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1500 questions
14
votes
1 answer
How does the tachometer on my dashboard actually work?
Recently, I asked a question about the speedometer, how it works and how accurate it is. But that got me thinking... how does the rest of the dash actually work?
I understand that the RPM measurement is a measure of the rotational speed of a…
Max Goodridge
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14
votes
2 answers
Does waiting until the gas cap become faulty cause any damage?
The description for a fuel tank cap says:
You can prevent unnecessary service costs by replacing the gas cap on
modern vehicles before they go bad and the check engine light appears.
Is this advertising baloney? Is there actually something that…
Calaf
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14
votes
2 answers
Checking Tire Pressure when the tire is warm or cold
Witnessed a recent debate about what is the appropriate temperature to check tire pressure at. The debate centered around warm or cold, there wasn't an exact temperature given by any of the parties.
What is the appropriate time to take your tire…
DucatiKiller
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14
votes
4 answers
Should I fill my tire?
I measured the PSI on my rear driver tire (using a gauge pin - push it into the needle and a stick pops out with a reading), and I got a reading of 22 PSI. My tires are supposed to be anywhere from 30-34 PSI. The thing is, the rear driver tire (the…
semore_1267
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14
votes
6 answers
Second hand car - Engine/Tyres/Etc
I am looking into buying a second hand car from a reputable Mercedes-Benz dealer (not just some dodgy salesman by the side of a road lol....).
Anyway, there are a few maintenance/mechanical things which I want to check, but I don't quite understand…
Dan
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14
votes
5 answers
How do you test analogue electrical circuits?
When trying to diagnose problems with conventional analogue electrical circuits, such as lights, speakers, heated rear windows, etc, as well as short-circuits and unexplained current draws, it can be difficult to track down the exact source of the…
Nick C
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14
votes
7 answers
Pros and cons of using straight antifreeze?
I've heard from some people that they use straight antifreeze in their cooling systems, not 50/50.
What are the pros and cons of doing that?
E.g., does it reduce exposure to corrosion?
amphibient
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14
votes
4 answers
What would be the most likely cause of engine sputter?
Most of the time my 2001 Honda Civic sounds like this... Vrooooooom. But some times when I start driving it sounds like this... Vrooom putt pa putt pa putt pa vrooooom. When it's in the "putt pa putt" mode, pressing the gas makes no difference. The…
Tester101
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14
votes
4 answers
Why should I connect the red/positive terminal first when jump starting?
So, it's fairly popular consensus online that it's red/positive clips to the positive/red posts, then the black/negative clip to the frame
One site mentions sparks, but you'll still get a spark when connecting black to frame. If positive is the…
QueueHammer
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14
votes
1 answer
Do I have to rely on wire color to correctly wire up an O2 sensor?
It seems that everyone and their grandmother has a different color-code convention for 4-wire O2 sensors, which complicates matters when one is trying to wire up a replacement "universal" O2 sensor.
Is it possible to determine signal-wire polarity…
Zaid
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14
votes
3 answers
How to begin learning engine tuning?
Quite simply, I want to begin tuning and modifying automotive engines for hobby. I have always been fascinated with cars, and I want to become knowledgeable in as many aspects of car tuning as possible. In particular, I want to learn the right way.…
Mr. Shickadance
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14
votes
3 answers
Is it normal for stop distance to be long on brand new brake pads?
I just had the brake pads replaced in my car. As I left the shop I noticed coming to a complete stop took longer distance or needed a fair bit more force on the pedal.
Is this normal?
Will the brakes 'work themselves in'?
dark fader
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14
votes
3 answers
How do I select the right oil for my car?
I can give you my cars make and model and the conditions that I drive in, but I'm looking for a general guide to selecting the right oil for a car. I'm not really knowledgable when it comes to cars so it needs to be simple. I need to know when and…
James Mertz
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13
votes
2 answers
Why do we need make-specific cables to read car ECUs?
I find it bizarre that the automotive industry has standardized the use of the OBDII protocol, yet most cars require make-specific cables in order to access the complete set of diagnostics and utilities.
A few examples:
VWs require a VAG-COM…
Zaid
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13
votes
3 answers
Volkswagen A/C Intermittent
I want to repair my Volkswagen Passat '07 A/C. I've taken it to two shops (dealer and independent) and they both say the entire a/c system needs to be replaced. The strange thing is, that sometimes it actually comes on and when it does it works…
JMC
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