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The gas cap is one of the most underrated pieces of vehicle safety equipment. On one side is a large tank full of very flammable liquid, and on the other side is a world full of sparks and hot metal just waiting to set the tank on fire. Making sure your gas cap is in good working condition and sealing the gas tank correctly is one of the simplest and oft-forgotten safety checks you can make on your 2004 Chevy truck.

Instructions

1

Open the gas cap cover (the plastic piece that covers the gas cap) and remove the gas cap. Look caully at the inside of the neck leading to the gas tank and check for any deformation from overtightening.

2

Check the gas cap for any deformation of the threads from overtightening.

3

Look at the top of the gas cap for any cracks or deep scratches in the top. Turn the cap upside down and look for any damage to the O-ring. This could include breaks, cracks, thinning, discoloration or anything else that looks out of place.

4

Check the seal of the gas cap. Usually a bad seal will cause a check engine light. You can also check the seal by putting the cap on, sitting on the side of the truck bed and bouncing up and down to see whether any gas seeps out. You can also drive and look for any gas residue around the edge of the cap after you stop.

5

Watch for subtle problems with the cap. These could include high gas mileage or gas splashing down the side of the truck.

6

Replace the gas cap if you notice any signs of trouble.

When the washer pumps fail on a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, the first symptom you may notice is a lack of fluid coming from the washer jets when you press the spray button. Although the pumps are durable and generally last for many years, they will need repair eventually. In order to repair a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancers washer fluid pumps, the pumps must be removed from the washer fluid reservoir and replaced; the pumps themselves are sealed, non-serviceable units.

Instructions

Removal

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the front, passenger-side wheel with a lug nut wrench. Raise the vehicle and set it down on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and then remove the wheel.

2

Remove the screws holding the side undercover panel to the engine and splash guard, using a ratchet and metric socket. Remove the bolts holding the inner splash guard to the fender and vehicle body, using a ratchet and metric socket.

3

Disconnect the hoses from the washer pumps and allow the windshield washer fluid to flow into a drain pan.

4

Disconnect the electrical connectors on the washer motors. Remove the washer motors from the reservoir by pulling them up and out of their mounting holes. Allow any excess washer fluid to flow into the drain pan.

Installation

5

Set the new washer pumps into position and press them down into their mounting holes until they are fully-seated.

6

Reconnect the electrical connectors to both pumps and then reconnect the front and rear pump hoses. Remove the drain pan from underneath the vehicle.

7

Set the inner fender splash guard into position and reinstall its retaining bolts. Set the side undercover into position and reinstall its retaining screws.

8

Refill the reservoir and test the washer pumps. Lift the vehicle using the jack, remove the stands, and set it back down on the ground.

The 2004 Nissan Maxima offers two options for headlights (halogen or Xenon), so verify which kind your car has installed before purchasing replacements. The halogen bulb is a Style 9012 bulb rated at 55 watts, while the xenon is a 35-watt, Style D2S bulb. The bulbs are available from the dealership or through most auto parts stores. The two bulbs are not interchangeable, so if you are unsure which type your car has, remove one and check the part number stamped on the base of the bulb socket.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Maxima and locate the negative battery terminal on the top of the battery. Loosen the clamp bolt that secures the negative battery cable end to the battery, using a wrench, then remove the cable and isolate it from the battery.

2

Locate the large, round cover on the back of the headlight assembly, then rotate the cover counterclockwise to release it from the headlight assembly. It will only turn about -turn before it comes loose.

3

Find the retaining spring just inside the access hole, behind the cover. Release the retaining spring by pushing it in slightly, then pivot the clip aside until it is out of the way. Grasp the bulb socket and turn it counterclockwise -turn to unlock it from the headlight assembly, then extract it from the rear of the housing and discard it.

4

Insert the new bulb and socket into the headlight assembly and rotate it clockwise until it locks into place -- again, about -turn. Pivot the retaining spring over the rear of the bulb and socket, then hook the spring under the tab on the housing to secure it.

5

Replace the large, round cover on the rear of the headlight assembly, rotating it clockwise until it is secure. Move over to the opposite headlight and repeat the process, changing the second headlight bulb, as well.

6

Position the negative battery cable end on the negative battery terminal and tighten the clamp bolt with a wrench. Turn the bolt clockwise until the cable end does not move around on the terminal; any more than that can damage the terminal.