All FAQ
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What does P0401 code mean? Find what causes it and learn how to fix this check engine code from a mechanic who has done it countless times.This trouble code "insufficient EGR flow" means that there is not enough exhaust gasses flowing back into the incoming air to the engine. EGR stands for "exhaust gas recirculation". The EGR system consist of three parts: EGR valve, DPFE (differential pressure sensor EGR) and actuator solenoid.Car manufacturers created this system so already burned exhaust gas can flow back into the engine (when the EGR valve is open) and lower the combustion temperatures. This helps reduce emissions.This OBD code basically means that the cars computer has tried to open the EGR valve, but it cannot get enough exhaust gas into the engine. EGR systems used to be controlled by engine vacuum via hoses and valves. Now most of them are controlled by electrical solenoids.What Causes the P0401 Code?EGR ValveBlocked EGR PassagewaysEGR Control (No or Low Vacuum)Faulty solenoid or wiringLess Common CausesThe Cars ComputerDPFE (Delta Pressure Feedback EGR) ValveModulator ValveTo troubleshoot, repair and maintain your vehicle, you'll need diagnostic and repair information that is specific to your car or truck. For this I personally use and recommend ALLDATAdiy. With full manuals for over 30,000 vehicles online, you will find an exact match for your vehicle's year, make and model.Besides being cheaper than a factory manual, they also offer step by step repair instructions and detailed diagrams beyond what is found in most printed manuals. Click here for a sample of their diagnostic and repair information. How to Fix Engine Code P0401Each car manufacturer has their own EGR system design but the most likely two causes of this code are the valve itself or passageways (many times the intake manifold will have very small passageways that get clogged with soot) that the exhaust gasses pass through.Many times this code is caused by clogged EGR passages, and sometimes removing the sensor will give you access to the clogged EGR passages.Another thing that you can do yourself is to check all vacuum hoses and all wiring going to the EGR valve. You might find a hose with a hole in it or you could find a connector that is not seated all the way or some wiring that has been rubbed through.This fault code is a tougher one for a DIY mechanic to diagnose unless you have good experience and some specialized tools. Many times this code will go away if you replace the EGR valve (but not always). If you lack the skills or patience to diagnose this problem, you can consider giving it a shot and just replace the EGR valve.If you still have any unresolved vehicle problems or questions, you can ask an auto mechanic online. For expert answers specific to your vehicle's make and model, I recommend JustAnswer Car. They have a large pool of certified mechanics to answer your questions for a small fee and you can also browse their answers to other users for free.
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Anyone can replace a flat tire. In fact, in some places, knowing how to do so is one of the requirements to get a driving licence. In this guide, we cover the four simple steps it takes to replace a flat tire, whether safe in your garage or stranded in the middle of nowhere.You'll need a spare tire, a car jack, and a lug wrench, so make sure you always have these items in your car. Once you make it home, you might be able to seal your punctured tire.Step 1 - Park The Car Strategically and Loosen The TireIf you're driving when you realize you have a flat, pull slowly to a safe place on the side of the road as soon as you can, and engage the emergency brake. Ideally, try to park on an even, paved surface, out of the way of any other drivers. If you can't get away from potential traffic, use road flares or alert lights to warn any motorists who might come your way.Put on some gloves if you have them, and place some wheel wedges (again, if you have them) next to the three non-flat tires, so the car doesn't move while you're working. If you're safe in your garage, you might want to wear a dust coat to protect your clothes from dirt or oil.If you have a hubcap covering the lug nuts on your tire, remove it now—it should pop right off. Using the lug wrench, turn each nut counterclockwise until it's loose, but don't completely remove any of them yet (you don't want the tire to rotate or fall off on you while you're lifting the car with the jack).Step 2 - Lift The Car With Your Jack and Remove The Flat TireYou can't remove the tire while your car is still on the ground, so now you'll use your jack to lift the vehicle near this wheel.If you have one, place a 2x6 piece of wood near the tire, then place the jack on top of this, lining it up beneath a solid part of the car's undercarriage. Crank the jack to lift your car up until the flat tire is four to six inches off the ground.Now remove the lug nuts by hand and put them in a safe place. Slowly remove the flat tire until it's completely of the hub. Don't use too much force, just pull it gently towards you, then lay it on its side nearby.Step 3 - Mount The Spare Tire and Attach LightlyLift the spare tire onto the lug bolts (if one side of the tire hub protrudes out, that's the side that should be facing you) and push gently until all the bolts show through their rim holes. This move is more about precision than force.Once you have the spare tire in place, put the lug nuts back on the bolts. Use your hands to place and tighten them. That's enough pressure for now.Step 4 - Lower The Car and Tighten The TireOnce you have the spare tire set in place, crank the jack the other way to lower the car slowly until the tire is supporting the vehicle again. Now use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts by turning them clockwise. This time, make sure the nuts are very tight.Once you're confident the tire is firmly affixed, remove the jack and pack up your wedges, wood, and tools. Put the flat tire wherever your spare tire was stowed—on some cars that means affixing it to the back door with more lug nuts. Make a final sweep to be sure you don't leave anything behind!
