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Summary The thermal expansion valve controls the air conditioning (A/C) system’s pressure, fluid flow rate, and evaporator output temperature.The thermal…
Summary While the location of the tensioner pulley can vary depending on the vehicle, you can usually find it at…
Summary The wheel bearing is inside the wheel hub assembly, usually in front of the steering knuckle.The 2004 to 2014…
Summary If you’re wondering what a hot engine means if the AC is off, then there’s a good chance that…
Summary The transmission is a crucial part of any vehicle, as it delivers power from the engine to the wheels.…
Summary Payload capacity is the amount of weight a vehicle can carry, while towing capacity is the amount of weight…
Summary A transmitter pocket is a compartment for your vehicle’s key fob that lets you start the engine or leave…
Summary A powertrain malfunction is a general term used to describe a problem in the engine or transmission.The powertrain refers…
Summary Resetting the transmission control module (TCM) reestablishes its factory settings and makes it forget what it has previously learned.…
Summary Upper and lower ball joints sit in front of the control arms. In a 2004 to 2012 Ford F-150,…
Summary Air bags appear in different locations according to their type.Steering wheel air bags are in the steering wheel, while…
Summary The timing connects the crankshaft to the valvetrain or camshafts.Accessing the timing chain on a 1997 to 2003 Ford…
Summary Accessory mode operates some accessories on battery power while the engine is turned off.The benefits of accessory mode include…
Summary Hill start assist stops your vehicle from rolling backward when you start it while parked on a hill or…
Summary Common instrument cluster problems include faulty backlights, inaccurate or no gauge readings, and malfunctioning LCD screens. It can also…
Summary Valet keys are shortened versions of the master key that can start your car but can't open the glove…
Summary A car’s blind spot detection (BSD) system alerts the driver whenever another vehicle gets close to the sides of…
Summary Having a 110V outlet in your car is just like having a portable charging station. This means you can…
Summary Flat towing is a method where a motorhome or RV pulls another vehicle. A tow bar on the front…
Summary IVT stands for “Intelligent Variable Transmission.”IVT is a transmission setting that improves your vehicle’s fuel economy and makes your…
Summary Snow mode alters the vehicle's driving dynamics to get better control and grip.You should use snow mode when you're…
Summary All Camaros trace their ancestry to the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a pony car rival to the 1964 Ford…
Summary Two scenarios could happen once you max out the mileage on your vehicle. The odometer could reset to zero…
Summary A triangle with an exclamation point is called a master warning light or general warning light. It indicates there's…
Summary The service shifter warning indicates an issue with the gear shifter and the need to service the part.The gear…
Summary If your vehicle has a headlight sensor, you can find it on the windshield next to the rain sensor…
Summary The cylinder head is usually on top of the cylinder.The cylinder head seals the cylinder and forms the housing…
Summary The air bleeder valve is typically found on the highest spot where coolant circulates.Locating the bleeder nut can get…
Summary The A/C evaporator is also called the heat exchanger. This component is responsible for removing the heat from the…
Summary Oxygen sensors are typically located in the exhaust system. In most modern vehicles, you can find two sensors near…
Summary The wheels will lose their connection to the steering assembly if the tie rod end breaks.The tire rods allow…
Summary Resetting the PCM puts your car back to its factory settings. Experts usually recommend resetting the PCM to clear…
Summary The service 4WD message or light appears when there’s a possible issue in the 4WD system that may require…
Summary Genesis offers some of the safest vehicle models on the market today.The IIHS and the NHTSA both awarded numerous…
Summary An illuminated check emission system light means there's a faulty component affecting the vehicle's emission control.Some common issues that…
Summary Vehicle manufacturers issue a recall on certain models if they have safety-related issues. An existing salvage or flood title and…
Summary FCW stands for "forward collision warning," a security feature that alerts drivers when there's an obstacle detected in front…
Summary BSM stands for blind-spot monitoring.BSM systems use cameras and radars to detect nearby vehicles and pedestrians in the driver’s…
Summary If the battery is weak or unable to hold a charge, the powertrain control module will trigger a “battery…
Summary DTE stands for “distance to empty.” It’s how far your vehicle can travel before it runs out of fuel.Not…
Summary An illuminated check gauge light means that one or several gauge readings aren’t within the normal range.Low oil pressure,…
Summary Tie rods link your car’s steering wheel to the front wheels. They connect the steering rack to a spindle…
Summary An active fuel management (AFM)-equipped engine deactivates cylinders by collapsing the corresponding valve lifters, which effectively stops the intake…
Summary Sealed transmissions are sealed off completely with no easy way to get to the fluid inside. Other than this…
Summary A Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is a fuse box, relay box, and electronic module all rolled into one.A…
Summary The transfer case control module runs the four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain and controls the process of shifting gears when…
Summary Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters help the vehicle’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system heat air inside the…
Summary The only way the seat belt can know if it’s buckled is with a switch that is built into…
Summary You can often find the ignition relay in the fuse box. Use the diagram on the cover to identify…
