Throughout her career, Mia Bevacqua has applied her skills toward automotive failure analysis inspections, consulting, diagnostic software development, and of course, writing.
Mia has a passion for math, science, and technology that motivates her to stay on top of the latest industry trends, such as electric vehicles and autonomous systems. At the same time, she has a weakness for fixer-upper oddballs, such as her 1987 Chevy Cavalier Z-24 and 1998 Chevy Astro Van AWD.
Credentials:
Summary Fuel injection vehicles have a primary fuel pump that’s typically located in the fuel tank. Modern vehicles with gasoline…
Summary In most cases, the A/C compressor can be found in front of the engine with other belt-driven accessories. Locating…
Summary The radiator is located at the front of the engine compartment behind your vehicle’s grille. A radiator has an…
Summary When the temperatures drop below freezing point, your vehicle might start malfunctioning in many different ways.In winter, your vehicle’s…
Summary The catalytic converter is an emissions control device that converts harmful exhaust gases into water vapor and carbon dioxide.…
With winter right around the corner, you might be excited to drink hot chocolate, build snowmen, and visit your in-laws…
Summary When the engine is running, the alternator charges the battery and supplies energy to all of the car’s onboard…
Summary Fall is the best time to catch up on any maintenance work and repairs that you might have been…
Summary Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are unique in how they’re powered by electricity.One vehicle that might become a future…
If you’re like most DIYers, you probably have a scan tool or code reader that you use to check for…
About a decade ago, there was a battle for supremacy between alternative fuel technologies. In an effort to move away…
Summary High-end models aren’t the only vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Nowadays, even economy cars, such as…
Summary Timing belt replacement, valve adjustment, and fuel filter replacement are critical car maintenance items most drivers forget to do.…
Are you tired of watching TikTok videos of people dancing around in their kitchens? Then, you might want to start…
Summary California emissions standards are stricter than those implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The emission systems decal located under…
Summary If you’re looking for a new gasoline-powered vehicle that’s relatively cheap, you might want to check out models like…
List of Car Body Parts Even though nobody wants to get into a car accident, a collision can happen to…
Summary Some essential things you should check off your pre-road-trip checklist include repairing known problems, checking the fluids, and testing…
Summary Carburetors are designed to deliver a metered amount of fuel into the engine. Unlike computer-controlled fuel injectors, they’re mechanical…
Summary Some tool types that can help you determine what’s wrong with your car include code readers, generic scan tools,…
Summary Secondhand high-mileage vehicles are becoming popular because they cost significantly less than modern unused vehicles.Build quality and longevity are…
An internal combustion engine powers your car (unless you drive a pure electric vehicle). You know that much, but are…
It goes without saying that your car's lights are of utmost importance. Without good lighting, you can't find items inside…
Summary Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, made many promises, including selling flamethrowers to the public.He also predicted that the Tesla Cyber…
Summary Most electric vehicles don’t have a multi-speed transmission. Despite this, they have a much wider powerband than internal combustion…
Summary One of the main misconceptions about electric vehicles (EVs) is that they’re worse for the environment than traditional models,…
Summary You shouldn’t over-inflate your tires to get better fuel economy. While it reduces rolling resistance, it also reduces handling…
Summary The timing belt is a toothed belt located behind the engine’s front cover that’s used to keep the engine’s…
Summary Since the dawn of the automobile, women have played a major role in shaping and building the auto industry.Bertha…
Summary The ABS module manages the anti-lock braking system and regulates brake fluid pressure to prevent wheel lockup during a…
Summary A cheap-to-buy car doesn’t necessarily mean it will be cheap to own. If you’re an average consumer, owning a…
Summary If one of your brake rotors is warped, you might notice pedal pulsation, steering wheel vibration while braking, and…
Summary There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how tight spark plugs should be because different spark plugs require different amounts…
Summary When the driver steps on the clutch pedal, the clutch master cylinder forces pressurized fluid through a line to…
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, which means you're probably thinking about getting flowers and other thoughtful gifts for…
Summary The PCV valve is responsible for redirecting blowby gases to the engine where they’re burned during normal operation. If…
Summary Buying a pre-owned EV can be a great way to go if you’re looking to break free from fossil…
Summary Timing chain tensioners are responsible for controlling the tension of the timing chain, keeping it tight to ensure that…
Summary New cars are getting more expensive, with the average modern vehicle costing up to $47,000.When looking for a secondhand…
Summary The pitman arm transfers the driver’s steering wheel input to the steering linkage, turning the wheels in the process.Loose…
Summary Hybrid vehicles blend electric power with a traditional gas engine.Some of the most commonly asked questions about hybrid vehicles…
Summary An engine is seized if it won’t turn over due to internal failure.The most common symptom of a seized…
Summary Excessive vibration, abnormal tire and tread wear, and poor handling are common symptoms of a bent rim. Wheel can…
Summary Leaf springs are the oldest type of vehicle suspension spring. The leaves have one or more strips of layered…
Summary The US celebrates National Technology Day every January 6.Three of the many inventions that changed cars forever include the…
This past year had a lot of ups and downs, just like a rollercoaster ride. You’re probably ready to forget…
Summary A coolant leak can lead to a variety of serious problems, such as overheating and internal engine damage.Some of…
Summary Catalytic converters are valuable because they contain the precious metals rhodium, palladium, and platinum. You can install a catalytic…
