Hot Autos, Motorcycles & Planes Posts
How To: Create a Ghost Flame on Your Car Without Airbrushing or Painting
Would you like to create ghost flames or other custom paint effects, but don’t know how? Here is a quick, easy, and inexpensive method. This method does not require a paint gun, airbrush, or even paint. Follow this step-by-step procedure and watch the video tutorial and you’ll be able to do this to your own car. Best of all, if you don’t like it, I’ll even show you a method for removing it. All it takes to do this is 1/8 inch fine line tape, 3/4 masking tape, a piece of 3000 grit sandpaper, a...
How To: Swap out the 4.7L engine from a 2002 Dodge Ram truck
If you're the owner of a 2002 Dodge Ram Truck you may be looking to swap out the motor for one that works. This video is part 1 of a 2 part how-to, which will show you what to do to be out with the old engine and in with the new.
How To: Use a smoke machine to find an evap leak in a car
Figuring out exactly where a small leak is in a solid black car tube is tough. That's where the smoke machine comes in. In this video you'll learn how the party staple can help you test an evap line for leaks.
How To: Figure out what's draining your car battery and fix it
Figuring out what was causing your old car battery to drain power was easy, but on modern cars it's more complicated due to their large number of electrical devices. In this video you'll learn how to find out what's draining the battery on your new car and fix it.
How To: Change your own oil on a 2006 Ford Explorer
In this tutorial, we learn how to change your own oil on a 2005 Ford Explorer. First, find the oil drain underneath the vehicle and remove it. Once you remove it, let the oil drain into an oil pan underneath the car. Let the oil drain completely out, then when it's finished replace the plug. Now, go to the hood of the car and remove the cap from the oil can. Place a funnel inside and then pour your new oil into the can. When finished, replace the cap and start the car. Now go back and check t...
How To: Change your differential oil on a Jeep Grand Cherokee
In this tutorial, we learn how to change your differential oil on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. First, you will need to remove the drain plug from the underneath of the vehicle, then let it drain out onto an oil pan, use a pipe and pump to do this. Once it's finished draining, you will need to replace the plug. After this, grab a new pump and pour your new oil into the pump. Remove the plug again, then pump the oil back into the engine. Once the oil is full, you can replace the drain plug and check ...
How To: Set the onboard clock in a 2010 Toyota Prius
In this tutorial, we learn how to set the onboard clock in a 2010 Prius. To the left of the audio system are the clock buttons. To set this, press repeatedly or press and hold the "h" or "m" button to change the hours or minutes. Then, you will be able to set the correct time. Above the clock buttons is a switch that will change your reading from miles per hour to kilometers per hour. The controls on the Prius are completely customizable so you can control what you see on your car and when. M...
How To: Change temperature settings in a 2010 Toyota Prius
In this video, we learn how to change the temperature settings in a 2010 Prius. All the climate controls are on the center console. The steering wheel can also help you change the temperature control. Press the green switch first then you will be able to set the temperature that you want the car to be. The system will then maintain that temperature. If you want to use the fan, select the fan and then select the speed you want it to be at. There is also a front and rear defroster you can press...
How To: Read a window motor electrical diagram for a car
Electrical diagrams are hard to read for all but the most mechanically-inclined, and the ones for the power windows on cars are notoriously complicated. This three-part video will teach you how to read these diagrams and make sense of what you see.
How To: Replace the door hinge pins on a car
When the doors on your car get older they often stop closing as well as they once did. If you've checked the striker plate and that seems fine, you may need to replace your door hinge pins. This video will show you how to do just that.
How To: Change the fuel filter on a Ford Escape and most other cars
Changing the fuel filter on your car isn't too hard and is great way to save money for the DIY automotive enthusiast. This video will teach you how to replace the fuel filter on a Ford Escape, but these principles apply to most other cars too.
How To: Fix the blend door actuator motor on a '99 Mercury Grand Marquis
If the air conditioning on your car doesn't work and the condenser does work, you may have a broken blend actuator door motor. It's hard to get to, but there's a way to do it without removing the dash board, and this video will show you how to do it.
How To: Reset the speedometer on a Chrysler
Knowing how fast you're going is an important part of safe, legal driving. If you own a Chrysler and your speedometer has stopped working, there is hope. Watch this video for the procedure you need to reset the speedometer on a newish Chrysler.
How To: Change out the front wheel bearings on a Ford Windstar
Having properly functioning wheel bearings is important on any wheeled vehicle. If your old Ford Windstar is needs new bearings and you feel up to replacing them yourself, watch this video. It will teach you everything you need to know to change your own front wheel bearings.