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Before you start air conditioning troubleshooting you need to realize that it is not as easy as you might think. There are many things that can go wrong when trying to fix your AC system yourself.Probably the most common problem that people run into when attempting DIY A/C repairs is that they get dirt and other debris in the system and/or they don't put the correct amount of freon in the ac system.When the system is not flushed of all debris and old oil, it will never cool right. If there is too much or not enough refrigerant then it will also never cool how it should and it could even pose a danger. Modern air conditioning systems MUST be clean and have the correct amount of freon in them in order for them to cool properly. Here's more information that will help you sort it out air con troubleshooting...How Your AC System WorksIt is a very little known fact that a fully functional air conditioning unit does NOT run out of Freon. Freon (R-134a or R-12 in older systems) is pumped through the AC system by the compressor.The compressor compresses the gas and pushes it into the condenser. The condenser causes the gas to turn into a liquid. This high pressure liquid has now lost a lot of heat and is ready to take in heat from the interior of the car. It is pushed through a drier which keeps the liquid dry, then it goes to an expansion valve (there are other names for this device but they work in a similar manner).The expansion valve pushes the liquid through a very small opening thus creating small droplets of refrigerant that is then pushed through the evaporator. In the evaporator the liquid refrigerant (R-134a) changes from a liquid to a gas. In this process it takes in large amounts of heat and thus the air is cooled.The low pressure gas is sucked into the compressor. This process is repeated, using the same gas over and over. Nothing comes in and nothing comes out. The water that you see leaking from the car on a hot day when you have been pumping the AC is due to condensation on the cold bits and does not come from within the unit. Just like water droplets gathering on the outside of a cold glass of juice.To put it another way, the gas is not used up, so it continues to do what it does, as long as it stays inside your car’s air conditioning system. The fridge in your kitchen works on the same principle as your auto AC and how many times have you heard of someone refilling their fridge with Freon?Air Conditioning Problems in CarsAir Conditioner LeaksLeaks are, as I mentioned, not the only possible culprit. Simplistically put, you may require air conditioning repair when the mechanical or electrical bits break. The bits include things called evaporator coils, compressors, electric motors, condensers, belts and pulleys. Like all electrical and mechanical things, they can wear down and break.Air Conditioning EvaporatorEvaporator coils are generally not worth repairing. The cost of reconditioning one of these tends to exceed the cost of replacing one with a new part. A new part will last longer in any case.A/C CompressorCompressors can be repaired, depending what the problem is. If you just have a problem with a compressor clutch then it can sometimes be replaced. This is becoming less common as companies are opting to manufacture compressors that do not have serviceable clutches.Most of the time you will just have to replace the compressor. These are not cheap. Including labor, you are probably in for anywhere from $100 to $1000.A/C Belts and PulleysYou may know what a belt or a pulley is. Your engine probably uses several of them. As the engine works, it drives not only the wheels, but other components such as your alternator and power steering.Ever noticed how the wheels are impossible to turn when the car is off? Your engine is connected to these other things by a pulley system. A pulley is a wheel which has either has teeth or grooves on it. The engine turns a pulley. A belt, which is a very strong rubbery thing, fits into the grooves of the engine pulley and in turn drives the air con’s pulley.Fairly simple. Belts and pulley’s wear out and need to be replaced. Replacing them seems easier than it is unless you have the right tools. In order for them to work properly, they need to be under the correct tension. Something called a tensioner, does just that. Your mechanic can replace the AC pulley quickly and if you have the right tools you can do it fairly quickly as well.If you decide to replace your AC belt yourself then be sure you have a serpentine belt diagram. There is usually one located on the hood or somewhere in the engine