Hot Auto Maintenance & Repairs How-Tos
How to Fix Car Dents: 8 Easy Ways to Remove Dents Yourself Without Ruining the Paint
Only three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and getting a dent in your car or truck. Even if you're as careful as possible, you can't always account for runaway shopping carts, wrongly thrown footballs, out-of-nowhere light posts, and other real-life annoyances.
How To: Unlock a Car Door Using a Cell Phone and a Faraway Keyless Remote (Faux-To?)
What if you forgot your car keys and that keyless entry remote banded to them, how are you going to get in your car? Well, if you haven't forgotten your cell phone, too, you can call up someone who has access to that keyless remote, so you can unlock your car or truck via the wireless mobile phone! What?!?
How To: Reset a Busted Speedometer After Jump-Starting or Replacing a Vehicle's Battery
In the past, most mechanics ended up having to replace the speedometer head when a vehicle came in with a broken speedometer. Nowadays, there's a possible reset procedure that can be used, and it can be done by most car owners right at home.
How To: Use Lysol to Clean Bacteria Out of Your Car's Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning systems are cold and wet and make great breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, and adding a nasty odor to the air coming out of the vents.
How To: Replace the Front Inside Door Handle on a 04-10 Toyota Sienna
In this video we will show you how to replace the inside door handle on your 04-10 Toyota Sienna.
How To: Replace Water Pump, All Belts and Shaft Seals on a Porsche 944 S2
The video gives a step by step tutorial on how to replace the water pump, all belts and the shaft seals on a Porsche 944 S2.
How To: Reset the speedometer on a Chrysler
Knowing how fast you're going is an important part of safe, legal driving. If you own a Chrysler and your speedometer has stopped working, there is hope. Watch this video for the procedure you need to reset the speedometer on a newish Chrysler.
How To: Get a Dent Out of a Car Using Just a Plunger
Paying for someone to get a small dent out of your car can be expensive, especially when you realize that you can just do it yourself. If you've got a bathroom—and you probably do—then it's a surefire bet that you've also got a plunger.
How To: Open Your Car Door Without a Key: 6 Easy Ways to Get in When Locked Out
Locking your keys inside of your car is frustrating, to say the least, especially if you're in a hurry to get somewhere. You can always call AAA roadside assistance or a locksmith, but you'll probably have to fork over some money, as well as wait for them to get to you. You might even get towed.
How To: Replace a 2009 Ford Focus brake, backup, or tail light bulb
This tutorial shows you how to replace a rear light on a 2003 Ford Focus. Specifically, the video shows fixing the rear brake light, but this tutorial shows how to fix any rear light (including brake/tail, reverse, and turn signal lights). It is very simple and does not necessarily require any tools at all, though a pair of pliers comes in hand. Give me a break! Better yet, give me a working brake light on my 2003 Ford Focus! OK, if that's what you want, this video is going to show you how to...
How To: Clean your AC drain if water is spilling into your car
This next tutorial is going to be showing you how to take care of a problem that is very common amongst drivers. If water has ever spilled on you from inside your car, it's probably from your HVAC. When you use your A/C, condensation builds up as well, and this usually goes down a drain. But if it gets clogged then you might have a problem.
How To: Replace the fuel filter in a Saturn S-Series car
One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...
How To: Fix transmission and oil seal leaks fast with AT-205 Re-Seal
If you've got an oil seal leak in a very inconvenient place, then this video by Scotty Kilmer will show you how a little bottle of re-sealer may be able to fix that leak. The vehicle in this video has a leak in the front main seal of the automatic transmission. The seal is pretty cheap, but you have to pull the transmission off to replace it, which can take a serious amount of time. The re-sealer is a better solution, a polymer oil that can mix with all kinds of oils. If you mix AT-205 Re-Sea...
How To: Replace a thermostat on a GM 3.1L or 3.4L automobile
Replace the thermostat on your GM 3100 or 3400 vehicle with this nifty tutorial. The video shows you how to replace a thermostat on a 3.4L GM but it should also help you repair a 3.1L GM as well. Just a heads up - you'll need to replace an o-ring when you install the new thermostat as well.
