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How To Repair The Rough Pits Off The Bottom Of A Glass Speed Pipe

100 Car Maintenance Tasks Yous Can Do on Your Ain

Motorcar maintenance seems daunting at first, only first minor and work upward the automobile repair ladder. Here are 100 motorcar repair tasks and maintenance you can exercise yourself.

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Family Handyman

Supercede Your Wiper Blades

It's piece of cake to tell when your blades demand replacing. Simply press the washer button and see if your blades wipe clean. If they streak, they're toast. The car parts shop will have lots of economy blades, but get with a proper name brand instead (ANCO, Trico or Bosch). They toll more than economy blades, but their higher-quality prophylactic wipes meliorate, has improve UV protection and lasts longer.

Follow the installation instructions on the package. Be certain you have a firm grip on the wiper arm one time yous remove the old blade. If it gets away from y'all, information technology tin can hit the windshield with enough force to crack information technology.

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Family unit Handyman

Milkshake Your PCV Valve

This sounds complex, but it'south not. If your car has a PCV valve (some late-model cars don't), pull it out every other oil change. In well-nigh cases, you'll detect the valve on the top of the engine, connected to a vacuum hose. Some tardily-model cars don't have PCV valves, so don't beat yourself up trying to find it. Slide the vacuum hose off the valve and unscrew the valve. Then perform the world'due south easiest diagnostic examination: Milkshake information technology. If it makes a metallic clicking audio, it's good. If it doesn't make noise or sounds mushy, supervene upon it. But don't replace it on advent alone—all used PCV valves look dirty.

Need aid locating your PCV valve? Buy a short subscription to an online factory service transmission (oem1stop.com); rates get-go at about $10 a day. Non-manufactory manuals are cheaper, only they're skimpy on instructions and diagrams for these kinds of repairs.

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Replace Engine Air Filter Family Handyman

Replace Engine Air Filter

Inspect and supercede your engine air filter. Only unscrew or unclip the air filter box retainers and remove the old filter. Then bank check the filter to see how much light passes through past holding a store lite behind it. If the filter blocks l per centum of more than of the light, supplant the filter. If not, put information technology dorsum in, secure the air filter box encompass and proceed driving. It's one of the easier things you can do to fix upward cars.

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Gas Lifts Family Handyman

Gas Lifts

Why gamble your noggin when you tin can supervene upon gas lift cylinders yourself? Simply purchase new lifts at any motorcar parts store. Then have a helper hold the hood or liftgate while you disconnect and supplant the worn lifts. Many styles simply unbolt using a metric socket set. Others connect with a brawl and socket style connection held in identify with a spring clip. To undo the spring prune, simply shove a modest flat blade screwdriver between the clip and the cylinder. Then pull the cylinder off the brawl stud. Get the step-past-step guide for replacing your gas lifts hither.

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Replace Non-Headlight Bulbs Family Handyman

Supervene upon Non-Headlight Bulbs

To access burned out license plate, side marking and fog light bulbs, but remove the retaining screws and pry off the lens. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket. Handle the new bulb with gloved hands or concur it with a paper towel to prevent skin oils from depositing on the thin drinking glass — that can cause premature bulb failure. And then button the seedling into the socket until it clicks. Reinstall the lens and you're done. Get more info on changing auto light bulbs here.

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Replace That Broken Antenna Family Handyman

Replace That Broken Antenna

Replacing a fender mount antenna mast is like shooting fish in a barrel. Merely unscrew the remaing portion of the mast and buy a replacement mast at whatever automobile parts shop. Replacing a pillar mount antenna is a bit more involved but is nevertheless a DIY fix. Disconnect the antenna cablevision from your radio and connect heavy string to the end. Then unscrew the antenna mount from the pillar and pull the one-time antenna and the string straight out. Attach the new antenna cable to the string, pull the cablevision back into the vehicle and connect information technology to your radio. Then secure the new antenna to the pillar using the screws provided. Get step-by-step replacement instructions here.

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How to Touch Up Chipped Auto Paint Family Handyman

How to Touch Upward Chipped Auto Pigment

If yous don't comprehend paint chips with touch up paint, they'll rust and then you'll have a much bigger problem on your hands. Repairing chipped motorcar paint is easy. Merely purchase touch up paint, fine tip paint applicators and wax and grease remover from whatsoever motorcar parts store. Clean the chip with the wax and grease remover and permit information technology dry. So dip the applicator in the paint and dab it onto the chip. Don't add too much or the paint will drip. Allow it dry completely and use wax later 30 days finish your car paint touch-upward.

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Fix That Leaky Sunroof Family Handyman

Gear up That Leaky Sunroof

If raindrops keep falling on your caput, it's probably because your sunroof drains are clogged. That's something you tin fix yourself in just a few minutes. Open up the sunroof and look for drain holes in the front and rear corners of your sunroof. Once you locate the drains, duct tape a small rubber or plastic tube to the finish of your shop vacuum and suck out any debris stuck in the drains. And so distill water into each drain and check under the car to see if information technology's draining onto your driveway or garage floor. If the bleed is still plugged, purchase a speedometer cable from an auto parts store. Insert the cablevision into the drain and gently push it down the drain every bit yous spin the cable with your fingers. Don't push button too difficult because you lot can puncture the drain tubes and they'll dump water into your nuance surface area. Flush the drain afterwards snaking it with the speedometer cable. If it now runs free, you're washed and shouldn't have whatever more water coming inside your vehicle.

