Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
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Co-authored Articles (70)
How to
Find a Parasitic Battery Drain
If your vehicle is drawing power from the battery and all of the lights and other electrical components are off, you might have a parasitic battery drain (or draw). Luckily, you can usually find the cause of a parasitic ...
Quick and Easy Ways to Roll Up a Stuck Power Window
Power windows are really convenient until one suddenly won't roll up—then what do you do? Well, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn how to quickly get that stuck window up so the interior of your car is pr...
How to
Jumpstart a Vehicle
If you’ve tried to start your vehicle but the engine won’t run, your vehicle’s battery may be dead. While this can be frustrating and stressful, rest assured that it normally isn’t a big deal. In most cases, jump...
How to Connect Jumper Cables to a Dead Car
Which clamps go to which terminals? And in what order? Answering your questions about using jumper cables Your car battery can die for any number of reasons, like a loss of charge from cold weather, age, or leaving the l...
How to Use Car Defrosters: A Guide to Mastering the Defrost Button
The quickest ways to defog your windows and melt iceWhen the windows in your car are fogged up, the defrost setting is crucial. We're here to explain what the defrost button looks like, where to find it, and how to use i...
How to
Pump Your Own Gas
Full-service gas stations are increasingly scarce. Self-service can be quite a bit faster, and knowing how to fill your tank up properly can also help you save a bit of money, making it the most informed and speedy choic...
How to Fix an Ignition Key That Doesn't Turn
Get back on the road with this no-nonsense and easy to follow guide If you slide the key into your ignition but can’t turn it, you may be scratching your head trying to figure out what’s going on. While there are a b...
Checking an Electric Motor with a Multimeter (Plus, Troubleshooting Tips)
Diagnose faults with motors so you can fix or replace them Got an electric motor that just won’t start? Or, maybe it starts up but is underpowered or sounds like it’s struggling. No matter what your electric motor is...
How to
Start a Car
If you're new to driving, you're probably eager (and maybe a little nervous) to get cruising, but first you have to start the car. Luckily, starting a car is super easy, and this article will walk you through what to do ...
Reduced Engine Power: What It Is and What to Do When You See the Warning Light
How to try a potential quick fix for “reduced engine power” mode, and guidance on handling the issue if the quick fix doesn’t workIt’s hard to ignore the “reduced engine power” warning on your dashboard—bec...
How to
Hook Up a Battery Charger
An automobile’s battery provides the electricity necessary to start the car and to run its electrical equipment. Although an automobile battery is normally charged by the car’s alternator while the car is running, th...
How to
Use Jack Stands
While you can replace a tire just using a car jack, you should use jack stands when doing any work underneath your vehicle. Jack stands provide a sturdier base and support the weight of your vehicle easily. When using ja...
How to Charge a Dead Car Battery Step-By-Step
An expert-approved guide on charging old vehicle batteries Whether you accidentally left a light on overnight or you’re trying to resurrect the fixer upper in your garage, you may need to bring a car battery back to li...
How to
Install a Car Amp
Amplifiers increase the output from your vehicle’s sound system so you can listen to music louder and improve the sound. A car amp can be a difficult installation since you’re working with your vehicle’s electrical...
How to Add Coolant to Your Car
When and how often to top up your car’s coolant Having ample engine coolant is vital to keeping your car running smoothly. You'll need to top up your coolant reservoir, which is found under the hood and near the engine...
How to Replace the Fuel Injectors in Your Vehicle
A step-by-step guide on removing old injectors and installing new ones If your engine misfires, your check engine light is on, and your RPM needle dances around when you accelerate, you may have some faulty fuel injector...
How to Set Up a Dual Battery System
The best way to add another battery to your carIt makes sense if you think about it: more batteries means more power! Running dual batteries can give you more capacity or more volts, depending on how you hook it up. Fort...
How to
Bleed a Radiator
An easy, effective guide to bleeding your home or car's radiator Does a radiator in your house feel cold even when you have the heat on? Is your car's temperature meter above its normal operating level? In either case, y...
How to
Change a Fuel Filter
Changing the fuel filter is a part of regular maintenance. Keeping your fuel system properly maintained by changing the fuel filter prolongs the life of the fuel pump. Dirt in the fuel is captured by the filter which clo...
How to
Drain Your Car's Fuel Tank
Draining the gas out of your car, whether because you put the wrong fuel in, because you're selling the car, or because you're making repairs, is not always easy. Every car is different, and the tank is not designed to a...
