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 A portable tire inflator is a compact device that can be used to inflate a vehicle’s tires. Handheld inflators…
Summary BMS stands for “Battery Management System.” It’s the assembly that houses and keeps the batteries operational. The BMS monitors…
Summary Your device might not connect to your vehicle via Bluetooth because the pairing mode isn’t active, the software is…
Summary The steering linkage relays steering forces from the steering gear to the front wheels based on the driver’s input…
Summary Portable battery chargers are designed to recharge dead car batteries anytime and anywhere. There are three types of car…
Summary Plastic welding, epoxy repair, bumper repair kits, and professional repair can fix cracked bumpers. The best option depends on…
Summary Car ramps and jack stands are assemblies used to lift the front or rear of a vehicle. Ramps are…
Summary A transmission fluid flush involves using specialized equipment to completely flush out old fluid and contaminants from your transmission.…
Summary Burping or bleeding the coolant system is the process of removing air pockets for an efficient system operation. In…
Summary A tow strap can be used to tow a vehicle. Meanwhile, a recovery or snatch strap is specially designed…
Summary Vehicle snorkels are aftermarket modifications that prevent water from entering the engine and help the air intake system get…
Summary The powertrain control module uses the MAP sensor to sense engine load on speed-density-type fuel injection systems. MAP sensor…
Summary The transaxle is a combination of the transmission and differential in one assembly. It’s in any vehicle where the…
Summary Cylinder deactivation is a feature found in many multi-cylinder engines that lets the powertrain control module (PCM) disable a…
Summary Side pipes, or side exhaust pipes, let fumes from the exhaust exit through the side rather than the rear.…
Summary Your car battery can bulge or swell due to several reasons like overcharging, extreme temperature, short circuit, natural wear,…
Summary The most dangerous highways in America include the I-95, US-1, I-20, Dalton Highway, and I-5. Some of the most…
Summary Brake-checking happens when a driver abruptly applies the brakes, causing the car behind to swerve or brake suddenly to…
Summary The traction of a car refers to the friction between a drive wheel and the road surface. Tread pattern,…
Summary Engine oil analysis evaluates your car’s engine and its lubricating oil.Running an engine oil analysis test can reveal vital…
Summary Dust, dirt, or grease on electrical contacts can increase electrical resistance and cause connectivity and circuit issues. These problems…
Summary Determining which bearing is bad may be tricky, and sometimes a tire noise will sound exactly like a bad…
Summary Tires are more likely to fail during the summer because high temperatures weaken tires. When a tire is underinflated,…
Summary A rolling stop is when a driver only slows down when they’re supposed to stop, such as at a…
Summary The definition of a classic American car can vary depending on your state, insurer, and fellow collectors. Some say…
Summary An economy car is a lightweight vehicle that falls under the mini-compact and subcompact classes. It usually has a…
Summary Intercoolers absorb the heat from the compressed air in turbocharged and supercharged engines, regulating the temperature and preventing engines…
Summary The squiggly black lines on the road are crack sealing patches. Crack sealing is a process that seals asphalt…
Summary If your clothes have been exposed to diesel, small traces can remain in your clothes and stick around even…
Summary Drive-by-wire electronic systems either augment a vehicle’s traditional mechanical controls or replace them entirely.The three common types of drive-by-wire…
Summary A redline refers to the maximum revolutions per minute (RPM) that’s safe for an engine. It’s usually displayed as…
Summary In general, car washes are safe for your car’s electrical system. Exterior and undercarriage car washing don’t cause problems…
Summary Dust and pollutants can settle inside air vents and get blown by the air conditioner’s (A/C) blower. Your vehicle’s…
Summary A cylinder in an engine is where combustion happens to generate the power necessary to make the car move.Common…
Summary When cleaning your carburetor, prepare everything you need before starting, disconnect the battery, and use the correct carburetor cleaner.A…
Summary A seat belt buckle can get stuck because of clogging and blockage.You can fix most stuck seat belts through…
Summary Static is caused by radio frequency interference (RFI). Any “naked” spark creates radio signals that can be picked up…
Summary The flex plate allows for this expansion of the torque converter. It helps start the engine by providing rotational…
Summary Velocity stacks are trumpet-shaped air intakes for the engine that improves the airflow to the intake.Different velocity stack lengths…
Summary The car brake caliper is a part of the disc brake assembly. Caliper brakes can be installed in the…
Summary Oil cleaners are products that dissolve sludge, carbon deposits, and other contaminants inside an engine.An engine flush refers to…
Summary The oil catch can filters the oil particles caused by pressurized air escaping from the combustion chamber.It can improve…
Summary Mud season is the transitional time between winter and spring. Snow, rain, and melt tend to come together this…
Summary A piston slap is a type of engine noise that occurs when there’s a large cold running clearance or…
Summary Regardless of the type, all tints are intended to block UV light and reduce glare. The difference lies in…
Summary Fuel trims are the changes that the PCM makes to ensure the air and fuel mixture stays as close…
Summary Crash test dummies are used to simulate vehicle collisions and collect data on the effects of crashes on the…
Summary Gel batteries have a thick gel-like substance inside, making them less prone to leaks. Some advantages of gel batteries…
Summary Some of the most common car interior repairs include removing steering wheel scratches, removing stains, and dashboard repairs, among…