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Fix Small Dents and Door Dings Family Handyman

Fix Small Dents and Door Dings

If you tin can patch a wall, you can patch a dent in your machine. You'll need various sandpaper grits, a small can of autobody filler and cream paste and plastic applicators. Outset by sanding the paring down to bare metal with coarse grit sandpaper. So plume the edges. Make clean the dents with wax and grease remover. Then mix the body filler and apply a very light skim coat to fill up in the sandpaper scratches. Permit the filler to fix up and then build up the repair with addtional layers no more than 1/4-in. thick per awarding. Feather the final coat so it levels with the painted areas. After information technology cures, sand until smooth. Then apply a cream filler to the unabridged expanse to fill up in any pinholes. Let it cure and practise a final sand. And so yous can paint the area with touch upwardly paint. Learn more than near fixing machine dents here.

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Fix Tears in Leather and Vinyl Family unit Handyman

Fix Tears in Leather and Vinyl

Upholstery shops charge almost $200 to prepare tears in your seats. Yous can do it yourself in a few hours with a vinyl and leather repair kit (less than $20) from whatsoever auto parts store. You lot'll have to practice a flake to get the correct color mix and it might non exist a perfect friction match when you're washed, but it's a heck of a lot better than driving effectually with torn seats. Starting time by gluing reinforcing textile onto the underside of the torn vinyl or leather. So mix the oestrus-set filler to match your fabric color and apply it to the tear. Next, discover a textured mat that most closely resembles the texture of your vinyl or leather and place it onto the liquid filler. Heat the patching tool with a clothes atomic number 26 and press information technology onto the textured mat. Remove the patching tool, but go out the textured mat in place until the patch cools. Then peel information technology off. Learn more almost the step by footstep process of leather repair.

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Replace Your Cabin Air Filter Family HANDYMAN

Supercede Your Cabin Air Filter

A clogged cabin air filter can damage your motorcar's blower motor and cause your Air-conditioning to run longer and harder in the summer. Cabin air filters are like shooting fish in a barrel to access and supplant and yous'll save about $30 by doing it yourself. It'due south one of at to the lowest degree 100 automobile maintenance tasks you can do on your own. Buy a replacement cabin air filter at whatever automobile parts store and enquire the clerk to print out the installation instructions. Cabin air filters are normally located in the air ducts backside the glove box in late model vehicles. Still, some motorcar makers locate them in the cowling or console area. Just remove the access covers and slide out the onetime filter. Note the direction of the airflow arrows and then you tin can install the new filter in the proper orientation. So reinstall the covers and you're done. Meet how to remove and replace your cabin air filter here.

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Family Handyman

Change Power Steering Fluid

In that location aren't any examination strips for ability steering fluid, so you'll have to rely on the manufacturer's service recommendations or general dominion-of-thumb (two years or 24,000 miles). Use the turkey baster method to remove the erstwhile power steering fluid. Suck out all the fluid (engine off) as shown. And so refill the reservoir with fresh fluid. Start the engine and allow information technology run for about fifteen seconds. Repeat the fluid swap process until you've used upwardly the total quart.

Note:Never substitute a "universal" power steering fluid for the recommended type, and never add "phenomenon" additives or cease-leak products. They can clog the fine mesh filter screens in your steering system and cause expensive failures.

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Family Handyman

Swap Out Brake Fluid

Some carmakers recommend replacing brake fluid every ii years or 24,000 miles. Others don't mention it at all. Only information technology's easy to test your brake fluid. But dip a test strip into the fluid and compare the color to the nautical chart on the packaging.

You can't do a complete restriction fluid affluent yourself, but you can practice the next best thing—a fluid swap. This process won't replace all the former fluid with fresh, merely you'll introduce enough new fluid to make a difference.

Use a baster to suck out the dark brown brake fluid (brake and power steering fluids are incompatible, so use a unlike baster for each). Eject it into a recycling bottle. Refill the reservoir with fresh brake fluid every bit shown. Then drive the vehicle for a calendar week to mix the new fluid with the onetime. Repeat the procedure several times over the adjacent few weeks until the fluid in the reservoir retains its light dear color.

Note:The brake fluid may damage the baster'due south safety bulb, so don't suck the fluid all the way into the bulb.

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Use Sawdust to Soak Up Spills

Use Sawdust to Soak Up Spills

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Best Way to Clean a Car: Brush Out the Air Vents Family Handyman

All-time Way to Clean a Automobile: Castor Out the Air Vents

These louvers are a real magnet for dust, and a vacuum with a brush attachment just won't get it all. Take an cheap artist's paintbrush and give information technology a low-cal shot of piece of furniture polish. Piece of work the brush into the crevices to collect the dust. Wipe the brush off with a rag and motility on to the next ane. Click here for more car maintenance tips.

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DIY Car Mats Family Handyman

DIY Motorcar Mats

Here'south an like shooting fish in a barrel automotive hack: buy carpet squares from Home Depot (they're always under $two) and use them every bit car mats in your dorsum seats. Another option is to apply carpet scraps to brand these DIY car mats. Check out this unproblematic style to go along your car clean.

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Truck Bed Reach Stick Family unit HANDYMAN

Truck Bed Reach Stick

Keep an extension handle with a paint roller on the stop in your truck bed for easy loading and unloading. You lot won't take to climb in and out, saving you time and saving your back!

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Pipe Insulation Car Hack

Pipage Insulation Car Hack

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Cardboard Drop Cloth

Cardboard Driblet Cloth

Relieve large pieces of cardboard from boxes that you bring into your habitation. Store them along a wall in your garage or workshop so they're at the gear up when yous're working on a messy project such as refinishing furniture or changing the oil in your automobile. A big slab of cardboard makes a perfect dispensable drop cloth.

