Hot Maintenance Posts
How To: Detail your car's wheels, the right way
Saabkyle04 runs through the necessary steps it takes to clean your wheels so good, they will look like they are brand new! Having a little bit of brown on your tires and dirt collecting in the lug nut area can be fixed by watching and listening to this video. While any wheel cleaner will work, the person in the video uses ArmorAll. You should also have some tire foam, a brush, a toothbrush, a couple of assorted towels, and a brush for getting behind the wheel. First, rinse the wheel. Then, ap...
How To: Wash your car with the two bucket method
Every time people wash their car paint can easily be scratched off on accident. To avoid that CarCareProducts (CCP) demonstrates how to clean your car in a safe and efficient way using the two bucket method. In the first bucket add a small amount of PH Neutral wash shampoo and in the second bucket should be filled with clean, clear water to refresh your mitt as you wash your car that way all the dirt is collected into that bucket and not the one with shampoo. The first step to cleaning your c...
How To: Maintain the finish on your car
In this tutorial, Jacob from AutoLavish shows us how to properly wash and maintain a car. First, clean the dirtiest parts of the vehicle first, this will make it so dirt doesn't spread onto the rest of the car while you're cleaning it. Then, clean the body wiping in round movements. Make sure to clean softly with your brush, the paint can easily chip depending on what type of car and paint job you have. Once you are done cleaning the outside move to the interior of the vehicle. Clean with top...
How To: Winterize an RV
This video explained how to winterize your RV and how important it is to do. To know when to winterize your RV you have to determine if you are through with the unit and when it starts to freeze outside. The items needed to winterize an RV is a screwdriver, socket and ratchet, 2 gallons of antifreeze, and hose. The video went through a step by step process using the items to winterize your RV so that a person does not experience broken water lines or pumps. It also states that if you have an ...
How To: Check and change the engine air filter in a car
Kim the in-house mechanic for Driverside shows you how to quickly and easily replace your cars air filter. The reason you would need to change your air filter is that over time the flow is reduced which consequently reduces your car's gas mileage. To change your air filter you first need to locate it on your car. The air filter is under the hood and usually in a box that either has clips of fillip's head screws holding the cover on. Remove these to gain access to your filter. From there you c...
How To: Wash your car exterior using the two bucket method
Jacob shows the importance of washing your car properly. First use two buckets. Fill one with soapy water, the other to rinse your car. Use a grip guard to keep your tools above water, and use white buckets. The principal is to keep the wash water as clean as possible. Get your sponge soapy, wipe the car. You then rinse it in the clean water, making sure there's no dirt. Use the foam/rinse method to wash. First use a soapy sponge, making sure the sponge doesn't actually touch the car, then ri...
How To: Do Your Own Oil Change
Kim Perrin a certified mechanic shows how to do your own oil change. To accomplish this, you'll need oil, an oil filter, an oil filter wrench, and a ratchet.
How To: Check the air pressure in your car's tires
Check air pressure in car’s tires
How To: Remove rust from metal
This video shows how to use a wire wheel brush on an angle grinder to remove rust or old paint from metal so that it looks practically brand new. The brush is easy to find at any hardware store and costs $15-$20. He shows how to attach the brush to an angle grinder. He then demonstrates how to use it with a rusty metal finial which has been clamped down to his work bench. The brush works very quickly to remove all the rust from the finial, revealing the shiny metal. Following the instructions...
How To: Change your oil on a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
We all know if you want to make sure your vehicle will last a long time and run smoothly, make sure you perform the required maintenance. That includes changing the oil. So to help make sure your motorcycle will last a long time, we have a two part video tutorial on how to change the oil to a 2008 Kawasaki 250R. Good luck and remember to check the owner's manual for the necessary tools required to perform this task. Oh and please be careful.
How To: Change the oil on a Vespa scooter
Saving money during this tough economic period is more important than ever, especially when it comes to servicing your vehicle. So in this 2 part video tutorial, you'll find out one way you can keep your wallet fat, by learning how to change the oil to your Vespa scooter.
