What to Do When a Chevrolet Equinox Won't Start?

How Many Wheels Need Snow Chains Installed?

For front-wheel drive vehicles, two snow chains should be installed on the front wheels. For rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles, it is recommended to install chains on all four wheels. If snow chains are only installed on the drive wheels, the front wheels will lack sufficient traction, resulting in a loss of steering control. Precautions for installing snow chains: After installation, inspect the snow chains to ensure the connections at the joints are secure and that there are no areas where the chains are not in contact with the tire. Using snow chains of improper size or installing them incorrectly can damage the vehicle's tires, suspension, or body. Therefore, always choose snow chains that match your tire size to ensure safety. When installing snow chains, park the vehicle on a flat surface away from traffic, turn on the hazard warning lights, and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle. Steps for installing snow chains: Determine the vehicle's drive type (front-wheel or rear-wheel drive). A jack can be used to assist with installation. Place the snow chain over the tire with the hook side facing outward. Attach the inner hook, then rotate the tire to the appropriate position, being careful not to crush any chain components. Move the joint section inward and attach the inner joint hook. Adjust the snow chain to align with the tire's center. Attach the W-hook and then secure the round straps to the hooks in a diagonal pattern.

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Can the steering gear leak oil?

The steering gear can leak oil because the rubber seals lose plasticizers due to prolonged exposure to alternating hot and cold temperatures. This results in the seals shrinking, hardening, and losing elasticity, and in severe cases, even cracking. Oil leakage is inevitable. Solutions for steering gear oil leakage: Repairing a leaking steering gear requires disassembly. However, if the disassembly and repair are not performed properly, it may not only fail to fix the issue but also cause more problems. In such cases, it is more reliable to replace the steering gear entirely. Most steering gear oil leaks are caused by corrosion and aging of the oil seals, especially in cars older than three years. Over time, rubber seals harden and age, exacerbated by prolonged exposure to temperature changes, worsening the condition. When seals shrink, harden, and lose elasticity, oil leakage occurs. If not replaced in time, prolonged leakage can lead to excessive wear of the steering gear rack, causing steering or driving noises. In severe cases, it can make steering heavier and result in loss of power steering. Causes of steering gear oil leakage: Oil leakage from the screw holes of the steering gear: This may occur if the screw holes are penetrated or if the screws used during repair are too long, causing the area to crack. Oil will then slowly seep out along the threads. Improper casting leading to oil leakage from the bottom cover: If the bottom cover surface is uneven or the guide pipes are not perpendicular, it can result in insufficiently tight riveting or misalignment of the guide pipes. Oil leakage due to the use of cardboard gaskets: Cardboard has a strong absorption capacity for oil. If the bolts are not tightened properly or unevenly, it can cause uneven placement of the side and bottom covers, leading to deformation and oil leakage.

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What Happens When the Steering Gear Fails?

Steering gear failure can manifest as abnormal noises when the vehicle is stationary or moving at speeds below 20 km/h; difficulty in turning the steering wheel while driving; unstable steering, understeer or oversteer, and body shaking, among other symptoms. Causes of steering gear failure: Steering mechanism failure: Generally, steering mechanism failures are mostly caused by piston or cylinder scoring, or damage to the piston's sealing ring, which allows communication between the two chambers of the piston, preventing the effective buildup of power assist pressure. Power steering pump failure: When testing shows that the pump pressure of the power steering pump does not meet standard values, it is clear that heavy steering is related to this. First, check whether the engagement surface of the flow control valve and valve seat, as well as the sealing of the safety valve ball, are compromised. Clogged return oil filter in the reservoir: Long-term lack of maintenance or replacement of the return oil filter in the reservoir can cause clogging, hindering the circulation of power steering fluid and increasing the backpressure of the return oil, which can also lead to heavy steering. Methods for diagnosing steering gear failure: Difficulty in steering wheel return: Most vehicle steering wheels have an automatic return function. For cars equipped with hydraulic power steering, the automatic return function is somewhat weakened due to hydraulic damping. However, if the return speed is too slow, it indicates a malfunction in the return function. Such faults usually occur in the mechanical parts of the steering system. Steering wobble or drift: If the car tends to drift to one side when driving on a cambered road, and tire pressure issues have been ruled out, it is likely caused by a loose or broken mechanical component in the steering gear.

