Pages
- About John Cunningham
- About Rustyautos.com
- Adjusting Tire Pressure Video
- Are Bosch Spark Plugs Good? (Mechanics view)
- Are Cheap Jumper Cables Good? Mechanics advice
- Are K&N Filters Worth It? (Mechanic says yes)
- Are Your Brakes Smoking? Here’s What You Should Do
- Avoid Costly Repairs with This Window Maintenance Tip
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside: A Video Guide to Using Your Car Heater
- Basic Car Maintenance Quiz
- Basic Hand Tools Quiz
- Battery Terminals Video
- Best Car Battery Tester For Home Use
- Blog
- Brake Pads Won’t Fit Video
- Brakes Won’t Bleed Video
- Car Cigarette Lighter Video
- Car Floor Wet Video
- Car Parts Glossary
- What are Brake Lines?
- What Are Brake Pads?
- What are Brake Rotors?
- What are Brake Shoes?
- What’s a Banjo Bolt?
- What’s a Brake Booster?
- What’s a Brake Caliper?
- What’s a Brake Drum?
- What’s a Brake Master Cylinder?
- What’s a Proportional Valve?
- What’s a Wheel Speed Sensor?
- What’s ABS?
- What’s Bleed Nipple?
- What’s Brake Cylinder?
- What’s Brake Fluid? – Beginners Guide
- Car Troubleshooting Index
- Change Car Battery Video
- Check Fluids Video
- Contact Us
- Dashboard Clicking Video
- DIY Auto Maintenance
- Don’t Neglect Your Transmission: How to Know When It’s Time for an Oil Change
- Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Video
- Engine Light On Video
- Engine Misfire Video
- Engine Oil Check – Like a Boss!
- Engine Won’t Crank Video
- Fix Your Stuck Brake Caliper in Minutes: Watch This Video for Expert Advice
- Get Your Hands Dirty: An Introduction to DIY Car Maintenance
- Home
- Hood Won’t Open Video
- How Sharp Are Your Car Wiring Skills? Take the test!
- How Well Do You Really Know Your Car?
- Identify Engine Components Video
- Independent Brake Line Video
- Is Your Car’s Brake Fluid Level Safe? Find Out How to Check and Maintain It Here
- Jumpstarting Your Car in 2 Minutes or Less: Learn How with This Video Tutorial
- MAF Sensor Cleaning Video
- Mastering the Mechanics: Engine Basics Quiz
- Mechanics Hack For Checking Car Lights
- No Heat in Your Car? Watch This Video to Fix the Issue Today!
- OBD Fault Code Index
- P0101 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0113 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0128 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0133 Fault Code – What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0135 Fault Code – What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0141 Fault Code – What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0171 Fault Code: What It Means And How to Fix It
- P0172 Fault Code: What It Means And How to Fix It
- P0174 Fault Code: What It Means And How to Fix It
- P0175 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0300 Fault Codes: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0301 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0302 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0303 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0304 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0325 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0401 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0420 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0430 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0440 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0442 Fault Code: Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes
- P0446 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0455 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0506 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0507 Fault Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
- P0700 Fault Code: What It Means And How to Fix It
- P0741 Fault Code: What It Means And How to Fix It
- Old Car Inspection Made Easy: Spot Red Flags Before Buying (Video)
- Power Steering Fluid Check – Beginners guide
- Privacy Policy
- Rear Caliper Won’t Retract Video
- Recommended Gear
- 10mm Socket Equivalent: What You Need to Know
- Auto Electrical Repair Tool
- Borla Exhaust Worth The Money – Oh yes!
- Brake Tools
- Can Electric Impact Wrench Remove Lug Nuts?
- Car Cleaning Tools
- Coolant System Tools
- Mechanical Tools And Their Uses (Beginners Guide)
- Mechanics Consumables
- Mechanics Tool Set
- Rust Repair Tools
- Trunk Essentials
- What Are Ferrule Crimpers Used For? Guide with pictures
- What Is The Difference Between A DA And An Orbital Sander?