compartment, but if you can't find it then you need to get a repair manual that has one. No matter how much you think you remember how it goes, you will forget!I am all for the enthusiast tinkering about or those with tight purse strings doing some DIY to save a few dollars. Most of the time auto air conditioning troubleshooting is not worth the effort or the money to risk doing yourself. One exception to this is if you are diagnosing an electrical problem in your AC system. As long as you are not messing with the Freon you can probably do some of the diagnostics yourself.DIY or Take It to a Mechanic?A leak is not the only possible problem with auto air conditioning. Before I move on to other possibilities let me be clear: go to your mechanic. You are not going to fix the leak yourself. Air conditioning troubleshooting is not an easy DIY job.I would not start squirting dye I bought at the corner store into the air conditioning system to find a leak. The dye used by the professionals is proven not to damage anything. That being said you can find tracer dye at any good auto parts store. However, you have to get this dye into a pressurized ac system. You can get a kit at auto parts stores and even Wal-mart has the fitting to put it into the air conditioner.The problem though, is that you don't know what you are putting in with these kits. If you put it in then have to take your car to a repair shop they would not touch it because they would have to use a machine that would suck it into their refrigerant bottle and if they don't know what it is they certainly won't put it into their stock (as this would contaminate their whole bottle).You almost certainly don’t have the equipment do this safely and it is not worth buying the equipment unless you are planning to open an air conditioning troubleshooting shop. A repair shop will have an AC machine that is used to vacuum out all of the old refrigerant, ac oil, ac dye, etc. It will then be used to put the correct amount of refrigerant, oil and dye back into the system.Kits are available but chances are pretty good that even if you were to find the leak, fixing it is hardly ever straight forward. Every time you get it wrong, you are going to pay to refill the gas and then try again. I doubt very much that you will source the parts for less than an auto repair shop, who buy parts in bulk.You get my point - Air conditioning troubleshooting and repair is best left to a mechanic.If you still have any unresolved vehicle problems or questions, you can ask an auto mechanic online. For expert answers specific to your vehicle's make and model, I recommend JustAnswer Car. They have a large pool of certified mechanics to answer your questions for a small fee and you can also browse their answers to other users for free.Air Conditioning RipoffsWhat then, begs the question, do those fellows do, who promise air con refilling at a fraction of the cost?In my opinion, they take your money and claim to be doing air conditioning troubleshooting and repair. In exchange, they do put more gas in your car and then they hope that the leak in your AC is small enough that you won’t bother them again for a good while. When it eventually runs out, you go back like a good customer and give them more money.However if the leak is significant, they will send you away. They will say that you need to go to your mechanic or AC specialist because the issue is not the gas. It never was. The loss of gas was just the symptom. The kicker is that once the problem is repaired, you will have to pay to have the system regassed again. They probably don't even know how to do air conditioning troubleshooting.Only on rare occasions, is the cause for loss of the Freon a temporary one, in which case, I would be wrong about a quick refill sorting the problem but I am willing to bet that my gloomy prediction is almost always right.How to Make Your AC System LastTo make your auto AC last longer, you should minimize the wear and tear. In other words avoid using it, unless you have to. If you do use it, close the windows and turn the air recycling on. This way, the AC does not have to work as hard to keep cooling the incoming hot air and more importantly does not stop and start continuously.If you live in a cold climate try to remember to run the AC every month or so. There is oil in your air conditioning lines and when the AC is off it does not circulate. It is good to circulate it every once in a while to keep the seals inside these lines lubricated. This will help your AC system to not leak. Air conditioning troubleshooting is a challenge for most car owners and better left to professionals.
