New York veteran mechanic says there's one thing you can do to your car to 'reset' it and fix it for free
- New York-based veteran mechanic suggests how to do a car reset
- It’s about clearing error codes to restore optimal performance
- It’s called the ‘battery disconnection method’
Published on Feb 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Feb 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
It turns out that what that guy from IT suggested to fix your computer could also work for your car as a New York-based veteran mechanic suggests how to complete a car reset.
It’s all down to clearing error codes and restoring optimal performance.
It’s called the ‘battery disconnection method’ – in other words turning it on and off again.
It might just save you a lot of time and money.
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Mechanic-recommended car reset
Scotty Kilmer has been an auto mechanic for 56 years and he shares his extensive knowledge of all things automotive via the most-watched car channel in America.
He explains that doing this one step will effect a total car reset and fix it for free.
In fact, he claims that it will make it run ‘like new’.
The ‘battery disconnection method’ is simple.
It involves disconnecting the car battery by removing the negative terminal for a few minutes to reset the vehicle’s computer systems to resolve minor electronic glitches.
Resetting the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can clear error codes and restore optimal performance.
It can even turn off the check engine light if the issue is temporary.
How does it work?
Turns out that some cars store driving habits in the transmission control module and resetting it can improve their shifting behavior.
He advises doing a throttle recalibration afterward by turning the ignition to the ‘on’ position without starting the engine.
Next, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor, before releasing it.
Another tip is to inspect the engine bay for any loose or disconnected hoses or electrical connectors, which could lead to performance issues and car malfunctions.
After disconnecting the battery, some cars may need the window positions to be relearned and radio presets to be reprogrammed.
Alternatively, using diagnostic tools like OBD-II scanners can help identify and clear specific error codes to DIY troubleshoot minus costly professional help.
All Supercar Blondie contributors undergo editorial review and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and authority in automotive journalism. After gaining her BA Hons in French and English at the University of Nottingham, Amelia embarked on a vocational diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This led to numerous opportunities, from interning at Vogue to being on the small team that launched Women’s Health magazine in the UK, which was named the PPA Consumer magazine of the year for three years running. As Health, Beauty and Fitness editor, Amelia personally received a Johnson & Johnson Award and was shortlisted for both PPA and BSME titles. Since then, Amelia has created content for numerous titles and brands, including the Telegraph, 111 Skin, Waitrose, Red magazine, Stylist, and Elle, as well as being Head of Content at Vitality and Editor in Chief at INLondon magazine. “My superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a relatable story you’ll want to share with your friends after you’ve read it.” After joining the SB Media family as a senior journalist in September of 2023, Amelia’s role has evolved to see her heading up the SEO output of the editorial team. From researching the most ‘Google-able’ key terms to producing evergreen content - it’s been a time of hard work, growth, and success for the editorial team and the Supercar Blondie website. “I like to think of myself as a ‘method journalist’. In other words: I live and breathe whatever I am writing about. When writing about fitness, I trained as a personal trainer, and as a beauty editor, I completed an ‘expert’ in scent diploma with the Fragrance Foundation. “During my tenure at Supercar Blondie, however, I did something I never thought possible: I passed my driving test at the age of 36. One day I’d love to train as a mechanic to better understand what happens under the hood, too. “My sweet spot is providing readers with a ‘takeaway’ (read: something new they didn’t know before) after reading every one of my stories. While I don’t claim to be an expert in the automotive world, I know the experts and bodies in the field to rely on to provide our readers with an informative and thought-provoking story every time they visit the site.”
