DIY automatic transmission fluid checking
1. Park the car on a level spot, leaving the shifter set at the PARK setting.
2. Open the hood, and pull out the http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html#engineoilcheck dipstick. Consult the manual for the exact location.
3. Wipe the dipstick with a clean and lint free cloth, and then carefully return the dipstick to its proper place.
4. Pull out the dipstick again and examine the fluid. If it is black or brown (normal transmission fluid is either clear and transparent or reddish), it recommended to change the fluid immediately, but best consult your manual first as some car models do not require the change of automatic transmission fluid. Also, the markers should be at the HOT level when the engine is still hot, and at the COLD marker when the engine is not being used or has just been run.
Screechin’ Annoyance
Like all auto’s there comes a time when you will get to hear a squeal that is not only annoying but quite alarming for the inexperienced. If it isn’t from the brakes, then it most probably is from the several belts that are in the engine compartment that may have managed to come loose. Don’t get alarmed for this is normal due to the heat and thermal expansion where metals expand as they heat up, the bolt and mounts may have been made of different metals and they have a tendency of loosening up at different rates. First thing to do is to pop the hood and take a look as the car is running on idle, no sound? Turn the A/C on and then listen again if it recurs. There are most often than not, three fan belts in a car engine (not so for American and European Cars for they tend to have one very long belt which connects everything else to the engine), one for the A/C, another for the Alternator and one for the Power Steering. All may have adjusters as they call that you can adjust to either loosen or tighten the squealing belt.
Let the engine cool if you spot one that is loose and loosen the mounting bolt as well as the pulley if there is one, tighten the adjuster first then the pulley bolt then the mounting bracket bolts to finish up. Start the engine and listen if the sound is still there, if indeed it is then there might be a bearing in one of the pulleys(even the alternator and AC compressor have bearing inside of them) may be signaling imminent failure so take it in for replacement. Your car has belts to transmit power from the engine to the other vital systems of the vehicle which are designed to fail or break without endangering the engine itself which would understandably be more expensive to replace than a sub-system such as the A/C, Steering or Alternator. Get your car checked up by a professional regularly so you avoid such instances for they can be easily seen by mechanics and service personnel. Drive Safe and Buckle Up…. Hands off that MOBILE.
Toyota Original Parts
Many argue that there is a conspiracy between car makers and their parts makers that prevents all of us from getting cheaper deals on the market. Though there are a lot of car parts makers around selling OEM-parts, not all of them are same with originals. What we mean is that thought they look same on the outside, it might be a total difference on the inside. Buying original parts from the dealer is the safest way to get original parts for D.I.Y. enthusiasts.
Knowing how to do something at home is a good thing but doing it properly is also as important. Getting the right tools and parts maybe the best thing you can do to save on labor. Truly dealers charge a lot for service but put yourself in their shoes and have to buy all those car lifts, specialized tools and equipment and the building to house them all and you’d get the picture. This goes for all brands and makes of cars for if you’d just ask, dealers and auto makers do sell original parts for people like you and me who like to get dirty.
Tags: DIY Car Care, OEM, Parts, Replacement, Specifications
Replace Your Fuel Filter
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Fuel filter plays a vital role in keeping your car free from fuel impurities. Ultimately, if your fuel fails to do so, it can clog the system and literally render your car useless. You wont be able to start your engine, it can damage the engine block. It will also require you to hire a professional mechanic to fix the problem. What you need is a brand new fuel filter, fuel line washer, wrenches, rags and some eye protection. The average life of a fuel filter is 8 to 10 months. So it is best if you replace your fuel filter once a year. Do not forget to include this step in your regular car maintenance. It should keep you from getting into further troubles arising from unreplaced, dirty and clogged fuel filters. Anyway, fuel filter is so cheap, it can just cost you around less than $10.
Flat Tires
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Changing a flat tire is the basic skill that a driver should have under his driving career. lol. It surely will save you money on tow truck service or a mechanic. It will also help get you back on the road much quicker. These are general instructions. and doesnt require deep technical knowledge. For starters, read your owners manual for the proper procedure for changing a tire on your vehicle. Warning should be in place. Do not… at any circumstance go under a vehicle supported only by a jack. For emergency purposes, if you really have to do so, make sure you use an approved jackstand. Before doing any works with the vehicle, wear eye protection.
Tips:
- A bottle-type hydraulic makes it much easier to jack up the car. A small square plywood can serve as a base for the jack, if you are on grass.
- Practice jacking up at home in the garage so that when its time to do it actually, you have an idea how everything works.
- Make sure you know where your wheel lock key is and must be placed in the car.
A four arm lug wrench generally offers easier leverage than the single lug wrench that comes with the jack.
Want to see the Decliners?
Image source: www.fuelzilla.com
It seems like the automotive industry is deteriorating over time. Reports of sales falls are usual nowadays, particularly in the United States where the economy has slowed down. Autoweek.com reports that March auto sales have left down by 12.0 percent to 1.36 million vehicles.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is among the decliners in this unfavorable situation with a 10.3 percent drop in sales last month. The plunge has prompted Toyota officials to revise its 2008 sales forecast. While Toyota performed poorly with its trucks and SUVs, it did well with its cars such as Camry and Prius that registered good sales.
If we’ll try to look at the bright side of things, we could see that Toyota is just slightly affected here. First, its cars are export. Second, its truck and SUV problems are also problems of the rest of automakers. So I guess there’s really not much to worry about. They could for all time make up for the lost with a new marketing approach, anyhow.
Toyota Will Offer a Plug-In Hybrid by 2010
Plug-in hybrids PHEVs are like regular hybrids but with larger batteries and have the ability to re-charge from a standard outlet.
Changing Your Shift Knob
This has been a practice since many years ago and we will see a lot of cars that improve in image because of them. But the thing today is modern Toyota cars offer a usual leather image. Should you change it to wood?
Detail or Washover
Of the two, detailing may seem to be cheaper but is it wise? It is practically the same thing as you try to cheat your way towards restoring your car. If the cost is only minor in terms of cost, then why not go for the complete washover for a better look?
Tinting the Practical Way
Some say it is for keeping out the rays. But there are magic tints that can likewise be used. Be wise when you apply tint to your car. It can make a difference when you really want to take care of you car externally.