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What is the shelf life of antifreeze?

Generally, the shelf life of automotive antifreeze is two years; long-life antifreeze has a longer validity period, ranging from three to five years. Precautions for using antifreeze: Do not mix antifreeze: Different types of antifreeze have different freezing points due to their varying compositions. Therefore, antifreeze should be selected based on the temperature conditions of the vehicle's operating environment. Typically, the freezing point of the antifreeze should be 10~15 degrees Celsius lower than the local minimum temperature to prevent the antifreeze from losing its anti-freezing function. Do not dilute with water: Avoid diluting antifreeze with tap water. Adding tap water to antifreeze not only increases its freezing point but also causes the antifreeze to gradually form sediment due to impurities in the tap water, ultimately affecting the cooling system's efficiency. Functions of antifreeze: In cold winter conditions, it prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head. In high summer temperatures, it effectively prevents boiling, avoiding overheating. Since the engine's cooling system includes metals such as steel, aluminum alloy, cast iron, copper, and solder used in radiator welding, and the cylinder block and head are generally made of cast aluminum or cast iron while the radiator is mainly made of copper and brass, antifreeze must protect all these metals during long-term contact. Using deionized water and appropriate additives can prevent various types of corrosion.

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What is a Second-hand Car with a Nominal Owner?

A second-hand car with a nominal owner refers to a used car purchased using someone else's ID card, making the ID holder the 'nominal owner.' Therefore, not all second-hand cars are nominal owner cars. Consequences of nominal owner cars: The agreement signed between the nominal owner and the buyer violates the law. Typically, nominal owner cars involve private agreements between buyers and sellers, with the vehicle still registered under the original owner's name. However, the person selling the car is often not the original owner, so such agreements have little legal effect. Because the 'nominal owner' has the right to sell or report the vehicle as lost, the car may become unregistered, and traffic police can legally impound it. In cases of traffic accidents, the perpetrator is primarily held responsible. If the perpetrator flees, the vehicle owner must compensate first, so being a nominal owner also carries significant risks. Models of nominal owner cars: There are two models of nominal owner cars. The first model is individual nominal ownership, where the original car is registered under an individual's name. The second model is company nominal ownership, where the original car is registered under a company's name.

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Can a Used Car Be Transferred and Licensed?

Used cars can be transferred and licensed. After purchasing a used car, you can directly license it in the location where the vehicle is registered, or you can return to your household registration location to license it. Transfer method: After confirming the purchase of the vehicle, go to the local used car trading market to complete the transaction and obtain a nationally unified used car transaction invoice. After purchasing the vehicle, you need to apply for a vehicle file transfer at the local vehicle management office. During the file transfer process, you will also need to provide the new owner's identification documents. A file transfer fee will be charged, and the price varies by location. Remember to apply for temporary license plates during the file transfer. After completing the vehicle purchase transaction, do not forget to transfer the vehicle insurance. Once you receive the car, first purchase compulsory traffic insurance and commercial insurance for the vehicle. Bring the relevant documents (including the vehicle file) to the local vehicle management office for review (including vehicle qualification checks and theft inquiries). Once the review is passed, you can proceed with the registration. After passing the review, some cities may require an annual vehicle inspection, which can be done directly at the inspection station. Once the annual inspection is passed, go to the vehicle management office for vehicle inspection, licensing, and obtaining a new motor vehicle driving license. Follow the normal process. License plate numbers cannot be transferred with the vehicle: There are various scenarios for used car transfers, such as transfers between two companies, between individuals, from a company to an individual, or from an individual to a company. However, in any of these cases, the license plate number cannot be transferred with the car. This means the license plate number cannot be transferred to the buyer, and the buyer will need to select a new license plate number during the transfer process.

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What to Do When a Chevrolet Equinox Won't Start?

How Many Wheels Need Snow Chains Installed?

Can the steering gear leak oil?

What Happens When the Steering Gear Fails?

What is the shelf life of antifreeze?

What is a Second-hand Car with a Nominal Owner?

Can a Used Car Be Transferred and Licensed?

What Causes Steering Wheel Stiffness?

How Long Does a Leather Steering Wheel Last?

What Causes Heavy Steering Wheel?

What does an exclamation mark on the steering wheel mean?