The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Summary You should still try to use turn signals in a roundabout to show other drivers courtesy and consideration. Signal…
Summary Research shows that exposure to pleasant smells can improve your mood by up to 40%. Certain fragrances can even…
Summary Installing a cold air intake system, turbocharger, or supercharger can greatly improve your vehicle’s overall performance. For a “Fast…
Summary A handheld tire inflator is a great tool to have because you can keep your vehicle at its optimum…
Summary If your vehicle’s serpentine belt snaps, it might become difficult to control and may lose electrical power Things that…
Summary We don’t recommend driving around with a dead cylinder. One dead cylinder will likely lead to another, causing your…
Summary The fuel cleaner removes contaminants in the fuel system and engine. Fuel system cleaners work, but you have to…
Summary The best solution when it comes to removing rust and unseizing pistons is vinegar. Pour white vinegar into the…
Summary Most police vehicles you see on the road are from American manufacturers like Ford and Chevrolet. To support and…
Summary Enthusiasts prefer automatic cars over manual vehicles because they’re easier to drive in heavy traffic and are much more…
Summary The Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mazda CX-5, and Mazda CX-9 are the models that get the most complaints about…
Summary A radiator shroud is a piece of metal or plastic that fits over the radiator fan to draw air…
Summary On vehicles where the timing belt drives the water pump, it only makes sense to replace the timing belt…
Summary There are four different types of hybrid cars: plug-in, series, parallel, and series-parallel hybrids. Hybrid vehicles can be classified…
Summary Braking downhill and slamming the brakes are bad habits that can potentially destroy your vehicle’s brakes. Inspect your brakes…
Summary Some of the most effective ways to reduce back pain while driving include adjusting your seat, adding lumbar support,…
Summary Some of the best features and accessories to minimize the risk of road accidents include blind spot detection sensors…
Summary The turbocharger increases a vehicle’s overall performance by boosting horsepower and fuel efficiency. Some signs of a bad turbocharger…
Summary To sync or program a keyfob, you'll have to insert the key into the ignition and switch it on…
Summary Jack stands support a vehicle after it's been lifted by a jack. Place the jack stands underneath the car…
A car's cooling system keeps the engine running at a safe temperature to prevent overheating. One component that aids in…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCeFM2nNf4k Headlight bulbs can last anywhere from 14 to 42 months before they burn out. Once they do, it’s extremely…
Summary There are dozens of storage options you can get to create more cargo space for your vehicle, with most…
Summary Some must-haves for a tailgate party include bed extenders, cargo organizers, and car speakers, among others. Other things you…
Summary Some of the best accessories for driving during fall are the ones well-suited for activities outdoors, including but not…
Summary A car door vapor/moisture barrier is the protective plastic sheet you see when you remove a car door panel.…
Summary If your timing belt breaks, you’ll know immediately because your engine will stall and your vehicle will grind to…
Summary No, EVs don’t have radiators like those in traditional combustion vehicles, but they do use heat exchangers that are…
Summary Pinion angle is the angle of the differential pinion in relation to the driveshaft. The pinion angle should be…
Summary With a handheld tuner, you can customize settings like shift points and fuel maps The Edge Products EvoHT2, Superchips…
Summary Always have some car wash soap and car wax to clean your vehicle and keep it that way for…
Summary Upgrading your car’s A/C compressor and A/C condenser can greatly improve your A/C system’s cooling capabilities. If your A/C…
Summary Elle Woods would have a pink and silver license plate frame and some pink seat covers. James Bond would…
Summary Depreciation is how much your vehicle loses its value over time. Talking about how a vehicle depreciates is important…
Summary Seek people who own the same model and work together to find parts suppliers and repair services for vehicles…
Summary Overfilling your engine with oil may result in engine damage caused by foaming in the crankshaft, increased oil pressure,…
Summary While most vehicles use the BCM to control the lights, some vehicles are equipped with a lighting control module…
Summary When cleaning a wrapped car, it’s best to do it away from the sun, dilute the car wash detergent,…
Summary There are many ways to improve your driving experience without spending a fortune on vehicle upgrades. A steering wheel…
Summary There are two GPS tracker types: real-time GPS trackers (active) and GPS data loggers (passive). To locate a GPS…
Summary As its name suggests, a hydrogen engine is a type of engine that uses hydrogen as a clean fuel…
Summary The auto button activates the HVAC system’s auto setting, which optimizes various HVAC settings such as the blower’s fan…
Summary Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) can point you in the right direction if you or your mechanic is looking to…
Summary If you want to upgrade your headlights, consider getting an LED conversion kit and a headlight protector kit. Installing…
Summary Cigarette lighters, car chargers, and dashboard cameras make the dash more than just a cover for various parts. Dash…
Summary Chrome-finished accessories accentuate certain components and make your vehicle more stylish. Chrome finishing is also more durable and resistant…
Summary An ABS module, also known as an ABS control unit or ABS controller, serves as the ABS system’s central…
Summary Also known as the transmission cooling line, the transmission cooler line is a type of hose that helps regulate…
Summary If you put power steering fluid in the brake reservoir, you should be quite concerned. Power steering fluid and…
Summary Long-term check-ups are inspections you should do at least once a year. Some of them include checking the transmission…
