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1500 questions
24
votes
16 answers
What is the purpose of plastic engine covers?
I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla. What is the purpose of the large plastic cover that stretches over my valve cover? Does it have a particular function? Are they just for looks? Or are they designed by the engineers to protect wiring? I believe its…
David Walz
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24
votes
4 answers
Small amount of wrong fuel type put in the tank
The guy who works at a gas station was filling up for brief moment wrong fuel type in my car until he realized what he did.
I own Citroen Xsara 1.9d, make year 2000.
Before filling the tank which is 60l capacity, I had about half tank full.
The pump…
tolkinski
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24
votes
10 answers
How can you tell the oil needs to be changed?
I know oil should be changed every 3000 or 6000 miles (depending on the car and conditions) but I'm not all that great at keeping track and I've let the car go for 10,000 miles before and it still runs fine (I know that's not "evidence" that I…
tooshel
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24
votes
3 answers
Is starting your car with the A/C on bad?
I was always yelled at by my father when I was first starting to drive when I left the A/C on when I turned off the car, and then later turned it back on, with the reasoning that I was ruining / decreasing the life of my engine. Is this true? (I…
Drise
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24
votes
7 answers
Why could my vehicle be shaking around 60mph after hydroplaning?
Yesterday, I was driving home in a storm and I ended up hydroplaning. My car, Hyundai Elantra Coupe 2014, spun a 360 landing me in the dirt on the side of the road. Luckily, no one was driving by me and no curbs were hit. Besides some dirt on the…
Julie
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24
votes
16 answers
How do I loosen stuck lug nuts in order to change a tire?
How do I loosen car tire lug nuts (so that I can change a tire) when they are really really stuck?
I have tried turning the provided wrench, even standing and jumping on it. This worked for 4 of the lug nuts, but not the bottom-most one.
I have…
Steven
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24
votes
7 answers
What damage does a car suffer if not regularly used?
Sometimes I use the car on daily basis, but there are months when I don't use it at all, and it sits parked outside for 5+ weeks, with the battery disconnected. (Main reasons: working from home that time, excellent coverage of city by public…
miroxlav
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24
votes
2 answers
Why do we need to cool air after it leaves a turbocharger?
When we are using a turbocharger to compress the incoming air, the air gets hotter. Usually this hot air is cooled by using an intercooler before it's passed to the engine.
What is the reason behind cooling this air?
Why can't we pass it as hot…
nivass balu
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23
votes
3 answers
Must I Replace All 4 Tires on an All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle?
I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon.
I just destroyed the passenger-side rear tire.
The tires have approx. 6/32" tread remaining, per an informal measurement with a coin (I used this guideline from tirerack.com)
These are Nokian tires, and…
qxotk
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23
votes
11 answers
What happens if a single spark plug unexpectedly goes down in a multi-cylinder engine?
AFAIK vehicle manuals say owner must replace spark plugs every N miles. Suppose he fails to do so and a single spark plug unexpectedly dies in an engine with multiple cylinders right in a freeway. What likely happens to the vehicle?
sharptooth
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23
votes
6 answers
What is causing this terrible grinding/groaning noise when I come to a slow stop sometimes? (but not always!)
Update 11/9/2013
After a good bit of driving, the noise reoccurred. I took it back to the mechanic and we decided it must be the brake pads. They're pretty worn out, and like I said before, they're worn unevenly. Since the problem is intermittent,…
Agop
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23
votes
2 answers
How do I know when to change my spark plug
I ride a Piaggio scooter with a single cylinder engine.
Recently I broke down and the engine wouldn't restart. It turned out the spark plug was stuffed.
How can I ensure that doesn't happen again?
WOPR
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23
votes
5 answers
What does the 'cc' mean on a motorcycle?
I'm relatively new to motorcycles, my flat mate taught me how to drive his two Royal Enfields around New Delhi, and for the past year and a half I've been taking care of them as they break down ;)
Was just curious what the 'cc' actually means when…
Garrett Simpson
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23
votes
1 answer
Why are wheels labeled "R16" when the 16" is actually the diameter?
Just wondering about this, unless the R doesn't mean "Radius" it doesn't make much sense.
SamCyanide
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23
votes
6 answers
When is an engine flush a good idea?
I have heard really mixed opinions about the necessity of engine flushes. My quick research suggested that manufactures do not recommend doing them. In addition, I have heard of extreme cases of blown engines after engine flushes.
My mechanic…
user3483880
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