General guidance
How-To
Optima RedTop vs YellowTop: starting duty or cycling duty?
Choose battery function and exact vehicle fitment before choosing a color.
PHTM JOURNAL / PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
PHTM GUIDES.
Maintenance, modifications and answers for your car.
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General guidance
Quick Reference
Overrunning alternator pulley: why a solid pulley may be the wrong replacement
An overrunning alternator pulley allows the alternator to freewheel during deceleration.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Oxygen-sensor fault codes: what to record before buying a replacement
Separate heater, circuit and mixture-related faults.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Parasitic battery drain: let the vehicle sleep before measuring
Control modules can remain awake after shutdown.
General guidance
Quick Reference
Pending, confirmed and permanent OBD codes: what the status means
Pending and confirmed codes describe different stages of fault detection.
General guidance
How-To
Pennzoil Platinum, Ultra Platinum and Euro: choose the specification first
Pennzoil markets Ultra Platinum as its top full-synthetic offering and separately offers Platinum Euro for European applications.
General guidance
Quick Reference
Permatex threadlocker: choose by strength and service procedure
Threadlocker selection depends on the joint, fastener and future disassembly requirements.
General guidance
Install
PowerStop brake bedding: use the procedure for the installed kit
Prepare for the manufacturer’s break-in sequence after installation, with a controlled location and complete brake checks.
General guidance
How-To
PowerStop Z23 vs Z36: daily driving or loaded truck use?
PowerStop positions Z23 for everyday performance-oriented driving and Z36 for truck and towing use.
General guidance
Quick Reference
Premium vs TOP TIER fuel: two different decisions
TOP TIER addresses fuel detergent performance, while the vehicle’s octane requirement is a separate specification.
General guidance
Install
Rain-X wiper installation: identify the arm before choosing the adapter
Rain-X provides separate installation instructions for different arm connections.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Rain-X wipers streaking: clean the glass before condemning the blade
Separate windshield contamination, worn rubber and incorrect fitment.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Reading a fouled spark plug: compare cylinders before buying parts
Use plug appearance as evidence alongside the engine’s operating history.
General guidance
Quick Reference
Reading the API oil label without choosing the wrong viscosity
Separate the service category, viscosity grade and certification marks.
General guidance
Install
Replacing a wheel-speed sensor: routing is part of the repair
Protect the new lead from tire contact, suspension movement and heat.
General guidance
How-To
Rinseless washing: when to pre-rinse instead
Match the wash method to the amount of grit on the car.
General guidance
How-To
Road Force balancing: what it adds to a normal wheel balance
Hunter’s Road Force equipment combines ordinary balancing with a loaded measurement of the tire-and-wheel assembly.
General guidance
Install
RTV gasket maker: assembly time is not return-to-service time
Gasket makers differ in assembly window and required cure before filling with fluid or returning to service.
General guidance
Quick Reference
Run-flat tires: the sidewall cannot make damage disappear
Know the exact reduced-pressure limits and when roadside recovery is the better choice.
General guidance
Maintenance
S&B cotton vs dry filters: do not transfer AEM’s cleaning method
Identify S&B cleanable and dry extendable media before servicing an intake.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Scalloped tire wear and a growing hum: check for cupping
Inspect tires, balance and suspension together rather than rotating away the evidence.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Serpentine belt squeal: inspect the drive, not just the belt
A new belt will not correct every tensioner, pulley or alignment problem.
General guidance
Install
Shock stem bushings: shouldered vs straight mounting studs
Shouldered and straight shock stems control cushion compression differently.
General guidance
Troubleshooting
Starter clicks but the engine does not turn: test supply before replacement
A click alone cannot distinguish a failed starter from low voltage or circuit resistance.
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487 guides in the library. Published content only.