How To: Read a window motor electrical diagram for a car
Electrical diagrams are hard to read for all but the most mechanically-inclined, and the ones for the power windows on cars are notoriously complicated. This three-part video will teach you how to read these diagrams and make sense of what you see.
How To: Fix Broken Plastic Tabs on Bumper
A common problem on bumper covers is that the tabs that attach the bumper to the car get broken. This is critical, as this is what secures and aligns the bumper cover. Many times, a broken tab is all that is wrong with the bumper cover. With the cost of these plastic parts $200 to $700, the replacement cost can break the bank.
Boiled Water: The Easiest Way to Remove Dents from a Car Bumper
Even if you're lucky enough to not be injured in a car accident, it's rare to escape without some sort of damage to your vehicle. It goes without saying that there are some things you shouldn't try to fix yourself, but if it's just a scratch or dent, DIY can be a cheaper way to go.
How To: Fix your Honda when it dies on the road
So you're driving your Honda, and it suddenly dies. You don't have to call a tow truck! This video shows you a few tips and ideas, like checking the spark plugs or the distributor, to get your Honda running on your own.
How To: Bypass a broken air conditioning computer system in a car with a bypass switch
More and more car parts are controlled by computers, and the results are not always what we hope they will be. They often break for what seems like no reason and are expensive to fix. In this video you'll learn how you can fix a broken air conditioning control system on your car with a $30 bypass switch that will be much more reliable than your computer was.
How To: Cut R&R (remove & replace) time for an engine in a 2000 Chevrolet Express van
For most vehicles, the way you remove and replace (often referred to as R&R) an engine is by disconnecting everything from the motor and pulling it out of the frame. With the 2000 Chevrolet Express, the book time states 22 hours for R&R of the engine this way. But there is a shortcut, and it cuts the time nearly in half! It involves the backwards approach, where you lift the body of the Chevy Express off the frame, then pull the engine out.
How To: Replace the camshaft sensor on a Nissan Altima
In this video, Richpin demonstrates how to replace the camshaft sensor in a Nissan Altima. The cam sensor is located by the cylinder box. First, remove the electrical connector off of the sensor. Push up on the lock on the bottom of the sensor to pull back and remove the connector. The sensor is held in by a bolt so remove the bolt with a ratchet wrench. Next, pull out the sensor. Wiggle it to remove the seal of the o-ring. Rub the residual oil on the new sensor's o-ring. Then, slide the new ...
How To: Replace a front wheel bearing on a Chevrolet Impala
One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...
How To: Replace Driver Side Master Power Window Switch on a 04-10 Toyota Sienna
In this video we will show you how to replace the driverside master power window switch on a 2004-2012 Toyota Sienna.
How To: Replace the Side Rear View Mirror on Your 04-10 Toyota Sienna
In this video we will show you how to replace side view mirror on your 04-10 Toyota Sienna.
How To: Jack Up a Chevy Venture Van
This article will show you how to lift a Chevy Venture van using a floor jack and jack stands. This procedure may work on other vehicle types and models, such as cars and trucks. The key is to use the proper sized heavy duty floor jacks and jack stands to lift your vehicle, and locate the proper area of the vehicles frame to place the jack and stands.
How To: Replace a broken front sway (stabilizer) bar on a 97-05 Chevy Venture
If your car is starting to ride like a boat you may have a broken stabilizer bar, also known as a sway bar. The good news is that you can replace the sway bar and get your car running smoothly again. Watch this video and learn how to replace the stabilizer bar on almost any GM vehicle.
How To: Replace the lower ball joint on a Ford F150 (two-wheel drive)
Want to replace the lower ball joint on your two-wheel Ford F150? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this repair video can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in about 13 minutes. For all of the details, and to get started yourself, take a look!
How To: Replace a primer bulb on a Stihl FS110 trimmer
In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a primer bulb on a Stihl FS110 trimmer. First, remove the screws around the top cover. After this, remove the bolts around the bulb on the trimmer as well. Once you take this out, replace the bulb with a new one. You may need to blast the dirt away from the bolts to be able to get inside and remove them easily. Once you replace the bulb, make sure to screw the bolts in tightly around the bulb and around the cover. When finished, you will have a new pr...