How To: Change the Engine Oil and Filter on a 67' Camaro
Changing your own automobile oil is a simple way to save money while completing an easy project. Don't Miss: A Beginner's Guide to Easily Changing Oil
How To: Make your car summer proof
The summer sun can wreck havoc on your automobile. Use this tutorial to keep your paint job shiny and your interior bright in the scorching summer sun.
How To: Wash and detail your car without ruining the paint job
Detailing your car keeps it in top shape and looking like new. By washing and detailing regularly your vehicle will impress passerbys every day. In this two part series, The Smoking Tire shows you how to properly detail your car at home without accidentally ruining your paint in the process. This can be easily done from home, and doesn't take much advanced skill. Check out this step by step and keep your car shiny, no matter how old it is!
How To: Flush a car radiator
To flush a radiator you will need a drip pan, a screwdriver, a dolly, a jack and stands. First, jack up the car in the front. For safety, put jack stands underneath the front of the car. Then, remove the radiator cap by loosening it with a rag. Slide under the car on the dolly and open the drain cap to drain the radiator fluid. Place a pan underneath the cap to collect the liquid. Check the firmness of the radiator hoses and inspect them for punctures or cracks along the edges. If necessary, ...
How To: Read a tire sidewall
In this Autos, Motorcycles & Planes video tutorial you will learn how to Read a tire sidewall. By understanding the information on the tire sidewall, you will come to know what is the tire size, speed rating and when it was manufactured. First look for a combination of letters and numbers. For example, P205/55R16 89V. ‘P’ implies passenger car tire. Some light trucks may also have ‘P’ or ‘LT’. if there is no letter, the tire is designed to Euro standards. 205 is the overall width of the tire ...
How To: Replace your car's wiper fluid
Here in this video we are about to see how windshield wiper fluid is being changed. Open the car and look for the symbol which is on the cap of the reservoir. Remove the cap. Now pour the wiper fluid into the reservoir. The wiper fluid used varies from deicer to detergent. People tend to use the water which might turn bad once the temperature drops below a certain degree. So the water freezes ultimately the system stops making it a useless one. So the fluid is filled till it reaches the top o...
How To: Seafoam your vehicle
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to sea foam a vehicle. By doing this, it will help the vehicle's engine to last longer. Users will need 2 cans of sea foam and 1 can of sea foam Deep Creep. Begin by opening the gas cap and pour 1 can of sea foam into the fuel tank. Open the oil cap and pour only half of the other can sea foam into it. Then open the throttle body and spray the Deep Creep. Now leave the vehicle to rest for 15-20 minutes. This video will benefit those viewers who have a...
How To: Perform an oil change on your car at home
Watch this video to learn how to do an oil change yourself just using a jack, two jack stands, wrenches, a oil filter wrench, some old rags, oil pan, oil filter, and oil. Just find the oil filter, jack up the car, situate the jack stands, and you're ready to start. Once underneath, locate the drain plug, unscrew the bolt, and let it drain. After it drains screw the bolt back on, and find your oil filter. Grab the old filter and twist it off, clean the surrounding area, then replace with the n...
How To: Change the transmission fluid on a Honda Civic
To change the transmission fluid on a Honda Civic, you will need a good rug, a drip pan, 10 quarts of transmission fluid, a funnel and a ratchet wrench. First, remove the dipstick to release the pressure on the liquid. Then, remove the drain plug with the ratchet wrench. You may need to bang on the bolt with a cheater bar to loosen it. Drain the fluid into the pan. Then replace the drain plug until it is hand tight. Use the ratchet wrench to tighten the drain plug. Clean up the excess transmi...
How To: Change the transmission oil on a Honda or Acura
In these Autos, Motorcycles & Planes video tutorial you will learn how easy and simple it is to Change the transmission oil on a Honda or Acura. This tutorial is presented by rimpainter. First cut the washers; one each for the drain and fill part. You need two quarts oil, a funnel with a pipe attached at the end and a tray to catch the drained oil. Then the video shows the fill is and drain points below the car. Always remove the fill plug first, then remove the drain plug and allow the oil t...
