Most motorists come to know their vehicles quite well, both inside and out. Because of this, it comes as no surprise that most vehicle owners quickly recognize any drivability issue that presents itself. Of these driveability issues, few can be as aggravating, or difficult to pinpoint as that which could best be described as a … Read more
Today’s vehicles are heavily reliant upon data transmission to facilitate proper operation. Data is relayed between numerous engine related sensors, and an engine’s operating computer, known as the ECM (engine control module). This integrated communications system is known as a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics network. In the present, properly diagnosing driveability and functionality related vehicle issues … Read more
An internal combustion engine needs four things to run: air, fuel, spark, and compression. Compression is created by spinning the engine. If the engine is off, how would you get it moving again to create this compression? Enter the starter. A starter is a big electric motor that is designed to spin your engine when … Read more
Every day, we rely upon our vehicle to start when commanded to do so, as we insert our keys into the ignition, and turn the ignition switch. Unfortunately, like any other automotive component, ignition switches do wear out on occasion. When this occurs, the severity of that which is experienced differs from case to case. … Read more
There are all sorts of electronic devices being installed in cars these days. Ten years ago, many of these electronic devices would have been considered luxuries. You would only find them in high-end luxury sedans or SUVs. These days, people of all social classes have a variety of electronic gadgets in their vehicles. Dual screen … Read more
When an engine starts running, it produces a great deal of voltage which enters the ignition coils. For older vehicles that have traditional distributors (not modern day ignition systems), this electricity is sent into an electrode of the distributor rotor. This causes the rotor to rotate and transfer electrical power to separate electrodes which are … Read more
Thinking about towing or hauling a heavy load with your new truck? There are some important terms relating to weight that you should keep in mind before you set out on your next adventure. If you’re going to be buying a truck soon, it’s important to think through how you plan to drive, where you … Read more
You go out to your car in the morning to leave for work and see that your door is slightly ajar, which means that the dome light was on all night. You try valiantly to start the car, but when you turn the key nothing happens – the battery is dead. If you’ve ever experienced … Read more
Have you ever tried to remove a bolt from a car and had it refuse point blank to move even a millimeter due to rust or old age? If you have then you know how annoying this situation can be. Don’t despair however, because these days you can find new types of penetrating oils that … Read more
There are many people in the world who still drive vehicles with a manual transmission although that’s slowly changing. These vehicles have a clutch pedal on the floor to the left of the brake pedal. The clutch is what links the wheels to the engine. All the rotational energy created by the engine gets transferred … Read more