- Replace Blown Fuse Video
- Rustyautos.com Sitemap
- Spongy Brake Pedal Video
- Step Up Your Wheel Game: How to Torque Your Wheels to Perfection
- Terms & Conditions
- Testing and Replacing Tire Valve Video
- The Simple 5-Minute Task That Could Save Your Transmission: Checking Your Oil Level
- The Smart Way to Charge Your Car Battery: Tips for Doing It Right While on the Road
- Tire Rotation: The Simple Maintenance Trick That Can Save You Money
- Topdon Vs Autel
- Using a Fault Code Reader Video
- Vehicle Repair Videos
- Wiper Motor Arm Video
- Brake Repair Terminology
- Brake System Fastener Torque Specification
- Recommended Brake Parts & Supplies
- Car Brakes
Posts
Accessories
- Are Car Seat Covers Worth It? Worth their weight in gold!
- Are Thule Cargo Boxes Worth It? – Worth every penny!
- Are Vent Shades Worth It? Some are
- Are WeatherTech Mats Worth It? Here’s what customers say
- Are Wheel Lock Nuts Worth It? Mechanics tips for trouble-free lock nuts
- How To Tune Your Car Yourself – Easy
- Sat Nav Won’t Stick To Windscreen – Sorted!
- Will Modifying Your Vehicle Void Your Warranty? This is important!
Auto Parts
- Advance Auto Parts vs. AutoZone – What customers say
- Are AutoZone Brakes Good? Excellent OE alternative
- Are AutoZone Tools Any Good? Mechanic says yes
- Are Car Air Filters Universal? (Beginners Guide)
- Are Cheap Oil Filters OK? (Don’t do it!)
- Are Lexus Parts Expensive? Surprisingly affordable actually
- Are RockAuto Parts Any Good? Branded parts at excellent prices
- Are Toyota Camry Parts Expensive? The answer surprised me
- AutoZone vs O’Reillys: Which is Better?
- AutoZone vs. Napa – What customers and staff say
- Harbor Freight Vs Craftsman – Check this before buying
- How to Order Parts from Dealerships? – Order with VIN, Easy!
- Rockauto vs. AutoZone: Which is Better?
- Should I Buy Car Parts From A Dealership? Never buy these parts
- Should I Buy Car Parts From Rockauto? Yes, highly rated outfit
Battery
- Are AC Delco Batteries Good? – Mechanic says top choice
- Are Cheap Car Batteries Worth It? Avoid these common mistakes
- Are Walmart Batteries Good? A great choice for most
- Battery Sparked Now Won’t Start (check this)
- Car Battery Dead, Won’t Unlock? Use Secret Lock!
- Car Battery Drain (fix works for all cars)
- Does Walmart Replace Car Batteries? Yes, but you should know this
- Honda Civic Dead Battery – Here’s what we need to do…
- How Hard To Change Car Battery? Mistakes to avoid
- How Long Does F150 Battery Last? Read this before replacing!
- How Long To Charge A Car Battery Driving? (Quick Useful Tips)
- O’Reilly vs AutoZone Batteries: Which Battery Is Better For Your Vehicle?
- Tools To Replace Car Battery – Avoid this common mistake
- Unmarked Car Battery Terminals (Beginners Guide With Pictures)
Brakes
- Are AutoZone Brake Pads Good? – Excellent choice for most
- Are Brake Calipers Supposed To Move? (Beginners guide)
- Are Rotors Hard To Change? Beginner guide
- Are Wilwood Brakes Worth It? Serious brakes for serious drivers
- Brake Binding: Easy DIY fix
- Brake Caliper Won’t Go In (Top 4 causes)
- Brake Hose Causing Caliper To Stick – (check this first)
- Brake Pads Won’t Fit (Solved)
- Brake System Warning Light – Read this now
- Brakes Making Grinding Noise – Don’t ignore it
- Brakes Stopping Abruptly – This is the fix
- Brakes Won’t Bleed (Top 5 Reasons)
- Can I Just Add Brake Fluid? (avoid this mistake)
- Car Brakes Are Smoking – It’s a warning
- Car Brakes Very Sensitive – 9 Common reasons
- Do You Have To Bleed All 4 Brakes When Changing A Caliper?
- Does Walmart Fix Brakes? Book brake repairs at Walmart, here’s how
- EPB Won’t Release? Here’s What You Need to Do ASAP!
- Flush Brake Fluid System – like a pro!
- How Long Should F150 Brakes Last? Mechanic weighs in
- How to Bleed Brakes Without Bleeder (DIY home bleeder in 4 steps)
- How to Bleed Car Brakes
- How to Check Brake Pads – Like a Pro!