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Is the brake light on dashboard lighted up? Then you must pay attention because your vehicle is trying to tell you that there is something wrong with your braking system.Sometimes this icon will illuminate along with the ABS light and sometimes it will turn on by itself. Since your braking system is the most important safety mechanism in your car or truck, you need to be sure that it is in working condition at all times.There are several common things that will cause this brake warning light to come on. The good news is that at least two of them can be easily fixed without taking your vehicle down to an auto repair shop. Let's take a closer look...Why is My Brake Light On?If the brake light on your dash is on, there are a few important things you will need to check right away:1. Your Brake isn't Fully ReleasedSimple as it sounds, this is the most probable cause of your problem in most cases.Most vehicles have a sensor that tells the car or truck when the parking brake is on. If you don't take your parking brake it all the way off, your vehicle will think that it is still engaged and warn you when you try to drive away.Vehicle have this inbuilt warning because if you drive with your parking brake on, it will wear down the lining of the brake shoes and make them go bad prematurely. Many newer cars have a separate warning for the parking brake and the rest of the braking system.2. Your Brake Fluid is LowThe second most common reason for causing a brake light on your dash is if your brake fluid is low.There is a sensor that is inside the brake master cylinder that can tell when the fluid gets low. This sensor will illuminate the brake warning light to let the driver know that the brake system needs attention asap.If it gets too low then that means that there is most likely a leak in your braking system and all the brake fluid will eventually leak out. If all of the brake fluid leaks out, then your brakes will no longer work.3. Your ABS is Having ProblemsIs both your ABS and brake light on? Then there may be a problem with the ABS (anti-lock braking system) in your vehicle.Sometimes the brake light will come on by itself without the ABS light. Assuming that you have checked that the brake fluid reservoir is full and that the parking brake is not on, then the best thing to do is to have the codes read.You can usually have this done at most any auto parts store, but sometimes their scan tools cannot read ABS codes so you may need to take it to a repair shop. There will most likely be a code set in the computer and this code will help you determine what the problem might be.4. Other Possible CausesThere is also a small chance that a problem with a brake sensor (such as the brake fluid level sensor or the parking brake sensor) or the brake light itself is causing the brake light on the dash. If you have tried everything else, then you should have these items checked.If you still have any unresolved vehicle problems or questions, you can ask an auto mechanic online. For expert answers specific to your vehicle's make and model, I recommend JustAnswer Car. They have a large pool of certified mechanics to answer your questions for a small fee and you can also browse their answers to other users for free.