How To: Use a tire gauge
This video shows how to use a tire gauge. The first thing that you do is remove the valve cap off of the tire. Use the open end of the tire gauge. Put is onto the end of the valve. Don't use the other end of the gauge. The part of the gauge with the little round center piece in it is used to let air out of the tire. Once you have put the gauge on, push it firmly onto the valve. The air pressure in the tire will push the gauge measuring device out of the end of the tire gauge. You can look at ...
How To: Clean the throttle body on a Saturn S-series car
Richpin demonstrates how to clean the throttle body on a Saturn S-series car. First, remove the accelerator cables using a tool like a pen. Next, remove the top hose. Remove the wires from the throttle position sensor. In the back are wires for the idle control valve. Remove them. Remove the 10 millimeter nuts and bolts and brackets by the EGR. Once the hardware is removed, tap the top with a screwdriver and the throttle body will come off. From the throttle body, remove the throttle position...
How To: Find a manual for a used car
Need to know what kind of oil your car needs? How about your vehicle load capacity? What about the standard maintenance procedures for you specific make and model? All of this and more can be located inside your owner's manual. If you don’t have an owner’s manual for your used car, you may still be able to find one even if your car is an antique.
How To: Identify the rear axle on a Jeep Cherokee
Richpin's Auto Repair shows you how to properly identify the rear axle of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. This information will allow you to obtain the correct information for replacing this specific automobile part. The video will show you where you need to look beneath the vehicle to find out which style of rear axle your Jeep Grand Cherokee has. You'll be shown where to clean the dirt off of a specific area of the axle to obtain this important information. In this particular case, the rear end axle...
How To: Select a quality car mechanic & shop
This how-to video explains the importance of choosing a quality car mechanic and shop. This video is by AAA. They say that by investigating a shop before you trust them making repairs on your car, you can save a lot of money later if they make a mistake. John Neilson of AAA explains to look at the cleanliness of a shop because if it is clean then they probably take customer service very serious. If you follow these easy instruction you will be assured that you can select a quality car mechani...
How To: Change oil on a '07 Suzuki Boulevard S40 motorcycle
This video shows you how easy it is to change the oil on a 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S40. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil into a drain pan. Remove the engine side cover and pull the comb filter out. Make sure the the o ring is on inside the filter before installing the new filter. There is also an o ring that goes onto the cover before installing the cover. Bolt the cover back on. Install the drain plug. Put the funnel inside of the refill and add 2 liters of oil(refill is above the oil f...
How To: Avoid RV problems by cleaning your hookup cord
Gary Bunzer the RV Doctor shows how to avoid potential RV problems by cleaning your electrical hookup cord. Before you connect your RV to an electricity supply, make sure to clean and brighten the metal contacts on your shoreline cord. Use fine-grade steel wool to clean all surface corrosion off your cord's prongs. You can also use sandpaper, emery cloth or any other gentle abrasive. After you get the metal prongs clean and shiny, use a dauber or brush to coat the surface of the prongs with a...
How To: Service your vehicle's air conditioner
This video is regarding air conditioner services. Leaks are a major cause of problems. Water and air can leak into the system. Water damage, rust and refrigerant leaking all make the unti ineffiecient. You should evaluate the unit regularly and also run it periodically to keep the system from working properly.The manual should provide a good amount of information that will help you ensure you are not doing anything to damage the system of repair it incorrectly. Service your vehicle's air cond...
How To: Change a flat tire on your automobile quickly
In this video we learn how to change a flat tire. If any tire of the car is flat you should not drive it further as it can be dangerous. Hence you should immediately bring your car to a side and start off your hazard button. Next you should take out your jack and put it in the right position below the car so as to lift your car and enable you to take the flat tire out. Once the tire is lifted above the ground, take out the spanner and unscrew the tire screws. They might be very tight so you w...
