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1500 questions
16
votes
9 answers
Is an "oil life indicator" a reliable indicator for when to change the oil?
I have a 2014 Honda Pilot with 3600 miles on it. Historically I have always changed oil in my vehicles every 3000 miles, using good quality non-synthetic oil. Now this Honda has an "oil life indicator" and it reports the oil still has 60% of it's…
James Jenkins
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16
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4 answers
Why check oil when engine is at operating temperature?
The owner's manual to my VW Golf Mk7 states
With the engine at operating temperature, park the vehicle on a level surface to ensure that the engine oil reading is correct.
Why is it important for the engine to be at operating temperature when…
Flup
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16
votes
1 answer
Park/marker lamps won't turn off
A few days ago, my Starcraft Allstar minibus, built on a 2012 Ford E-350 cutaway, started having a problem that the park/marker lamps never turn off. I was originally informed of the issue by another driver on Thursday (March 31), but when I came to…
Moshe Katz
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16
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1 answer
Why isn't my horn working, if all the components work?
The horn on my 2011 Nissan Cube no longer works. Since it has never been a good horn (it's too soft), I figured that it would be good to replace it anyway.
I have tested that the horn relay clicks when I press the horn button on the steering wheel,…
Moshe Katz
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16
votes
6 answers
OEM LED tailights: white vs red LEDs under red plastic
Hopefully this is a suitable stack for this question. I cannot think of any other place to ask.
This is about OEM tail lights with LEDs under translucent red plastic covers. I have noticed on several cars where the plastic cover is broken that the…
DoxyLover
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16
votes
4 answers
Difference between high octane and low octane?
What is the difference between high octane and low octane fuel? I'm not asking if one is better than the other for my vehicle, specifically, but rather what occurs differently both scientifically and mechanically when either is used?
HaL
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16
votes
6 answers
Dealership says European cars need rotors replaced with every pad change because they use softer metals in rotors
This is for a 2018 VW Tiguan Allspace with 49,000 km (34500 miles). Living in a pretty mild climate (ie no snow and no extreme heat), but near the coast. The pad wear light came on and I scheduled the service with the dealer. I got a call later to…
speedyps
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16
votes
6 answers
Can coasting in neutral damage an automatic transmission?
When I drove a manual transmission, I got in the habit of shifting to neutral on long, shallow grades to save fuel. Now I'm driving an automatic (specifically, a recent Corolla) and still doing it.
But someone told me recently that being in neutral…
Michael Myers
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16
votes
2 answers
Why would a new gas cap cause the "check engine" light to shut off?
This happened to a friend of mine: The "check engine" light came on in his truck (Toyota). He replaced the gas cap and the light shut off.
Then I also had a "check engine" light come on in my 1994 Chevy. I took it to the dealer, they hooked up to…
No Clutch
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16
votes
5 answers
When car is standing still, I smell Diesel exhaust. Why?
In my 2003 Opel Vectra, the cabin air smells of Diesel exhaust while stopped at e.g. a red light.
The exhaust smell goes away when driving, and it also doesn't come back if I turn the ventilation off before stopping at a light. It's not…
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
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16
votes
2 answers
What do I need to do to keep my car healthy during an extended period of minimal use
Due to corona virus restrictions, my driving has been reduced to occasional 5 mile round trips to the grocery store. To avoid problems from it just sitting for a week or two between short trips are there precautionary measures I should be taking…
Dan Is Fiddling By Firelight
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16
votes
4 answers
Does accelerating faster worsen fuel efficiency?
I've often heard that accelerating harder makes for bad fuel efficiency, but have yet to be given a sound explanation of why. Naturally this makes me question this advice. Now obviously when you accelerate harder, more fuel is being pumped into…
andrewb
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16
votes
2 answers
Engine revs high 5th gear manual transmission
What might cause a car with a manual transmission that in 5th gear when given a punch of gas revs to very high rpms – with no power transferred to the wheels (i.e. the tachometer and speed go out of sync).
For illustration (and I'm making these…
Brian M. Hunt
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16
votes
3 answers
Should I change my tires so they all match?
Here is my situation:
2012 Honda Civic EX, 1.8L with P205/55R16 tires recommended
Three (both front, and left passenger) tires are OEM Continental ContiProContact P205/55R16 89H with about 20,000 mixed highway/city miles, average speeds 20 - 65…
allquixotic
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16
votes
4 answers
40amp protection on 25amp rated wiring?
Q - why is the circuit described below protected with a 40amp fuse when the cable to the motor is 2mm² (I cut a bit of cable out and measured strand thickness and quantity, 37 * .26mm = 1.98mm²) and therefore likely rated for 25amps max. (All the…
Nathan
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