HOW TO DO THINGS - AUTOMOTIVE

While some think of tinting windows as a driver's way of trying to look cool, there are actually multiple potential benefits. Tinted windows block up to 99 percent of ultraviolet rays from the sun, and they help prevent a car's interior from overheating. Tinting reduces the glare that can occur from other headlights and from the sun's reflection off of snow. Since there are different state laws about tinted windows, you should periodically check the tint to make sure it meets the standards.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:
•Model 100 tint meter or similar tint-measuring tool

Step #1
Purchase a Model 100 tint meter or a similar tint-measuring tool. Call your local law enforcement agency to determine the law in your state.

Step #2
Roll the car window you wish to test about halfway down and slip the tint meter over the window using the slot in the middle of the device. The tint meter will begin the test immediately without needing to press another button.

Step #3
Look at the tint meter's digital display. The device will give you a percentage of visible light transmission (VLT) for your car's window. Several states have up to 50 percent VLT limits for tinted windows while others have no laws at all.

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You switch on your Dodge Caravan's air conditioning in the middle of a heat wave and receive a blast of hot air in the face, or worse, no air at all. Your air conditioner can blow warm air for many reasons. Instead of an expensive visit to a mechanic, first try a few simple troubleshooting steps. You'll need an A/C gauge to help diagnose the problem.

Instructions

Step #1
Check all air conditioning switches and controls on the dashboard with the engine running. Feel for resistance or switches that are too loose. Make sure the air conditioning is switched on and not just the electric blower fan.

Step #2
Check the fuses. Consult the schematic on the fuse box flap. Replace broken or burned out fuses.

Step #3
Set the controls to the coldest setting and start the engine. Open the hood and wait for the compressor's magnetic clutch to engage and begin to turn. If it does not engage, the system could be low on refrigerant. Or there may be a leak in the compressor. Look for any refrigerant residue on the hoses and compressor.

Step #4
Locate the heater hoses at the firewall and check if they are hot. One should be cooler than the other. If they are both warm to the touch, you could have a problem with the valve control.

Step #5
Turn the engine off and attach an A/C gauge to check if the system has enough pressure. It should be between 50 pounds per square inch (psi) and 80 psi.

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Many car owners neglect to check transmission fluids and gearbox oil levels, especially the gearbox oil for a manual transmission. The manual gearbox transmission housing holds the gears and shifting devices responsible for propelling the vehicle forward and backward. Manually shifting the car through the various gears allows a gradual increase in speed without taxing the engine. All gearboxes are filled with gear oil, which is a fluid much thicker than regular motor oil, indicated by a higher viscosity number. For the gears to properly mesh and rotate on their shafts, fresh gearbox oil should be checked and replaced according to manufacturer's maintenance intervals. Contaminated gear oil--or oil that has leaked from the housing, causing a low-level condition--can cause permanent failure of any part in the gearbox, even freezing up the transmission. Anyone can check the gear oil level with a few simple tools and a little precaution.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:
•Crescent wrench (medium sized)
•Rag
•Floor jack
•Jack stands (four)
•Ratchet wrench, 1/2-inch size (if applicable)
•New filler cap ring gasket (this is recommended)
Checking The Gear Box Oil Level On The 1996 Renault Megane

Step #1
SONY DSC image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
The shift knob selects and changes gear position.Park the vehicle on a level grade so the rear end and front end sit at the exact same height. A clean garage floor works best. If you must have the clearance to maneuver under the vehicle, use a floor jack to raise the vehicle. Place four jack stands under the frame members to the exact same notch or hole height on the jack stand support tube. This keeps the gearbox at the proper angle to get an accurate, level reading.

Step #2
socket set wrench image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
A 1/2-inch ratchet wrench can be used to remove the oil filler bolt.Move to the front of the vehicle and lay down on the floor. Find the gearbox and the filler cap on the vehicle. The manual gearbox on the 1996 Renault Megane sits under the front part of the engine near the bumper, located on the side of the transmission. Filler caps can be either plug-like bolts that require a 1/2-inch wrench to loosen them, or they come equipped with a plastic butterfly plug (you might have an aftermarket replacement). Use the 1/2-inch wrench end (without a socket) to loosen the bolt. Use a crescent wrench to unscrew the other variety. Both come equipped with small rubber ring gaskets; make sure not to lose it, or have a new replacement available.

Step #3
Check to see if oil dribbles or pours from the refill hole after you have removed the filler cap. If fluid runs freely, it means the gearbox is topped off. Quickly put your thumb over the opening to prevent losing oil while you replace the fitting with the other hand. Do this with a fairly quick movement. Be sure to install the old gasket ring or a new one on the filler plug. Tighten to specifications.

Step #4
Roll up a piece of paper into a tight tube and curl the end into a hook--this functions as a crude dipstick. Stick it inside the filler hole opening and curl it downward. Use this procedure if you do not see any fluid escaping the opening after removing the plug. Extract the paper tube and look for oil on the end of it. The level is too low if you see no trace of oil. Add oil accordingly.

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Dirty fuel injector lines can become clogged, an unhealthy development for your engine and your car's long-term health. Among the problems dirty or clogged fuel injectors cause are drops in efficiency, lower performance of the engine and dirtier emissions. You can clean fuel injectors one of two ways. You can clean them in the car, or you can remove them from the car to clean them.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:
•Fuel injector cleaning kit

Step #1
Open the hood of your car while the engine is off and examine the engine compartment. Locate the fuel injectors.