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Lubricate Window Tracks Family HANDYMAN

Lubricate Window Tracks

Freezing water tin can seep into the window tracks and create drag when you endeavour to open the window. That drag tin harm the window regulator cables, costing y'all almost $300. You tin avoid the problem entirely by lubricating the window tracks with spray silicone or dry teflon spray lubricant. Lower the window and shoot the spray right into the forepart and back window track. Apply enough lube and then it drips all the way down the rail. Then operate the window through several open and close cycles to spread the lube along the entire track. Employ drinking glass cleaner and a paper towel to remove any spray that lands on the glass. Want more in-depth advice? Plus: Learn how to gear up a leaking sunroof hither.

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Compressor Creeper

Compressor Creeper

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Saltwater for your Car Tim Trott/Shutterstock

Saltwater for your Machine

Running late and y'all don't accept a windshield scraper in the car? So attempt a saltwater mix. Route salt mixed with some water will remove the thin layer of water ice when the temperature dips below 32 degrees F. And then use your wipers to button the slush abroad. Since salt isn't bully for your motorcar, use this method sparingly.

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Hands-Free Light Hack

Hands-Costless Light Hack

Make a hands-free light in a snap with a flashlight, a pair of pliers and a rubber band. Place the flashlight in the jaws of the pliers; and then wrap a safe band around the handles of the pliers. That'southward it! Point the low-cal wherever you need it.

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toothbrush Strawberry Mood/Shutterstock

Use a Toothbrush for Detailing

A simple little household particular that cost a couple of bucks can be a mighty tool for cleaning the crevices inside your car. Just similar your toothbrush loosens stuff betwixt your teeth, information technology does the aforementioned thing for your machine. Once the gunk is loosened upward and brought to the surface, it'southward easy to vacuum it up or wipe it off. And that's not all, it can be used to clean the rims and headlights as well.

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Family unit Handyman

Vacuum Like Y'all Mean It

Slide the seat all the way forward and make clean out all the junk underneath. You'll be surprised by what you notice. We institute a lost cell phone, enough pens and pencils to equip a small office, and enough coins for several vending machine lunches. Vacuum the seats, remove the mats and vacuum the carpet. Use a castor attachment for the dash and door panels. Don't forget to clean out and vacuum those handy door pockets (another source of buried treasure).

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Family Handyman

Make clean the Carpeting

Deep-clean the carpeting and upholstery. Utilize a carpet cleaning machine ($xc) to get the dirt that settles deep into the fibers of the rug. (Clean cloth seats this way every bit well.) Information technology sprays the carpeting with a solution of water and cleaner and and then sucks the dirt and grime into a reservoir. A auto similar this pays for itself after just a few uses. Yous can also rent 1 from a rental center (about $thirty) or apply a spray-on cleaner and a scrub brush instead. Check out the other car detailing tips you need to follow.

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Family Handyman

Clean and Condition the Seats

After a few years, you'll discover that the colour of the leather or vinyl seats no longer matches that of the rest of the interior. It's not enough just to condition the leather. First spray on leather cleaner and rub vigorously with a clean terry cloth towel. To avoid rubbing the grime dorsum into the seats, keep flipping the cloth to betrayal a fresh surface. Allow the seats dry for an 60 minutes and then rub in a leather conditioner like Lexol to continue the leather supple. It'due south available at discount stores and auto stores. Check out other interior cleaning tricks the pros don't desire you to know.

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Family Handyman

Remember the Recesses

Detailing means only that— cleaning all the trim lines and recesses. Wrap a material around a worn screwdriver (no sharp edges) and spray it with Elementary Green or other all-purpose cleaner. Movement it gently along the trim lines to pick upward dirt, using fresh sections of textile equally yous go. Then make clean around the buttons and controls, and follow upwards with a rejuvenator like Armor All. Try some natural cleaners if yous don't experience like shelling out the dough.

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Family Handyman

Wash the Windows

Don't forget the pinnacle edges. Ever find that line of grime on the tops of windows when they're partially rolled downwards? Most people overlook this detail when giving their vehicle a quick wash. A few minutes with Windex and a clean rag is all it takes. Fix other window issues with these tutorials.

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Family unit Handyman

Scrape Off Sometime Stickers

While all of your national and state park stickers may phone call to mind great memories, they can be a visual hazard as they accumulate. The high-quality stickers will pull off if you tin get under a corner and carefully pull them free at a 90-degree angle. Others will leave a gummy residue and require a bit more attention. Encompass your nuance with an old towel and dab on Goo Gone. And so scrape and wipe information technology off. Goo Gone is great for the house, too. See why Goo Gone is then great.

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Family Handyman

Go on Your Tools Handy with a Rolling Cart

In the old days y'all laid out the tools you needed on a fender pad. Attempt that on a late-model vehicle with a sloped fender and you'll notice your tools on the flooring. Then buy a rolling cart (U.Southward. General No. 5107; $45 at harborfreight.com) and go on all your tools correct at your fingertips. Go bold with this super chapters tool cart.

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Family Handyman

Grease Gun Holster

A grease gun is big and, uh, greasy. But you don't have to go information technology on your drawers or cabinets. Cut a few sections of 1-in. and 3-in. PVC pipage and screw them to a plywood capitalist to make this slick grease gun holder. Then attach a 2-in. coupler and cap to hold a backup tube of grease. Nosotros've got a ton of crazy smart PVC hacks similar this awesome way to check gutters.

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Family Handyman

Sheet Metal Drawer Liners

If you use old kitchen cabinets in your workshop, it'southward a bad idea to throw oily, greasy tools into those drawers, where the wood soaks up everything. So here'south a tip for you: Instead, take careful measurements of the width, depth and acme to whatsoever HVAC shop. For virtually $xx per drawer, yous can become a custom liner for each 1. The interiors will wait similar new, and you'll be able to make clean them every bit needed.

