Coil Over Plug?

Coil over plug ignition systems are fairly simple but sensitive. There is an ignition coil with a rubber boot that slips right on top of the spark plug. The coil sends a charge to the spark plug and the plug then sparks at the end and it ignites the gasoline in the engine.

To change the spark plugs on a coil of plug system is simple. First you need to remove electrical plug and the bolt holding on the coil. Then you slip off the coil and the boot and set it aside the boot. Then you need to remove the plug. This is easiest by using ratchet extensions and universal joints to be able to move around. Once you have the old spark plug out u need to put a new one in. After you tighten it all up you need to put the coil and boot back on. Finally you need to clip the electronic plug back onto the coil. Repeat this process for as many cylinders you have in your engine.

Slideshow for Changing Coil Over Plug Spark Plugs

Check 1, 2, 3, 4

Your cars air pressure inside the tires is very important in a lot of ways. It controls the comfort of the ride of your car, can effect gas mileage and help maintain the life of the tires. There is a PSI number on the side of the tire, which stands for pounds per square inch, and that is what the tire company recommends you put in the tire. So checking the air pressure inside the tires is very important.  First thing to do is find the PSI that the tire calls for.  Then find the valve stem and remove the cap. Place you tire pressure gauge firmly over the stem and it should give you a reading. I normally stay ten pounds under the maximum that the tire company gives you so the ride is a little smoother.

Slideshow for checking your tires air pressure

Streak No More

Your cars wiper blades are vital to your safety in the rain and snow. Bad wiper blades can cause your windshield to have poor visibility during a storm. Changing your wiper blades is very simple. First you need to find out what size blades your car needs. You can go to an auto parts store and look at the book or you can simply measure the width of the blade in inches.  Once you get the right blades you need to remove the old ones. Pull the wiper arm up so that it is standing up. There should be a small clip on the inside where the blade attaches. Push that clip and slip off the old blade. Replacing the new one is very simple all you need to do is line up the hook on the wiper arm with the new clip and snap it on. Repeat this same step on the other side and you have nice new wiper blades.

Slideshow For Changing Wiper Blades

PCV Valve Who?

Your car’s PCV valve is very simple to change and it can help your car run much smoother. PCV stands for positive crankcase valve and it regulates the gases inside of your engine. With all of the gases mixing inside the engine they need to be regulated and the PCV valve does just that.

To change your car's PCV valve the hardest part actually is locating where on your engine it is. This can be found out online or if you own a repair manual for your specific car. Once you locate the valve on the engine all you remove the vacuum line attached to it. Some PCV valves are twist in and some just slide in and out. So remove the valve and replace it with a new valve. Put the vacuum line back onto the valve and start the engine to make sure that there are no problems.

Photos for changing PCV Valve

Clean Gas

The gas you pump inside your tank is clean, but you never know what can be in your gas tank. Fine little particles of dirt may find there way into your tank. Every car has a fuel filter, some or external some are inside the gas tank. External ffilters are fairly simple to change.

First you need to get all of the gas out of the gas lines. You can do this by shutting off the fuel pump, there is a switch on the passenger side of most vehicles. To get at this switch you need to remove the kick panel and that can be pryed off with a screwdriver. One you get the panel off you need to locate the right plug (seek help from your local mechanic or autoparts store) and then you can simply unplug the switch. Start the engine and let it run itself out of gas. once your engine has shut off you need to locate the filter it is in different spots in all vehicles, in this case it was on the drivers side  on top of the frame rail.
There is normally a clips at each end of the filter, undo these clips. Some fuel filters are held on my bolts but now most of the newer vehicles have special connectors. There is a tool that slides into the end of the fuel line and it unclips the line from the filter. you then pul the line off of the filter and repeat the process for the otherside. Once you have the old one off get your new filter and check to mack sure the flow arrow is pointing the right way and slide the fule lines back onto the filter. Put the clips back on the filter. You are done installing the new filter.Now before you start the engine turn the key onto the on position without starting the engine. This lets the fuel pump pump gas back into the lines. Let it do that for a few seconds and then start the engine. All done.

Slideshow for fuel filter change

Switching Your Shoes Around

The life of your cars tires can be greatly increased by haveing them properly rotated. Most tires call for them to be rotated every 5,000 miles. First thing in tire rotation is finding out the prper patteren most tires follow the same pattern. the front tires switch sides and get put on where the rear ones were. then the rear tires go straight up to the front without getting crossed. Some tires are directional and the pattern may differ. You also need at least two jackstands and a jack to do this on your own. It is easiest to jack up the rear of the car and put it on jackstands and then use the other jack to take the front ones off one at a time. the remove the tire all you have to do is brak the lugs loose before you raise the car up. After the car is in the air all you have to do is remove the lugs and slide off the tire. Place the proper tire in the proper spot then spin the lugs on and tighten them up. Tire rotation is fairly simple it just takes a bit of equipment.

Lifeline Belt

Your cars serpentine belt is the lifeline of your engine. If that belt gets damaged and fall of your engine will stop running automatically. So everyonce and awhile you should inspect the belt for cracks or frayed edges. To change one of these belts it actuall fairly simple, first you need to get the proper belt form your local auto parts store. The only tool you need is a ratchet, first thing you do is look at which way the belt goes on the pulleys before taking the old one off. Next you need to locate the belt tensioner( it is a pulley with an arm attached to it) and insert your ratchet. Push the ratchet clockwise to releave the tension on the belt and at the same time you need to un loop the belt from a pulley. Since there is no tension on the belt anymore you just have to remove the old one. To replace the new belt you need to place it back in on the same pulleys as the new one and leave it off of the top pulley. Then open the tensioner with your rachet and squeeze the belt over the last pulley and relase the tensioner. Check to make sure the belt is flush against all of the pulleys and you are finished.

Serpentine Belt Change Slideshow