Car guides: what to do before you call
What to do right now, step by step and animated, when something goes wrong at home. If it is not fixed, we take you to mechanics in your city.
DIY with care · 20 minCar won't start, just clicks: what to checkCar won't start and just clicks? It is usually a weak battery or a loose, crusty terminal. What to check, how to get going and when to call a mechanic.
Call a proCheck engine light flashing: can I keep driving?Check engine light flashing? Ease off the gas and pull over safely: driving on can ruin the catalytic converter. Steady vs. flashing, and when to call.
DIY with care · 30 minFlat tire: what to do, step by stepFlat tire? Get off the road with your hazard lights on, then change it only where it is safe. When to call roadside help, and how to put on the spare.
DIY with care · 15 minHow to jump-start a car safelyNeed to jump-start your car? Connect the cables in the right order, put the last clamp on bare metal and start the good car first. Step by step, safely.
DIY with care · 40 minCar overheating: pull over, then whatCar overheating? Turn the heater on, pull over safely and let the engine cool before you touch anything. What to check and when to call a mechanic.
Call a proBrakes grinding: what it means and how far you can driveBrakes grinding when you stop? It usually means the brake pads are worn to the metal. How far you can drive, when to call a tow and what gets replaced.
DIY · 20 minCar AC not blowing cold air: what to check firstCar AC not blowing cold air? Check the settings, the cabin filter and the front grille first. What a recharge can and cannot fix, and when to call.
DIY · 15 minTire pressure light on: what to doTire pressure light on? One or more tires are low. Check all four, fill them to the number on the door sticker, and know when it means a leak or a sensor.
DIY with care · 5 minCheck engine light on (not flashing): what to doCheck engine light on but not flashing? It is not an emergency. Check the gas cap, notice how the car drives and get the code read in the next few days.
DIY with care · 15 minCar won't start and makes no sound: what to checkCar won't start and makes no sound at all? Check the gear, the steering lock and the key fob, then the battery cables. What to try and when to call.
Call a proBattery light on while driving: what to doBattery light on while driving? Your car is running on the battery alone. Turn off extras, watch the temperature and drive straight to a mechanic.
DIY with care · 20 minOil pressure light on: stop the engineOil pressure light on? Pull over and turn the engine off right away: driving on can ruin it. How to check the oil, when to add it and when to call a tow.
DIY · 10 minKey fob not working: what to doKey fob not working? Use the hidden key to open the door, hold the fob against the start button, then swap the coin battery. Step by step, in minutes.
DIY with care · 20 minHeadlights dim or out: what to checkHeadlights dim or out? Check the switch, look for a burned bulb, clean cloudy lenses, and know when dim lights mean a charging problem. Step by step.
DIY with care · 15 minWindshield wipers not working: what to doWindshield wipers not working? If you cannot see, slow down and pull off safely. Then check for ice or debris, the wiper fuse and the blades. Step by step.
Call a proSteering wheel shakes when braking: what it meansSteering wheel shakes when you brake? It usually points to uneven brake rotors. How serious it is, what gets fixed and when to stop driving and call a tow.
DIY with care · 15 minCar pulls to one side: what to checkCar pulls to one side? Check the tire pressure first, then how the tires wear. When it is the alignment, when it is the brakes and when to call a mechanic.
DIY with care · 10 minSquealing noise when starting or turning: what it isCar squealing when you start it or turn the wheel? Often it is a worn or loose belt or low power steering fluid. What to check and when to call a mechanic.
DIY with care · 10 minPuddle under the car: what the fluid meansPuddle under your car? Tell oil, coolant, brake fluid and plain AC water apart by where it drips, how it feels and how it smells. When it is safe to drive.
DIY with care · 10 minSmoke from the exhaust: what it meansSmoke from your exhaust? Thin white vapor on a cold day is normal. Thick white, blue-gray or black smoke is not. What to check and when to pull over.
Call a proCar stalls while driving: what to do right nowCar stalls while driving? Hazards on, steer firmly and press the brake hard and steady to reach a safe spot. Then one restart, and when to call a tow.
DIY with care · 10 minTransmission slipping: signs and what to doTransmission slipping? The engine revs but the car barely speeds up. Check the fluid if you can, drive gently and get it checked before it gets worse.
DIY with care · 15 minBurning smell from the car: what it meansCar smells like burning? Pull over if you see smoke. Hot brakes, burning oil, rubber or plastic: what each smell usually means and when to call a mechanic.
DIY with care · 10 minClunking noise over bumps: what to checkClunking noise over bumps? It is usually a worn suspension part. Try the bounce test, look for an oily shock and know when it is not safe to drive.
Call a proBrake pedal soft or spongy: what to do nowBrake pedal soft, spongy or sinking? Pump it, slow down gently and pull over: the brakes may be losing fluid or have air in the lines. Do not drive it.
DIY with care · 10 minCar shaking at idle: what to checkCar shaking at idle? Check the dashboard lights, see if it calms in Neutral and get the code read. When it is spark plugs, an air leak or engine mounts.
DIY with care · 40 minCar heater blowing cold air: what to checkCar heater blowing cold air? Check the coolant with the engine cold and watch the temperature gauge. What low coolant or a bad heater core looks like.
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