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 There are different cleaners and solutions on the market that you’ll want to pick up. Car shampoo, wheel cleaner,…
Summary New drivers should consider getting a back up camera and blind spot mirror because they can help improve driver…
Summary To make life easier for a DIYer, you can gift them tire brushes, floor jacks, wax applicator pads, and…
Summary Detailing involves cleaning, waxing, and protecting the vehicle’s exterior. You should detail your vehicle’s exterior at least twice a…
Summary Cover your parked car to keep it from getting too cold during the night. Add seat covers and a…
Summary Exhaust parts like headers, mufflers, resonators, and exhaust tips can affect your vehicle’s exhaust note. Each part can change…
Summary Your vehicle’s temperature gauge is a part of its emissions control system. The gauge measures engine coolant temperatures, relaying…
Summary To clean your MAF sensor, you’ll need to prepare the necessary tools, let the engine cool down first, and…
Summary There are a few ways to test the radiator fan. You can connect the radiator fan to the car…
Summary It’s generally safe to skip gears when downshifting as long as you release the clutch when the vehicle has…
Summary The transmission is like any other part of your car. It can fail after some time and render your…
Summary Struggling to start your car is not only a hassle but also a possible sign of larger car problems.…
Summary Excessive play refers to when the steering wheel feels loose. It typically forces the driver to overcompensate while steering…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Adams (@natashaddams) The shocks on Natasha Addam’s Ford F-100 pickup…
Summary If you plan on driving with a trailer, make sure to get hitches, tow chains, hitch links, and gooseneck…
Summary A battery hold down secures the battery in place to prevent it from moving when driving. Using a battery…
Summary The first rear-view mirror was introduced when part-time racer Ray Harroun installed one on his Marmon Wasp during the…
Summary Regularly changing the oil keeps your engine clean. It also prevents dirt and debris from damaging the engine. Some…
Summary Installing an exhaust coupler is a cost-effective way to save a damaged exhaust pipe.You can use U-bolts, band sleeves,…
Summary The seat belt material is 100% woven polyester. The webbing pattern of the seat belt makes it resistant to…
The summer heat presents specific challenges that cause vehicles to break down. This year is going to be especially challenging,…
Summary Tires can explode due to the rapid loss of pressurized air caused by heat. Some things that can cause…
Summary Having to endure rough roads and adverse weather conditions, it’s only fitting that you give your tires the same…
Summary Perhaps the most obvious sign to junk your car is if your repair bills are worth more than the…
Summary Automotive gloves are safety equipment that protect your hands from possible injuries, improve grip, prevent calluses, and keep you…
Summary Common signs a strut mount bearing needs replacement include steering difficulties, uneven tire wear, and squeaking noises when driving.If…
Summary If the valet attendant damages your car, inform the attendant and their superior and get a damage report. It’s…
Summary Seat covers are made of different materials, giving them unique properties that make them more desirable to certain people.…
Summary Some of the best headlight bulbs out there include Philips VisionPlus, Philips Crystal Vision Platinum, Replacement HID (high-intensity discharge)…
Summary The Jaws of Life are a lifesaving device that firefighters use to extricate people out of crashed vehicles and…
Summary The caster angle and self-aligning torque work together to make the steering wheel return to the center position. If…
Summary Low transmission fluid, faulty speed sensors, bad shift solenoids, and a damaged valve body are some of the reasons…
Summary A cluttered area can make you feel stressed, anxious and less productive, so it’s best to keep your garage…
Summary A roof rack, cargo rack, and cargo organizer can help you carry bulky cargo in your vehicle. Cargo bags,…
Summary You can feel like you’re inside one of Magnum, P.I.’s Ferrari sports cars by installing seat covers that match…
Summary Some of the best off-road light series to consider include the KC Hilites Gravity series, Baja Designs S8 series,…
Summary Cleaning your vehicle’s interiors is an inevitable and necessary chore. Pick up the correct type of cleaner for the…
Summary Getting a new seat cushion, seat belt extender arm, and seat belt pads can make driving much more comfortable…
Summary Park in the shade as much as possible and use a windshield sun shade in your vehicle. When you’re…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Adams (@natashaddams) Natasha Addam’s Jeep Comanche is finally on its…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by CarParts.com (@carpartscom) Noah Young’s old farm truck bed has certainly seen…
Summary German cars have always been associated with a luxurious lifestyle, donning leather upholstery, advanced infotainment features, clean exterior lines,…
Summary Suspension parts are all about absorbing road impact to give you a smooth and comfortable driving experience. Air suspension…
Summary Drivers looking to keep their ride clean and organized won’t regret getting an air freshener, cargo mat, floor mat,…
Summary Make road trips with your family safer, more comfortable, organized, and hassle-free with various accessories. For safety and organization,…
Summary New drivers should make it a point to get floor tiles, jacks, and car ramps for their garage. Safety…
Summary Handling is always an important factor to consider when in the market for a new or used vehicle. Essentially,…
Summary Leather upholstery is popular because the material is durable and easy to clean. It’s also a symbol of luxury…
Summary You can improve a classic car's performance by installing a fuel injection system, upgrading the engine, and investing in…
Summary The common types of automotive window glass are laminated glass and tempered glass. Laminated glass is very tough, deflects…