How To: Turn off the check engine light on a 1991 Suzuki Sidekick with a hidden switch
The 1991 Suzuki Sidekick is quite vintage at this point, and they're fun little cars. If your Sidekick's check engine light is on and there's nothing wrong with the engine, use the hidden switch you'll learn about in this video to turn it off.
How To: Replace the spark plugs on a 2006 Ford Escape SUV
Most do-it-yourself mechanics are afraid to touch newer model cars and trucks, even when it comes to changing spark plugs. This video will show you the process of replacing the spark plugs on a 2006 Ford Escape. The front three spark plugs are easy to get to, but the back three are underneath the intake, so you will have to remove that for access. But don't worry… there are no special tools required for this job.
How To: Use a shortcut to quickly remove a heater core on a 2001 Ford Taurus
When working on the dashboard of any vehicle, make sure you disable the vehicle's airbag system first. Your service manual should tell you how to do that. In this video, the heater core is plugged up in a 2001 Ford Taurus, which means it needs to be taken out. The book states it will take 5 hours to complete, mostly because of the dash. But this trick will cut the time down to 1.5 hours. First, get you heater hoses off in the engine area. Then proceed to watch a mysterious bracket being cut o...
How To: Cut R&R (remove & replace) time for an engine in a 2000 Chevrolet Express van
For most vehicles, the way you remove and replace (often referred to as R&R) an engine is by disconnecting everything from the motor and pulling it out of the frame. With the 2000 Chevrolet Express, the book time states 22 hours for R&R of the engine this way. But there is a shortcut, and it cuts the time nearly in half! It involves the backwards approach, where you lift the body of the Chevy Express off the frame, then pull the engine out.
How To: Replace outer tie rod ends
In this video, Rich Pin teaches us how to replace an outer tie rod end on a vehicle. First, get the vehicle in the air supported on jack stands, and remove the tire wheel assembly. Next, put a mark on the top of the tie rod shaft so you know where to line it up when you replace it. Next, loosen the jam nut from the rod, remove that and the nut. Remove the tie rod end after this by shocking it with a hammer. When it is removed, replace it with a new part and then attach all the bolts and nuts ...
How To: Use the auxiliary audio port in a 2010 Prius
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use the auxiliary audio port in a 2010 Toyota Prius. This car is equipped with a mini plug auxiliary input port in the lower rear section of the center console, below the armrest. This will allow users to use personal playback devices such as an iPod. Simply plug the device into the mini plug socket and press the AUX button to listen through the car's audio system. This video will benefit those viewers who have a Toyota Prius car, and would like to...
How To: Repair a car trunk that won't open
In order to repair a trunk that won't open, you will need the following: a screw driver. You will need to climb into your trunk, through the back seat. Remove the back seat. Pull the emergency release. Remove the trunk lock. Unscrew it. Look for anomalies. Bent screws could be the cause. You will need to repair any broken parts or replace them, if you decide not to replace the entire lock. Reinstall the lock in the trunk.
How To: Replace the side view mirror on a Nissan Altima
Someone has just smashed the side mirror off your perfect Nissan Altima that you parked on that busy road you know you shouldn't have parked on anyway, so now it's up to you to repair it— unless you want to pay an overpriced mechanic, who will charge you for parts, labor, and whatever else he thinks he deserves. If you're up for repairing your side view mirror by your lonesome, for cheap, then this video by Richpin will show you the exact steps required to fix your Nissan Altima's side mirror...
How To: Reset the service engine light on a Saturn S-Series
It is never a good sign when the 'check engine' light comes up on your dashboard. In this tutorial, learn how to reset the light if it is not functioning properly. If you have already fixed the engine issue and wish to reset the warning light on your Saturn S-Series, this video will show you how quick and easy it is to do so.
How To: Choose the safest possible parking space
Cars are expensive to buy, replace or repair. Check out this video and learn how to avoid the most statistically dangerous parking areas. There is no guarantee that no one will touch your vehicle, but by take precautions you are much less likely to be targeted.
How To: Change the transmission fluid on a Honda Civic
To change the transmission fluid on a Honda Civic, you will need a good rug, a drip pan, 10 quarts of transmission fluid, a funnel and a ratchet wrench. First, remove the dipstick to release the pressure on the liquid. Then, remove the drain plug with the ratchet wrench. You may need to bang on the bolt with a cheater bar to loosen it. Drain the fluid into the pan. Then replace the drain plug until it is hand tight. Use the ratchet wrench to tighten the drain plug. Clean up the excess transmi...