- How to Replace Brake Caliper
- How to Replace Brake Rotors
- How to Replace Front Brake Pads – (Beginners guide)
- New Brakes Smoking On One Side – Easy Fix
- No Brakes After Changing Pads? (Mechanics advice)
- Rear Caliper Won’t Depress – Fixed!
- Rotors Keep Warping – (this is why)
- Rotors Won’t Come Off? (Fast fix)
- Spongy Brakes After Bleeding (100% Fix)
- What Causes a Wheel to Get Hot? (Fix it like a pro!)
- What Causes a Wheel to Lock Up? This is serious
- Will Air In The Brake Lines Go Away? – here’s how to fix it
- Will Car Brakes Work Without Fluid? (This is important)
- Wind Back Caliper Without Tool (easy hack)
Car Care
- Are Long Drives Good For Cars? most drivers don’t know this
- Classic Car Underseal
- Fuel Pump Cutoff Switch For Theft Prevention
- How Often To Start A Sitting Car? 7 Simple Tips
- How To Store A Car Outside Over Winter – 7 Tips to Protect Your Ride
- How To Warm Up A Classic Car – Dos and Don’ts of Warming Up Your Classic
- Is Shell Gas Better? Yes, it’s a member of Top Tier Gasoline
- Should I Garage My Car? (do it and see the difference)
Car Rental
Cooling
- Can I Add Water To Mercedes Coolant? -Mechanics advice
- Can You Drive With A Bad Coolant Sensor? (Solved!)
- Car Floor Wet Under Mat (Top 5 Causes)
- Car Heater Not Blowing Air – Here’s how to fix it
- Car Heater Only Works When Driving – Free Easy Fix!
- Car Windows Fog Up When Heat Is On (Secret Fix)
- Hot Under the Hood: Understanding Why Cars Overheat and How to Prevent It
- How Do I Turn On The Heater In My Car? (Simple Answer With Pictures)
- Is it Hard to Change Radiator? (avoid these expensive mistakes)
- No Heat At Idle? Top 5 causes
- Top Radiator Hose Supposed To Be Hot? (Beginners guide)
- What Is A Thermostat?
- What To Do, Car Overheats and Shuts Off? (Fixed)
- Why Is There Transmission Fluid In My Coolant? (Here’s why)
Detailing
- Can I Take a Soft Top Through a Carwash? Avoid these costly mistakes
- Colgate For Car Scratch (Mistakes To Avoid)
- Does Rain Ruin A Car Wash? – best kept secret
- How Do Car Dealers Make Cars So Shiny? Secret tricks revealed
- How To Remove Scratches From Car Bumper
- How To Restore Faded Red Car Paint
- Is It Necessary To Polish A Car Before Waxing? Pro Says No
- Is Rain Bad for A Car? You should know this…
- Newspaper To Clean Windshield (Pro Tips)
- Wash My Car When it’s Running? Not advisable, here’s why…
Driving
Electrical
- Brake Lights On When Headlights On (Simple Fast Fix)
- Car Cigarette Lighter Not Working Fuse OK
- Car Fuse Keeps Blowing – Fix it like a pro!
- Dash Lights Flicker When Car Is Off – 6 Reasons why
- Headlight Won’t Stay On? (Solved)
- How to Find a Short in a Car? Beginners guide
- How To Read Car Wiring Diagrams (Short Beginners Version)
- Is Ground Same as Negative? Beginners guide
- Land Rover Discovery Electric Window Problems
- OBD Scanner Won’t Turn On: Here’s the fix!
- Why Is My Dashboard Clicking? (Fix it now!)
Engine
- Better To Replace Head Gasket Or Engine? (Money saving info)
- Blown Head Gasket: Is it Worth the Repair Cost?
- Car Feels Sluggish (17 Most Common Causes)
- Car Won’t Build Boost (Beginners Guide With Pictures)
- How Long For Mechanic To Change An Engine? (Hidden delays)
- The Ultimate DIY Challenge: Can You Replace Your Car Engine Without a Mechanic?
- What Causes Car Engine To Fail? Top 5 causes
- Why Is My Car Shaking? (Top 8 reasons)
- Will A Blown Engine Crank? (Troubleshoot here)
EV
- Charge Tesla in The Rain? Read this first!
