Why is my car shaking and the check engine light flashing?
A shaking vehicle AND flashing MIL ("check engine light") sound like the vehicle is misfiring on at least one cylinder. As @Anna Nguyen, @Brendan Sinclair, @Antoun Nabhan and others have said, it could be an ignition related problem. It could also be fuel-related. If one or more fuel injectors are clogged or dead, that would also cause a misfire in the affected cylinder(s). These are relatively cheap/easy things to check and fix.Other causes (which could be more complicated and more expensive) to fix include contaminated fuel, a bent intake or exhaust valve, a broken valve spring, a damaged piston/connecting rod, and on and on.I recommend getting a scan tool and checking the codes which are causing the MIL to light/flash and I also strongly recommend NOT driving the vehicle until the problem is fixed. If you continue to drive the vehicle as is, you will exacerbate the problem. Dumping unburned fuel into the exhaust due to a misfire will overheat and kill your catalytic converter. A more serious problem like a bent valve can eventually cause you to crater your engine (i.e.: completely destroy the engine).
Sedans that sit high off the ground?
This is a common question and a difficult one to answer as I do not know your budget or if you want a new or used. There is a new category of cars called crossovers. They are half way between and car and A SUV. I also do not know what country you live in so it is difficult. If you want something small good on gas and compact the Toyota MAtrix or Pontiac VIBE are good. You sit about 4 inches higher than a regular car. If you want some thing a bit higher of the ground look at mini SUVs. Toyota Rav 4 is excellent. Honda CRv is ok. Subaru Tribeca is not bad. Infiniti EX35 is very cool and would fit the bill. If you want something bigger a Toyota VENZA. Good luck.
Why does my check engine light come on after getting gas?
As many have mentioned, it's not simple to answer without more information. There are a number of emmisions fault codes that can occur when fueling for a variety of reasons. Heres a few-Various leak codes. The fuel tank isn't just a can with a pipe in from the filler neck and a pipe out to the fuel line to the motor. There is also also ventilation system that corrects for tank pressure changes allowing air to enter when needed while keeping fuel vapor from escaping, and can pull that fuel vapor into the intake system of the engine.The most common leak issue is a loose or misplaced filler cap that causes a major leak code. Next is a failed seal on the fuel filler cap causing a minor lack code. After that you have the charcoal canister shutoff valve sticking open due to a mechanical failure or due to debris from the charcoal canister caused by impact, consistent over filling, or age. Next would be the purge valve sticking open or closed. Finally hard system leaks such as a cracked hose or seal at the level sensor assembly.Overfilling can affect the charcoal canister by degrading the charcoal filter and causing the valve to stick. This system was only designed for vapor and not liquid fuel.As the fuel tank is semi flexible, the weight of the fuel will normally distort the tank and allow for some leaks due to dried or failed seals to be fuel level dependent.Finally there are the weird ones… found a low-jack transmitter installation gone awry. The installer screwed the mount through the floor under the seat into the fuel tank. Once he realized fuel was leaking on the ground he pulled the screw out, out some sealant on it and screwed it back in the hole. The customer only got a minor leak code when they had a full tank and the weight pulled the tank down off the screw.Found couple plastic tanks cracked at a seam. Also found issues due to distortion and swelling of the plastic tank from E85 and MTBE. There were a few metal tanks with braised hose junctions that separated. One tank actually collapsed and crushed due to a stuck shutoff valve and a bad sensor.Good luck.
Can I keep my automobile key fob locked in car without worrying about someone unlocking the door because the key fob is nearby?
Yes. As long as it detects the 2nd fob nearby it will lock; and unless you unlock it via fob you have to be within arms reach with the 2nd to unlock it so theft is unlikely. It will auto unlock if just one fob is detected to prevent locking yourself out, but otherwise yes. Just know if you accidently unlock your car, and they know, your car is gone.Also, kinda unrelated side note…once your car is started, it stays running, even without the fob present. Please do not leave your car running to run into somewhere and think it's safe because you have your keys.
How long does it take to replace a wheel bearing?
How long does it take to replace a wheel bearing?To get to and replace a wheel bearing on one wheel on a car or light truck is probably less than a 1 hour job in most cases for someone who knows what they are doing and does this kind of work regularly. They will have the correct parts, the tools, the right lift, a well lighted and roomy place to work. All of his tools will be the correct tools for the job and he will know where all of his tools are.If he gets in there and finds damage to the hub, it will take longer. For one thing, he probably won’t have a new hub handy and will have to see if the local parts shop has one in stock. If they don’t, then they will have to get one from their warehouse, which could take a day if they have it in stock. Then more time, if they have to bring it in. If you have a common vehicle, the parts should be in stock at the distribution warehouse. Depending on where the vehicle is, this could take a day or two to come in. Faster parts availability if your car is in Chicago vs a little town in NW Montana.Even if there is damage to the hub, the extra time to replace the hub is minimal. The time to get parts could be days if the car is not common. A hub for a Ford Crown Victoria is going to be readily available in most places and could be overnighted to just about anywhere in the US. A hub for a 959 Porsche, a Ford GT, or a DeLorean is going to take longer to source.
What are the symptoms of a bad inner tie rod?
Symptoms of tie rod failure can include clunking or clicking when turning the wheel or while traveling over a bumpy surface, noticeable steering slack (moving the steering wheel left to right when the wheels are straght), vibrations when driving, reduced turning radius either left or right and a simple way of checking for wear is to turn the wheels to the left of checking the left wheel and to grab the tie rod with both hands and to move it about. If it moves freely then it needs replacing, if not fixed soon complete tie rod failure would release either wheel from any steering input leaving you stranded and in a dangerous situation if it fails at higher speeds.
What's the difference between drive and sport mode?
Drive is optimised for everyday driving. The transmission will change gears in a way which tends to increase fuel economy. "Drivability" may be slightly hindered, though maximum acceleration will still be available.Sport will, in general, operate the engine at a higher rpm, in lower gears. This improves performance compared to Drive as more power is available more of the time. However, fuel consumption will suffer.Aside from "spirited" driving, Sport mode can be useful for overtaking situations and other times where you need a burst of improved acceleration. It can also be beneficial during driving in hilly terrain due to increased engine braking. When towing a heavy trailer, Drive may upshift too early, resulting in poor performance and/or frequent gear changes. Using Sport will compensate somewhat for the increased mass of the vehicle and trailer, by keeping more power in reserve.
What can happen to your vehicle when your brake fluid is too low?
Hey Sharon,When your brake fluid is too low you may be in trouble because your car won’t slow down or stop as well as before. You see brake fluid is kind of like a “steel rod” connecting your foot to the brakes. I say steel because brake fluid doesn’t compress so when you press on it it moves just like it is a solid.Brake fluid is incompressible and used to transmit your foot pressure on the brake pedal through the master cylinder to the brake calipers in order to press the pads against the discs. Your foot pressure is multiplied by the mechanical advantage from the pedal (ratio) and the hydraulic ratio of the master cylinders, power booster and caliper pistons (where the brake pads live).Image: BrakesHow does brake fluid get low?It canBrake system uses more fluid volume as pads wearFluid boils, getting bubbles in the line.Lines, master cylinder, or calipers leakSince you said too low, if your brakes are working okay add the DOT brake fluid your manufacturer recommends and take your car to a brake shop to have them checked. A little low is maintenance, too low is not and needs some professional TLC.Regards and take care.