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Family Handyman

Jack and Jack-Stand Holder

Haven't you tripped over your jack stands long enough? Build this unproblematic storage rack and get them off the flooring. If you lot accept a lightweight floor jack, add mounting hooks under the holder. Screw a two-in. PVC coupler to the side of the rack and a 2-in. cap on the wall most the flooring for the handle.

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Family Handyman

Air Tool Holder

Air tools don't come with hooks, they don't nest well in drawers, and on a workbench top they only add to the clutter. So plunk downwards 20 bucks for this locking air tool holder and your life will be complete. Your tools volition exist neatly organized on the wall, and you tin snap on a padlock to keep them securely in place. The Lisle locking air tool holder (No. 49960) is bachelor at auto parts stores and online. See what the best air tool is for automotive work.

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Family Handyman

PVC Drawer Organizers

When you're right in the middle of a project, you don't need to waste time pawing through drawers looking for tools. And then use this handy setup to keep your tools neatly bundled in your workbench drawer. Cutting i- or ii-in. PVC pipe to length. Glue on end caps and piece each pipe in half on a band saw. Screw them to the drawer bottoms and load them up!

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Family Handyman

Grab One Glove at a Fourth dimension

To continue your box of nitrile gloves handy and brand it easier to take hold of merely one glove instead of a handful, add this magnetic glove box holder to your store. It costs nigh $20 at motorcar parts stores. You could even put information technology on your toolbox or rolling cart and yank out new gloves wherever you need them. You tin also find many styles of glove dispensers online.

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Convertible Creeper Family Handyman

Convertible Creeper

Most creepers are hard, flat, unpadded boards with tiny wheels that get stuck in cracks in your garage floor. Not this i! Here's a creeper that's not only comfortable but also convertible. Pull the release pivot and elevator up on one terminate and you've got a roll-around seat that's the perfect height for working around wheels.

The padding is extra thick and the wheels are extra-big three-in. soft polyurethane, and then the creeper rolls smoothly, even over debris and cracks. It'southward a scrap higher off the footing than other creepers, then yous'll have to raise the vehicle an extra few inches. But information technology'due south worth it for the condolement. The heavy-duty frame is rated for up to 450 lbs. for heavy-duty mechanics. The Omega 91000 Z Creeper is available online.

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Keep Tools and Towels Handy Family Handyman

Keep Tools and Towels Handy

Set this magnetic tool organizer (Torin No. MPH10RT) onto a rolling cart and keep up to 10 tools at your fingertips. For easy access, mount the store towel holder on your toolbox, cart or nether the hood.

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Blast Off Seized Bolts Family Handyman

Blast Off Seized Bolts

This tool and a can of rust penetrant are the secret to removing stubborn rusty seized bolts. Load the driver tool into your air hammer and slide on a socket and wrench. When you hit the trigger, the driver applies the impacts to the eye of the bolt head, demolishing the rusty buildup. Plough the wrench and socket during the impacts and you'll loosen the bolt or nut in no time.

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A Jumper Pack/Charger Combo Family Handyman

A Jumper Pack/Charger Combo

Recently there have been news stories of defective lithium jumper packs that burst into flames during a leap-showtime. But this lithium battery jumper pack (Accuse IT, No. PP15) includes safety features to continue you off the evening news. The pack is pocket-size and lightweight (3.iii lbs.) and stays charged much longer than a traditional pb acid-type pack. The battery puts out 270 cranking amps?enough to start most four- and half dozen-cylinder engines. And information technology comes with charging adapters and a USB port to charge your phone or tablet. Buy the optional xix-volt laptop charging kit and utilize the pack to charge your computer (PPA17).

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Stubby Impact Wrench Family Handyman

Stubby Impact Wrench

Sometimes you lot but can't fit an ordinary air touch wrench into tight spaces. That'south where this ultra-meaty stubby impact wrench comes in handy. It's merely 4.4 in. long and weighs only 2.86 lbs., yet it puts out 450 ft.-lbs. of torque.

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Pliers/Wrench Rack Family Handyman

Pliers/Wrench Rack

Drop this peachy rack in a deep tool breast drawer and fit more pliers and wrenches in less space by storing them on their side. The Lisle No. 404090 storage rack holds up to 13 tools and has ii different size slots.

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Zip Through Metal With an Electric Cutoff Tool Family Handyman

Nada Through Metallic With an Electric Cutoff Tool

Sometimes information technology's simply not worth the time and attempt to save a rusted fastener or clench. When I run into those situations, I break out my cutoff tool, slice through the rusted role and install new parts. You can buy an air-powered cutoff tool at whatever abode center for about $xxx, merely it consumes a lot of air (10 cfm). If you don't have a huge two-stage compressor, an electric version may be a better option (one example is the Chicago Electric No. 68523, which is $35 at harborfreight.com.

Cutoff tools aren't simply for cutting rusted parts. They're bang-up for cutting bending, shelf brackets and threaded rod.

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A Retractable Fluorescent Floodlight Family Handyman

A Retractable Fluorescent Floodlight

Lighting up a jam-packed engine compartment that has deep, hidden components tin be a real claiming. Ane solution is to apply 2 lights: one to overflowing the unabridged surface area and a smaller ane to fit in the tight places.

Incandescent trouble lights pose a rubber chance when used around gasoline, and it'due south piece of cake to fire yourself on the hot reflector. In that location are several alternatives. The long-tube fluorescents and LED 'stick' lights don't cut information technology. They're either as well dim or likewise long, or they cast too narrow of a beam blueprint. Instead, try a curt-tube 26-watt fluorescent floodlight (Bayco SL-8908). The floodlight'south twin xiii-watt bulbs match a 125-watt incandescent in output, and so it really lights upward the unabridged engine. You'll nonetheless need a pocket-sized light to illuminate the tight spots.