- How Long Can a Tesla Sit Without Charging? Don’t ignore this…
- How Long Do Batteries Last in a Tesla? Mind-blowing numbers!
- How Long Does a Tesla Last? Proving to be quite durable
- Model S Won’t Start – Top 3 causes explained
- Should I Buy a Used Tesla? – Smart choice!
- Will a Tesla Last 10 Years? Easily, but look out for these issues
- Will a Tesla Save me Money? (This surprised me)
- Will Tesla Chargers Work with Other Cars? You need this adaptor
Hybrid
Ignition
Locks & Latches
Lube
- Can I Just Add Oil To My Car? (Beginners guide)
- Car Leaking Oil After Oil Change – this is why
- Is Castrol Engine Oil Good? Excellent choice here’s why …
- Is It Hard To Change Your Own Oil? Beginners guide
- Is Mobil Oil Good? One of the best!
- Is Walmart Oil Change Good? Yes, but don’t ignore this top tip
- Jiffy Lube vs Dealer (Mechanic says, dealer)
- Jiffy Lube vs Valvoline – Mechanics view
- Jiffy Lube vs Walmart – Who is the winner?
- Need an Appointment for Walmart Oil Change? Here’s what you do..
- Ok Adding New Oil Without Draining? – Mechanics view
Luxury Cars
- Are Audi A4 Good Cars? (Secret flaw)
- Are Audi Worth it? Owners view
- Are Audi’s Good Cars (Mechanic tells all)
- Are BMW Good Cars? Yes, but avoid these models
- Are BMWs Expensive To Maintain? Need To know this!
- Are Cadillac Good Cars? Read this before buying
- Are Lexus Expensive to Maintain? The low cost surprised me
- Are Luxury Cars Expensive to Maintain? Yes, but one isn’t
- Are Mercedes Good Cars? (Owners view)
- Are Mercedes Worth It? Here’s why I love my Benz …
- How Long Will a Lexus Last? 300k plus – legendary durability
- Should I buy a Used Mercedes? The models I’d buy
No Start
- Can You Start A Car Without A Starter? Easy hack!
- Car Sat For Years Won’t Start (Don’t Do This)
- Car Splutters After Gas Fill (Free, easy fix)
- Car Won’t Idle After Dead Battery (Simple Free Fix)
- Car Won’t Start After Vacation (This is Why)
- Car Won’t Start But Lights Come On?
- Car Won’t Start Clicking Noise – This is why
- Car Won’t Start Yellow Engine Light (Top 5 Reasons)
- Jump Start A Car With Bad Starter? – Fix it now!
- Why Does Car Stop In Water? You need to know this
Repairs
- Air Suspension Not Working? Try These Simple DIY Fixes First
- Are Expensive Wiper Blades Worth It? This type is
- Are Older Cars Easier To Work On? (A Mechanics View)
- Are Wiper Blades Universal? (Top pro tips)
- Can I Drive Without A Serpentine Belt? – don’t do it!
- Can I Put Water In My Windshield Wiper? (5 Costly Mistakes To Avoid)
- Can I Spray My Cabin Air Filter? – Yes, but don’t make this error
- Car Flooded With Gas (The Secret Fix)
- Car Hard To Start After Sitting For A Few Days – 5 reasons why!
- Car Making Wind Noise when Accel – (Fixed!)
- Car Wheel Won’t Come Off (Never Do This)
- Car Window Sticking – Moves like butter now
- Car Won’t Honk (Top 5 Reasons)
- Check Engine Light After Oil Change – 2 Min fix
- Classic Car Misfire : Simple Beginners Guide
- Clean & Reuse Car Air Filter? (Here’s how)
- Clutch Judder When Cold (This Is Why)
- Does Engine Swap Effect Title? Check this first
- Drive More, Spend Less: 7 Essential Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money
- Fix Your Own Car (Best Mechanics Tips… Ever!)
- Front Wipers Not Working Back One Is: The fix
- How Hard Is It To Replace Transmission? Mechanics advice
- How Hard To Replace Car Starter? Here’s what you need to know
- How Long Can You Drive With a Bad Engine? Longer than you think!