Summary Shooting brakes were popularized in Europe, particularly in England during the 1890s. These vehicles were likened to horse-drawn wagons…
Summary Clock springs connect the steering wheel to the steering column without breaking the electric cables between the two. Some…
Summary Turning on your vehicle’s A/C is simple, but there are a few things you can do to ensure your…
Summary Also known as a flat finish, matte car paint is a muted type of finish that isn’t shiny. Instead…
Summary Zipper merging is a merging technique that emulates how zipper teeth come together as a zipper is being closed.…
Summary When a shock absorber absorbs shock, the force compresses it, sending the center shock shaft into the shock body.…
Summary Preparing everything you need, using a drain pan, and following the manufacturer’s instructions are some tips on how to…
Summary Boost leaks are air leaks that reduce the effectiveness of forced induction devices like turbochargers. Damaged air intake parts,…
Summary Room temperature vulcanizing sealant or RTV is an artificial elastomer that creates seals or gaskets between two components. RTV…
Summary Oil systems take the oil from the sump, pass it through the oil filter and on through the engine.…
Summary Look out for sharp edges and hot surfaces in the engine bay that might damage the oil cooler lines.…
Summary Are car tires tubeless? Mostly. Nowadays, most passenger vehicle tires use tubeless tires. Tubeless tires have a range of…
Summary When replacing your heater hose, don’t forget to first let the engine cool down for 45 minutes, locate the…
Summary Two-stroke fuel is a mixture of unleaded gasoline and engine oil that is used in a 2-stroke engine. You…
Summary High mileage oil is for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles of mileage. The additives, antioxidants, and detergents in…
Summary When your transmission temp is too low, take measures to get it to warm up. Drive slowly or park…
Summary As time passes, the once-classy black plastic trim on your car tends to fade and becomes dingy. Ultraviolet (UV)…
Summary You can use oil-absorbent material like special oil pads or kitty litter to absorb the spilled engine oil. Saturate…
Summary Your vehicle’s gas mileage is essentially how many miles it can travel per gallon of gas. It’s measured in…
Summary When people wash their vehicles, they often forget to clean their tires, undercarriage, engine bay, battery terminals, and air…
Summary Aftermarket Ford F-150 parts and upgrades we suggest include: Replacement headlights, a Kool Vue rear view mirror, a Westin…
Summary Accidentally inserting a battery backward can have a lot of consequences for your vehicle. If you're lucky, you might…
Summary The flex plate is the mechanical connection to the torque converter. Common issues with flex plates include cracks in…
Summary Also known as the rear crankshaft seal, the rear main seal is a gasket that prevents engine oil from…
Summary When transmission fluid mixes with radiator coolant, it creates a messy pink substance that floats to the top of…
Summary You can clear your personal information from your car with a factory reset or by manually deleting data like…
Summary The main differences between EV tires and regular tires are that EV tires are designed to carry more weight,…
Summary Exhaust heat wraps are accessories that wrap around certain exhaust parts like downpipes.Exhaust wraps insulate exhaust parts, leading to…
Summary Technicians and mechanics use wiring diagrams to understand electric circuits so that they can effectively repair them. Understanding the…
Summary Speed shifting is an advanced driving technique that involves changing gears with the purpose of accelerating as fast as…
Summary Also known as a trailer jack or tongue jack, a hitch jack is a hitch accessory that raises and…
Summary When purchasing a car, it’s important to consider which state you buy it in because it affects initial costs,…
Summary Driving under the influence, speeding, and reckless driving are some of the common causes of fatal crashes. Over 12,000…
Summary You may need new pads if your existing pads are worn and glazed, and you feel pulsation due to…
Summary Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire compared to gas and hybrid vehicles.Electric car fires are often caused…
Summary The best way to deal with a stripped oil drain plug is to replace it. The oil drain plug…
Summary A twin-engine car is exactly what it sounds like 一 a vehicle with two engines.A twin-engine setup is also…
Summary The drive belt is responsible for linking various running components to the engine.There are generally two reasons why drive…
Summary The alternator rebuilding process involves a thorough inspection of the internal and electrical components before replacing all the parts…
Summary Repairing a vehicle’s plastic bumper is a lengthy process that requires technical expertise. Tools like sanders and plastic fillers…
Summary Faulty or loose parts can cause your car to make a rattling noise.The strange noise could come from inside…
Summary Being a defensive driver essentially means you’re someone who attempts to avoid an accident rather than get involved in…
Summary Some common mistakes DIYers make when bleeding the brakes include using the incorrect brake fluid type, spilling brake fluid…
Summary Water stains on your car’s glass are typically formed when hard or unpurified water evaporates, leaving the particles that…
Summary Windshield wipers usually skip across the glass when they’re too dry, dirty, or worn. A bent wiper arm can…
Summary A car sale usually requires the title, bill of sale, and odometer reading. You can also provide the buyer…
Summary Seemingly harmless car accessories can pose a danger in case of a crash or emergency braking situation if they…
Summary Gasket sizing is fairly straightforward if your vehicle’s running on its original exhaust system. Simply pick the gasket type…
Summary An exhaust clamp is primarily used for securing the exhaust to your vehicle, but it can also be used…
Summary Slicks are pure racing tires that have zero grooves and little or no tire tread.Drag radials are a type…
Summary When carburetors need to be replaced, vehicle owners can either pick a new carburetor or a carburetor that has…