How To: Winterize your car brakes & ABS
For most people who deal with seasonal cold weather, it makes sense to prepare one's car brakes/ABS for the winter weather. Ed Kriston from AAA Mid-Atlantic discusses typical brakes and anti-lock brakes. Kriston goes over the general makeup of how brakes work and what components make up the brake system. He goes over how to tell if there is sufficient brake pad to get you through the winter. To make sure your car brakes or anti-lock brakes are prepared for the cold weather, follow the steps i...
How To: Test a vehicle alternator with a standard multimeter
Richpin demonstrates how to test an alternator with a standard multimeter. First make sure that the vehicle's battery is fully charged. Take the negative lead of the multimeter and put it on the negative post of the battery. Place the positive lead of the meter on the positive lead of the battery. Set the meter to DC voltage using the 20 scale and read the display to ensure the battery is fully charged. Next start up the vehicle and see what the alternator is producing. The display should now...
How To: Repair coolant level sensors
Where is the coolant level sensor and how to fix or replace it on a Mercury Sable?? The coolant sensor is located in the coolant reservoir bottle. It cannot be serviced, you can only replace the reservoir. However, if just the sensor is bad, you can also try unplugging the sensor at the coolant reservoir bottle. Unscrew the two screws holding the reservoir bottle in place. With the bottle loose, tilt the bottle slightly toward you until you see wiring coming out of the reservoir bottle, that ...
How To: Repair a Ford triton spark plug thread
This video illustrates how to repair a Ford F150 with a Triton V8 park plug thread. Get it into the garage and check out the engine. The Noise is all about the spark plug thread is blown out of the cylinder head. This problem is very common in the Triton V8 engines. To repair this spark plug thread the materials you need, Materials: 1. Cylinder head repair kit from Napa. 2. RED Thread locker. Procedure: Before the repair, remove the negative cable from the battery. Fit the adapter to the sock...
How To: Replace the front crankshaft oil seal
In this video demonstration you will see the work done on a GM 3.1 Liter V6; your instructor is replacing the cam cover seal. First raise the car into the air, remove the tire wheel assembly and place a jack stand underneath the car or vehicle on the side where you have removed the tire wheel assembly. Now remove the serpentine belt from the engine by using a 3/8ths breaker bar. Place it on the tensioner and lift up while removing the belt from the alternator. Keep lifting the belt out from t...
How To: Understand factory auto maintenance schedules
In this video, viewers learn about factory maintenance schedules and how to care for a vehicle. The series explains the differences between repair and maintenance, and the difference between do-it-yourself repair and professional auto repair services. Tips address choosing an auto mechanic and following factory and maintenance schedules. Increasing your vehicle's safety, reliability and longevity through proper maintenance also is discussed. This video will benefit all viewers who own a vehic...
How To: Remove a trunk applique panel
Learn how to remove a panel from the trunk lid of a Saturn. Start by removing the license plate and light holders. Remove the rear light bulbs Remove bolts from under the license plate. There are four additional screws on both edges, you'll need to remove those as well and lift the bottom of the panel out. Give it a bump to free it, feed out your light assemblies, and you're done. Follow these steps and you'll be able to remove your Saturn trunk panel yourself.
How To: Remove a gearshift knob
Do you need to replace your Gearshift knob? Richpin shows a very quick method to remove the gearshift knob from Saturn S series. Pull the hand break on. Place the gear into 2nd, 4th or reverse. Holding the top of the gearshift, take a rubber mallet and give the knob a few taps underneath until it comes off. To replace the knob, place the knob onto the gearshift and tap it a few times until it is firmly in place. This very short video shows how simple it is to remove your gearshift know.
How To: Winterize a car battery
Have your battery tested. If your battery is at least 3 years old, take it to a certified automotive repair facility. You do not want your battery, whose power is reduced by 50 percent during the cold weather, to go dead while you're in the middle of a snowstorm. If they are younger than that, make sure that the battery's posts and connections are free of corrosion. Also, make sure that your battery has all the water it needs.
How To: Winterize car tires
Use snow tires in the winter. Special patterns in the tread encourage the tires to grip the road better than regular tires. Snow tires are especially helpful if your car has rear wheel drive to discourage fish tailing.