/r/Cartalk
The place to talk about your car
r/Cartalk is the original Reddit auto repair community, with over 650,000 subscribers and growing. We look forward to helping everyone with their car repairs and questions, but please take the time to read this sidebar.
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Be polite. Treat those asking for help with respect, and answer without bias toward them, their situation, or their knowledge (or lack thereof) about the repair issues. Also respect those that take the time to answer questions and remember that many are professional mechanics, who normally get paid very well to diagnose automotive repairs.
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Get OBD codes! If you have a Check Engine (CEL) or Service Engine (SEL) Soon light on, get the codes read and have them available if possible befoer posting. You can have codes read at Auto Zone, Pep Boys, O'Reilly's, etc., for free in most states. Write them down. They will have a letter followed by four numbers, for example "P1234". You can get a code reader from Amazon that works with 1996 and up vehicles for about $15. It will let you read and reset the codes.
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806,514 Subscribers
Outside of windscreen very hard to see through on foggy mornings
How can I stop this kind of fog on the outside of my windscreen. It happens on humid mornings, can be clear one second, then dip into a valley and it’s instantly fogged.
This is what it looks like right after using the wiper, are those spots that’s left oil ect from the road or scratches on the glass that moisture is stuck in?
This pic doesn’t really do it justice, when the sun beams at it, it is very hard to see the road.
Windscreen is perfectly clear in rain/in normal conditions.
05:32 UTC
2017 5.0 premium
Not showing my ride but I found a 2017 5.0 premium with 128k and it’s auto for 22K. This car isn’t for me but for someone else. Car look like it’s been taking care of. No rips or stains. Engine bay clean. Comes with a cold air, front side and rear diff/skirts/lips. A lip in the rear and a cat back exhaust And new tires. What y’all think?
05:22 UTC
Best sedan under 40k?
What is the best sedan under 40k. Based off sound, speed, and looks. (Preferably 2019+)
05:21 UTC
Best sedan under 40k?
What is the best sedan under 40k. Based off sound, speed, and looks. (Preferably 2019+)
05:21 UTC
Hit a curb idk if it’s a paint or piece of the curb
04:48 UTC
Breaklights not turning off
Question why are my taillights not turning off even though the car is turned off could it be a fuse? It also killed my battery
04:47 UTC
Turned off car while auto start/stop was engaged
When I got home today, my CRVs auto start/stop engaged as I was putting the car in park. I turned off the engine while the s/s light was still on. Went into the garage 4 to 5 hours later to hear my car making a buzzing noise. Is it safe to drive? I turned it back on and everything seemed fine, but worried about driving it tomorrow.
03:01 UTC
Rough idling
Hey yall! My 04 Volvo V40 has a rough idling problem and I’m trying to get an idea of what it could be.
If I’m starting it for the first time that day, it’ll idle really rough and choke out once or twice and completely stop. (It also makes a short squeal sound when it does stop on its own) I’d have to start it 2-3 times before it stays on. The only way to combat this is by me revving it for a little bit.
And if it does stay on, the rpms will fluctuate between 500-1500. They’ll dip and then the car will rev itself. This also happens when I slow to a stop, when I am accelerating from a stop. It starts to jerk a little. It doesn’t happen if I’m actually driving though.
02:02 UTC
Scraped bottom of passenger side door against top of curb
Got a new 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 a couple weeks ago. Parked on the street and opened the passenger side door to grab something, but the curb was taller than I had realized, so this happened. Recs for going about repairing this? I realize that it’s in a spot where you can’t see unless you’re looking for it – I’m just sad knowing that it’s there and since it’s a brand new car lol…
01:45 UTC
AC Compressor Noise
Do you guys think this is the bearings failing, or the ac compressor clutch? Ignore the voice in the background I took this video before I knew how the ac belt worked
01:06 UTC
Would you replace the whole AC system because of clutch issues?
The bearings on my A/C compressor clutch went bad and I don't have the tools to just replace them. I can buy a new compressor and install it but shops insist that I need to replace the whole system when the AC fails. Would it be okay to just replace the compressor and flush the system ?
23:55 UTC
2012 Kia Soul misfire on 3, what gives?
I have a HORRIBLE misfire on 3 that only happens when at idle sitting still or pressing on the gas. The misfire just randomly showed up and I have a 45 minute commute that I can’t drive it for with it like this, and ideas would be great
23:50 UTC
2012 Malibu stalling and engine noise
2012 Malibu LT 2.4 engine NOT flex fuel. 193k miles on it. Been having some startup and stalling issues this past month or so with my Malibu. Started off randomly not wanting to start, and then it started to stall randomly after that. Codes came back with 02 sensor, so I replaced the bad one I found.
The problems came back soon after. Found a trick online to pull the fuse for the fuel pump relay when it doesn’t want to start. That has been a work around for me to get it start when it decides it won’t turn over and start. Weird because I have not experienced fuel pump problems, and I have read the fuel pressure when it’s started and while it’s idling. It has been within range every time, so maybe a fuel filter is the culprit?
The check engine light comes on a couple weeks later and it says to replace both VVT solenoids. Took my car to O’Reilly’s to double check, and their scanner had the same codes. So while I was waiting for them to come in, I added some Seafoam to my oil. That is when the engine noise started to happen. I figured Seafoam may have loosened some gunk, so no big deal. I’ve had success with it in the past and never had issues. The engine sound only happens after getting warmed up and while it’s idling. Goes away as I accelerate and comes back as RPMS go down to about 1k or less.