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Parts Washers Aren't Just for Pro Shops Family Handyman

Parts Washers Aren't But for Pro Shops

I hate reassembling dirty, greasy, gritty engine and brake components. The muddy bolts cross-thread easily; gasket adhesive doesn't stick well; information technology's no fun to work on dirty stuff; and y'all can't see what's really going on underneath all the grime. That's why I got a parts washer. This 3-ane/two-gallon tabletop unit (the Torin T10035 Part Washer ) is available at abode centers and amazon.com. Add a parts washing brush and 2 gallons of full-bodied degreaser and you'll become out of the store for less than $65. Set up it upward and add h2o and yous're gear up to make clean all those greasy, grimy parts and bolts. And don't forget to dunk your tools in the cleaner too. Merely give them a quick wipe to dry them off before you put them dorsum in your toolbox.

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A Drip Pan Saves Time Family Handyman

A Baste Pan Saves Time

Car repair is a messy concern, and if y'all don't use a baste pan or a large piece of paper-thin, yous'll wind up with an oily mess on your garage floor. If y'all're the kind of cheapskate who saves appliance boxes simply for this purpose, more power to you. But the rest of you lot can easily beget to buy a existent drip pan with a lip all around the edge. When you lot're done, just pour the oil into your recycling bottle and put the pan back under your automobile to grab any remaining drips. Keep that drip pan effectually for projects like cleaning an engine.

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Get a Beefy Bench Vise Family Handyman

Become a Beefy Bench Vise

A wimpy $30 vise may satisfy your wallet, but you'll regret ownership one the showtime time you accept to crank the bolts off a really large function. So skip the cheapies and invest in a heavy-duty vise. Y'all want a vise with at least 5-1/2-in. jaws, a pipe clamping area, dual hinge locks and a large anvil expanse. I found this Masterforce model at a habitation center for $100. But yous tin can discover great deals on good used vises on Craigslist or at neighborhood garage sales.

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Fast Tire Changes With an Electric Impact Wrench Family Handyman

Fast Tire Changes With an Electric Impact Wrench

In less time than information technology takes your air compressor to pump up to full force per unit area, you could remove the lug nuts from two wheels using an electric impact wrench. Sure, the electrical models don't pack the aforementioned torque every bit an air-powered wrench, just you don't need that much torque just to remove lug basics. If all yous're doing is tire rotation and an occasional heavy-duty repair, an electrical affect wrench is just the ticket (i choice is the DEWALT DW292 i/ii-Inch 345-ft.-lb. Affect Wrench, bachelor at home centers or amazon.com). Just brand sure you utilize a paw-held torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts.

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Save Your Back and Knees With a Rolling Seat Family unit Handyman

Salve Your Back and Knees With a Rolling Seat

A rolling creeper seat doesn't need much explanation. You sit on it. You lot shop tools and parts under it. And yous roll around to attain the tools and parts you forgot. Discover creeper seats at any motorcar parts shop, home center or online tool site. The model shown here is the Sunex 8507 Creeper Seat. A unit of measurement with a pneumatic lift and a contoured seat (for you lot Ferrari owners) could set y'all back a little more than. Go it now.

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Diagnose With a Stethoscope Family Handyman

Diagnose With a Stethoscope

Got a knocking, ticking or humming sound and don't know where it's coming from? Pinpoint the problem with an automotive stethoscope (one example is the Lisle 52500 Mechanic's Stethoscope). Just touch the probe to the most likely suspects and the culprit will stand out like a sore thumb. Pick upward a stethoscope at whatsoever automobile parts store.

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Chemicals to Keep on Hand Family Handyman

Chemicals to Keep on Hand

If yous're going to do repair work, y'all simply have to keep some basic lubricants and special chemicals on hand. Here'south what every shop should take.

  • Lithium grease for latches and hinges
  • Brake cleaner for removing oil and grease from metal parts
  • Rust penetrant for removing rusted fasteners
  • Dry out lubricant for lubricating metal to metal, and metal to plastic or rubber
  • Electronic parts cleaner for dissolving corrosion on electrical connectors
  • Anti-seize lubricant to forestall nuts and bolts from seizing in place
  • Dielectric grease to repel water in electric connections and forestall corrosion
  • Silicone spray to lubricate windows and atmospheric condition stripping.

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Must-Have Socket Accessories Family Handyman

Must-Have Socket Accessories

Most cars, trucks, and backyard and garden implements use metric hex and star fasteners. And then why wait until y'all're articulatio genus-deep in a repair before y'all discover that yous need a special socket? Buy a prepare of each style at present. And if you use an air or electrical touch on wrench, choice up an bear on-rated universal articulation and several affect extension bars. Chrome sockets like the ones shown are for use with paw ratchets only, not bear upon wrenches. Discover the best socket assail the market place for your side by side project.

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Save Your Knuckles With Air Power Family Handyman

Relieve Your Knuckles With Air Ability

An electric bear on wrench is a heckuva lot meliorate than a hand wrench. Simply seriously, nothing beats raw air power and air tools when you want to make quick work of just near any auto or small-scale-engine repair. But start you need a real air compressor like the one shown, not some wimpy $99 two-gallon unit of measurement designed to run a blast gun. And don't get suckered by horsepower ratings; they don't hateful anything. Instead, look for a compressor with at least a 15- to 20-gallon tank and a minimum output of 5 cfm at 90 psi. That'll power just nearly any air tool you want, except a sandblaster. For that, you need at least 10 cfm, and a rich uncle. Notice an easier manner to haul that air compressor around with this super slick cart.