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The Right Way to Use Your Turn Signals
The turn signals on your car are an essential safety device that allows you to communicate your intentions to other drivers. An increasing number of people are failing to use their indicators, and this is causing a growing number of accidents.Using your turn signals is not only the safe thing to do, but it’s also legally required. The law also specifies the distance before your intended maneuver that you must activate them. Knowing the right way to use turn signals need not be a burden; using them should be an automatic habit, so you don’t even have to think about it when you are driving.How to Use Turn SignalsThe turn signals on most vehicles are located on a short lever attached to the side of the steering wheel column. By pulling the lever down, you activate the signals on the right side of the car to indicate a right-hand turn. By pushing the lever up, you activate the signals on the left side of the vehicle for a left-hand turn. Brake lights come on automatically when you step on the brakes.The Right Times to Use Turn SignalsUse your turn signals or a hand signal when doing any of the following:Making a left or right-hand turn at an intersectionEntering a driveway or parking lot on either side of the roadParking on the side of the streetPulling over to the side of the roadChanging lanesPassing another vehicle on the roadMerging with traffic when entering a roadwayWhen leaving a roundaboutEven if there is no other vehicles or pedestrians in the area, you should use your turn signals. There may be traffic you cannot see, and using them should be a habit in every situation.When to Turn On Your Turn SignalsWhen you turn left or right at an intersection, you should be in the lane closest to the direction you are turning in. Put your turn signal on approximately 100 feet before you reach the intersection. When driving on the highway and indicating an exit, lane change, or overtake, start your indicator lights approximately 900 feet before you make the change.Using Hand Signals for Turning and StoppingYou only need to use hand signals to indicate a turn or stop if the signal lights or brake lights on your car are not working, or if for some other reason another driver or pedestrian may not be able to see your turn signals or brake lights.To make a hand signal, roll down your driver side window and extend your arm outside the car. When turning left, extend your arm straight outwards.When turning right, bend your arm at the elbow with your hand pointing upward.To indicate a stop, bend your arm at the elbow with your hand and forearm pointing toward the ground, and your palm open and facing backward.By using turn signals or hand signals, you will reduce your chances of traffic collisions and traffic tickets, and ensure the safety of all road users.
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How To Tell Engine Carbon Accumulation
No. 1
First and most obvious is the increase in fuel consumption. Carbon deposition is a gelatinous material that is highly absorbent, partially absorbing some of the fuel injected into the cylinder and increasing the resistance of some of the mechanical parts inside the piston and crankshaft. What's more, the fuel sucked up in this part will also form new carbon deposits in a state of incomplete combustion, a vicious cycle that will increase fuel consumption.
No.2
The second way to infer whether carbon has accumulated is that the car feels "dull" when accelerating or overtaking. No matter how we pedal, we can't give full play to the performance of the car, and sometimes we can hear abnormal noises coming from the engine, accompanied by a sense of frustration, which basically determines the accumulation of carbon, especially when overtaking.
No.3
The third phenomenon is also very obvious, when the engine has carbon accumulation, the engine idling speed is very unstable, the instrument panel pointer will also rise and fall, if the normal driving does not have too much impact, then it should also be the formation of carbon accumulation inside the engine.
No.4
Finally, the exhaust fumes are pungent, which may not be caused by carbon accumulation, because it may be caused by three-way catalytic converters. However, cars with high carbon accumulation are difficult to fully burn fuel, and the pungent smell comes from sulfur dioxide produced by incomplete combustion of fuel. With a professional cleaning agent cleaning three-way catalytic converter, it can be solved.
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Taboos in Run-in Period
1,New cars should be properly lightenedEverything in your new car is new, so don't challenge its capacity when you first drive. Because the car in the running-in period, a lot of parts have not been worn out, too much bearing capacity is likely to make some parts of the car due to huge pressure and increase the engine, transmission system wear, very injury car.2,Don't stay in gear for too longSome friends in order to let the car faster than the run-in period, will deliberately to grind the car. The most typical way is low speed often hang in five or four gears, so although it can cause the car faster running, fit, but actually very hurt the car. Because the run-in period for the engine, is a factory after the reconstruction process, that is, there are some parts of the engine wheel shaft surface bite is not good, uneven place, to be used through natural wear away. Some manufacturers will be in the factory oil plus some abrasive, in order to enhance the effect of grinding, so deliberately grinding the car is completely unnecessary!3,Do not change the oil ahead of timeAs we all know, the best oil in a car must be the original oil. But many people will be silly, go ahead to change the oil, think it is better for the car. But do you know, the original oil is the best in terms of heat dissipation, viscosity, oxidation resistance and cleaning effect. So when you change the oil, it's best to use your car's mileage as a reference.