Step #2
Ensure that when you start the car, fuel will not go into the engine. You can do this by linking the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet with some tubing, or by simply removing the fuel pump and blocking the fuel return.

Step #3
Hook up a pressurized cleaning fluid to the fuel injector lines, using the fuel injector cleaning kit, then start the engine.

Step #4
Run the pressurized solvent through the lines with the engine running. Once that's finished, shut off the engine and remove all the supplies. Reconnect any fuel lines and restore any parts you may have removed in Step 2.

Step #5
Check your engine for increased performance, or to make sure that any other problems that you think may have been caused by dirty fuel lines have been fixed.

Step #6
Remove the fuel injector lines and have them cleaned professionally if your problem hasn't been fixed. Cleaning the fuel injectors once they've been taken off the car is a task that requires specialized gear.

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Mirrors on all types of vehicles are used to see and observe objects that are to the side and behind you when driving on the road. If one of the mirrors on your 1999 Toyota Camry is cracked or broken, you'll need to replace it with a new part. You will first need to obtain the new part from a Toyota dealer, a salvage yard or a local automobile parts store.

.Instructions

Things You'll Need:
•Flat-head screwdriver
•Socket wrench

Step #1
Open the door on the side of the vehicle with the mirror that needs to be replaced. Start the vehicle and then roll down the window.

Step #2
Locate the piece of molding that is in the upper corner of the door, next to the mirror. This will be on the upper left or upper right side of the door.

Step #3
Pry the molding off of the interior of the door with the screwdriver. The molding has plastic plugs that secure it to the inside of the door that will pop out.

Step #4
Pry out the 1/4-inch lip piece that sits over the window cavity with the screwdriver. Trace the wiring to the wiring harness.

Step #5
Press the locking clip to release the wiring harness and then pull it out of the hole that is in the door.

Step #6
Find and remove the three rubber plugs that are in the door. These are used to cover the nuts that are used to secure the mirror assembly to the door. Remove the nuts from the bolts that are in the door, with the socket wrench.

Step #7
Pull the mirror assembly off the side of the door. Place the new mirror assembly over the bolts and onto the side of the door.

Step #8
Tighten the nuts to secure the mirror assembly to the door. Insert the wiring harness back into the hole in the door and connect it to the mirror.

Step #9
Cover the nuts with the rubber plugs and then set the 1/4-inch lip piece back over the window cavity. Set the molding back into place and press on it to secure it to the inside of the door.

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Rust is like a horrible disease in your car. It's best prevented, and if isn't, it should be removed as soon as you see signs. Rust is caused by moisture and oxygen mixing together and weakening the metal of your car. While it occurs on the surface, rust on the underside of your vehicle is hard to notice. Because of this, it's best to check for rust on the underside of your vehicle on a bi-weekly basis.

.Instructions

Things You'll Need:
•Sand paper
•Rust-resistant paint
•Safety glasses
•Flashlight

Step #1
Check the underside of your truck for rust. Slide under the vehicle on your back and use a flashlight to examine the undercarriage. If you find rust then you need to take steps to eliminate it before things get worse.

Step #2
Sand off the rust. Get under the truck and reach up to the rust spots with a piece of sand paper and rub the rust off the underside. Wear safety glasses so that any falling pieces of rust don't get into your eyes. Continue rubbing and grinding away the rust spot until you have bare metal that shows no rust.

Step #3
Paint over the sanded place with rust-resistant paint. This paint protects the bare metal and provides a layer in between your undercarriage and the air and moisture that would cause more rust over time. Let the first coat of paint dry, and then paint on a second coat just to be safe.

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The 1986 Honda Gold Wing was a popular touring motorcycle. The fuel filter on the Gold Wing is responsible for ensuring that the fuel system receives a constant supply of clean fuel by filtering the gas as goes from the tank to the fuel pump. If the filter is not changed periodically then it can become clogged and cause the engine to run rough or, in extreme cases, not run at all. Replacing the filter is relatively simple.


Things You'll Need:
•Socket set and ratchet
•Phillips screwdriver
•Flat head screwdriver
•New fuel filter

Step #1
Remove the seat by lifting it straight up and away from the frame. Locate the fuel lines where they go into the gas tank. Follow the fuel lines until they go into the filter. The filter will be located between the fuel pump and the gas tank.

Step #2
Unbolt the filter from the mounting bracket with a socket and a ratchet. Pull the filter away from where it is mounted to the bracket to allow better access to the fuel lines.

Step #3
Loosen the hose clamps that hold the fuel filter on with a screwdriver. Pull the fuel lines off of the fuel filter. If the fuel lines are held on with a quick connect fitting, lift the tab on the fitting with a flat head screwdriver and pull the fuel lines off of the filter.

Step #4
Install the new filter in the same orientation as the old one. Ensure that the arrow on the filter is pointing towards the fuel pump.

Step #5
Slide the fuel lines onto the new fuel filter. Tighten the hose clamps with a Phillips screwdriver or slide them on until they clip into place if they are the quick connect style.

Step #6
Bolt the fuel filter back to the bracket that holds it in place, ensuring that it is securely fastened. Turn the ignition on and crank the engine to make sure that there are no fuel leaks. Reinstall the seat