How much air should I put in my tires?

It depends on the vehicle application, the size of the tires, how much weight is on the tires, an...

My mechanic says my suspension is not adjustable. Does that mean the wheels can't be aligned?

No, it simply means the vehicle manufacturer was too cheap to design adjustable suspension components when it engineered your c...

What are all-season, asymmetrical and directional tires?

Essentially an all-season tire is a tire with a slightly aggressive tread pattern that provides good year-round wet and dry tra...

Why are almost all tires today radial ply tires?

Because radial ply tires are better than bias ply tires. The belts are layers of woven reinforcing fiber inside the tire un...

When I'm driving down the highway, my car wants to pull to one side. How come?

A steady steering pull or "lead" to one side may have any of a number of causes. The most likely cause is wheel misa...

I'm buying a new set of tires. Should I have them balanced?

Yes. Balancing helps to guarantee a smooth ride at highway speeds, and it helps to maximize tire life. An out-of-balance tire...

Do my wheels need to be realigned after the struts have been replaced?

On most vehicles they do. Here's why: MacPherson struts are more than overgrown shock absorbers. They're an integ...

How often do I really need to have my wheels aligned?

Once. If the wheels on your vehicle are correctly aligned when the vehicle is manufactured at the factory, they should not cha...

Why do front-wheel drive cars and minivans have CV joints instead of ordinary U-joints?

U-joints are not used with front-wheel drive (FWD) because they produce cyclic vibrations when operated at more than a few degr...

What's the difference between a U-joint and a constant velocity (CV) joint?

A U-joint (the "U" stands for "Universal"), which is also called a "Cardan" joint after the guy w...

My mechanic tells me my front-wheel drive (FWD) car has a bad outer CV joint. He says the shaft has to be replaced. Isn't there a less expensive way t

Time is money in the auto repair business. It's much faster and easier for a mechanic to replace the entire driveshaft ass...

Why are CV joints so expensive to replace?

There are two reasons why: parts and labor. New CV joints typically cost anywhere from $65 to $150 or more depending on the app...

My front-wheel drive car makes a clicking sound when turning. Is anything wrong?

Yes. A clicking sound when turning is one of the classic symptoms of a worn or damaged "constant velocity" (CV) join...

Can I get into trouble if I disconnect any of the emission controls on my engine?

Yes, if you get caught. No, if you don't. But if you live in an area that requires periodic emissions testing, you probab...

I see blue smoke in my exhaust when I start my engine. Is this anything I should worry about?

Yes, because your engine is burning oil. That, in turn, means your engine has worn valve guides, piston rings An engine...

What kinds of emissions should I be concerned about?

All emissions if you're serious about clean air -- or at least worried you won't pass an emissions test. Most emission...

My car failed an emissions test. Now what?

You try to figure out why it failed the test, get the problem fixed and then try to pass the test again. This may or may not b...

How can I find a competent mechanic to fix my car.

For starters, ask around. Ask your friends and people at work where they get their vehicles serviced. If they're happy wi...

How should I handle a dispute if I'm not satisfied with a repair?

If you believe you've been ripped off, first try to resolve the problem with the service manager. If you were charged for ...

What is the "Motorist Assurance Program" (MAP)?

It is a nonprofit association that was formed to address consumer and industry concerns about auto repair issues. MAP promotes...

I want to minimize the risk of my vehicle being stolen or broken into. What should I do?

Keep it inside a locked garage with an armed guard and Doberman on duty! Or, drive a car that nobody would want to steal. Serio...

Are there general safety tips I should follow when working on my own car?

First and foremost, do not attempt repairs that are beyond your ability. If you feel unsure about a repair, you should seek ou...

When I try to start my engine, I hear the starter spinning but the engine isn't cranking. What gives?

You have one of two problems: Either the starter drive on your starter is defective and is not engaging the flywheel to crank t...

My engine quit running and won't start. It cranks normally, but just won't go. What's wrong?

You may have an ignition, fuel delivery or compression problem. 1. Check for spark first. If there's no spark, you...

Can I replace the clutch myself?

You can if you have the proper tools and know-how. Changing a clutch is a big job on a rear-wheel drive car or truck, and an e...

When I try to start my engine, I hear a clicking sound but nothing happens. Do I need a new starter?

Maybe, but the only way to know for sure is to check out the battery, solenoid and starter. If you hear a clicking noise, it m...

My engine starts and idles fine, but lacks power at high speed. What's wrong?

You most likely have one of two problems: a fuel line restriction or an exhaust restriction. Fuel Restriction ...

I have a manual transmission. Does the fluid in it ever need to be changed?

Not usually. Some older import vehicles (like Volkswagen Beetles) recommended periodic lube changes for their gearboxes, but n...

My engine starts but dies after a couple of minutes and won't restart. What's wrong?

It sounds like the classic symptom of an exhaust blockage, probably due to a clogged catalytic converter. The converter can ov...

My engine is hard to start when it's cold. What's wrong?

If your engine has a carburetor, the hard starting problem is most likely choke related. If the engine cranks normally and the...

My engine is hard to start when it's hot. How come?

Hot starting problems are usually fuel related. When a hot engine is shut off, the temperature of the engine and everything on...

When I try to start my engine, nothing happens. It won't even crank. All I hear is dead silence. What's wrong?

Assuming you're not deaf, you have a starting problem that may be due to a dead battery, a loose or corroded battery cable,...

I have a manual transmission. Lately the clutch has started to slip. Does that mean I need a new clutch?

It depends. If your clutch has low miles on it (40,000 or less), chances are the slippage is due to one of two things: oil con...

How can I tell if a rotor or drum really needs to be replaced?

A rotor must be replaced if it is at or below the minimum thickness specification or discard thickness stamped on the rotor (this same infor...

I feel a pulsation or vibration in my brake pedal every time I stop. But the brakes seem to work fine. Is anything wrong?

A pulsating brake pedal, which may be accompanied by a shuddering or jerky stop during normal braking, usually means a warped r...

My brakes are squealing. Does that mean I need a brake job?

Not necessarily. A certain amount of brake noise is considered "normal" these days because of the harder semi-metalli...

What parts are generally replaced during a brake job, and why?

A traditional brake job (if there is such a thing) usually means replacing the front disc brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, r...