If your battery light pops on, you could be left out in the cold

There are a number of dashboard warning lights that can pop on at any minute. Everyone knows what the oil light and low fuel light are for, but a lot of them require pulling out the owners’ manual. This month, we want to highlight the battery warning light. If this light is illuminated, there could…

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Check engine light on? It could be a fuel system pressure issue

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major repair like a catalytic converter. And here’s another example of…

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Service Engine light on? We'll help you pass the emissions test!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxQIHoTmxs&w=560&h=315] Question: I need to take my car in for an emissions test, but the Service Engine light has been on for some time. I’ve been told my car won’t pass. Is that true? What happens if my car fails the test? Answer: Yes, you are correct: Your car cannot pass the emissions test when the…

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'Check engine' light can be triggered by escaping fuel vapors

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major repair like a catalytic converter. And here’s another example of…

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Bad vehicle speed sensor affects your vehicle's anti-lock brakes

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons, and in the coming months, we’re going to share with you what some of those reasons are. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like…

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Need an estimate? Your best bet is to come in for an inspection

What do you do if you have a persistently sore knee? We bet that you don’t start calling doctors to find out what they charge for a joint replacement. After all, the problem could be tendinitis, arthritis, a sprain, or a host of other issues, and a thorough check-up and a second opinion are often…

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Get your vehicle in shape for summer road trips!

It’s May, which means Memorial Day is right around the corner. Memorial Day means cookouts and parades, and it also means the beginning of summer road trip season. After a long winter, your vehicle needs some TLC before heading out. Here are some suggestions for getting your car road worthy and ready for a long…

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Bad idle air control valve triggers Check Engine light

check engine light

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons, and in the coming months, we’re going to share with you what some of those reasons are. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like…

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7 tips for saving money at the pump

Gas prices in the Chicago area were at a record high at the beginning of March—$3.92 for a gallon of regular unleaded. Even though they dipped briefly, they are back on the rise. In fact, AAA predicts that Chicago-area drivers could once again be paying the highest prices in the country by late spring. To…

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