Replaced VVT solenoids and changed the oil, but the noise did not stop. The starting and stalling issues did not stop either. I took out the cam sensor on the front of the engine and cleaned it off. I will say the sensor and where it is housed was pretty dirty with oil buildup, but my issues have not stopped after cleaning it. I decided to change the oil again a week later to see what it looked like, and it was fine. Not dirty at all.
I’ve read online about the fuse pump relay wire getting burned up and needing replaced, but I checked that out today and I thought it looked fine. I added a picture at the end for other opinions, because at the beginning of this process, I found my rear defroster fuse had burned up and it is by fuel pump relay fuse. Not sure if that points towards this being the issue or not.
Kind of at a loss at this point if it’s not the wire causing some fuel pump problems. No codes have come back since clearing the check engine light. Even with it still stalling and not starting randomly, nothing. The engine noise has not stopped. Thought maybe MAF, but my reader shows it’s within normal range and working properly. I read on the Malibu forums to try and reset the ECM with the battery to see if that does anything to help. May try that as well. Am I missing something completely obvious? I’m not an expert by any means and I am still learning, but I’m not sure where to go from here besides biting the bullet and taking it in to the shop. Does anyone have experience with this issue? Would appreciate any help!
23:42 UTC
Is this tire drivable? My employer insists it is good enough for the road.
23:41 UTC
When brake pad wear indicator is revealed does it squeak continuously?
If it squeaks on and off it’s not the wear indicator right?
23:07 UTC
Mazda 3 2007 weird noise
Hey guys,
Last year I bought the car as a beginner. New problems are gradually appearing. The noise from the video youtube/ws1hqzrgHxY?si=P2CQda8JEWBxkvzH, which occurs between seconds 2 and 5, is now occurring more and more frequently and more strongly.
However, it actually only occurs sporadically. Often when I've been on the road for a good half hour and am then stuck in a traffic jam or when starting off and at very low speed. As is standard in traffic jams. But only irregularly.
If I had to localize it, I would say that it comes from under the car.
Do you have any idea what the problem could be?
22:41 UTC
rust
This is a project car that’s been floating around on facebook for a while. the car is fairly clean but this drivers side door is absolutely rotten. anyone know if it’s worth fixing?
22:21 UTC
Engine making funny sound
So about a week ago took my car to get fixed for an oil and coolant leak (needed a new radiator and valve cover gasket, got a good deal on it) and I’ve been driving it for a few days and it’s been perfectly fine, now it’s making this weird noise. Any input appreciated!
22:04 UTC
Frame damage - opinion on handling post-fix?
Subaru BRZ 2023 frontal crash at about 30-40kmh. (About 2 months back, which is why you see slight corroded spots which appeared during the whole insurance process wait)
I'm not expecting a full on diagnosis ofc, this has gone in the dealership for inspection under insurance.
What I'm curious about is - would such damage, if repaired, negatively impact the car's stability and handling.
I do track the car and would hate to have it "repaired" but crippled for life.
I've been thinking of adding tower struts bars and door jam stiffeners to remedy some lack of stiffness from fixing the beam, but I'm aware it's not gonna bring it back to it's full form
20:09 UTC
Grinding noise when turning left and braking.
Hi,
My car just started doing this today. It's a 2011 Hyundai Elantra touring. It only happens if I'm turning left or braking. It doesn't happen when I'm turning right. It sounds like it's coming from the right front tire.
Thank you!
Edit: there was supposed to be a video attached to this post. The sound is like a grinding.
19:49 UTC
Suggestions on fixing seat back of 1970 Mercedes-Benz
I’ve had this W108 Mercedes from ‘70 for the past 12-13 years, and the seat back and front seats have simply deteriorated during those years. I’ve posted some pictures below.
Do any of you have good suggestions on fixing the seat back? I’m trying to find a seat back, but it has proven quite hard. I’ve found two immaculate front seats and now I just need to do something temporary while I try to find the last bit of the puzzle.
I’ve thought of just throwing a grey rag over the top of the seat until I’ve found a matching back.
Let me hear what you think.
https://i.imgur.com/aBE6g8E.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/C70wc41.jpeg
19:47 UTC
Metallic grinding feeling when pulling away from a stop.
I got a mazda 3 2015 just a month ago and recently started feeling a strange metallic grinding for about a second or two while i accelerate from a complete stop. This only happens when I add gas, but when i gently get of the clutch without accelerating, everything is smooth. My mechanic test drove the car and said that he feels it aswell, and told me it mught be a deformed or very worn flywheel, but said to not worry unless my clutch starts slipping. The car has 70k miles right now and I have to change both lower control arms and wheel bearings from the front wheels, I might suspect those can be reasons for that feeling aswell, what are your thoughts?
19:18 UTC
GTI shakes when I accelerate
I have a mk7 gti at around 117k miles. Recently it began to shake momentarily back and forth when I accelerate to around 40mph
Anyone know what the problem could be, and if it is safe to drive?
17:13 UTC
Car still pulls to the right after new tire and alignment
I recently hit a pot hole and changed my front passenger tire as a result. I noticed some pulling and uneven wear after the new tire was put on, so I went ahead and got an alignment. After the alignment, Im still experiencing a very slight pull to the right. Is it the new tire that’s causing this pull or a botched alignment? All the other 3 tires are slightly worn and have around 10k miles on them.
17:03 UTC