Hot Maintenance How-Tos
How To: Check the A/C pressures on a car
It can be a pain driving in a hot car during a scorching hot summer day. So the best thing to do, and one of the most obvious, would be to turn on the A/C. But if you haven't had the A/C checked or worked on in some time, it may not be performing to it's fullest capabilities. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to check the A/C pressures on your car. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Change the oil in your car to help its engine last
Changing your engine's oil yourself isn't just great for your car, it's great for your pocket book. This DIY auto maintenance guide presents an overview of the standard method for changing a car's oil, a method which applies for most modern automobiles. For a detailed walkthrough, and to get started changing your own car's oil, watch this home mechanic's guide.
How To: Reset the clock in your Hyundai
There are many cars out on the market that are unable to change the time according to location or daylight savings time. So it's important to know how to change the time or reset it completely. In this helpful tutorial, you'll be finding out how to reset the clock in a Hyundai vehicle. It's easy to do and will make life a bit easier. Enjoy!
How To: Fold down the seats in a 2010 Lincoln MKX
If you're in a rush, it can sometimes be difficult to fold down the seats in your car. Often times the mechanism usually gets jammed and makes it almost impossible to fold down. In this tutorial, you'll find out how the 2010 Lincoln MKX, makes folding down the seats so easy and simple. So sit back and enjoy!
How To: Replace an engine coolant temp sensor on a Saturn S
If you own a vehicle in the Saturn S-series, chances are you may have run into some problems with your car. Just like with any car, there are things that need to be checked or replaced in order for them to work properly. One of those things may be the engine's coolant tempature sensor. This is an issue, especially when you're trying to make sure your car doesn't get overheated. So check out this tutorial on how to replace one today. Enjoy!
How To: Disassemble the AC dryer from a car
The air conditioner is one of the least practical but most desirable parts of most modern cars. This video teaches you how to disassemble one important part of any car's air conditioner, the dryer. If yours isn't working properly and acid is getting into your AC as a result, this video should have you well on your way to fixing the problem.
How To: Polish aluminum wheels
Are you aluminum wheels dull and unpolished? Make your car shine with help from this video! Polish up those aluminum wheels the right way and get them to sparkle with a little guidance from an expert.
How To: Adjust the disk brakes on a bicycle
For the hardcore bicycle enthusiast, repairing your own bike is a fact of life. It only gets more challenging the more advanced and elaborate your bike is. This video will teach you how to adjust your manually pulled Shimano disk brakes for better performance. And for preventing you from flying into an intersection when your brakes fail.
How To: Troubleshoot a car that has a high idle
Does your car idle high and make an obnoxious racket every time you are stopped at a light, drawing dispproving looks from your fellow motorists? If you are into home car maintenance, you may be able to diagnose the cause of this problem yourself. This video illustrates how to test for one common problem that leads to a high idle, a faulty throttle position sensor, the contacts on which have been worn down by the throttle. You will need an analog multimeter to test the ohm load from the senso...
How To: Change your radiator fluid
Your radiator fluid is one of the many important aspects of your car. Neglecting your radiator fluid can cause expensive damage to your car and put it in the shop for much longer than you want to deal with! So listen up and find out how to properly change your car's radiator fluid. This video from Watch Mojo will show you how to change your car's radiator fluid.
How To: Change front brake pads and rotors
Changing brakes to a car is just as important as it is to changing the oil. Both are required to ensure that you have a safe, working vehicle. Brakes are especially important since no brakes=no stopping. So in this video tutorial, you'll be taken through the process of chaging the front brake pads of your car and the rotors as well. Change front brake pads and rotors.
How To: Install a Saturn S-Series radiator deflector & air dam
Richpin gives detailed instructions for attaching the air dam to the radiator deflector for a Saturn S-Series. He also explains how remove the air dam from the car prior to attaching the deflector. Having a properly functioning air dam / deflector assembly is crucial during the summer to keep the engine from overheating.
How To: Remove the inside rear door panel on a Nissan Altima
In this video richpin explains to us how to remove the inside rear passenger-side door panel on a Nissan Altima. He doesn't explain why you would want to do this, but if you feel compelled to, herein you will find the most detailed instructions you could ask for. Here is a list of the readily available tools that he uses:
How To: Properly flush your radiator
If your car radiator is not functioning as well as it could, or it is time for some routine maintenance, have a look at this tutorial. Before you go to a pricey mechanic, watch this clip and consider flushing your radiator on your own.
How To: Clean and restore plastic headlights
In order to clean and restore your headlights, you will need the following materials: razor blades, tape, liquid rubbing compound, and a power polisher.