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LED Light Fits in Tight Places Family unit Handyman

LED Low-cal Fits in Tight Places

When it comes to working in small spaces, fluorescent lights are as well big, and flashlights aren't bright enough (and don't stay put). But the latest rechargeable LED lights fit the beak perfectly. They're much shorter and brighter than start-generation 70+ LED stick lights. Plus the battery lasts longer (up to v hours on a accuse) and recharges faster. And so these LED lights are perfect for DIY motorcar and pocket-size-engine work, as well as home repairs. This Stubby II LED cordless light (available at tool stores or online) allows you to switch between a wide 120-caste axle and a focused, flashlight-size beam. See why LED lights are a bright idea for your workshop, too.

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Family Handyman

Get a Torque Wrench!

You may not call back you need a torque wrench to install spark plugs or work on your backyard and garden equipment. But studies show that most DIYers overtighten just about everything. And overtightening leads to cleaved bolts, stripped threads and damaged equipment. With a torque wrench and the equipment manufacturer's torque value in hand, the trouble is solved: A "clicker" torque wrench makes an aural click when yous've reached the gear up torque, and with a "beam"-mode wrench, y'all simply watch the calibration and terminate at the right number.

Torque Wrench Tips

Tighten fasteners in ii steps— get-go to half torque and then to concluding torque. Clean muddy or rusted threads earlier tightening, but don't lubricate them unless instructed to by the equipment manufacturer.

Always dial the wrench dorsum to zilch (never beneath zip) when you're done with it.

Never use your torque wrench as a billow bar—that'll harm the torque mechanism.

Handle with care—a unmarried autumn can knock the accurateness off past every bit much as 30 percent. If y'all practice drop it, get information technology recalibrated before using information technology once again.

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Family Handyman

Remove a Stubborn Oil Filter

Nosotros've all done it—overtightened an oil filter so much that it's a bear to remove. If yous retrieve you can remove information technology by jamming a long screwdriver through the tin can and twisting, think once again. The screwdriver will only rip the can open and you'll be drenched in oil. When you're done dealing with that mess, the filter volition still be stuck and you'll exist even more frustrated. To remove a stuck filter, use a band-type wrench that you lot've lined with coarse-grit adhesive-backed sandpaper.

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Family Handyman

Modify Your Engine Coolant

You lot tin can change your coolant yourself in almost an 60 minutes. Y'all'll need to invest in an air-powered refilling tool to remove air pockets from the cooling system every bit yous fill. You'll relieve about $50 on your offset coolant change and about $100 on each one after that. Cheque out how to modify your engine coolant here.

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Family Handyman

Proper Manner to Torque Lug Nuts

Did you know there'south a right way and a wrong mode to tighten lug nuts? Nearly people think tighter is better. Not true. Overtightening lug nuts is the No. 1 cause of warped brake rotors (called "brake rotor lateral run-out"). Warped rotors cause pedal pulsation and can increase your stopping distance. Over­tightening tin also break wheel studs. The stud itself doesn't toll much ($iii), merely the labor to press out the old stud and insert the new one can run $l to $75.

Spin the lug nuts on by hand. Never coat the stud with grease, oil or anti-seize. Lower the jack only enough to bring the tire into contact with the road. Tighten each nut to half the specified torque. And then lower the vehicle completely and tighten each nut to full torque. Consult your possessor's manual or a shop manual and set your torque wrench to half the recommended torque specification. Reset the wrench and tighten each nut to full torque. Move the socket from i nut to the next in a star-shaped sequence.

Study this fix a flat survival guide to get you through a roadside emergency.

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Save your back with a 20-in. extension bar Family Handyman

Save your back with a 20-in. extension bar

When y'all're leaning over the fender and elbow deep into a tune-up, the tool you desire is a 20-in. extension bar. It'll relieve your back every time. Merely snap your socket onto the end and ratchet away—while continuing. The Kobalt 20-in. Extension (No. 337368) is at Lowe'due south.

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Free Up a Stuck Trailer Hitch Family Handyman

Free Upwardly a Stuck Trailer Hitch

When the brawl mount on your trailer hitch is rusted in identify, don't whack at it with a sledgehammer. Hither'south what to do instead. Buy a tin of penetrating oil ($6) and an air chisel fitted with a "hammer" bit. The air chisel will run almost $15 and the extra bit will exist about $8. Spray the opening to the hitch receiver. This newest style of penetrating fluid chills the metallic, causing information technology to contract to help break the rust seal. Then use an air chisel fitted with a hammer fleck to knock everything loose. The air hammer will suspension upward the rust, spread the penetrant and gratis up the ball mountain. Once it'southward free, just tap out the rusted brawl mount with a regular hammer. If you programme to reuse the rusty mount, coat it with a rust converter or waterproof marine grease. Bank check out these great trailer upgrades!

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Rubber-Band Bolt Holder Family Handyman

Rubber-Band Bolt Holder

Mechanics often use special magnetic inserts in sockets to preclude the bolt from falling out while they endeavor to thread it into a tight spot. You don't need to waste money on those gadgets. Only cutting a condom band into strips and lay a strip beyond the opening of the socket. So insert the bolt head. The rubber band will wedge the bolt head in the socket, allowing you lot to starting time threading without losing the bolt.

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Family unit Handyman

Costless Up a Sticking Hood latch

If your hood doesn't latch and unlatch easily, chances are it's just rusty and dry out. Yous can set up the problem in nearly x minutes with spray rust penetrant and spray lithium grease. Pop the hood and saturate the unabridged latch machinery with rust penetrant. Latch and unlatch the hood several times until the machinery works smoothly. The rust penetrant won't last long, so yous'll have to utilise a improve lube. Open the hood and spray all the moving parts with white lithium grease. Latch and unlatch the hood several more than times and you lot're good to go. There is a difference betwixt rust penetrant and WD-40, which is nevertheless dandy at scaring away spiders, believe information technology or not.