Summary The engine lubrication system stores, splashes, and pumps oil inside the engine to keep moving parts lubricated. Some of…
Summary The engine assembly is among the most expensive parts to repair and replace. It can cost you $16,400 or…
Summary Automatic Collision Notification is a built-in safety feature that automatically alerts local emergency services when a vehicle crashes. It…
Summary Replacing damaged or worn-out components that require multiple parts can be quite challenging, especially when they have to source…
Summary Injection control pressure sensors (ICP) are responsible for monitoring the pressure levels of the fuel in the rail feeding…
Summary If you plan on doing maintenance on the undercarriage of your vehicle, you can make the process much easier…
Summary Cars naturally exhibit various types of wear over time. Some easy short-term check-ups you can do yourself include checking…
Summary Humidity, condensation, and surface tension all cause fogging on the windshield. Some tips for defogging a windshield include activating…
Summary Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car is for safety and convenience purposes. It also ensures peace of mind.…
Summary Towing a trailer or any sort of heavy weight behind your vehicle affects braking distance, meaning it’s more difficult…
Summary Also known as acrylic glass, plexiglass is a strong, lightweight thermoplastic that is often used as an alternative to…
Summary Always wear your seat belt when you drive your vehicle. Keep a safe distance from the air bags by…
Summary Two-spoke steering wheels found in vintage vehicles had very thin dimensions and were finished in wood or stainless steel.…
Summary Breaker bars are large, long, solid bars that can break bolts loose. Wielding a breaker bar gives you the…
Summary Brake fluid testers are specifically designed to check on the condition of the brake fluid and catch any contaminants…
Summary You can categorize ratchets according to their drive size, head type, tooth count, head release, handle length, and grip…
Summary Blockages in your vehicle’s exhaust system like a clogged catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter can cause increased backpressure,…
Summary Consider affordability, filter type, maintenance schedules, and installation methods before purchasing and installing an inline transmission filter. An inline…
Summary Manufacturers typically design ignition coils to last the vehicle's lifetime, so you don’t need to change them as often…
Summary While there are general guidelines as to how you should park your vehicle, the task can be quite complicated…
Summary Bidirectional charging is a two-way process that lets EV chargers flow energy into and out of a vehicle. Vehicle-to-house…
Summary One of the best ways to personalize your vehicle is to install interior and exterior accessories that don’t have…
Summary Changing weather conditions can do a number on your vehicle. Therefore, it’s important to conduct routine maintenance before the…
Summary Huge engine upgrades can be quite costly, but there are some installations that are affordable and efficient at the…
Summary While a lot of diesel engines come with turbochargers nowadays, there are still a handful of them that are…
Summary Faulty parts like the power regulator and wiring harnesses can lead to situations where the trailer brakes are locked…
Summary A brake pedal stopper is a small part that acts like a cushion for the brake pedal. The stopper…
Summary When passing other vehicles while towing a trailer, be sure to observe the lane markings, signal early, and overtake…
Summary While the terms motor and engine are often interchangeable, their automotive terms have significant differences. This interchangeability is partly…
Summary Aeration is the main cause behind foaming power steering fluid. If air gets into the line, the power steering…
Summary Three-cylinder engines are just as reliable as any other engine type. Cylinder count doesn’t determine engine reliability. Instead, the…
Summary If your clutch pedal is stuck to the floor, you’re likely dealing with a broken clutch cable, low clutch…
Summary Generally, inline-6 engines produce more torque at lower speeds than V6 engines. Inline sixes are also quieter and have…
Summary Most professional mechanics choose to use a hydraulic shop press to remove suspension bushings. The press makes it easier…
Summary A thread chaser is a small tool specifically designed to clean and reform the threads of a spark plug…
Summary Engine bearings are the main supports for the major moving parts of an engine, reinforcing the operating loads and…
Summary The camouflage automakers use on prototypes and test cars has less to do with blending in and more to…
Summary Approximately 27 million cars are recycled annually. For the average vehicle, about 90% of its parts can be recycled,…
Summary Like every thrill-filled experience, you can combat the risks of off-road driving with proper preparation and knowledge. Make sure…
Summary Fictional British superspy James Bond drove many cars during his time, which are affectionately known as Bond Cars; this…
Summary Cost, practicality, configuration, and demographics are factors that limit the hatchback’s popularity in the US. For drivers who often…
Summary Fog lights, LED light bars, and offroad lights are all incredibly useful for night driving – especially when traveling…
Summary Some car owners want to make their vehicles look like a mean machine on the outside as it is…
Summary Performance chips adjust and optimize various systems in a vehicle to increase engine output and boost performance. Some benefits…
Summary Road crown helps to direct water to the road’s edges or the gutter. This reduces hydroplaning and lengthens a…
Summary Engine oil smells like gas because of engine blow-bys, faulty piston rings, leaks in the fuel injection system, and…
Summary Since brake lines are made from stiff steel tubing (unless you’re replacing them with the nickel/copper alloy, which most…
Summary When installing a new clutch assembly, professional mechanics use the clutch alignment tool to align the clutch disc to…
Summary In most batteries, battery acid consists of sulfuric acid and water. Battery acid produces an electric current that runs…