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 two main types of oil pressure gauges out there, mechanical and electric. Electric gauges can further be…
Summary Some useful tips to consider when cleaning a gas tank include taking the necessary safety precautions, preparing all of…
Summary It’s possible to stop a moving car with the push to start button, but not under high speeds. If…
Summary One main reason why people turn off the A/C is because drivers believe that keeping the A/C turned on…
Summary A median on the road is the physical barrier that stands between opposing lanes of traffic. Today, it’s typically…
Summary The no-start condition can occur after getting gas due to various car issues. A faulty EVAP purge valve is…
Summary If you remove the positive terminal before the negative terminal, the battery will continue to discharge. Removing the positive…
Summary Tire wear bars are small bars embedded beside the bottom of the tread that indicate when a tire is…
Summary The rear windows give drivers a view of what’s behind them, prevent theft, and keep road debris, rain, and…
Summary Metal shavings in the oil could indicate wear and tear on different parts of the engine. A damaged oil…
Summary The smell of burning rubber can point to a major issue, like some rubber components burning or coming into…
Summary Vehophobia and amaxophobia are two phobias associated with driving or riding inside a motor vehicle. Several conditions can trigger…
Summary You can find free EV charging stations outside department stores, hotels, colleges, etc. Mobile apps like PlugShare and the…
Summary The average truck has a lifespan of around 200,000 miles, which means the highest mileage trucks are ones capable…
Summary When diagnosing electrical issues that affect more than one component or system, make sure to check the electrical schematic.…
Summary There might be times your car will start but won’t stay running if it has issues with its mass…
Summary Malfunctioning power windows are a hassle to deal with. Before attempting more serious repair attempts, try turning off the…
Summary To fix a stripped spark plug hole, consider preparing the necessary tools first, using a Helicoil insert, and coating…
Summary Repairing your defroster grid is a relatively easy project, and it’s cheaper than replacing your entire windshield. Make sure…
Summary Wire crimping is a surprisingly straightforward process that becomes easier with practical experience.You need a wire stripping tool and…
Summary JDM is short for Japanese Domestic Market, and the term applies to cars designed, built, and sold in Japan…
Summary Make DIY heated seat installation easier with tips like disconnecting the battery and applying the correct torque on the…
Summary Leaded gas was completely banned by 1996. Since lead helped reduce wear on a vehicle’s valves and valve seats,…
Summary Some tips on how to replace your power steering pump include preparing the necessary tools before starting, using a…
Summary The two types of manual grease guns are lever-handle and pistol grip grease guns. You need a manual grease…
Summary To check if a relay is faulty, you need alligator clips, test leads, and a benchtop power supply or…
Summary Your vehicle’s steering shaft, also known as its intermediate steering shaft, plays an important role, connecting the steering gear…
Summary You should warm up your diesel engine before driving if it’s cold. Engine fluids get thicker when temperatures drop,…
Summary The dual-circuit brake system splits its brakes into two separate circuits Dual-circuit brake systems offer redundancy and reduce the…
An automotive test light or circuit tester can check the presence or absence of electricity between two locations in a…
Summary Straight-cut gears come with a handful of advantages: they don’t produce an axial load, don’t generate much heat, and…
Summary The air-fuel mixture inside engine cylinders can ignite early because of the high pressure and temperature, which can cause…
Summary Most car batteries run on 12 volts, which is too low to electrocute you to death. However, you can…
Summary Drivers cover car mirrors with plastic bags to prevent cleaning solution leaks, reduce glare, stop burglars from looking inside…
Summary You should let the police commandeer your car. Citizens are obligated to comply with a law enforcer’s command, as…
Summary The humming noise usually stems from friction caused by a lack of lubrication. Some problems that could cause the…
Summary The throwout bearing disengages the engine from the wheel when you step on the clutch pedal. Some symptoms of…
Summary Aftermarket upgrade tail lights by Anzo for a 2007 Ford F-150 are compared with Replacement brand tail lights for…
Summary A solid-state battery is essentially more efficient than a lithium-ion battery because of its high energy density. Lithium-ion is…
