patent was awarded to Daimler-Benz in 1886. The CVT concept had been applied to saw mill machinery seven years earlier by an inventor named Milton Reeves. Down through the decades, CVTs have appeared in numerous automobiles, motorcycles and more recently in snowmobiles and ATVs. As you … Read more
For automobiles and light trucks, braking systems with disc brakes utilize friction elements called brake pads. During every stopping event, the considerable energy of your car’s motion is effectively converted to heat by the brakes at each of the wheels. During normal driving, this process repeats over and over. While brake caliper parts will become … Read more
Radiator hoses convey engine coolant to and from the radiator. The upper hose carries hot coolant from the engine to the radiator. The lower hose carries the cooled fluid back to the water pump and then back into the engine. The water pump circulates this coolant continuously while the engine is running. These hoses are … Read more