Uncategorized

Why is the Subaru electronic parking brake light on? Normally the Subaru electronic parking brake warning light means the parking brake is on or there’s a problem with the system. But Subaru has discovered another problem; a cracked connector at the electronic parking brake actuator. A broken locking tab on the Subaru electronic parking brake connector can cause the parking brake light to light up Subaru has issued a service bulletin #06-87-224 to address a crack formation on the electrical connector lock tabs for the electronic parking brake. This can … Read More
The post Subaru electronic parking brake light on appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

How far can you drive on a donut spare tire? Answer: You can only drive 50 miles on a donut spare tire The carmakers say can only drive 50 miles on a donut tire and they mean it. Here’s why: They’re smaller, thinner and have little-to-no tread • Most donut tires only have 4/32″ tread. 4/32″ on regular tires is considered the lower limit of safety. As you wear below 4/32″ on a regular tire, your braking distances increase dramatically and it’s even worse on wet, snow and ice covered … Read More
The post How far can you drive on a donut spare tire? appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

What is a tire contact patch? A tire’s contact patch or footprint represents the amount of tire tread in contact with the road when the tire is inflated to the proper temperature. Tire contact patch dimensions vary with load, air pressure, tire aspect ratio A tire contact patch’s final dimensions depend on the tire size and inflation pressure being used, as well as how much load is being carried. A compact car tire’s contact patch size is about 25 square inches, a bit bigger than the size of a 4” … Read More
The post Tire contact patch appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

Topdon TB6000PRO battery charging system tester and charger The Topdon TB6000PRO is an affordable tool for testing your battery and charging system as well as charging your battery. It is incredibly easy to use, especially with their Bluetooth app; it’s a screen generated step by step process. What the Topdon TB6000PRO tests Battery condition The battery tester feature tests the condition of your battery by testing: Battery voltage state of charge (SOC) as a percentage and state of health (SOH) as a percentage of your battery. cold cranking amps (CCA) … Read More
The post Rick reviews the Topdon TB6000PRO battery charging system tester and charger appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

How to test a head gasket for leaks or failure #1 test for a head gasket leak —Combustion gas test kit Use this test if you have rapid overheating and pressurized radiator hoses and suspect exhaust gasses in your coolant If the head gasket fails between the cylinder and a cooling passage, the engine can pump very hot  exhaust gasses into the coolant causing rapid overheating and over-pressurization. The over-pressurization can actually pop radiator hoses off the radiator. Each compression cycle pumps exhaust into the cooling system causing it to … Read More
The post Test a head gasket appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

Best auto glass cleaners Auto glass cleaner reviews You can spend your time reading all the auto glass cleaner reviews online. But you’ll waste a lot of time because it all comes down to these 5 glass cleaning products. Why the glass cleaner reviews differ so much It’s the plastics Just about any glass cleaner can remove dust and dirt from your windshield and rear and side glass. But the real problem isn’t dust and dirt, it’s the film generated by off-gassing from the vinyl products in your car. The … Read More
The post Top 5 auto glass cleaners appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

What is ceramic car wax versus ceramic coating What’s the difference between traditional car waxes and ceramic products Natural and synthetic car waxes don’t chemically bond with your paint Natural wax and synthetic car waxes are coatings that sit on top of your paint to protect against UV rays and oxidation and repel water. The wax molecules are attracted to paint molecules, but they don’t chemically bond to them. Ceramic waxes are a hybrid product Ceramic “waxes” contain either natural wax or synthetic polymers along with ceramic additives like silica, … Read More
The post What is ceramic car wax versus ceramic coating? appeared first on Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice.

The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
Whether you use your car for daily commuting or racing, car performance is essential for the optimal driving experience. Improving
The post 10 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Performance appeared first on The Mechanic Doctor.

The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
High-quality customer service is crucial for success in the automotive repair industry. Investing in quality tools and equipment such as
The post Best Tips When Running a New Automotive Repair Shop appeared first on The Mechanic Doctor.

The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
The automobile business is one of the many that has significantly benefited from technological advancements. Cars are becoming more eco-friendly,
The post Exploring the Impact of Technology on Cars: Advancements and Implications appeared first on The Mechanic Doctor.