How To: Clean jaundiced plastic headlights
In this how to video, you will learn how to clean your plastic headlights. This is important if you cannot afford to replace the headlights of your classic or semi-classic car. Toothpaste works great as a rubbing compound to fix this. First, take a rag and rub the toothpaste into the headlights. Next, take the paste off with another rag. Use some water to aid you in this. Now, your once clouded lens will be fairly clear. You can then move on to the other side to finish the whole car. This vid...
How To: Remove 3M paint protection film
In this how to video, you will learn how to remove 3M paint protection film, also known as a clear bra. This is used for protecting the front of a vehicle. To remove it, you will need to use a heat gun on the film so that it will peel off. This takes a while to remove, so be patient. The film itself is very useful, as it protects from rock chips and bugs while driving. Note that it is a lot easier to take off during the summer time since the car exterior is already hot. You should not worry a...
How To: Change your oil for beginners
Changing your oil is an important part of car maintenance. By changing your oil, you can make sure that your vehicle runs smoothly and lasts a long, long time.
How To: Flush your radiator and cooling panel
Learn how to flush your engine coolant and install a radiator cooling panel to help divert more air through your radiator with the help of this automotive maintenance guide. The process, though it might sound difficult, is actually so simple that this video can present a complete overview in just over four minutes' time.
How To: Reset the service engine light on a Saturn S-Series
It is never a good sign when the 'check engine' light comes up on your dashboard. In this tutorial, learn how to reset the light if it is not functioning properly. If you have already fixed the engine issue and wish to reset the warning light on your Saturn S-Series, this video will show you how quick and easy it is to do so.
How To: Remove yellow haze from headlights with toothpaste
First of all check for the yellow haze on the headlights by scratching it. Now take toothpaste and then apply some of it on to the headlight. Now you need a dry towel to clean the headlight. Start by rubbing the toothpaste over the headlight with this towel. You have to rub it hard so that the toothpaste cleans out the yellow haze. Start from the middle and make circular motions with the towel. Then start to spread out towards the corners of the headlight. Keep on doing it and you may even fe...
How To: Jumpstart a dead battery
If your car has a dead battery, jumper cables can be used to connect to a car with a good battery to start your engine. Begin by positioning the two cars side-by-side, turn off the engines, and lift the hoods to access the batteries. First, attach the red cables to the positive terminals of each battery beginning with the dead battery. These terminals are usually marked with a plus sign or in red. Next, attach the black cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. The negative terminal...
How To: Bleed your car's cooling system (and get the air out)
The temperature control onto hot and the fan is turned off. A bleeder is loosened with a 12mm screwing object. A funnel attachment is placed onto the cooling system and the actual funnel placed ontop. A pre-mixed liquid is poured into the funnel. The bleeder valve is then tightened. Another set of liquid is poured into the funnel and some is poured into a reservoir at about 3/4. The vehicle is started and druiven a few steps back and left on, to run at about 2500 rpm until the cooling fan com...
How To: Remove rust with electricity
This video demonstrates a great way to take rust off of metal piece that are hard to clean by hand. You will need a plastic bucket, a wire hanger, and a battery charger. In the bucket mix one gallon of water and one tablespoon of washing soda. You can make washing soda in the oven by cooking baking soda at 450 degrees for one hour. Take apart all the moving objects off the metal piece you want to clean. Prep the surface by spraying some brake fluid on it and wipe it down. In the bucket hang a...
How To: Replace the radiator to a 2002 Dodge Neon
Although cars are these thousand pound machines that can make travel so much easier for everyone, accidents can occur. So it's important to know what's wrong with your car and how to fix it. If you have a bad or damaged radiator, that is something you need to fix and soon. So, in this video tutorial you'll find out how to replace the radiator to a 2002 Dodge Neon. Enjoy and good luck!
How To: Change the fluid on a Tremec T45 transmission
Changing the transmission fluid to your car is an important task that every car owner should know how to do. The transmission helps make sure that your car runs smoothly for a long time. So if you want to know how to change the tramsmission fluid to a Tremec T45 transmission, check out the tutorial above to do so. Enjoy!
How To: Restore a headlight
Wipe headlights clean. Double tape around the headlights. Use two layers of tape around the headlight lens to protect the paint. Insert the backing plate into the drill. Attach the foam interface pad. Use a spray bottle of water to lubricate and keep headlights clean while sanding. Completely remove the old UV coating. You'll see heavy sanding marks in the headlight lens. With the 500 grit sandpaper, remove oxidation and pitting. Use uniform movements of up and down and side to side with mode...
How To: Check the fluids in your car
What runs underneath the hood of your car is pretty important. No, scratch that. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. That is the life force of your vehicle and if you want to make sure you are able to make that car last and use up every penny you have spent on that beautiful piece of machinery, then you better make sure that you constantly check the fluids throughout your car frequently. Oil, transmission, clutch, brake, etc. those fluids help make sure your car will run nice and smoothly for years to come...