Summary AMG stands for Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach, named after its two founders and the town where Hans Werner Aufrecht…
Summary Unlike traditional doors that hinge near the front tires, suicide doors are rear-hinged doors on the side of a…
Summary You can expect your vehicle’s weatherstripping to last anywhere between 5 to 10 years. Once your vehicle reaches this…
Summary Customizing your vehicle can be fun, but do you really want to stick to boring old paint jobs? Use…
Summary Get ready for your next desert camping trip by getting a high-quality rooftop tent, off-road lights, and sun shades.…
Summary When choosing the right tail lights, you should consider their light source and lens color. Halogen, incandescent, LED, and…
Summary Overall, all the brake pads and rotors in this list are a great upgrade from stock brake discs and…
Summary Over time, your vehicle’s body will inevitably end up scuffed and scarred. Good thing there are a number of…
Summary A child car seat protector keeps your seats safe from spilled milk, crumbs, and other messes, making it a…
Summary Whether it’s manually-adjusted, manual remotely-adjusted, power-adjusted, or power upper and manually-adjusted lower glass, car mirrors let you set their…
Summary In case of tire emergencies, you'll want to have a tire pressure gauge, a tire inflator, and a spare…
Summary There are hundreds of affordable upgrades in the market that won’t cost you thousands of dollars but are enough…
Summary Spanning approximately 2,400 miles, Route 66 takes you across eight states and three time zones. The drive usually begins…
Summary Mud flaps protect vehicles and pedestrians from potentially dangerous projectiles flung by a truck’s tires. Mud flaps for semi-trucks…
Summary Akebono Euro Ultra Series pads are probably the easiest to recommend if you want a brake pad that does…
Summary Investing in a high-quality bike rack, cargo ramp, and cargo mat can make transporting your bike easier. With your…
Summary Sedans generally don’t have windshield wipers on their rear windshields. Some of the reasons for not putting a rear…
Summary The seat is the part of the lug nut that sits flush against the wheel surface. Different wheels have…
Summary TPMS sensor batteries aren’t designed to be replaced. A layer of potting material seals the battery and other electronic…
Summary The car engine cover is a part that covers the engine. Some engine covers have the air filter built…
Summary Tire-balancing beads are small tempered glass beads that are poured inside a tire. They settle in an appropriate position…
Summary Polyurethane bushings keep the metal parts in your vehicle from wearing down too much as they rub against each…
Summary Some believe that torque converters don’t need flushing. They claim that dirty transmission fluid actually improves the transmission’s grip…
Summary UV leak detection injects refrigerant dye into the A/C to locate refrigerant leaks. Electronic leak detection uses a sniffer…
Summary When a tire starts to show its wire bead, it’s either been damaged or driven past its expected lifespan.…
Summary Highway Assistant is a driver assistance system in BMW vehicles. It uses radars, cameras, and sensors to feed information…
Summary Bidirectional charging occurs when energy is sent in both directions. When plugged into a power source, the EV battery…
Summary The frunk is the EV’s front storage space. The term frunk is a portmanteau of the words front and…
Summary Like its American counterpart, European motor oil is distilled and processed with various additives to make it suitable for…
Summary Spraying gasket remover on the gasket surface can make removing caked-on gasket and adhesive easier. Specific instructions can vary…
Summary Anti-seize lubricant is a compound that prevents seizing, galling, and corrosion. Copper anti-seize lubricant is suitable for extremely high…
Summary Power brakes use brake boosters to take the force you apply to your brake pedal and amplify it as…
Summary You don’t have to run your diesel car every day. Most modern diesel vehicles are equipped with common rail…
Summary A car manufacturer buyback is when an automobile manufacturer repurchases a car from the owner. There are two types…
Summary Use either brake cleaner or soapy water to clean the drum brakes. Always apply brake lubricant to the drum…
Summary The transfer case position sensor is a component that communicates the transfer case’s position to the vehicle’s computer. Your…
Summary You shouldn’t overfill your coolant reservoir. Doing so will cause the cooling system to push the coolant out of…
Summary Fuel injector cleaners remove carbon buildup and other debris from fuel injectors. Buying the correct fuel injector cleaner, taking…
Summary EMI stands for electromagnetic interference, and RFI stands for radio frequency interference.EMI and RFI can interfere with electrical parts…
Summary Routing a wiring harness can be a complicated task because there can be up to 5,000 feet of wires…
Summary Mild hybrid systems rely on a battery-powered, low-output electric motor to start, brake, and slow the vehicle. The motor…
Summary Also known as battery refurbishing, battery reconditioning is the process of cleaning sulfate crystals from the battery plates and…
Summary EVs can handle shallow bodies of water just like gasoline and diesel vehicles.Electric cars have features like a robust…
Summary An exhaust header gives an engine longer and wider pipes. These pipes reduce engine back pressure and create a…
Summary You can use a spare tire mount to mount the tire onto your vehicle instead of storing it in…
Summary Not all traffic lights have built-in sensors. Some operate using a built-in timer that switches the traffic light according…
Summary Cigarette burns can damage your car’s upholstery, but you can fix the burned parts. Fabric, leather, and vinyl seat…
Summary Using epoxy and plastic welding are two of the most common ways to fix broken plastic automotive trims. Before…
Summary To inspect your coolant hoses, let your engine warm first. Then, you can perform a squeeze test and visually…
Summary You need a trim removal tool, a pry tool, and a screwdriver to replace a faulty power seat switch.The…