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The Expansion Valve of Automobile Air Conditioner Is Out Of Order
The most common failure of the air conditioning valve expansion valve is the jam, and the congestion of the thermal expansion valve in the refrigeration system is often occurring, including the dirty plug and the "ice plug".The main reason for the dirty plugging is that there are impurities in the system, such as slag, copper, iron, fiber, etc. The reason for the ice jam is that the system contains too much water (moisture).The method of obstruction fault exclusion of car air conditioning valveFor the dirt, if it's not very serious, change a dry filter. If it is very serious, you will reclean the impurities in the system line, vacuum the vacuum, and re-fill the refrigerant. For the light ice jam, the hot towel is applied to the ice block, and if the ice congestion is serious, it has affected the normal operation of the system, and the drying device has been removed, and the water in the system line is reused, the vacuum is vacuum and the refrigerant is recharged.
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"Hidden Features" Of Fuel Cap
No 1. The first function is to remind us which number of gasoline should be added to the car, because many owners do not know the most appropriate number of gasoline when they just buy a new car. In fact, there is a label on the oil tank lid of the car, and we will find that the inside of the lid is marked with which number of gasoline should be usedNo 2. There is a drain hole in the oil tank cover, which will be on an inclined plane of the car under normal circumstances, so it is convenient to drain the water after having the drain hole, especially in rainy days, the drain hole can drain out the excess sewage, which will not cause some pollution to our car gasolineNo3. One of the most important functions is to mark the fuel tank cover of the car should be used in addition to the gasoline model, and mark the car should use the car tire pressure, because each car suitable for the tire pressure is not quite the same, so we can according to the standard tire pressure on the cover to adjust
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Headlight bulb replacement can be easy, but there are things you should know. It is essential to be ready to fix your cars lights if they even have a problem. Not only is a burned out light a safety issue, but also it can cost you if you get pulled over by police for this problem. Fixing this issue yourself can be done, but you need to know a few things first.The Truth Behind Headlight Bulb ReplacementWhat you might have heard: "Changing headlight bulbs is a snap!"... "You don't need any tools" or "Headlights are cheap and easy to replace"The truth: In the past, replacing headlight bulbs meant having to swap out the entire headlamp assembly. Thankfully for cars today this is no longer the case - Car manufacturers have been using halogen bulbs that are separately replaceable for many years.Changing headlamp bulbs is often straightforward. On most cars you simply push and twist and it is out, but for some cars you still have to remove the headlamp assembly. Usually there are quick release tabs or buttons and you need to know where these are located and how to get them to work so you don't break anything.More good news: You can find a pair of headlight bulbs selling for just $10 to $80 on Amazon. I usually just buy from Amazon because they carry a huge collection of bulbs for almost all vehicle models and makes... plus their shipping is both fast and free.How to Change Headlight Bulb1. Pop open your engine compartment hood and locate the bulb holder at the back of the headlight. You will see a power connector (consisting of three wires) held by a metal clip, plastic catch or screw cap. If there is a dust cover protecting the power connector, remove it first.2. Disconnect the power connector. Metal clip: lift it up then pull it out, Plastic catch: Press down on the lever with your thumb and pull, Screw cap: Just unscrew it3. Remove the old headlight bulb from its socket4. Take out the new bulb from its packaging. Do not touch the glass surface of the bulb with your bare hands during headlight bulb replacement - If the the oil on your hands gets onto the glass surface, it may cause the bulb to heat up and burn out. It's recommended that you clean the new bulb with alcohol wipes before installing it.5. Hold the new bulb by its base and insert it into the back of the headlight. Proceed to reconnect the power connector. Finally turn on your headlights to make sure everything is working.If you can't figure out how to get to the headlight area, then you will need vehicle-specific instructions for headlight bulb replacement. If you just start taking things apart, you could end up with a pile of parts and not remember where they all go.To troubleshoot, repair and maintain your vehicle, you'll need diagnostic and repair information that is specific to your car or truck. For this I personally use and recommend ALLDATAdiy. With full manuals for over 30,000 vehicles online, you will find an exact match for your vehicle's year, make and model.Besides being cheaper than a factory manual, they also offer step by step repair instructions and detailed diagrams beyond what is found in most printed manuals. Click here for a sample of their diagnostic and repair information.
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