Author : Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.

He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.

His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.

Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.

Started Date: June 15, 2018

Comments: 20

Votes: 13

Total articles: 92

Bad Starter Relay Symptoms: 6 Signs & How to Test

Joshua Thomas

Hand holding a removed automotive starter relay next to an open under-hood fuse and relay box, showing the relay's terminals and the empty slot it was pulled from.

Discover 6 common bad starter relay symptoms, from a clicking engine to no-start issues, plus simple tests to diagnose and fix the problem fast. [read more]

P0174 Code: System Too Lean Bank 2 (Causes & How to Fix)

Joshua Thomas

OBD-II diagnostic scanner displaying P0174 trouble code on its screen, plugged into the port under a car dashboard, with the amber check engine light visible on the instrument cluster in the background.

Diagnose and fix the P0174 code with this guide covering all common causes of a Bank 2 lean condition and step-by-step repair solutions. [read more]

Fuel Door Won't Open: 5 Causes & How to Fix

Joshua Thomas

A frustrated driver pulling on the fuel door release lever inside a car cabin, with a close-up inset showing a stuck or jammed fuel door on the exterior of the vehicle. The fuel door is slightly ajar but not fully opening.

Struggling with a stuck fuel door? Discover the 5 most common causes and step-by-step fixes to get your fuel door opening smoothly again. [read more]

Why Is My Tire Slowly Losing Air? (Causes & Fixes)

Joshua Thomas

Close-up of a mechanic spraying soapy water on a car tire to locate a slow air leak, with small bubbles forming near the valve stem. The tire is mounted on a silver alloy wheel in a garage setting.

Discover the most common causes of a slow tire leak—from punctures and valve stem issues to bead damage—and learn how to find and fix them fast. [read more]

Cracked Coolant Reservoir: Symptoms and Replacement Cost

Joshua Thomas

Close-up of a plastic coolant overflow reservoir in an engine bay showing a visible crack or fracture with coolant residue staining around the damaged area. The green or orange coolant level is visible below the minimum line.

Discover the key symptoms of a cracked coolant reservoir and what you can expect to pay for a replacement, so you can act fast and avoid engine overheating. [read more]

Frozen Car Door Lock: Causes and How to Fix in Winter

Joshua Thomas

A car door handle and lock cylinder covered in ice and frost in a winter setting, with a person's gloved hand attempting to insert a key into the frozen lock. Snow and ice on the surrounding vehicle surface reinforce the cold-weather theme.

Discover why car door locks freeze in winter and learn quick, effective fixes to get back on the road fast—without damaging your lock. [read more]

Check Engine Light After Oil Change: Causes and Fix

Joshua Thomas

Close-up of a car's instrument cluster with the amber check engine warning light illuminated. An oil drip pan and fresh oil bottle are visible in the background, suggesting a recent oil change was performed.

Discover why your check engine light came on after an oil change and learn the most common causes and easy fixes to resolve it fast. [read more]

How to Repair Rust Holes in a Car Body Panel

Joshua Thomas

A person in gloves sanding a rusted section of a car door panel, with a visible rust hole surrounded by bare metal where paint and rust have been removed. Body filler and repair mesh are visible on the workbench.

Learn how to repair rust holes in a car body panel with step-by-step techniques, tools, and tips to restore your vehicle's appearance and prevent further corrosion. [read more]

7 Warning Signs of a Failing Water Pump

Joshua Thomas

A removed car water pump sitting on a workbench showing visible corrosion and mineral deposits around the impeller and gasket surface. Green coolant residue stains are visible on the housing.

Spot the 7 warning signs of a failing water pump before it causes costly engine overheating damage and leaves you stranded on the road. [read more]

Popping Noise When Turning: Causes & Solutions

Joshua Thomas

The front suspension and steering area of a car with the wheel turned to full lock, showing the CV joint, ball joint, and tie rod end components. The image highlights the areas most likely to produce popping or clunking sounds during turns.

Discover the most common causes of a popping noise when turning your car and learn practical solutions to fix the problem before it worsens. [read more]

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