While the Honda CR-V might have been the pioneer of the compact SUV market, there’s no question that the 2012 Toyota RAV4 is king of the class. Not only does the RAV4 come...
SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) are a fun class of vehicle to drive – with their generally excellent handling on the road, their quick acceleration, and the ability to move a fair number of people while still looking pretty...
Mid-size crossover SUVs are an excellent option when you need to take several friends along with you, or bring your kids along and yet still need to keep a tight leash on your purchase cost as well as...
When considering purchasing a used car, you have a lot of decisions to make. You need to consider price, size, gas mileage, how much cargo space you need, and of course...
If you live in a tropical climate, most of your vehicle purchasing concerns will be essentially the same as if you lived anywhere else – you want a car that looks...
Do you live in terrain that is hilly? Do your city streets feature plenty of inclines and declines that can be nothing short of treacherous in miserable weather? If so, when it’s time to purchase a car you’re...
Being in a wheelchair means you have a very specific list of demands, and requests for your vehicle. The main focus is of course how you will get in and out...
Maybe you’re a parent buying the first car for your teenager, or perhaps you’re a new parent and the safety of your little one is of the utmost importance. Or perhaps you're...
If the battery is discharging while the vehicle is "off", and/or where you have commanded all circuits "off", that means that there is a phantom load somewhere in the vehicle electrical system. A contributing factor could be a faulty charging...
Hi Gail. Thanks for contacting us tonight. Problems with radio static are usually caused by a poor electrical connection - in many cases, it's the connection with the antennae or a ground wire connection to the body of the car....
The term "rear main seal" normally refers to the crankshaft rear main oil seal. If that is the seal you are referring to, improper towing would have zero effect on that seal. Furthermore, if that is the seal you are...
When the engine first starts it is normal for the computer to raise the idle up momentarily to keep the engine running. If you have not got the recall done for the smart stop for the vehicle then have the...
Hi Brandon. Thanks for submitting your question tonight. This type of symptom is commonly associated with a wheel bearing failure. It's not uncommon for a vehicle of nearly 20 years old to have rear wheel bearings fail. If this is...
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and...
If your transmission will not get reverse gear then you may have an internal reverse clutch band worn out or the apply solenoid is not coming on and would need to have transmission pressures and codes checked to isolate the...
The VSC is for the vehicle stability control on your car and will have nothing to do with putting fuel in the vehicle. If the VSC light comes on and stays on then you will need to have system tested...
One of the codes (P0115) refers to the coolant temperature switch circuit. If the circuit has a fault, you may be getting a false indication of the actual, and perhaps too high, engine operating temperature. The cooling system is pressurized...
The problem is from a bad wiper motor control circuit that is built into the motor. Replace the wiper motor is my recommendation without doing further tests.
What you are describing sounds like a failing CV joint. A CV (Constant Velocity) joint is a shaft that connects the transmission to the wheels, essentially transferring the power from the drive train directly to the wheels. The CV joint...
Your car probably has several brake warning lights on the dashboard. I'll presume that you are talking about the one that comes on when the parking brake is set. If that light stays on it may mean there is a...
If the vehicle is presently not starting, the recommended service is a no start diagnostic. A certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, will get the vehicle running and then determine if the initial symptoms you report (battery...
If the engine temperature went too high then you have overheated the engine and could of blown the head gasket causing the no start. You will need to have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic do a test to see...
Hi John. Thanks for sending in your question today. With today's ABS systems, bleeding the brakes or flushing the brake system due to contaminated brake fluid is a very complex process that requires special tools to complete it correctly. If...
It is normal for the engine rpm to go up to about 1200 to 1400 rpm when first started and then comes down gradually. This is for emissions during cold start and considered normal. If you feel it is not...
It is possible that the reason for the overheating is not related to the radiator being low on water. Overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator or...
The theft system is active and may have an issue with the key or the system. You will need to try your second key to see if light goes out? If it still stays lit then you will need to...
With regard to the dealership, or any mechanic for that matter, simply ask for the evidence substantiating the diagnosis and proposed repair. In the case of an alternator, once the drive belt is removed from the engine, and the engine...
