Quick Cash Auto Blog

Headlights are an essential part of any vehicle. Headlights allow you to drive safely at night, and they also allow other drivers to see you on the road. Thankfully, most automobiles come with two headlights, so if one goes out, you can still drive, but it’s important to change out a non-functioning headlight as soon as possible. In a worst case scenario, if both headlights go out, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road with no way to safely drive.

Before you begin the process of changing out a headlight, you will need to find the proper replacement. This can be done by checking with an auto parts store, with your vehicle’s manufacturer or with your owner’s manual. Most replacement headlights come in standard sizes, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the right one. It should be noted that you typically will only need to replace the bulb inside of the headlight assembly, not the entire assembly itself. If you do need to replace the assembly, for instance, in the event of a crack in the plastic, it may be a bit more difficult to find a suitable replacement quickly.

Once you have your replacement bulb, make sure your vehicle is turned off and then open the hood. For extra safety, it’s also a good idea to disconnect your vehicle’s battery to avoid an electric shock. From there, look at the back of the headlight assembly. Some vehicles are designed to allow you to simply pull or unscrew a wire harness from the back of the assembly, and then change out the bulb from there. If your vehicle is not designed that way, you may need some tools, such as wrenches and screwdrivers. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact specifications of your headlight assembly if these tools are needed.

If you can’t simply unplug a wire harness with the bulb, you will need to remove the headlight assembly itself. Many assemblies are secured to a vehicle with bolts, screws and plastic fasteners. You will need to remove these items, and then slowly pull the headlight assembly out of the front of the vehicle. Once you’ve gotten the assembly out, you should see a wire harness that leads to the bulb. You may have to unscrew this harness to pull the actual bulb out. Once this is done, simply replace the bulb, re-attach the wire harness and then place the assembly back in your vehicle. Make sure to reconnect the battery and test your headlight before putting any screws, bolts or fasteners back in to avoid having to remove them again if the headlight doesn’t work.

It happens to virtually everyone at some point: you’re driving down the road, your vehicle is running smoothly, and suddenly, your “check engine” light comes on. As vehicles have become more technically advanced, computerized components have taken over more and more of your vehicle’s day-to-day operations. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for everyday people to diagnose a “check engine” problem without advanced tools, such as code scanners.

If you’ve found yourself with a check engine light error, it’s important to get your vehicle to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Often times, a check engine light signifies that there is a potential problem with your vehicle’s powertrain and supporting systems. A check engine light may also signify that there is a problem with your vehicle’s exhaust, meaning you could be spewing dangerous pollutants into the air. Then again, it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap.

The problem with the check engine light is that it really doesn’t give you any real indication as to what the exact problem is. Your vehicle’s electronic control systems are so complex and so varied that it would be nearly impossible for there to be a warning light for every potential problem. With that said, as vehicle manufacturers have continued to integrate computer screens and controls into vehicle consoles, the ability to display detailed information has become easier.

If your check engine light comes on, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to immediately pull off the road. You should, however, get to a mechanic soon. Some vehicles use a graded system of lights to signify dangerous problems over innocuous ones. These systems may use a solid yellow or orange check engine light to show that there is a potential problem that you need to address. As the problem becomes worse, the light may then begin to blink. Finally, if the problem is serious, you may receive a solid or blinking red light. This light may also be accompanied by a chime or beeping sound. If this happens, you should probably pull over, as continuing to drive under this condition could cause serious damage to expensive components.

Fortunately, drivers that experience a check engine light have inexpensive options to have it checked. Many auto parts stores will perform a system scan for free, which will then generate a trouble code. This trouble code will allow you to know exactly what’s wrong, allowing you to decide whether it’s something you need to fix right now, or if it’s something that can wait.

You’ve decided that you don’t want to pay at the gas pump anymore, and you’ve invested in an electric or hybrid vehicle. It seems like a great idea, and you’re likely enjoying either having to fuel up far less often or simply needing to plug your car in when you get home from work. However, what happens when something goes wrong? Even if you have a lot of knowledge about car repair in general, would you have a clue about repairing your alternative fuel vehicle?

Most people would answer, “no”; that’s where I-CAR steps in to help. I-CAR stands for “The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair”, and its website provides online courses on car repair that anyone can access. Although the online courses are geared towards automotive professionals, specifically technicians, an individual that just purchased a new hybrid or electric vehicle can also access the courses to learn more about the inner workings of their vehicle.

There are two courses that have been added to the catalog to address the differences between traditional and alternative fuel vehicles: Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles; and Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles.

• Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles

This course helps owners and technicians understand the different terminology for parts of electric and electric hybrid vehicles. Popular models of these types of vehicles are examined in depth, and there is information specifically pertaining to how to repair a vehicle of this type that has sustained damage as result of a collision. Any concerns about safety while repairing an electric or electric hybrid vehicle are also addressed.

• Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Like the electric and electric hybrid vehicle course, this course addresses the concerns about staying safe while working on a hybrid electric or alternative fuel vehicle. Popular models available from well-known car manufacturers are discussed in depth, and high voltage issues are covered.

If you’re concerned about being able to repair your electric or alternative fuel vehicle, you can take an online course with I-CAR and have a better understanding of the differences between repairing a traditional and alternative fuel vehicle.

The alignment of an automobile is the setting for what angle the wheels are in regard to the ground and axle. Most vehicles need only front-end alignment, though some do require a four-wheel alignment. A front-end alignment check from a mechanic is also the optimal time to have the rest of the front-end inspected.

Proper alignment will improve the longevity of the tires and help protect the integrity of the tread. Inspection of the tires can reveal a lot about the condition of the alignment provided some other factors are met. Elimination of the following factors will help determine whether or not the alignment may be off.

Ensure your tires are inflated to the proper PSI. Factory specification will be on a sticker in the jamb of the driver’s side door. Do not inflate to the rating that is noted on the tire itself.

Inspecting the wear of the tire tread can reveal a lot about what the vehicle’s alignment is doing and how the tires are behaving. Over-inflated tires will tend to wear from the center of the tread. Uneven wear on either the inner or outer side of the tread indicates a problem with the alignment.

The following test can be performed on a calm day on a stretch of straight road or highway. Simply loosen your grip on the steering wheel (without letting go!) and note where the car pulls. It should remain on a straight path. If the vehicle pulls to the left or right and the tires are properly inflated, it likely needs an alignment.

Note: It may be worthwhile to perform this test on a few different straight roads just to ensure there were no other factors at work, such as a slight grade or angle to the road.

It should be noted that many people make the mistake of thinking that wheel balancing and wheel alignment are the same or similar. They are entirely different processes that both involve your tires. Alignment deals with how the wheels are situated in respect to the ground. A wheel balancing deals with balancing the wheels in the disks after repair. Both are important parts of your automobile’s functional maintenance.

It is recommended to get your alignment checked after any accident, even a minor fender bender. Hitting a curb or a concrete parking stop with some velocity may be enough to throw your alignment out and cause unnecessary wear on your tires, shortening their lifespan.