Once you’ve read your check engine light using an OBD2 scanner or diagnostic tool, you’ll get a letter and string of numbers that don’t mean much to the untrained eye. But what exactly is a code P0013, and how serious is it? More importantly, how can you fix it, and will it cost you a … Read more
Few circumstances interrupt an otherwise peaceful drive quite as abruptly, as the sudden appearance of a newly illuminated check engine light. One’s thoughts immediately begin to center around the possible cause of this light, as well as the costs associated with repairing such a condition. For many motorists, this is where anxiety begins to set … Read more
During the development of the automobile, several different methods to control engine speed were utilized. Hand throttles were initially popular, but this method faded over time. Eventually the engine speed and car speed control became the work of the driver’s right foot. Thus the accelerator pedal (or gas pedal) emerged. It was connected to the … Read more
Whether you’re driving down the road or just started up your car, there are few things more disturbing than a check engine light. But check engine lights can mean a variety of things, and some are more serious than others. But what do you do if you have a P0017 code, and how do you … Read more
If you are the owner of a Ford vehicle, you might have come to notice a curious, yet somewhat concerning message displayed upon your car, truck, or SUV’s dash. Ford owners the world over have been greeted by a “Service AdvanceTrac” message at one point or another during daily commutes. AdvanceTrac problems are commonly described … Read more
While it’s unlikely that you’ve intentionally poured bleach into your own gas tank, it’s not unheard of for people to try and get back at someone they don’t like by mixing things into their gas tank. But what do you do if you suspect you’re a victim of someone that has bleached your gas tank? … Read more
Have you seen a Mercedes rolling around, but it looks a little… off? Yeah, it looks like a Mercedes still, but there’s something different, something a bit more special about it. Then, before you know it, it takes off with a guttural THWUMPERRRR and it’s so much faster than you expected. You may also notice … Read more
When your car pops a check engine light, your heart skips a beat. But if you’ve got a P0141 code, you likely take a deep breath. That’s because a code P0141 is an emission code, and if you don’t have the money to fix it now, you can likely put it off for a while … Read more
Loosely interpreted, the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics tells us that everything is inexorably wearing out. And that is true for the brake pads on your car. Though possibly in good condition today, in a few weeks or months they will demand replacing. And if you are a moderately skilled DIY guy or gal, you can … Read more
With every passing year, the vehicles we drive become increasingly reliant upon complex electrical systems to operate and perform as intended. As a result, it is typically necessary to complete electrical repairs of one type or another, at some point during a vehicle’s service life. While wiring-related repairs, in general, can be quite tedious to … Read more