Category Cars

December 19, 2014 / Posted in  Cars

For about 6 months now I’ve been experiencing a BMW X3 muffler rattle. At first I ignored it but as it became more persistent and embarrassing, I decided to get under the car and troubleshoot it. All the connections under the car were firm and in good condition. What was causing the muffler rattle that sort of sounded like an aluminum can in my exhaust? I also noted, it only seemed to happen on start up, idle, and when the car was under no load decelerating.

I took a video and pasted it below with more details. Basically, there is a baffle in the right exhaust pipe that opens and closes based on a vacuum line. At idle and no load, the baffle closes and it opens once the engine starts winding up. It’s also closed when the car is off...

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October 7, 2014 / Posted in  Cars

The family and I recently purchased a 1999 Coleman pop up tent trailer, and I’ve been itching to do some trailering ever since. The BMW X3 can easily pull the trailer, I had no problem doing 65 MPH+ up the Altamont pass on the first trip out, but you definitely feel the extra weight when braking. Even though the trailer weighs less than 2,000 lbs., it comes with electric brakes that engage automatically when you depress the brake pedal in the car. To make those or any electric trailer brakes work, you need a brake controller as well as the 7 pin trailer harness connector. I had already installed the hitch and the 4 pin connector, now I needed to get the full 7 pin trailer lights for my BMW X3 and brake controller if I wanted the proper trailer solution.

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August 16, 2013 / Posted in  Cars

Problems with your Acura or Honda DVD navigation system? Then your DVD navigation system needs to be fixed, and this repair procedure is for you.Read More

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June 5, 2013 / Posted in  Cars

Thanks for showing me how to break into a truck Rob!
Rob locked his keys in his truck accidentally, whoops. Looks like it’s happened to him before, he was able to break into his truck in record time. Watching this video is like a roller coaster ride, but in the end, all ends well.

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March 7, 2013 / Posted in  Cars

Our first article contribution, thanks Alan for sharing the XM traffic not working fix with me.
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Chris,
In searching the web for an answer to my problem, I came across your site. Not having found a definitive answer, maybe you can help.
I have an Acura TL, 2007. For no apparent reason a few months ago the nav-traffic overlay transmitted by XM stopped working; however, the XM radio still works. I refreshed the signal numerous times. XM customer service told me their end was working, the problem was with the radio. An initial call to Acura, was useless. I was told there is no component on the radio that handles nav-traffic. However, XM tech service said there was a module that needs to be replaced.

My search for an answer revealed other Acura owners were having the same problem...

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