HIGHTECH 

Unless an engine overheats or fails to reach normal operating temperature after being driven for several miles, the thermostat that regulates the flow of coolant is probably working properly. Thermostats generally last for years — even for the lifetime of a vehicle — so why bother changing it? Indeed, if it appears to be working, there probably isn't need for a new thermostat. However, if you're having other cooling system maintenance performed, such as replacing the coolant and/or the radiator

If you drive only 8,000 miles a year but it's mainly in a crowded urban area such as Chicago, Boston or Washington, D.C., you will need to replace brake pads more often than someone who drives 28,000 miles a year across the flatlands of Nebraska. You use your brakes a lot more in urban driving than on a rural highway. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut schedule that tells you when it's time to replace the brakes, so you need to rely on your ears and the advice of an experienced automotive tec

When the temperature gauge on your dashboard reads high or a temperature warning light comes on, you have a cooling system problem that may be caused by a leak — be it in the radiator itself or some other component. First, make sure it's coolant that's leaking, not another fluid. (Coolant is often referred to as antifreeze, but technically coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.) You can easily check the coolant level in your see-through overflow tank. If it's empty or low, the next ste

It’s a question of how often, not if, based on the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer or a mechanic who finds the belt is stretched or damaged. Some manufacturers recommend changing the timing belt every 60,000 miles, others recommend longer intervals. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshafts so valves open and close at the right time. If the belt breaks, the engine can’t run. On some engines, a broken belt can cause serious internal damage. Many engines have a timing ch

On the V-8 side, three available packages range from a performance calibration and drop-in air filter to borrowed components from the track-ready Shelby GT350 for increasing power. Beyond bigger numbers, manual-transmission GT Mustangs are calibrated to include a no-lift shift feature that allows drivers to keep the accelerator floored during shifting to maximize acceleration. The automatic transmission also receives updated performance calibration.

The head gasket is a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. The only time it should be replaced is if it develops leaks that allow engine coolant to seep internally or externally, where it should be visible. Internal leaks allow coolant to be burned in the combustion chambers. Signs of this include a low coolant level, an engine that runs hotter than usual or overheats, and steam that looks like white smoke coming out of the exhaust. The head gasket isn’t a periodic maintenance ite

The accessory drive belt (also called a V, or serpentine, belt) drives the air-conditioning compressor, alternator and, on many vehicles, the power steering pump and water pump. If this belt breaks, none of those systems will work. If the belt is cracked, frayed or badly worn, it can slip on the pulleys it rides on, and the accessories it drives won't receive all the power they need, which may trigger a warning light. A qualified mechanic can usually tell by looking if a belt needs to be replace