How To: Replace the rear cargo door roller track on an LLV postal truck
The rear door track is a must-have for postal workers on their LLV postal trucks. If they can't open the back cargo door, how would they get us our mail? So, when dealing with a broken cargo door track, this video will help you replace the roller track, which is actually quite easy. The United States Postal Service (USPS) uses these "Long Life Vehicles" for almost all mail deliveries! If you have another problem, check out the other LLV videos.
How To: Replace spark plugs in a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
In this tutorial, we learn how to replace spark plugs in a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. First, prop your hood up and leave it open. Next, remove the hoses around the spark plugs and use a wrench to remove the casing around the plugs. After this, squeeze the top of the connector and unplug the wires. Next, remove the spark plugs and replace the new ones back inside. When you are finished, you will need to replace all the items that you removed, making sure to replace everything where it was origi...
How To: Replace the drive belt in an Infiniti G35
Infiniti is like no other car, it has emotion, it has soul, it inspires. There's a difference between being physically transported and emotionally moved, and you can tell them apart when you sit inside this magnificent automobile. Although the Infiniti is like a dream car, it has its problems just like any other brand of vehicle. There's maintenance, minor repairs, major repairs, needed replacement parts, oil changes, headlight adjustment, low tires, transmission and everything else you can t...
How To: Replace Headlight Bulb on Pontiac G6
Cars are quite different than they used to be. Sure, modern cars have some cool things, but repairing them are becoming difficult. Even simple things like changing a headlight bulb.
How To: Replace rear brake pads on a Ford Explorer
When replacing your brake pads on your Ford Explorer, you first need to jack up the vehicle and remove the tire. This will give you access to the brakes. Locate the caliper, remove the two bolts and slide the caliper off. Inside the calipers are the brake pads. Pry out the outside brake pad off first, then the inside pad. Then it's time to reverse the process!
How To: Replace and repair the rack and pinion on a Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner
The Mercury Mariner, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute are the exact same car with different skins, so what works on one works exactly the same on the others. Watch this video to learn how to replace the rack and pinion steering gears on any of these cars.
How To: Bypass the kickstand safety switch on a motorcycle
In this tutorial, we learn how to bypass the kickstand safety switch on a motorcycle. If you have broke your kickstand switch, you can easily bypass it while you are on the road so you can set your bike. All you need to do this is a piece of electric tape. If you don't have this on your bike, the vehicle will completely turn off while it's in use. To do this, unplug the switch that is the kickstand safety switch. There will be two electrical tabs in this, stick a screwdriver in them to remove...
How To: Fix a Huge Dent in Your Car at Home Without Ruining the Paint Job
There are two options when it comes to a dent in your car — live with it, cringing each time it enters your view, or get rid of it. While the latter is obviously the best option, most of us will probably just live with dents and dings since spare money is better spent on the actual functionality of the vehicle. However, there is a way to knock out automobile dents yourself with relatively little cash in the bank.
How To: Make an external fuel tank and pump for starting dead cars
If your car cranks and won't start, you may need to put some fresh fuel in it. Rather than push the car inside, why not construct an external fuel tank and pump system for fixing the car in the field? This video will show you how to do it.
How To: Stop Running Over Plastic Bags! And More Small Tips for Keeping Your Car Running Smoothly
Approximately 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per U.S. resident and more than 54 times the number of people who live on the planet. That's why here in Santa Monica, thanks to a city-wide plastic bag ban, you won't find a plastic bag at any of the major retail stores.
How To: Fix a Broken Door Latch Cable in a 1980-97 Ford F150, F250, F350, or Bronco
Can't get your door open? Could be the door latch cable. This video will help you install a new door latch cable in your Ford F150, F250, F350, or Bronco pickup truck (1980-1997).
How To: Change the Timing Belt and Water Pump in a Peugeot 206 Subcompact Car
The following two videos show in detail how to proceed in changing the timing belt and water pump in a Peugeot 206 with 1.4 L engine. The timing belt has to be changed every 90,000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first. In most cases, it's a good idea to change the water pump during this work, too. Exceptions may be low mileage or a recently changed pump.