Doing a Vin Search (Vehicle Identification Number Search) can give you great insight into the history of your vehicle. History reports can reveal if your car had water damage, or was flagged a Lemon. Check this information before buying, or get one to provide to your potential buyer.
Popularity: 10% [?]
You can decode a VIN to determine what kind of car it is – Ford, Chevy, Honda, Corvette, Chevrolet, etc. With that information, you can tell almost anything about the car. Do your Vin Search with carfax.com.
Popularity: 9% [?]
When it comes time to replace parts on your car, or to do routine maintenance, the manufacturer of your car knows best. It is always a good idea to check your owner’s manual to see when certain parts should be replaced, or when the manufacturer recommends that fluids (such as that in the transmission) should be changed. Also, the manufacturer will often recommend that a specific kind of fluid be used in their cars, and if it isn’t, the warranty might become void if problems arise.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Most people have absolutely no idea what a supercharger is. If they hear that it is on a car, most would think “wow, that must be good.” Lets start with the basics- a supercharger works in much the same way as a turbocharger (see my tip “Turbochargers”), as it draws more air into the engine then it normally could, which is called forced induction. Unlike a turbo, which runs off exhaust gases, a supercharger is belt driven. This means that there is no “turbo lag” (which is the delay for the exhaust gases to spool the turbo) when you try to accelerate, as the supercharger is always being turned. Also, unlike a turbo, you don’t have to allow to it spool down before turning off your engine by allowing it to idle, which prolongs the life of the turbo but is unnecessary with a supercharger. So a supercharger does offer some advantages over a turbo. If more air is being forced into the engine, then there is the potential for more power, as the engine runs off air, fuel and electric spark. So by introducing more air (along with the proportionate amount of fuel and spark) the engine can make more power.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Make sure when changing spark plugs to invest in a tube of dielectric grease. The lubricant will make removing the plug wires much easier the next time you replace your plugs.
Popularity: 7% [?]
What level of octane does my car really need? This is a common question, as many people know very little about the octane ratings they see at the gas station. The octane ratings you see (usually 87-93) are representative of the gas’s resistance to “knock,” or detonation. This is a process when more combustion then normal takes place within the engine, which causes the pistons and associated parts to be bashed around. Obviously, this will quickly cause severe damage to your engine. However, in the old days you could often hear a “knock” when detonation took place, signaling you that something was wrong. Today’s cars all have knock sensors, which listen for engine knock and decrease the spark plug’s activity shortly, which lessens the affects of knock… but you will often NOT be able to hear anything! If this process goes on long enough, it will damage your engine! So what level of octane do you need? Look in your owner’s manual, and use what the manufacturer recommends. If it says to use premium, then you must unfortunately use it.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Modern fuel injection systems are far more efficient then their carbureted ancestors. However, fuel injection systems do require cleaning every now and then, and there are some points to remember when doing so. A fuel injector is like a small nozzle, and after a period of time it can get clogged with deposits, decreasing engine performance and efficiency. This “period of time” is different for every car, and can be anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000+ miles. If you use quality “in-the-tank” cleaners, those numbers can change as well, as they usually remove some deposits. However, a proper fuel injector cleaning done with a machine in a shop should be done some time. If you think about it, getting fuel into your car is extremely important, as it supplies one of the three main elements needed to make your car run (air, spark and fuel). Cleaning the fuel injectors can restore performance and increase your gas mileage, and if your injectors are severely clogged, a proper cleaning could make a huge difference. Although it is hardly an exact science, keeping you fuel system clean is an important task that all modern cars require.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Most people do not often think about changing their fuel filters these days as a part of routine maintenance. This is because your car’s fuel filter lasts much longer then it did 30 or 40 years ago due to many reasons, such as the use of unleaded gas (to learn more, see my tip “The Modern Tune-Up”). In the old days, the fuel filter might need to be changed every 10 to 15,000 miles! However, modern fuel filters can last significantly longer, some past 50,000 miles. While the longevity of modern filters will save you time and money, the fuel filter should always be changed at about this interval unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer (often, the maker does not give a specific date for the filter to be changed). The fuel filter is very important to your car, as it keeps debris and other deposits from entering your engine through the gas it burns. A clogged fuel filter can hurt engine performance and gas mileage, and will eventually lead to more serious problems. As your car gets older, say over 6 or 7 years, the filter should be changed more often (possibly every year). This is because the fuel tank can corrode and build up debris inside over the years, which can clog the fuel filter significantly faster. For more information on your fuel system, see my tip “Fuel Injectors”.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Your car’s engine is basically an air pump. The more efficiently it can suck air in and expel spent gases out, the better it will perform. The first step to keep this cycle going properly is to change your air filter. As the name suggests, it filters out harmful particles before they enter your engine. You should check your air filter with every other oil change, and replace it if it appears to be dirty. You should replace the air filter every 15,000 miles or so, as they are generally inexpensive.
Popularity: 6% [?]
One of the most common reasons for a car to refuse to start is a dead battery. The battery is obviously an essential element to a car’s operation, as it allows it to be started. Because of this, you should check you battery with every oil change, or when ever you happen to have to hood open. A sure sign that might suggest a dying battery is a hesitation to start, but you can often diagnose a battery’s health by looking at it. If the battery’s casing is cracked, the battery cables are frayed, or there is any leakage from the battery, it is a good idea to replace it. You should also clean off any corrosion that is on the terminals, as this can prevent the car from starting as well. If you can’t even remember how long your battery has been in your car, it is a good idea to replace it, as you don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. Always be very careful when doing anything with your battery, as they can be very dangerous.
Popularity: 6% [?]