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Warning, or "Check Engine," lights in vehicles usually turn on for a reason. On rare occasions, however, a warning light will come on as a result of a fuse or something equally simple and cheap to fix. The warning light signifies a problem somewhere in the vehicle and indicates the need to run diagnostics. In most vehicles, you must plug a small computer into the car, usually below the steering wheel on the drivers side, which provides codes for any detected problems. After addressing the codes, you must reset the warning light.

Instructions

1

Purchase a car code scanner, or visit a local auto parts dealer; large chains will often have a car code scanner they use to check codes for customers. Car code scanners run approximately $50 and up as of 2010 and are available through websites or large auto parts stores. If you have a relatively new vehicle, you dont need to invest in a scanner; simply visit a local shop and ask the clerk to check the error code causing the warning light on the vehicle.

2

Consult the vehicles owners manual to locate the port where the code scanner plugs in. This port is usually on the drivers side, below steering-wheel level. Plug the scanner into the port, and follow the on-screen prompts, if any. Some scanners automatically detect the error code and provide it. Auto parts store clerks can record the code and look it up in their database or a book of error codes to find out the problem. Costlier scanners will present the error code and the problem, saving the extra step of looking up the code.

3

Reset the engine or warning light by pressing the "erase" button on the code reader.

In 1906, Alanson Brush invented a new, more stable suspension system that incorporated front coil springs, shock absorbers and a flexible front axle. This all came about after William Brush -- Alansons brother -- crashed Alansons car, due to its primitive suspension system. In modern suspension systems there is a bar -- sway bar -- that spans the front, and sometimes the rear, suspension to help with vehicle cornering. A set of metal rods, known as sway bar links, attach to the ends of this bar, and they perform an important task.

Sway Bar Link Function

The sway bar links tie the control arms to the sway bar on the front of the vehicle, and the sway bar to the rear hub assembly, frame or axle beam on the rear of the vehicle. This tying of the suspension keeps the body as level as possible while cornering quickly. The sway bar links have rubber bushings to allow slight body roll. This body roll regulation prevents the weight of the vehicle from shifting, causing the vehicle to lose control.

Sway Bar Link Location

Auto manufacturers install one end of each sway bar link at each end of the sway bar, and the other end of the sway bar link to the control arm.

Sway Bar Link Types

There are two main types of sway bar links, one-piece and multi-piece. One-piece sway bar links have a long bar with studs on each end. The studs connect to a ball-and-socket joint to allow small movements of the link.

The multi-piece sway bar links typically have a total of 11 components, including one link bolt, four rubber bushings, four metal washers, one metal sleeve and one retaining nut. When replacing a multi-piece sway bar link, it is imperative that you install all components in the correct order. Failure to do so may result in poor handling and suspension noise.

Signs and Symptoms of Sway Bar Link Failure

When a one-piece sway bar link fails, it is sometimes hard to know -- it typically makes no noise. If you notice excessive body roll or lean when cornering, it is likely that the ball-and-socket joint has worn and is allowing too much movement.

A multi-piece sway bar link typically fails due to the deterioration of the rubber bushings. This results in excessive body roll or lean when cornering, and an audible jingling sound from the front end. The reason you hear this jingle is that once the bushings fail, the link is loose and bounces up and down with the texture of the road. On occasion, impact may bend or break a multi-piece sway bar link. In this instance you may hear a slight rubbing or banging noise from the front end. You will also notice excessive body roll.

A vehicles engine and transmission is stabilized by the motor mount. A motor mount also keeps you from feeling the full vibration that an engine is capable of causing. Because of this, information on different motor mounts for cars can be beneficial.

Regular

A regular motor mount is simple in the way its designed. It has a metal plate, as well as an insulation block made from rubber. The rubber absorbs vibration, while the metal bracket of the mount is for engine support.

Hydro

Hydraulic motor mounts can be found on many vehicles, and have chambers with hydraulic fluid in them. These motor mounts are known for controlling engine noise and vibration and can often be found in luxury vehicles.

Internal Valving

Some hydraulic motor mounts are equipped with internal valving. Because of the way they function to control vibration changes according to the engines rpm, they are often erred to as switchable hydraulic mounts.

While driving on slippery roads, drivers usually arent thinking about the decreasing value of their vehicle. Although road salt helps to increase the traction an automobile gets on wintry or wet roads, it can cause significant problems for a vehicle. However, car owners can use a variety of methods to decrease the effects road salt has on their car.

Paint Erosion

One common problem caused by road salt is car paint erosion. Although this may not happen over night, continued interaction with road salt can destroy the paint on a car over time. Modern automotive paint is better than it was decades ago; and improved primers and corrosion-resistant coatings decrease the impact road salt has on vehicles. Even with better paint, owners and their vehicles fall victim to the winter road warrior otherwise known as road salt. After a few winters, drivers may find they need a new paint job.

Corrosion

Another more serious problem caused by road salt is rusting. Although the paint serves as a protective layer for the metal of a vehicle, other areas of exposed metal, such as underneath the car, become victims of road salt. Over time, road salt can even eat through the vehicles paint and get to the metal underneath. Even though rust is not usually a safety factor, it can be quite expensive to fix. Once rust forms, it usually spreads. Because of this, its best to deal with rust before it occurs.

Structural Damage

What makes structural damage so severe and dangerous is that it occurs out of sight. Sometimes, the paint of a vehicle appears normal, but road salt has begun to eat away at the undercarriage of the vehicle. The undercarriage is at the highest risk level for road salt damage because it is constantly exposed to road salt -- being so close to the road -- and it does not feature a protective layer of paint, unless specially added. Structural damage, such as severe rusting, can be very expensive to fix and can cause safety hazards.

Prevention

The best way to prevent road salt damage is to wash the vehicle frequently. Washing a vehicle can remove salt from out-of-sight places. The undercarriage is especially important to wash because of frequent salt build-up. Parking a vehicle in a warm place, where the ice melts, can accelerate the damage caused by salt. To help prevent damage from road salt, a driver should wash her car about once a week. Waxing the car before winter comes will add a layer of protection as well.

No matter who caused the dent in your car or how it happened, fixing the dent is all that matters. Automotive retailers sell do-it-yourself dent repair kits that can repair minor dents, but for major ones, youll do better to hire a dent repair specialist with the knowledge and tools to address the issue properly. Knowing the type of dent can guide you in choosing the right approach for repair.

Car Door Dings

According to Chris Parsons, a dent repair specialist a ding is a small imperfection often made by another car door hitting your cars door. These types of dents tend to appear in the middle of your car door. They are relatively easy to repair as long as no paint damage has occurred, which otherwise requires the aid of a body shop. An auto repair kit purchased from an automotive retail store can usually rid your car of these types of dents, indicates the online automotive website My Honest Mechanic.

Round Dents

Small- and modest-size round dents sometimes result from a hailstone or a round object, such as a baseball or basketball, hitting the car and causing a dimple on the hood or roof. As with dings, dent repair specialists can usually remove round dents fairly easily provided no damage has occurred to the cars paint.

Crease-Type Dents

According to Parsons, crease-type dents are some of the most difficult to remove. These dents usually result from an auto accident. A crease-type dent usually scores and bends the cars metal along its body line. Repairing damaged metal and restoring the cars body to its original contour can be nearly impossible, Parsons explains. Each car has its own metal memory formed at the time of production by heating the metal at high temperatures and shaping it. Cars frequently lose their metal memory when they sustain a crease-type dent.