The check engine light can be an intimidating surprise. A number of questions immediately come to mind: What’s wrong with your car? Will it be expensive to fix? Can you fix it yourself, or will you have to bring your car to a mechanic? With the right tools and resources, you can quickly get to the root of the issue. Why Did the Check Engine Light Illuminate? First, think back to when the light came on. Was it just after you refueled or hit a pothole? Then, consider any other

Everyone knows the age-old car maintenance schedule advice of getting your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Or was it 7,500 miles or three months? There’s a passionate debate around service intervals — whether they should be based on time or mileage, and even then, how much? What everyone can agree on is that following a maintenance schedule is important, so let’s cut through some of the fat to find out what’s best for your vehicle. Time Is Miles The reason there are so many he

Hydraulic systems found on heavy machinery are under a lot of demand, even more so as manufacturers move to lighter and more efficient designs. Choosing the right hydraulic oil for your heavy equipment, whether you’re operating a single piece of machinery, running a farm or a fleet of construction equipment, is critical to keeping your business running. As hydraulic systems have changed, operators expect even more out of them, but may spend less time on maintenance. What fact

If you own a car, then chances are you may have to deal with a vehicle recall at some point. Here’s what you need to know about them and what you should do if there’s one issued for your vehicle. What Are Vehicle Recalls? Every car make goes through months of rigorous testing before it goes on sale. Despite all of that, some things get missed and can eventually cause problems for owners months or even years after they buy their cars. There are laws in place, like the Magnuson

Being able to engage your car’s ignition and turn it on without giving it a second thought is something a lot of drivers take for granted. However, trouble may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including with your car’s battery, which supplies electricity for ignition. Problems with a battery terminal end can leave you stranded, but the solutions are easy to identify and relatively simple to mend. Signs of Battery Terminal Trouble The battery terminal end serves as the co

Running water is great to have for your home — inside your car, not so much. If you find water dripping onto your carpets from underneath the dashboard, there’s a good chance that a failed heater core is the culprit. What Is It Anyway? A heater core is like a smaller version of the radiator that’s under your car’s hood, and the two are connected. Coolant runs through it, and when the fluid warms up, the core creates heat that radiates through your vehicle’s heater. It also pl

You step on the brakes one day and hear a squealing sound. And it’s not the tires — it’s the brakes themselves. That noise from the disc brakes is often caused by brake dust, and the answer is a good cleaning. Below are some useful car brake cleaning tips to help keep your brakes running smoothly. Question: Can I Clean My Brakes? The answer is yes. You should be able to manage the cleaning, as long as you’re fairly handy and follow some simple but important safety steps along

Four-wheel drive is a feature often seen in trucks and large crossovers. Below, we’ll examine what this amenity is and shed some light on its benefits and disadvantages. We’ll also provide insight into when you should use this feature and how to tell if it’s working correctly. What It Is and How It Differs From Other Powertrains Most vehicles have a powertrain that sends power to just two of its wheels. A two-wheel-drive powertrain may be either front-wheel drive or rear-whee

People who own and operate heavy machinery know that while the job they provide is vital, repairs can be costly. However, considering the price tag on buying new machinery easily starts at six figures, it’s usually better to get the repairs done to ensure the longevity of your machine. That said, with a proper heavy machinery care routine, many repairs can be avoided to minimize surprises and operational downtime. Heavy Duties It’s the same as with personal vehicles: A little

We all know how to clean a car don’t we? For many of us, it’s one of our fondest childhood memories and one of our most common adult responsibilities. And it’s usually not difficult – just wipe down the dash, vacuum the seats and floorboards, and give the exterior a good once-over with soap and water. And voila! You have a fresh clean car, right? Well, while these tactics a perfectly fine for your routine car cleaning regimen, there are actually plenty of other nooks and cran