Summary You can usually find the daytime running light (DRL) module at the vehicle's front or near one of the…
Summary The orifice tube is a small section of tubing that controls the amount of refrigerant that enters the A/C…
Summary The intake manifold is high up in the engine bay on the cylinder head.The exact location of the intake…
Summary Most fuse boxes are in the dashboard on the driver’s side. However, keep in mind that the exact location…
Summary You can usually find the resistor under the device it controls. Some models put the resistor in one of…
Summary Keep the wheel lock key in accessible yet secure locations, like the glove box. You can also hide it…
Summary Most RWD vehicles have the dipstick near the engine's rear, while FWD vehicles place it near the front.The transmission…
Summary Pedal parking brakes are often located to the left of the driver's footwell. The pull handle parking brake is…
Summary You can usually find the sensor between the air filter box and the intake hose. The MAF sensors measure…
Summary The fuel shut off switch’s location varies depending on the vehicle. It can be under a side panel next…
Summary The fuel pressure sensor is usually somewhere along the engine's fuel rail.The sensor tracks the fuel pressure inside the…
Summary The condenser is usually in front of the radiator behind the vehicle's grilles or in front of the engine…
Summary Launch control is a common feature in many performance-oriented vehicles. It helps the driver achieve maximum acceleration from a…
Summary A small block engine has small bores strokes, ports, and valves. Still, it’s capable of generating up to 5,800…
Summary Hybrid vehicle batteries generally last up to eight years or 100,000 miles. Over time, they won’t be able to…
Summary You can tell your transmission is slipping when it feels like you’re driving over ice or changing gears without…
Summary Low or dirty transmission fluid, a malfunctioning PCM, and other electrical issues can prevent the transmission from shifting properly.…
Summary Axle ratio refers to the number of revolutions the driveshaft needs to spin the drive wheels once. Manufacturers typically…
Summary Auto vehicle hold is a feature that automatically helps your vehicle maintain the braking force when you step on…
Summary Big block engines have big bores, valves, and ports, allowing them to produce tremendous amounts of power.Small block engines…
Summary xDrive is the proprietary all-wheel drive system of BMW, and it’s a feature that’s available in many BMW vehicles.xDrive…
Summary Using electrical components when the engine Is off discharges the battery.An illuminated battery discharge warning light can be caused…
Summary The difference between the heater and the cooler is the former increases the cabin's temperature, while the latter blows…
Summary VSA is a type of electronic stability control that automatically adjusts engine output and applies the brakes when in…
Summary Vehicles with disc brake setup have rotors, which are connected to the wheel through the axle.To access the rotors,…
Summary To find the wheel speed sensor, follow the wires leading out to the wheel hub.The ABS wheel speed sensors…
Summary There are usually several blind spot monitoring sensors mounted to the side mirrors or rear bumper of a vehicle.Blind…
Summary The oil control valve is usually near the top of the engine on the cylinder head. Vehicles with VVT…
Summary The sensor is typically near the hood latch. It’s usually underneath the hood, specifically on the hood latch mechanism…
Summary The fuel pump driver module is usually in the back of a vehicle. The exact location varies depending on…
Summary Brake lines are located along the underbody of a vehicle, going from the master cylinder or ABS unit to…
Summary The valet switch is usually under the dashboard. On some models, it can be integrated into the plastic housing…
Summary The cooling fan switch is usually on the radiator assembly. Not all engines come with a fan switch. In…
Summary The anti-theft fuse is typically in the fuse box on the driver’s side. Depending on the vehicle’s specifications, the…
Summary Racing stripes are the two vertical lines running up the racecar’s hood down to its rear. They were first…
Summary The master brake fluid reservoir is usually near the firewall at the back of the engine compartment.Brake fluid transmits…
Summary The canister purge valve is typically in the engine bay attached to the engine or the intake manifold.It’s part…
Summary The transmission fluid flows through the system. The easiest way to check it is with the transmission fluid dipstick,…
Summary The thermostat is inside a housing near the top radiator hose in most vehicles.The thermostat is an important component…
Summary The power steering fluid is typically located in a reservoir marked "Power Steering" under the hood.The fluid is responsible…
Summary The head gasket is typically between the engine block and cylinder head. You’ll have to open your hood to…
Summary You can usually find the cabin air filter behind the glove compartment.Accessing it typically involves removing the box from…
Summary The EGR valve is usually on a pipe that connects the exhaust manifold or intake manifold.The valve is typically…
Summary The tire pressure sensor is usually built into a specialized tire valve.In some vehicles, the tire pressure sensor is…
Summary The location of the spark plugs varies depending on the number of cylinders in the engine. In a four-cylinder…
Summary The shifter cable typically sits between the shifter column and the transmission.The shifter cable connects the shifter handle and…
Summary The shift interlock solenoid keeps the gear shift lever in place unless the driver steps on the brake pedal.The…
Summary The oil pump is usually found inside the lower part of the engine, particularly beside or below the crankshaft.The…
Summary Inside the engine compartment or behind the kick panels are common places where manufacturers place the electronic control module…
Summary The oil pressure switch is typically in the cylinder block near the oil filter.It helps drivers monitor the oil…
Summary Glow plugs are usually located in each of the cylinders inside your engine.They help start the engine, using 12…