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 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…
Summary A flywheel with hot spots on it can cause the clutch to chatter, vibrate, and fail prematurely. It can…
Summary The engine drives the torque converter and automatic transmission pump that affect the transmission fluid level. Park your car…
Summary When the torque converter is bolted to the flex plate, there is no space between the converter and the…
Summary Some must-have accessories to make going back to school hassle-free include roadside emergency kits, cargo organizers, first aid kits,…
Summary Every vehicle needs a transmission because it prevents the engine from destroying itself. Without a transmission, most engines would…
Summary Getting a ticket in DLC states will affect your driving record in your home state, while NVC states will…
Summary Some of the best places to hide your spare key include the tire well, behind the license plate, and…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHOE ✌🏻😆🇰🇷🇺🇸🔴⚪️🔵 (@choe_fdm) While working on his pink 240 drift car,…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Adams (@natashaddams) Today, Natasha Adams is taking off her Ford…
Summary Maintaining your wheels is important because they keep your car moving and help minimize the impact of bumps and…
Summary If oil comes out of your vehicle’s exhaust, you’re likely dealing with bad valve seals, a damaged PCV system,…
For many pet owners, no animal should be left behind wherever they go. If that means lugging around a ton…
Summary To remove scuffs, you can either use WD-40 on the area or buff it out. Scuffs are more superficial…
Summary Some things to consider when choosing a light bar are its lumen output, size, and shape, among others. Light…
View this post on Instagram A post shared by DRIFTER (@devon__ab) Devon Bigelow wanted to install a new set of…
Summary When buying a used Volkswagen Beetle, always check for maintenance records, avoid older models, and be ready to spend…
When vehicles crash, many components tend to get damaged. If the damage is severe enough, this can render them inoperative,…
Dealing with collision repairs for your Ford Mustang can be a real challenge. Your vehicle may appear banged-up until you…
Dealing with the aftermath of a collision can be a headache. You’ll be left with an unsightly vehicle until you…
Summary Exhaust cams are responsible for controlling when the exhaust valves in the engine open and close. Their operation affects…
Summary Trailer wiring is what’s used to power lights and other electrical accessories in trailers. Passenger cars have seven pins,…
Summary The electronic throttle control (ETC) sends electrical signals to the ECU to open the throttle. The benefits of using…
Summary An illuminated check engine light, rough idling, and poor fuel economy are signs that may suggest fuel injector problems.…
Summary After putting a vehicle through a series of crash and safety tests, two non-profit organizations will determine whether or…
Summary Traffic lights in various areas operate differently. Traffic lights in suburbs and along country roads rely on sensors, while…
Summary Wash your car every week and bring it to a professional car cleaner every few months to help prevent…
Summary Trim removal tools are essentially wedges that are meant to slot under vehicle body panels, interior trim pieces, and…
Summary Also known as an edging or a bushing, a rubber grommet is a small tube covering a panel hole's…
Summary Clutch chatter is a vibration or shudder that affects the whole vehicle, and it originates from the driveline or…
Summary White cars absorb less heat. A white vehicle can reflect up to 60% of the sun’s rays. On the…
Summary Check your vehicle for parts that might fail because of intense heat, and drive more carefully when the weather…
Summary Your car’s color represents a psychological shortcut. To some degree, it indicates how you want other drivers to see…
Summary During the summer, the inside of a car can reach up to 123 ℉, causing harmless everyday items to…
Summary Generally, you shouldn’t drive at high RPM in diesel vehicles unless you need high speed, such as during overtaking.…
Summary SUVs are large vehicles with monocoque bodies that are high off the ground, making them ideal for off-road driving.…
Summary Replacing air bags could cost you anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000. The impact sensor, the control module, and the…
Summary Bottle jacks are compact, bottle-shaped, heavy-duty jacks with a vertical hydraulic piston. Floor jacks are flat and use a…
Summary Cup holders provide a safe and convenient place to store your drinks while driving. A dash organizer lets you…
Summary Cargo mats and cargo straps are useful accessories for drivers who want to keep their cargo safe and secure,…
Summary In some cases, extremely hot temperatures can become too unbearable even for a cooling system that’s been running well…
Summary How to clean a garage tool typically depends on its size, use, and material. Cleaning tools usually require rust…
Mirrors, body parts, and other components in and around the front and rear-end of a vehicle tend to get damaged…
Summary Driving slower than 60 mph can help you save gas, but driving slower than 30 mph can burn more…
Summary The differences between Vortec and LS engines include their materials, performance, and cylinder head design. You can usually swap…
Summary Clutch control is a driver’s ability to smoothly and efficiently operate the clutch using the clutch pedal in conjunction…
Summary Brake pad delamination is when the friction lining on a disc brake pad separates from the steel backing plate.…
Summary Dieseling happens in carbureted spark plug-fired gasoline engines because of a combination of high compression ratio and a heat…
Summary The A/C compressor circulates and pressurizes the A/C system’s refrigerant. If the compressor is inoperative, your vehicle’s A/C will…
Summary To fix a faulty car horn, you’ll need to prepare the necessary tools and diagnose the issue first. Check…
Summary It's a good idea to replace the oil pan gasket during an oil change. Choose a replacement oil pan…
Summary Torque wrenches are used to tighten fasteners such as bolts, screws, and nuts to a specific torque. You’ll need…
Summary Some vehicle owners leave their vehicle’s windshield wipers up during winter to prevent the blades from freezing onto the…
Summary Exhaust hangers are used to secure and fasten a vehicle’s exhaust pipe to its undercarriage, preventing it from hanging…
Automakers have always been in pursuit of creating the best vehicles possible, whether it be in the field of engine…
Nobody wants to get caught in a vehicle collision. Aside from the risk of physical injury, drivers will also be…