Rick Cotta
Contributor Rick Cotta has been in the automotive industry for more than 35 years, 30 of which were spent as an editor at Consumer Guide Automotive. He is also a former mechanic and earned ASE technician certification.
While fuel-injector cleaning is often recommended by shops and dealer service centers, it probably isn’t necessary unless it’s correcting a running problem.
By Rick Cotta
November 24, 2024
Since an engine can suffer severe damage if it’s run too hot, you should be concerned if there are indications the engine is overheating.
By Rick Cotta
November 10, 2024
Here’s some reasons why your car window may not be rolling up and ways to fix it.
By Rick Cotta
October 27, 2024
Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs; instead, they use the super-heated air created by their high compression ratios to ignite the diesel fuel as it’s injected into the cylinder.
By Rick Cotta
October 13, 2024
Perhaps the most direct way to find out if a car is still under warranty is to contact a dealer for that make of car or the manufacturer itself. But there are other ways.
By Rick Cotta
October 10, 2024
While it’s likely seldom done, some vehicles’ maintenance schedules do include an interval for changing the differential fluid, though perhaps only under “severe service” conditions.
By Rick Cotta
September 22, 2024
Even if you don’t have much mechanical knowledge, there are some simple checks and tests you can perform on a used car that should indicate whether certain major things are wrong.
By Rick Cotta
September 19, 2024
Limp Mode allows your car to be driven a limited distance at reduced speed when something is wrong and may cause severe damage or stop the vehicle from running.
By Rick Cotta
September 8, 2024
A ticking noise from your car is most likely related to the engine, but it could also be coming from something else.
By Rick Cotta
August 25, 2024
While the possibilities for why your car might seem sluggish can make it difficult to track down the problem, a good place to start is with illuminated warning lights on the instrument panel.
By Rick Cotta
August 11, 2024