- How To Make A Classic Car Quieter (Beginners Guide)
- How To Replace Windshield Wiper Motor – Picture guide
- Is it Hard to Change an Alternator? – Beginners guide
- Is It Hard To Replace Turbo? Mechanics top tips
- Is It Worth Being A Mechanic? (Mechanic says …)
- Land Rover Discovery Window Regulator Removal
- Learn To Fix Classic Cars (Like A Pro)
- OBD II Won’t Clear Codes: Tech help
- OBD Won’t Connect To ECU – Solved
- Stuck In Park No Brake Lights – Secret fix
- Symptoms of a Bad MAF Sensor – Fix it like a pro!
- Tesla Not Charging at Home – Check these first!
- Troubleshooting Your Fuel Pump: A DIY Guide with Clear Pictures on Checking the Fuse
- Where Is My Fuel Pump Located? Simple guide with pics
- Why Can’t I Fill My Gas Tank Fast? – Solved
- Will WD40 Clean Throttle Body? (Pro tips)
- Windshield Wipers Not Working But Can Hear Motor (Easy Fix)
Sports Car
SUV
Tires
- Are Bridgestone Tires Good? – Safe, dependable option
- Are Cheap Tires Worth It? No, this is why
- Are Continental Tires Good? Expensive, but worth it!
- Are Firestone Tires Good? Excellent, but won’t suit every ride
- Are Michelin Tires Good? Excellent tires, here’s why…
- Can AAA Fix A Flat? Yes, here’s what you need to do
- Goodyear vs BF Goodrich Tires: Which Brand is Better?
- Goodyear vs Pirelli Tires: A Head to Head Comparison
- Goodyear Vs. Bridgestone Tire – Which is right for you?
- Is Changing A Flat Tire Hard? Beginners guide with pictures
- Should I Buy Tires at Walmart? Yes, but not for every car
- Should I Buy Tires on Amazon? The smart choice here’s why
- Should I Buy Tires Online? Smart move, here’s the top 4 sellers
- Should I Buy Used Tires? Yes, but read this first!
- Will Walmart Install Tires? Yes, Walmart Auto care centers will
Tools
- 1/2 or 3/8 Torque Wrench For Lug Nuts – A Mechanics View
- Are Harbor Freight Tools Any Good? Mechanic says yes!
- Are MAC Tool Boxes Good? The best!
- Are Milwaukee Tools Good? Mechanic says yes!
- Are OBD Scanners Universal? Read this first!
- Are Snap-on Toolboxes Worth It? Mechanic says Yes!
- Are Snap-on Tools Worth the Investment? Pro Mechanic says Yes
- Should I Buy Snap-on Tools? Worth every cent!
- The Truth About DeWalt Tools: Mechanics Unbiased Review
- Vehicle Jacks and Their Usage: An Ultimate Guide
- What Scanner Do I Need For A Duramax? GM mechanic says…
Troubleshooting
Trucks
- Are Ford Good Trucks? Rock-solid choice
- Are Ford Trucks Reliable? Yes, but avoid this model year
- How Long do Jeep Wranglers Last? See common problems list first
- How Long Does Ford F150 EcoBoost Last? Helpful engine comparison
- How Long Does GMC Sierra Last? 300k plus, but watch out for rust!
- How Long Will a Toyota Tacoma Last? This really surprised me!
- Is Ford F150 A Good Truck? 700K + Americans aren’t wrong!
- Should I Buy a Used Explorer? Yes, but avoid this engine
- Should I Buy a Used Ram? Yes, but buy these model years
- Should I Buy a Used Tacoma? Why I would
- Should I Buy F150 with 100k miles? She’s just getting warmed up
- Why Does Dodge RAM Have a Bad Reputation? The beast is back!
Uncategorized
Used Car
- Are Old Mercedes Cars Reliable? Yes, maintained old Mercedes are
- Do Dealers Change Oil Before Selling? (You need to know this)
- Should I Buy A 20 Year Old Car? (What’s Right For You)
- Should I Buy a Car With 100k Miles? Avoid these mistakes
- Should I Buy a Used Accord? Here’s why I would
- Should I Buy a Used BMW? – This is why you shouldn’t
- Should I Buy a Used Corolla? It’s a smart move
- Should I Buy a Used Forester? Great car, but check these first
- Should I Buy a Used Toyota? – Smart move!
- Should I Buy Used Toyota Camry? Rock-solid choice!
- Worth Buying A 10 Year Old Mercedes? (Read this first)
- Worth Repairing Old Car? Why I’d fix it
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.