Quick Answer: Blue smoke exhaust is a classic sign your engine is burning oil. The culprit is usually worn valve seals or piston rings, but it could also be caused by a faulty PCV system, turbocharger issues (on turbocharged engines), or using the wrong oil viscosity. Ignoring it will lead to increased oil consumption, poor … Read more
It was a Tuesday morning in February, about 15 degrees outside, when a panicked customer rolled into the bay with his 2011 Chevy Silverado 5.3L. The oil pressure gauge was sitting dead at zero, and he’d driven three miles that way before noticing. I pulled the dipstick—bone dry. The engine was ticking like a time … Read more
Quick Answer: If your car stalls at idle—especially at red lights or when stopped—the most common culprits are a failing idle air control valve (IACV), vacuum leaks, a dirty throttle body, or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor (MAF). Diagnosis starts with checking for error codes and inspecting hoses and sensors. Many fixes are DIY-friendly and … Read more
Quick Answer: Oxygen sensor failure usually shows up as poor fuel economy, rough idle, or a check engine light. Most O2 sensors last 80,000–120,000 miles. Replacement is typically a moderate DIY job costing $80–$250, versus $250–$600 at a shop. That Cold Morning When the Check Engine Light Wouldn’t Quit It was a gray Tuesday morning, … Read more
Opening: The Day the Engine Started Stuttering It was a sweltering July afternoon in the shop, the kind of heat that makes even the most seasoned mechanics slow down and grab an extra Gatorade. I was elbow-deep in a Toyota Camry’s timing cover when my service writer, Jake, walked in with that look—the one that … Read more
By a Certified ASE Master Technician with 15+ Years Shop Experience It was a Tuesday morning, and the temperature had just dropped to 28°F overnight—the kind of cold that makes cars angry. A woman in a 2015 Honda Accord pulled into my bay with that unmistakable look of panic. “The check engine light came on … Read more
How to Read and Clear Check Engine Light Codes: A Master Technician’s Complete Guide Last Updated: December 2025 | Written by ASE-Certified Master Technician It was a Tuesday morning in late October, the kind where the first frost coats the windshields and customers flood the shop with cold-weather complaints. A woman pulled up in a … Read more