tag:www.carsdirect.com,2013-05-21://10 2012-01-27T23:55:33Z Movable Type Pro 5.04 tag:www.carsdirect.com,2012://10.76780 2010-12-28T22:46:30Z 2012-01-27T23:55:33Z

The repair of the brake lines of your car is very important, and should not be taken for granted. Depending on the make and model of your car, repair and replacement of auto brake lines will range from $70-$150....

MT Administrator The repair of the brake lines of your car is very important, and should not be taken for granted. Depending on the make and model of your car, repair and replacement of auto brake lines will range from $70-$150. The higher end cars have naturally more expensive brake lines. If you are taking your car to the shop to have it repaired, mechanics will charge you an extra $100 or two depending also on the reputation of the shop. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the repair of brake lines, it is best left to a professional, so you don’t compromise your safety.

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Yes, there are a number of places you can rent an engine hoist. Check your local Yellow Pages or do an Internet search for equipment rental stores. The majority of them will have a hoist for rent. Even big...

MT Administrator Yes, there are a number of places you can rent an engine hoist. Check your local Yellow Pages or do an Internet search for equipment rental stores. The majority of them will have a hoist for rent. Even big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes often rent engine hoists. Renting a hoist makes sense if you only need one for a few days or have limited space to store one. A hoist can be purchased for under $200, so if you do a lot of engine work and have the room for one, it often makes sense to purchase one.

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MT Administrator You actually don’t need professional help to replace the emergency brake cable. The cable itself usually costs $10–$20, depending on the make of your car. This is the only cost that you will incur assuming that all other components of your brake system are in good condition. However, if you get professional help, try to find the most competent yet competitively priced auto shop. The dealerships usually charge $200–$300 dollars in labor costs just to have that cable changed. You more or less spend $350 total if you take this route. Emergency brake cable replacement does not need to be expensive and you just have to know the right places to have it done and the right shops to get your parts from.

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Jiffy Lube's $100 automatic transmission flush, done by entry-level people, is incomplete. They will not change the automatic transmission filter, a key part of the flush, but which also violates the corporate 15-minute service rule. Where a Valvoline Service...

MT Administrator Jiffy Lube's $100 automatic transmission flush, done by entry-level people, is incomplete. They will not change the automatic transmission filter, a key part of the flush, but which also violates the corporate 15-minute service rule. Where a Valvoline Service Center will routinely change the filter, having a brand name to protect. Jiffy's employees forget this key device, resulting in a mashed up filter, transmission starvation and failure, as all transmission fluid is blocked. Valvoline Service Centers, while using the same equipment, employ NIASE-certified technicians who know their business and routinely replace the filter. Goodyear and Firestone service centers also employ trained technicians who do the same. Valvoline, Goodyear and Firestone flushes tend to cost about $150 to $200.

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MT Administrator For vehicles over 100,000 miles, the recommended synthetic oil you should use a full synthetic, as opposed to a semi-synthetic oil. The brand and viscosity of oil doesn’t matter as much as the type of synthetic you are putting into your vehicle. Full synthetics will lube the engine better and are designed for longer life and reduced vehicles emissions. In addition, a full synthetic will provide better fuel economy and overall performance. However, it should be noted that synthetic oils are typically thinner. Should your vehicle possess a leak, it is likely a synthetic oil will leak slightly more than a traditional oil.

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Low oil pressure at idle only, will most often mean that the engine is low on oil. As more power is applied to the engine via acceleration, the pressure builds up inside the engine. Thereby causing the pressure to...

MT Administrator Low oil pressure at idle only, will most often mean that the engine is low on oil. As more power is applied to the engine via acceleration, the pressure builds up inside the engine. Thereby causing the pressure to read as "normal". High oil temperature can cause low oil pressure. A defective oil pump can also lead to low oil pressure at idle. Oil sending switches are subject to wearing out. When that happens, one possible result is that it will show low oil pressure. If your car has a light rather than a gauge, don't rely on it, because the light can fail.

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The engine misfiring means that a car's engine skips over one of the processes of its combustion cycle. This generally causes the engine to run rough, jerk, or buck. It also causes the engine to run inefficiently. There are...

MT Administrator The engine misfiring means that a car's engine skips over one of the processes of its combustion cycle. This generally causes the engine to run rough, jerk, or buck. It also causes the engine to run inefficiently. There are several types of engine misfires. Some of the common occurrences include lean misfires, ignition misfires, and mechanical misfires. Lean misfire refers to an engine misfiring because the air-fuel ratio is not properly balanced. Ignition misfires occur when either the spark plug, wire, distributor, or ignition coil fail, causing an engine misfire on the specific cylinder.

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The average radiator repair cost tends to be between $400 and $600. However, the cost will vary depending on the standard price of labor for automotive professionals in the area. Other considerations as well, including the cost of the...