It’s that time of year again—Old Man Winter is here. And he’s angry. If you live in a part of…
Summary Never underestimate the importance of winter maintenance, as it can get tricky to drive in snow.Three tips to keep…
Summary Some common symptoms of a failing fuel pump include ignition issues, the fuel pump running continuously, and an illuminated…
Summary Behind the flashy factory hot rods of the 1990s are many rad cars that have been forgotten.The Ford Thunderbird…
Diesel-powered pickup trucks are desirable because they tend to make more torque and waste less energy than a comparable gasoline-powered…
Summary Before prepping your vehicle for the holidays, make sure to make a list of all known issues and get…
Summary A sway bar is a suspension component that minimizes body roll when the vehicle is cornering or driving on…
Summary The expansion valve lowers refrigerant pressure and meters it into the evaporator core.If the expansion valve gets damaged, the…
Summary There are a lot of common car care myths floating around, especially the ones that keep getting passed down.These…
Summary A misfire occurs when there’s incomplete (or zero) combustion taking place inside one of the engine’s cylinders. The common…
Summary Some of the most common trouble codes include codes P0420, P0171, P0300, and P0442.Other common trouble codes include P0401,…
Summary Several issues can cause grinding issues when you’re driving such as worn brake pads, rusted rotors, bent backing plates,…
Summary Your car can shut off while driving because of ignition system issues. Fuel delivery, battery, and charging problems can…
Summary A severe case of engine misfire may cause vehicle shaking and trigger the check engine light. An engine misfire…
Summary It can be difficult to determine why your car doesn’t accelerate properly. A few possible causes include problems with…
Summary Because of the chip shortage and technician shortage, you’ll likely have to wait a long time for any type…
Summary The Carolina squat is an illegal modification that reduces the driver’s view of the road. It also compromises the…
Summary The master warning light looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle. It’s meant to catch…
Summary The TC warning light will flash in low traction conditions on most vehicles. If the TC light remains steadily…
Being a parent means that you get to teach your daughter or son a variety of life skills, ranging from…
Summary If you hear a popping noise while your vehicle turns, then it’s most likely being caused by worn constant…
Summary Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries use absorbed glass mats to absorb acidic solutions from the battery.Lead-acid batteries work the…
Summary Buying a used hybrid is a good idea if you want a vehicle with excellent fuel economy and reduced…
Summary Improper operating conditions, wiring issues, and a faulty throttle actuator are some of the most common reasons why your…
Summary A hesitating engine means that it’s receiving insufficient power, misfiring, or stumbling. Issues with the ignition system, fuel delivery,…
Summary Under normal circumstances, activating the A/C shouldn’t cause the engine to overheat because the engine and cooling system are…
Summary Low oil pressure inside the engine can cause internal problems that may negatively affect vehicle operation and leave you…
Summary GDI systems spray fuel directly into the combustion chamber.When carbon builds up on the valve, one option is to…
Summary You can find the 2002 Kia Sportage washer motor in the washer tank.Remove the washer tank and drain it…
Summary A shaking steering wheel in a 2007 Toyota Tacoma is usually caused by wheel and tire problems. So check…
Summary The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s air suspension system is quite complex. The setup uses air springs in the front…
Summary Diagnostic codes serve as a starting point for further diagnostics.Some codes, like P0300, have many potential causes. This makes…
Summary The common symptoms of an obstructed transmission filter include abnormal shifting, noises from the transmission pump, and contaminated transmission…
Summary A quirky car is one that isn’t conventionally attractive or desirable, and a vintage car is one from the…
Summary Your headlights won’t turn on or off once your relay is faulty. If your vehicle is equipped with concealed…
Summary Compression is the pressure created inside each of the engine’s cylinders, and low compression leads to incomplete combustion and…
Summary A turbocharger is essentially an exhaust-driven air pump that forces extra air into the engine.Some common signs of a…
Summary Distributor caps are wear-and-tear items that should be replaced along with the rotor whenever you do a tune-up.It might…
Summary A cracked engine block is one of the most serious (and costly) problems you might encounter as a vehicle…
Summary The alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy via magnetic induction. This charges the battery while the engine is…
Summary A vehicle’s differential is a complex assembly that transfers and manipulates engine torque being sent to the drive wheels.Some…
Summary There are many intake and exhaust valves in your engine. If a valve is damaged by excessive temperatures, it…
Summary A/C sealants can potentially clog A/C systems and do more harm than good.It’s better to find the source of…
Summary Your vehicle could be running low on power steering fluid if you’re having trouble turning the steering wheel and…
Summary The voltage regulator controls the amount of current that flows through the rotor’s field to regulate the alternator’s voltage…
Summary The most common symptoms of a bad blend door actuator include abnormal noises, incorrect climate control outlet temperature, and…
Summary Failure to reset the transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) system values after a transmission rebuild can result in delayed or…
Summary Vapor lock is a problem more often found in older vehicles. It happens when vaporized fuel prevents the fuel…
Summary Overheating can be caused by air trapped in the cooling system. This is why the cooling system should be…
Summary It might be due to a clerical error likely in the CARFAX report. You can check out and ask…
Summary Clutch slippage occurs when the friction disc slips against the flywheel.A slipping clutch will cause an increase in engine…
Summary Pressurized brake fluid acts as the medium to activate the brakes.Signs of low brake fluid: fluid appears low in…