How To: Diagnose five common sounds your car might make
Kim Parent from Drivers Side answers questions received about the diagnosis of sounds your car may make. 1. Squealing sound-Typically means brake pads need to be replaced. 2. Mechanical sound with steering wheel looseness-Probably means you have loose joints in the front of your car. Kim advises that this is a safety issue. 3. Mechanical knocking sound without steering wheel looseness-If you hear this sound when you're making turns this could mean you have a CV Joint that's worn out. Kim reco...
How To: Find the VIN number on a car
This Is a how to video describing "How to locate a vehicles VIN number." The gentleman explains that to locate your vehicles VIN number, you simply have to look on your windshield. There you should see a tiny plate with the VIN number on it. If not on your windshield then it could be on your dashboard. All vehicles made after 1985 will have there VIN numbers in this location. If you absolutely cannot find the VIN number in this location then another alternative would be to look on the engine ...
How To: Check the brakes and brake pads on your car
The mechanic highlights about, when and how to check your car brakes. The usual indications that denote the time to check your brakes are when there is a: sound emitted in your brake, feel in the brake, vibration effect while applying brakes, or may even hear squealer tab which is on the brake itself. The ideal way to check your brake is by removing or rotating your tires. A brake check in every 6000miles is also advisable.The difference between a real used brake pad and a brand new one is th...
How To: Clean and condition your leather car interior
In this tutorial, Car Care Products shows us how to clean and condition leather car interior. For this you will need leather shampoo, a soft bristle brush, a clean soft microfiber clothe and leather conditioner. First, take your leather shampoo and spray it onto your seat. Then, take your soft bristle brush and work the shampoo into your seat, make sure to get into crevices and on the side panel. Now, wipe the solution off with your clothe, making sure you don't leave wet spots. Finally, appl...
How To: Use a clay bar on the exterior of your automobile
In this how-to video, you will learn how to use a clay bar for paint decontamination on your car. To clay, make sure you use a brand new bar. Break the bar into about three pieces and save the other pieces for later. The clay will remove the contaminants from the paint. Flatten the piece before using. Spray the area on the car with clay lube. Now, lay the clay on the surface and use light pressure as you wipe it across the surface. Once you finish the section, remold the clay. Use your nail t...
How To: Wax your car or truck
This video demonstrates how to wax your car or truck. Make sure that your vehicle is clean in advance. For this project, you will need the following: McGuire's Cleaner Wax, applicator pad, and towels.
How To: Use an auto clay bar to clean paint contamination
In this how-to video, you will learn how to clean your car paint with a clay bar. This will help you clean contaminants, bug parts, and other debris from your paint. First, you will need a car to clean, a clay bar, and a lubricant for the clay. Split the clay into a smaller piece and mold into a bottle. Spray the lubricant on the area you are going to clean. Move from left to right and up and down over the section two or three times with the clay. Once this is done, wipe off the lubricant wit...
How To: Remove scratches from your car with wet sanding
Final Touch TV shows viewers how to remove scratches from the car with wet sanding. This is for fine scratches that may be on your vehicle. First, you need to use 3,000 grit sand paper with a block and scuff up the clear coat first with this. You should dip your block in some soap and water in and up and down motion. You need to make sure you do not go all the way through the paint. Most scratches are on the clear unless it appears deep. Now, take a 3 compound, spray it on and rub it in. Next...
How To: Clean your car windows so they are streak free
In this Autos, Motorcycles & Planes video tutorial you are going to learn how to clean your car windows so they are streak free. You will need ammonia solution and a mixing bottle. Mix one part ammonia with ten parts of water in the mixing bottle. Make sure you take sufficient quantity of ammonia. Then get a spray bottle and pour the solution into it. Get a piece of rag and a micro fiber towel. Spray the window liberally with the solution and wipe with the rag. Now wipe with the micro fiber t...
How To: Maintain car tires and ensure maximum tire life
This video shows you how to perform tire maintenance on your vehicle. In order to check the tread wear on your tires, you will need a penny. You will have to check the entire tire for wear, because tires may wear away unequally. Just slip the penny between the tread. If you are still able to see Lincoln’s entire head, then you will need to replace your tire(s).
How To: Clean your car leather and vinyl interior
This video demonstrates how to clean the interior of your car. You will need to thoroughly vacuum your car. Vacuum all of the surfaces, the vents, air bag, crevices, etc.
How To: Wash your car's engine bay
This video tutorial in Autos, Motorcycles & Planes category will show you how to wash your car's engine bay. Open the hood and check the temperature by touching with your hand and a thermometer. If it is cool enough you can proceed. Look over the engine bay to see if there is any area that needs more attention. Then spray the cleaning solution and use brushes for cleaning the areas that you can reach. Softer brush for areas that are painted and hard one for powder coated surfaces. Then use wa...