How To: Replace the windshield washer pump in a Saturn car
This video demonstrates how to replace the windshield washer pump in a Saturn S series car. Remove the reservoir by unscrewing the bolt and lift the reservoir and slide it back to take it off the mount. Disconnect the electrical connector by squeezing the clips and pull the connector off. Next remove the hose, making sure to cover the opening with the winger to prevent loss of fluid from the reservoir. Drain the fluid from the reservoir as shown. Get the pump off the reservoir by tapping the ...
How To: Identify a Jeep rear axle in order to replace it
RichPin shows how to identify a rear axle on a Jeep Grand Cherokee to determine the correct replacement part. The first thing to do is to identify the axle by cleaning the fill plug on the back cover. Look at the inscription of the plug to find out the style of the rear end. In this example, Rich has a "Dana" style rear end. To determine if it is a 35 or 44 Dana, look at the web area to the right of the plug to locate the number. The two steps outlined in this video allow you to identify the ...
How To: Remove the EVAP purge solenoid in a Saturn S-Series
One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...
How To: Remove an ignition lock cylinder in a Saturn S-Series
One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...
How To: Remove the blower motor resistor in a Saturn S-Series
One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...
How To: Remove the front wheel of a Kawasaki KLR650
This motorcycle parts tutorial video shows you how to remove the front wheel of a Kawasaki KLR650 bike. You need to remove the front wheel to do certain repairs, and perhaps repairs to the wheel itself. So learn how to remove your KLR 650 front wheel yourself in this video.
How To: Flush the coolant in a Kawasaki KLR650
This motorcycle maintenance video shows you how to flush the coolant in a Kawasaki KLR650 bike. The coolant drain is a vertical bolt (8 mm) on the front right side of the engine (the water pump). There is a horizontal bolt near it which helps hold the water pump to the engine. That one won't drain it the way you want it drained... unless you want a mess. Now that you know where to look, check out the video and see how to flush the coolant in a KLR 650.
How To: Upgrade the Kawasaki KLR650 bouncer level tensioner
This motorcycle modification tutorial shows you how to install a doohickey (bouncer level tensioner) upgrade on a Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle. Watch and see how to do each step of this KLR650 bouncer level tensioner upgrade and if you get lost, the creator site has written instructions to follow as well.
How To: Calculate the manual valve shim on a KLR650
In this motorcycle tutorial you will learn how to calculate the manual valve shim size. Both exhausts have the same spec and both the intakes have the same spec so the video only shows one side being done.
How To: Fix the driver side window in a Dodge Dakota truck
This automotive repair tutorial shows you how to fix a broken power window on a 1998 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 when it won't go up or down. Even if you don't know exactly what is causing your power window not to work, this video will show you how to diagnose and fix the problem in your Dodge Dakota 4x4 truck.
How To: Drive Peugeot 308 with Automatic Gearbox (Transmission)
This is an in-depth look at how to drive a Peugeot 308 ALLURE SW (2015, 2016, and 2017 European model) with an automatic gearbox and transmission.
How To: Get a Car Dent Out with a Pot & Vacuum Cleaner
Instead of taking your car to the mechanic, save yourself some money by going MacGyver and creating your own suction-style car dent puller from objects you've got laying around at home. All you need is a pot (or bucket), a vacuum cleaner, and some tape and you're pretty much set.
How To: Wire a Trailer on a Nissan X-Trail 2005
Hi there, first I'm canadian and my SUV so. I'm a hobbyist doing his best, not a mechanic, I don't take charge of other people's installation issues. Anyway, I decided to buy a SUV some months ago, and it comes without the wiring harness for the trailer and the hitch. I made it myself. In this part, only the wiring will be presented. This is for 4 pins harness connector. In any doubt, you can do as I have done for some wires; use a multimeter. Everything on that car works on a 12VDC. Ground y...
How To: Stop Running Over Plastic Bags! And More Small Tips for Keeping Your Car Running Smoothly
Approximately 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per U.S. resident and more than 54 times the number of people who live on the planet. That's why here in Santa Monica, thanks to a city-wide plastic bag ban, you won't find a plastic bag at any of the major retail stores.
How To: Start a Car After a Very, Very Long Time in Storage
My grandfather's brother won this car in a lottery during 1957. He had no driver's license, but his brothers used to give him a lift in it. From 1975 to 1996, the car was parked in my grandfather's brother's garage. My grandfather moved the car on a trailer in 1996 to his garage a few miles away, but it's been standing still there until this year when I rolled it out and started it up. This was the first time someone turned it on in 38 years!