Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
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Co-authored Articles (70)
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
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 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...
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
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
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 ...
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 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...
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
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
Open a Headlight of a Car
If you want to black-out or customize your headlights, you’ll have to take them apart to access the interior. Headlights are sealed with a glue-like sealant, which can make them more difficult to open. Luckily, you onl...
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
Fix an Off Track Window
If your car window is misaligned or stuck, but the hand crank or electric motor appears to be working fine, you may be dealing with an off track window.. 11 June 2021. Though never fun, off track windows are a common aut...
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...
Best Ways to Remove Oil and Grease Stains from Your Driveway
You take pride in how your home looks from the outside, which means that those oil stains on your driveway have got to go. Fortunately, with the right products and a bit of elbow grease, you can remove grease and oil spo...
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
Test Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors in your vehicle are designed to spray fuel into the cylinders of your engine where it is combined with air and compressed before being ignited by the spark plug to produce power. As a result, an issue...
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
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...