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Family Handyman

Replace a Pickup Bumper

A rusty or dented bumper can drag down the whole advent of a pickup that's in otherwise good shape. Having it replaced past a pro will gear up you back $1,000, but you can relieve $500 or more in labor and parts by doing the chore yourself. Information technology takes merely a few hours. Get complete instructions here.

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Family Handyman

Supervene upon Struts Yourself

If you've put fourscore,000 or more than miles on your struts, they're worn out and must be replaced. We know they're expensive (about $700 for front struts replaced at a store). Just in the long run, driving on worn struts actually costs you more. You lot could save $300 doing struts yourself, encounter how to do it.

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Family Handyman

Refinish Wheels and Bicycle Covers

Sometimes a centre-aged car can notwithstanding look fine except for vesture and tear on the wheels and wheel covers. Fortunately, you can fix this yourself for very little cash. Removing the rust and painting your wheels accept a full 24-hour interval. (Don't panic—mostly you're waiting for paint to dry.) Then the wheels must dry for 24 more than hours afterward painting before you remount them. So brand other arrangements for transportation for a 24-hour interval. The supplies cost about $50 from whatsoever auto parts store. See how to refinish wheels at domicile.

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Family Handyman

Don't But Smoothen—Rejuvenate

You tin can rejuvenate your car's cease yourself and get information technology pretty darn close to the manufactory shine. But information technology takes more than a simple wax chore. The process starts with a good wash, followed by scratch repair, polishing and a protective wax terminate. A pro would charge upward of $200 for this. Simply after a one-fourth dimension $200 investment for a polisher and supplies, you'll exist able to brand your whole fleet look similar new. Your first attempt will take a whole mean solar day.

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Family unit Handyman

Roll on Your Own Bed Liner

Want to relieve coin on a bed liner? Instead of a plastic liner or a professionally sprayed-on liner, try a DIY roll-on bed liner. You'll get great-looking results at a fraction of the price. Notice out how to whorl on a truck bed liner.

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Family Handyman

Replace a Serpentine Belt

Automatic belt tensioners, standard in almost cars now, brand irresolute a serpentine belt a simple DIY repair. Check out how to replace a serpentine belt in almost 15 minutes.

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Family unit Handyman

Alter Your Spark Plugs

Modify your spark plugs yourself to maintain pinnacle performance and loftier gas mileage. In near cases it's a simple job as long as you have the right tools. Run across how to supplant spark plugs.

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Family unit Handyman

Recharge Your Car'south Air Conditioner

Better the cooling of your car's air conditioner with an easy-to-apply A/C recharge kit. You tin do information technology in 4 uncomplicated steps.

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Family Handyman

Add Graphite to Door Locks

Graphite pulverization keeps delicate lock mechanism working. We don't recall much about our door locks until the key breaks off in the cylinder. Keep these delicate mechanisms moving freely with a blast of dry graphite powder. You may need to push button the dust protector flap back slightly with a pocket-size metallic nail file to get at the lock. A quick pump of the tube will dispense enough graphite. Motility the lock cylinder with your key several times to piece of work the graphite into the mechanism. Do this to your trunk lock as well. Check out other amazing ways to loosen up locks on cars.

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Family Handyman

Replace a Cleaved Wheel Stud

Tightening lug nuts without a torque wrench can exist a recipe for disaster. If worse comes to worse and you break the wheel stud, here'southward how to supervene upon it.

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Family Handyman

Fix Your Ability Door Locks

Repair broken power locks by replacing the actuator, which is a common problem on late-model Fords. You lot'll salvage on the shop fee plus some of the new part toll. Find out how to fix ability door locks, yous could save upwardly to $100.

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Family Handyman

Backup Alarms

Supersede your vehicle backup bulbs with alarm bulbs to alert folks nearby for safer backing. It's quick and piece of cake. Or add together a louder freestanding backup alarm under your vehicle. Bank check out how to install a beeper backup light.

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Family Handyman

Clean Your Air/Fuel Intake System

Do you get a crummy idle or poor engine response when you put the pedal to the metallic? You lot may have soot and carbon buildup on the valves, intake manifold and throttle torso assembly, also as clogged fuel injectors. Shops charge $80 and up to perform a fuel induction cleaning service. Just y'all tin can do the same thing in almost 30 minutes with the 3M No. 08963 Do-It-Yourself Fuel System Tune-Upward Kit; $twoscore from amazon. com. Picket the instructional DVD. Then take hold of the kit, a screwdriver, goggles and rags and y'all're gear up to bust crud.

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Family Handyman

Done for the Season

When yous shop your sports car or archetype car in the garage for the winter, a few unproblematic steps and some proactive care will go on information technology in tip-top shape for the next outing. See what you demand to know when storing a auto.

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Family Handyman

Salve Energy by Non Flight the Flag

Think you lot're sending a dark-green or squad message past flight a window flag down the road at a loftier speed? Think again. What you're actually announcing is that you similar to waste gas. Normal aerodynamic elevate accounts for 30 percent of your fuel budget. But add those flags and antenna toppers and you use even more fuel. If you're truly serious about saving fuel, ditch the doodads and bulldoze the vehicle as information technology came from the factory—naked.

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Family Handyman

Turn Your Truck into a Generator

Generate power for corded tools anywhere y'all go without the toll and hassle of a gas-powered generator by wiring a power inverter to your truck battery. Get the complete plans here.

