Where the Alternator Is
Where to find the alternator in most cars, how to tell it apart from nearby belt-driven parts, and when the answer differs by vehicle or powertrain.
Car blog Page 374
Practical automotive articles on maintenance, diagnostics, vehicle systems, buying used cars, tires and electric driving.
Systems
Find a Coolant Leak at the Front of the Engine
Coolant leaking from the front of the engine? Learn the likely sources, how to recognize each component, how to tell coolant from other fluids, and how to trace the leak safely.
Systems
Replace car battery cables
When and how to replace car battery cables, which vehicles change the job, how to choose a matching replacement, and safe removal and installation steps.
Find a Coolant Leak at the Back of the Engine
How to trace a coolant leak at the back of the engine: likely sources near the firewall, how to confirm the fluid is coolant, and how to pinpoint the leak safely.
12V AGM Battery Chargers and Maintainers: What to Look For
Can any 12V charger handle an AGM battery? Learn which charger and maintainer features matter for AGM, how they differ from standard lead-acid charging, and when a combo or wheeled unit makes sense.
Systems
Red Brake Calipers: What They Mean and Whether They Matter
Red brake calipers are usually a styling choice, not a performance upgrade. Learn what red calipers signal, when they come with better brakes, and how to add them.
Systems
Two-Cycle Engine Oil Mix Ratio: How to Find and Measure the Right Mix
How to find the correct two-cycle oil-to-fuel ratio for your engine or string trimmer, with mixing amounts for 50:1, 40:1, 32:1 and 25:1.
Replace a Brake Master Cylinder: What the Job Involves and What Drives the Cost
What replacing a brake master cylinder involves, when it is needed, how much depends on your vehicle, and which factors shape replacement cost.
Systems
How to Look Up Chrysler 300 Check Engine Codes
How to read and interpret Chrysler 300 check engine codes with an OBD-II scanner, what the code letters and numbers mean, and which details vary by model year.
48V Alternator Issues: What They Usually Mean in Mild-Hybrid Cars
What a 48V alternator is in a mild-hybrid car, the problem areas usually involved, warning signs, and why diagnosis needs dealer-level tools.
Diagnose Chevy S10 Service Engine Soon light
What the Service Engine Soon light means on a Chevy S10, how to read codes on older and newer trucks, which checks to do first, and when to stop driving.
Systems
Weize Car Battery: How to Tell If One Fits Your Vehicle
Considering a Weize car battery? Learn which specs to match, including group size, terminals, CCA and AGM or flooded type, and what to verify before you buy.
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