Before vehicle computers were invented, cars and trucks used a system of mechanical and pneumatic devices to manage systems such as valve timing and idle speed. Now, modern vehicles have a complex system of sensors and actuators connected to computers which enable the vehicles to perform well and efficiently. These electronics are confusing enough without … Read more
Would you like your car to stand out from the crowd? Perhaps you want to protect those expensive new wheels during the harsh winter. Do you have a hood that’s been keyed by some vindictive miscreants that you’d like to fix for next to nothing? Well then, read on for a product that may blow … Read more
Differentials are found in all cars. Sometimes a differential may be found on the rear side of a vehicle and sometimes it’s found on the front side. Some cars even have differentials on both ends. If you have a front differential in your car with a transaxle built in, then the rear differential will use … Read more
Power steering was created in 1951 to help drivers turn their vehicles with ease. During a time when cars started getting bigger and heavier, this was a welcome advancement in technology. It takes more energy to move something with more mass, especially at low speeds. Classic power steering uses a power steering pump that moves … Read more
Combustion engines generate a lot of heat just from normal operation. Without removing heat from the engine, the vehicle will encounter a slew of problems that eventually lead to engine failure. A failure of the cooling system could leave you stranded, and may even cause total engine failure in extreme cases. Fortunately, a common and … Read more
Spark plugs are crucial components to an internal combustion engine. Without them, there would be nothing to ignite fuel within the combustion chamber. It’s no surprise that dirty or fouled spark plugs are a common cause for many engine issues. Here you’ll learn how a spark plug works as well as common symptoms of a … Read more
In our previous article, we went over what an engine misfire is and the common symptoms of an engine misfire. So how do you determine what is causing the engine to misfire in the first place? The combustion engine is relatively complicated as it has a lot of parts that need to work in the … Read more
Your ignition switch (or starter switch) locks your steering wheel in place when there’s no key in it. It is meant to prevent the car from being started without the key. It’s not much of a deterrent for the thief that knows how to get around it or hotwire a car, though. An ignition starter … Read more
Since the fuel tank constantly attracts dust, dirt, and debris over time, the collected particles can cause harm to the fuel filter and even risk the fuel pump as well. Eventually, all these contaminants will begin to clog the fuel filter and it will not work effectively to allow enough fuel to pass through to … Read more
A MAP sensor, or manifold absolute pressure sensor, is a type of engine sensor that measures the amount of air pressure present in a vehicle’s intake manifold. This pressure reading is used along with engine speed (measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM) to determine engine load, which allows the vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) … Read more