MT Administrator The average radiator repair cost tends to be between $400 and $600. However, the cost will vary depending on the standard price of labor for automotive professionals in the area. Other considerations as well, including the cost of the radiator itself, must be factored in. For example, trucks and SUVs tend to have larger radiators, which cost more. Radiator repair may also mean the various hoses attached to the radiator must be replaced as well. The typical cost of the radiator itself is usually $150 to $250.

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MT Administrator You can find radiator flush coupons at any of the major quick lube/service areas. With winter approaching, this is the time of year when these shops take advantage of the average consumer’s concern that the antifreeze/coolant could be just a tad too old and should be changed. Some dealers, recognizing the importance of this “gold mine” to their bottom lines also advertise some of the lowest price coupons you are likely to find. The reason they can do this is that the chances are good they will find something else that has to be fixed, raising your costs substantially. You can find coupons at Midas, Meineke, AutoZone, PepBoys, Sears and Jiffy Lube.

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Brake shoe thickness is measured in millimeters or inches, with the majority measured in millimeters. The minimum thickness a brake shoe should have will vary by manufacturer. However, between 2 and 3 millimeters is generally considered the minimum allowed...

MT Administrator Brake shoe thickness is measured in millimeters or inches, with the majority measured in millimeters. The minimum thickness a brake shoe should have will vary by manufacturer. However, between 2 and 3 millimeters is generally considered the minimum allowed thickness. Brake shoe thickness can be measured by removing the wheel and brake drum, and measuring the thickness of the brake shoe through the rivet holes. Safety and stopping ability are reduced as brake shoes wear down, and all braking components should be checked regularly in order to assure they are performing properly. Many automotive repair centers will inspect braking systems free of charge.

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MT Administrator The frequency to replace brake drums will vary based on the condition of the brake drums, the manufacturer’s brake service recommendation, and miles driven. Brake drums can usually be machined once or twice and then they must be replaced. Cars driven when the brake shoes are down to the rivets must be replaced because the rivets cause grooves in the drums that cannot be machined. Because of their low price, many car repair shops will recommend replacement of the brake drums any time the brake shoes are replaced. Cars used mostly for city driving in stop and go traffic will require more frequent brake drum replacement.

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Listing at the top of the most common radiator cap problems, is a defective or busted pressure seal. The internal ring on the underside of the radiator keeps the system pressure in check. If it's damaged or worn out,...

MT Administrator Listing at the top of the most common radiator cap problems, is a defective or busted pressure seal. The internal ring on the underside of the radiator keeps the system pressure in check. If it's damaged or worn out, the radiator cap may not be able to handle the coolant system's pressure, which could cause the engine to overheat. It could also cause coolant to leak around the edges of the radiator cap, which can be a hazard, as engine coolant can cause severe injury. Due to the simple design of radiator caps, the only problem one usually experiences with them is a busted seal, unless the cap is physically damaged in some other way.

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The best HID bulbs for visibility are around 4300k. As the temperature goes up on HID bulbs, the visibility declines, but the color changes to a bluish white. This color is highly sought after by people using HID lights,...

MT Administrator The best HID bulbs for visibility are around 4300k. As the temperature goes up on HID bulbs, the visibility declines, but the color changes to a bluish white. This color is highly sought after by people using HID lights, and they are willing to give up a bit of performance for the color. If you are interested in strictly illuminating the road in front of you, stick with a 4300k bulb. This will put out a basic white light, but provides the best performance. HID stands for high intensity discharge lights. These high performance bulbs come standard on high end vehicles, and are quite popular as aftermarket parts.

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If you are looking for hydraulic jack repair kits, there are a number of places to look. Hydraulic jacks come in all shapes and sizes, as do repair kits. The first place to look for a repair kit is...

MT Administrator If you are looking for hydraulic jack repair kits, there are a number of places to look. Hydraulic jacks come in all shapes and sizes, as do repair kits. The first place to look for a repair kit is the manufacturer's website. In many cases, the manufacturer will sell repair kits for the various types of jacks they sell. If the manufacturer does not sell kits, it is a good idea to look online or check your local Yellow Pages. There are often local repair shops that carry repair kits and parts, or will do the repair for you if it is beyond your skills. Doing a Google search for 'jack repair kit' will bring up numerous results. PHJ Jacks is one example of an online store that sells parts and repair kits for hydraulic jacks.

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Getting a transmission flush on a vehicle usually costs between $70 and $250, so finding a transmission flush coupon will help you save money. One way to help cut the cost of this is to go online and see...

MT Administrator Getting a transmission flush on a vehicle usually costs between $70 and $250, so finding a transmission flush coupon will help you save money. One way to help cut the cost of this is to go online and see if you can find a coupon through some of the websites for the dealership or repair location you want to take the car to have the transmission flush done. For example, if you are going to take your car to Firestone, just take a look at Firestone's website to see what kind of specials or coupons are being offered. There are also special websites such as Coupon Cabin that offer manufacturer’s coupons for many different places.

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