Based on current events, we have to say, yes, they can go bad. We're referring to the recalls and investigations of airbags manufactured by Japan-based Takata Corp., a major global auto-parts supplier. In the U.S., millions of vehicles produced by Honda, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan,...
By Rick Popely, Cars.com
Aside from a dead battery or faulty charging system, the most common auto electric issues owners are likely to experience are burned-out light bulbs.
After bulbs, though, it's likely potluck: Electrical problems could crop up in many places, from the stereo to an...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — The labor time it takes to replace the motor mounts can bring the price to more than $1,000 on some vehicles. On the Honda Odyssey minivan, for example, we've seen price quotes of $1,000 for just one new motor mount and $1,800 for all three.
Many motor (or engine) and...
By Rick Popely, Cars.com A vehicle's alternator generates the power that charges the battery, and when that power flow slows to a trickle or stops, you will be unable to use its electrical accessories, or the car will just stop running. If the alternator is the culprit, it could be because...
The engine air filter (which cleans the air going into the engine) should be changed every two years or sooner on most vehicles. Many manufacturers recommend every two years but say it should happen more often if most of your driving is done in a major urban area with heavy traffic and poor air...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — If the battery warning light (a light in the shape of a battery) comes on while you're driving, that means the charging system isn't working, but the fault may lie in something other than the battery. The cause could be a loose or corroded battery cable or...
The head gasket is a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. The only time it should be replaced is if it develops leaks that allow engine coolant to seep internally or externally, where it should be visible. Internal leaks allow coolant to be burned in the combustion chambers....
AutoAfterWorld.COM — Tesla is voluntarily recalling several thousand power adapters for a risk of overheating. Related: Tesla Adds Self-Drive to Entire Lineup Tesla said that in November it had two reports of NEMA 14-30 (a standard of the National Electrical Manufacturers...
The schedule for replacing a timing belt varies by manufacturer, with some saying it should be every 60,000 miles and others 100,000 miles or more. (Some engines have timing chains that shouldn’t require periodic replacement.) If the timing belt breaks, the engine can’t run. Worse,...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — Tesla is voluntarily recalling several thousand power adapters for a risk of overheating. Related: Tesla Adds Self-Drive to Entire Lineup Tesla said that in November it had two reports of NEMA 14-30 (a standard of the National Electrical Manufacturers...
Unless your car is hard to start, idles roughly, accelerates sluggishly or gulps gasoline, you’ll probably get little benefit from replacing the spark plugs before the time or mileage interval recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Some manufacturers recommend replacing spark plugs as...
AutoAfterWorld.COM — If your engine misfires, hesitates, stalls, gets poor mileage, is hard to start or has failed an emissions test, it clearly needs something, though a tune-up in the traditional sense might not be the cure. If you tell a repair shop you need a tune-up, the mechanic...
The head gasket seals the gap between the cylinder head and engine block. When it fails, that allows coolant to leak inside the combustion chambers. A leaky head gasket can also allow coolant to seep out near the exhaust manifold, causing the engine to run hotter. A sure sign of a blown head...
The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshafts and controls when valves open and close. A loose or worn belt will cause ticking or rattling noises, poor engine performance and overheating, usually triggering the Check Engine light. If the timing belt breaks, the engine can’t run...
An engine that misfires -- meaning the spark plugs fire at the wrong time -- could be due to worn or fouled plugs. Other indications of worn spark plugs are low fuel economy, hard starting and sluggish acceleration. Most plugs, though, should last at least 100,000 miles before needing to be...