Mia Bevacqua
Mia Bevacqua is an automotive expert with ASE Master, L1, L2 and L3 Advanced Level Specialist certification. With 13-plus years of experience in the field, she applies her skills toward writing, consulting and automotive software engineering.
Posts by Mia Bevacqua
As you drive, your wheels move up and down. Springs and struts help make this possible, as do control arms and control arm bushings.
As you drive, your wheels move up and down. Springs and struts help make this possible, as do control arms and control arm bushings.
To run properly, an engine needs fuel, spark, compression and exhaust. To create compression — the pressure created as the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture — the engine’s cylinders must be completely sealed.
To run properly, an engine needs fuel, spark, compression and exhaust. To create compression — the pressure created as the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture — the engine’s cylinders must be completely sealed.
Other than flashing red and blue lights, there might be nothing worse to see behind your vehicle than smoke. Billowing fumes almost always mean there’s something seriously wrong with your car.
Other than flashing red and blue lights, there might be nothing worse to see behind your vehicle than smoke. Billowing fumes almost always mean there’s something seriously wrong with your car.
All vehicles use a radiator fan to help remove heat from the coolant that circulates through the engine. The fan also cools your air conditioning refrigerant, and is sometimes called a “condenser fan” or “cooling system fan.
All vehicles use a radiator fan to help remove heat from the coolant that circulates through the engine. The fan also cools your air conditioning refrigerant, and is sometimes called a “condenser fan” or “cooling system fan.
The battery cables connect the battery to the vehicle’s electrical system, and keep it grounded. The positive cable, which is usually red, attaches to the positive battery terminal at one end.
The battery cables connect the battery to the vehicle’s electrical system, and keep it grounded. The positive cable, which is usually red, attaches to the positive battery terminal at one end.
Gasoline and diesel: These two unique engine designs have been fighting for automotive supremacy since the 1800s. Sure, they have different handles at the fueling station — but what really makes them different? And which is better? The right one for you depends largely on your situation and driving habits.
Gasoline and diesel: These two unique engine designs have been fighting for automotive supremacy since the 1800s. Sure, they have different handles at the fueling station — but what really makes them different? And which is better? The right one for you depends largely on your situation and driving habits.
Signs of a failing exhaust resonator A faulty exhaust resonator can do more than just be noisy. If left unchecked, it could keep your car from starting, or even endanger your health.
Signs of a failing exhaust resonator A faulty exhaust resonator can do more than just be noisy. If left unchecked, it could keep your car from starting, or even endanger your health.
Getting a flat tire is a real bummer — and driving around on that little doughnut spare isn’t much fun either. When road hazard strikes and you’re stuck riding around on your spare, how far can you go? And how fast? Spare tire / Image source How far and how fast a spare tire can travel depends on its design.
Getting a flat tire is a real bummer — and driving around on that little doughnut spare isn’t much fun either. When road hazard strikes and you’re stuck riding around on your spare, how far can you go? And how fast? Spare tire / Image source How far and how fast a spare tire can travel depends on its design.
Symptoms of a failing idle air control valve A faulty idle air control (IAC) valve can cause a number of problems with your vehicle: 1. Incorrect idle speed: An IAC valve that sticks in the closed position will create an idle speed that’s too low.
Symptoms of a failing idle air control valve A faulty idle air control (IAC) valve can cause a number of problems with your vehicle: 1. Incorrect idle speed: An IAC valve that sticks in the closed position will create an idle speed that’s too low.
Cooling system problems can easily kill your car’s engine. This means checking your coolant level and condition on a regular basis is essential, and it becomes even more critical during those hot summer stretches.
Cooling system problems can easily kill your car’s engine. This means checking your coolant level and condition on a regular basis is essential, and it becomes even more critical during those hot summer stretches.
Most of us have items in our cars that we probably don’t need. Empty water bottles, grocery store receipts and the kids’ broken crayons won’t really help in an emergency.
Most of us have items in our cars that we probably don’t need. Empty water bottles, grocery store receipts and the kids’ broken crayons won’t really help in an emergency.
Does it feel like you’re having to press harder on the brake pedal than before, or that it’s just not responding like it should? Few things are more unnerving than soft or spongy brakes — it can feel like your car won’t stop. This is a serious safety concern; here’s how to address it.
Does it feel like you’re having to press harder on the brake pedal than before, or that it’s just not responding like it should? Few things are more unnerving than soft or spongy brakes — it can feel like your car won’t stop. This is a serious safety concern; here’s how to address it.
To avoid getting rear-ended, it’s important to have brake lights that work. They’re the primary way you tell the drivers behind you that you’re slowing down or stopping.
To avoid getting rear-ended, it’s important to have brake lights that work. They’re the primary way you tell the drivers behind you that you’re slowing down or stopping.
Cruise control is a major convenience. It lets you travel at a constant speed without working the gas pedal, making it great for long road trips.
Cruise control is a major convenience. It lets you travel at a constant speed without working the gas pedal, making it great for long road trips.
You step on the gas pedal, but something’s wrong. The engine revs, but the car doesn’t go faster.
You step on the gas pedal, but something’s wrong. The engine revs, but the car doesn’t go faster.