What are /r/StupidCarQuestions' favorite Products & Services?

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My rule of thumb generally is that most of the cars with the white lights have an auto dimming feature. So I won’t flash at them, but if they have overbearingly bright yellow lights ill flash them for sure.

I’m not 100% sure on this but I’m sure someone has made some sort of driving glasses that tone down the harshly of light without dimming the surrounding area.

Edit: A company called night view makes anti-glare glasses, which is what you’ll want if headlights continue to bother you. Here’s an amazon link. There are lots of other alternatives on the site as well, these are just the one’s made by night view.

personally i wouldnt speculate on what your check engine light might be caused by, any of the answers listed by other people could be the cause. Someone else has mentioned going to an auto parts store and getting the codes read, thats the best idea, or buy your own reader, they're $15 on Amazon it spits out a code you look it up by googling 'chevy malibu code xxxx' and it will tell you the issue, and the chevy forums can tell you whether you need to worry about it or not.

OP - what you're looking for is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Add-Circuit-Adapter-Fuse/dp/B085MGP931/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=add-a-circuit+kit&qid=1627320070&sr=8-3

Look at your fuse box and pick one with a similar amp fuse (ie if your dash cam fuse is 10 amp, pick a circuit that's also 10 amp), and choose one that only has power with the key in

Also, if you have an Android phone, buy one of these

Then install this app.

For $10 you have a device that can read codes on your car, and will tell you if the drive cycle is complete for emissions tests.

If not Android, I'm sure there are alternatives, but I don't know them

Try a local tractor dealership, I know off hand that a lot of John Deere tractors use these style of battery disconnect switch, Kubota, New Holland and others likely use that key as well. They're common enough that one of them would likely have them in stock. Failing that you could try a RV or a marine store, boats and RVs commonly have these. In the end you may end up having to buy an entire switch to get the key but one of those options will likely have spark keys for them.

Can also get them on Amazon but that would take a little bit to get them with the holidays.

Last resort would be to bypass it, all it is a switch, it'll have two threaded posts on the backside of it with 2 wires, one wire to each post, the key connects and disconnects these two wires. You would want to disconnect your battery, remove one of the wires form one of the posts and put both wires on the same post.

Only one way to find out… my car had the same thing for video when parked. I use something similar as below and then plug it into a Bluetooth adaptor.

RocketBus Headphone Jack Plug 3.5mm Aux in to 2 Red White RCA Stereo Audio Y Cord Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019ATNOY0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Y6X6GG7KD8019F1PBFCM

https://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Tec-13575-Adhesive-Aluminized-Barrier/dp/B00029KC2K/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=heat+shield&qid=1612888078&sr=8-3

I replaced a couple of my damaged heat shields with this stuff. Just remove the heat shield and stick this stuff to the body of the vehicle above the exhaust pipe.

You can always just remove those heat shields and probably be fine like that. Under normal circumstances there is very little risk that a missing heat shield will cause any damage. One time I saw a car with an exhaust leak and no heat shield melt the carpet inside the cabin but it only happened where the leak was.

The $20-30 Bluetooth OBD scanners have a tendency to shit the bed on a semi regular basis. General rule for auto tools is if you've used the shitty knock off version until it breaks, then it's time to pony up for the better/name brand version. Your best bet is to pick one off of here: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-obd2-scanners-of-2020/

With that said, I've had this one for ~4 years now and haven't had any issues connecting to my Subarus or Kia, and it is much cheaper than the other options. https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=ELM327&qid=1607055772&sr=8-11

Good luck!

I only buy those metal cans with the funnel attached (I think eagle makes them) they're expensive but save so much frustration.

Edit: these. actually not a bad price, the last time I bought one it was like $55