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Family Handyman

Mount a Device Holder Without Wrecking Your Dash

Desire a great fashion to mount your electronics without drilling holes? How about a vehicle-specific subclass/adapter mounting organisation? You can buy a version for simply almost any car or device from pro-fit-intl.com. The mounting bracket for this 1999 Toyota Camry (Pro. Fit No. 042VSM; $36) fits onto one of the radio fasteners. Other versions mount in different places. And then the device-specific adapter mounts to it. This adapter (Pro.Fit No. 042TT39; $xv from crutchfield.com) fits the Garmin nüvi GPS.

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Family Handyman

Replace a Thermostat

Replacing a car'southward thermostat (or T-stat) is an easy and inexpensive repair, and in well-nigh cases will cure an overheating or no-heat problem, sparing the time and expense needed for expert diagnostics. Learn all the steps to supplant a thermostat here.

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Family unit Handyman

Remove a Stuck Phillips Screw

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Family Handyman

Modest Engines Start Faster with Iridium Spark Plugs

Information technology's a fact. A spark always jumps from the sharpest edge of the middle electrode. But the edges of copper eye electrodes circular off quickly, increasing the number of starter rope pulls. Iridium-enhanced spark plugs, long standard on tardily-model cars and trucks, are now available for lawn and garden equipment and motorsports applications. Iridium has the highest melting point of all the precious metals (iv,229 degrees F), so it holds its abrupt edge longer. Iridium plugs price a few bucks more, but they provide faster starts and last much longer than conventional copper plugs.

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Family unit Handyman

The Last Floor Mat You'll Always Buy

Vehicle flooring mats are supposed to stay in identify and protect your carpeting. Do they? Nope! Instead, they slide around, crack and fall apart. Then you finish upwardly replacing them every few years and even so wind up with muddied carpet. That's why I was and so impressed with the FloorLiner DigitalFit flooring mats from WeatherTech. The one-piece design protects all your front rug—door to door. The mat is formed with three layers of material. The bottom layer creates friction between the mat and the carpet (so information technology won't move). The rigid middle layer holds the shape, and the top layer is textured so your feet don't skid. Plus, the built-in water channels bleed melted snow away from your anxiety and off to the sides. This mat (for the 2010 Ford F-350) cost $140 from weathertech.com. Sound like likewise much dough? When you get to sell the truck, nothing says "buy me" like pristine carpeting!

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Family Handyman

Articulate Up Cloudy Headlights

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Family Handyman

Diagnose a Horn Problem

Use a elementary fused jumper to pinpoint the problem with a bad horn. Often the set is simple and inexpensive. Check out how to fix a car horn here.

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Family Handyman

Fix a Stuck Ability Antenna

Gear up a stuck power antenna by replacing a burned out motor or bad cable/mast. Yous can do both in about two hours, and you'll avert the $50 – $100 dealer service fee. Y'all need only one special tool, an antenna wrench. See how to fix an antenna hither.

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Family Handyman

Replace Headlights

The hardest part of the job is choosing a new seedling. Y'all tin can spend more fourth dimension shopping for the bulbs than it takes to install them. The choices are mind-extraordinary. Every bulb manufacturer has its own confusing names for each fashion, making comparisons difficult. Just it boils down to four upgrade categories—brightness level, life bridge, lite color and energy consumption. See which bulb to choice and how to install a new headlight.

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Family Handyman

Repair a Dim Headlight

Simply clean the footing connection to restore the effulgence of dim headlights. And utilise a little dielectric grease. Or supercede the bulb if you see a greyness/brown film on the inside of the glass. See how to locate the ground connection and how to clean it.

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Family Handyman

Supercede Sway Bar Terminate Links

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Family Handyman

Splice Automotive Wires in Seconds

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Family Handyman

Ready a Leaking Valve Embrace Gasket

Replace a leaky gasket comprehend on a four-cylinder engine easily and in less than an hour for less than $25. We show you how to fix a leaky gasket hither.

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Family unit Handyman

Check Tire Pressure Every Month

All tires lose air, then check your tires monthly. E'er utilise the same tire pressure approximate and check the air pressure level offset thing in the morning, not after you've driven on them or they've been sitting in the hot sun. Inflate to the pressures listed on thecarmaker's decal (on the driver's door or jamb), Non the maximum pressure level listed on the tire. The recommended tire pressure is based on theweightof your item vehicle, not the tire make or tread style. Discover out all you need to know virtually tires, particularly how oft they need to be rotated.

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Family Handyman

Solve Rough Idle by Cleaning EGR Valve

Crude idle? A good dousing with throttle body cleaner may be enough to restore your EGR valve to near-mint condition, transforming a harsh idle into a soothing hum. Make clean an EGR valve with these do it yourself machine repair instructions.

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Family Handyman

Foreclose License Plate Theft

Prevent license plate theft by using special screws that require a special security wrench to remove. They're cheap and take but minutes to install. Check out where to get security screws and how to utilise them.

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Family Handyman

Service Your 'Tuck-Under' Spare Tire Lift Now!

Hither's an important car repair and maintenance task you should know. Loosen and lubricate a corroded spare tire lift then you tin can get to your spare tire when you need it. Encounter how to go on that spare tire lift loose so y'all can go the tire when y'all need information technology.

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Family Handyman

Use a Code Reader

Diagnose car issues without going to a mechanic with an auto code reader. Merely plug it into the car's estimator system, and so interpret the trouble code readout. See how to crevice the code of a lawmaking reader hither.

How To Repair The Rough Pits Off The Bottom Of A Glass Speed Pipe,

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/tips-to-keep-your-car-running-and-looking-good/

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