Car knowledge for everyday drivers

Know your car.
Save on repairs.

Practical car knowledge, made simple.

What's wrong? Explore

Welcome back

Continue where you left off.

    What's wrong with your car?

    Tell us what you're seeing, hearing or feeling.

    Warning lights lit on the instrument cluster Warning lightIdentify the light Drive belt and pulleys turning in the engine bay NoiseIdentify the sound A driver checking under the hood of a car that will not start Won't startFind the likely area Steam rising from the engine bay of an overheating car OverheatingWhat to do now

    How urgent is it?

    Stop now Immediate attention Check soon Needs attention, not today Learn more Useful information

    123 Audio

    Learn while you drive.

    Short, practical lessons that help you understand your car.

    Explore 123 Audio

    Quick answers · Full lessons · Drive Mode

    Learn your car.

    Everything makes more sense when you understand what is happening.

    Engine Learn

    Engine

    Understand what happens under the bonnet.

    Learn more     Brakes Learn

    Brakes

    Stop guessing about your brakes.

    Learn more     Cooling Learn

    Cooling

    Keep the engine at the right temperature.

    Learn more     Electrical Learn

    Electrical

    Battery, alternator and the things that drain them.

    Learn more     Electric cars Learn

    Electric cars

    Charging, range and the traction battery.

    Learn more     Steering and tyres Learn

    Steering and tyres

    What the wheel and the tyres are telling you.

    Learn more

    Start with what you notice.

    I see a light.

    Red, amber or blue: the colour tells you how urgent it is, and the symbol tells you what the car means.

    Understand warning lights

    I hear something.

    A squeal, a grind or a click: when the sound happens tells you more than how it sounds.

    Identify common car noises
    Belt and pulleys in the engine bay

    Something feels different.

    Shaking, pulling or losing power: what you feel through the wheel and the pedals usually points straight at the area.

    Explore symptoms
    Hands on the steering wheel

    My car won't start.

    A slow crank, a single click or silence: the sound when you turn the key says where to begin.

    Find out where to start
    A cold engine early in the morning

    Go deeper.

    From quick answers to complete automotive learning.

    Essential Learning Series Volumes 1 to 10, from warning lights to electrical systems. Explore the series Modern cars EV, hybrid, sensors and engine management. Explore modern systems Specialist guides Turbochargers, fuel injection, transmission and diagnostics. Explore specialist guides

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    One sheet. Ten minutes. Everything worth checking before it gets expensive.

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    "I've spent years diagnosing cars in workshops. 123 Auto Guides turns that experience into knowledge drivers can actually use."
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