My parents gave me 2001 Acura mdx. I'm 17 and I can't afford to use a car with shitty gas. I go to school and all my money I work for just ends up on gas. I'm tried selling it but people offer way to low and my dad don't accept it. I don't even like suv's. I heard Acura mdx 2001-2 has really bad transmission problem. If I could break it in way thats not noticeable, they would buy me a new car. The one I want. Any tips?

This is my first car ever and it was bought without any research put in because of the urgency of needing a car. Last year my radiator busted and I drove the car for a while causing more damage to it. I had it towed to a mechanic (that charged me close to $1500 for a radiator, somehow that price doesn't look right.) so he said he put a brand new radiator on and brand new radiator hoses and also he charged me another $100 for a engine fan. My engine light has been on since then so just recently I replaced the coils on my spark plugs. When i put them on i didn't have any lube close to the end of the coil where the spark plug slips into i rubbed a little oil on there. I drove it for about a month so far and my engine light is on and off, but now its off and hasn't come back on. So two weeks ago i have been smelling rubber burning smell every time I get through driving. A couple of days ago little smoke was coming out of the engine and then it stopped. Today the smoke is a lot more visible and seems to be coming from the bottom of the engine on the sides where the spark plugs sit. Can anybody assist me with analyzing this problem I am a college student with not a lot of money so I'm all for DIY projects. Thanks in advance.

I'm looking at these two cars to buy right now, which should I get

Hi Lisa,

Let's go over some of the most common causes for a vehicle not to start, and then you can compare your own exact situation to one of these possible culprits:

1) Is the car silent when you turn the key in the ignition?

If so, check the battery terminal cable connections. If they look very corroded, force the point of a screwdriver (with an insulated or wooden handle) between the connector and the terminal post and twist it to lodge it firmly. Then try to start the engine. If it starts, you need to clean or replace your cables.

2) Does the car makes a clicking noise but won't start?

This sound usually means a dead battery. If not, check the wiring to and from the starter for a loose connection. It's also possible that your starter has died, although a dying starter typically provides ample warning in the form of slow or laboured cranking before it completely dies.

3) Does the car crank over but won't start?

If so, check the fuel supply to your engine. If that's okay, check whether the electrical spark is getting to your spark plugs. Consider inspecting your fuel pump and fuel pump relay to determine whether or not they're bad.

Good luck diagnosing the issue!