Many drivers who enjoy going off the beaten path consider the Toyota Tacoma the perfect adventure partner. It’s famous for…
Summary High oil pressure can occur due to contaminated oil filters, clogged passages, and using low-quality oil.If the oil pressure…
Summary Carbon buildup refers to the soot-like deposits of carbon that clog and cover different parts of the engine.Carbon buildup…
Summary Chlorinated brake cleaner dissolves contaminants quickly, but its potency makes it bad for the health and environment. Frequent use…
Summary Flat tappets have a flat surface that slides on the cam, while rollers have a roller to follow the…
Summary Car sickness stems from a mismatch between what you see and how you feel. Some symptoms of motion sickness…
Summary Fluid leaks, electrical issues, strange noises, and performance issues can happen after engine replacement. You can prevent these problems…
Summary Comfort, connectivity, and luxury are some of the aspects manufacturers are focusing on in terms of car interior design…
Summary One of the best choices for drivers keen on buying a boxy car is the 2023 Lexus GX, which…
Summary To ensure the paint sticks to the bed liner, you must thoroughly clean, sand, and prime the truck’s bed…
Summary Your CV boot is likely damaged if you hear clicking or popping sounds, feel vibrations when accelerating, and notice…
Summary You can replace a faulty rack and pinion if you have the relevant DIY auto repair knowledge, equipment, and…
Summary You should prepare the right tools, let the engine cool, and wear the correct safety equipment before replacing the…
Summary Gear ratios indicate how two or more interlocking gears relate to one another. They’re typically utilized in vehicle transmissions…
Summary A sway bar bushing connects the sway bar to your car’s body or frame and helps reduce noise by…
Summary You’ll need replacement wheel studs and tools like a car jack, hammer, and punch to replace your wheel studs.Get…
Summary Visually inspecting your brake master cylinder is not enough. Luckily, there are several ways to test your brake master…
The Impala nameplate first burst into the automotive world at the 1956 Motorama, General Motors’ self-produced car show. It was…
Summary Semi-trucks are massive and unwieldy vehicles that carry heavy cargo. They are slow to react and have multiple blind…
Summary A wiring schematic or diagram contains symbols representing the wiring and electrical components.It pays to know your tools, learn…
Summary Adding oil to a warm engine is generally acceptable. However, it pays to be cautious.Adding engine oil isn’t like…
Summary A stroker refers to a type of engine modification where a professional increases your piston’s stroke length, resulting in…
Summary A MacPherson strut suspension is a simple independent suspension. It usually has a control arm and a rod, which…
Summary Some ways to warm up your car quickly include starting the car earlier, investing in synthetic oil, using a…
Summary A ball joint press is a specialized tool used to remove and replace ball joints. Its kit typically includes…
Summary Use a garbage bag, tape, or a crash wrap to cover the frame of a broken car window. Document…
Before the Toyota Prius debuted in Japan, the idea of a mass-produced hybrid vehicle didn’t seem viable. Its name was…
Summary Headlight restoration kits are used to smoothen or polish the surface of your headlight lens. A restoration kit will…
Summary To clean the windshield from the inside, you’ll need to clean it, degrease the glass, and wipe it with…
Summary The Westin tailgate liner is durable and mounts securely with provided screws, making removal and installation relatively easy for…
Summary As the vehicle ages, the soft material inside the bushing deteriorates, creating play or “slop” between the inner sleeve…
Summary Before working on the faulty heater core, check the engine coolant for contaminants and debris, and flush the cooling…
Summary A stuck fuel gauge can be caused by a faulty fuel sending unit, a blown fuse, or damaged wiring.…
Summary High-zinc motor oil is motor oil with a higher-than-usual concentration of ZDDP and other phosphorus-based additives.The main benefit of…
Summary Most vehicles have spin-on oil filters, but a growing number of engines have cartridge mount filters that are accessed…
Summary You can adjust drum brakes if you have the right tools. While almost all drum brakes are self-adjusting to…
Summary The 4-high and 4-low settings on your four-wheel drive vehicle are calibrated for different road conditions. The 4-high mode…
Summary Yielding is giving the right-of-way to other people on the road. Yield signs and yield lines indicate where you…
Summary Sphaerobolus fungi, more commonly known as shotgun fungi or artillery fungi, are small, reddish-brown balls that can stick to…
Summary To remove the smell of cigarettes from your vehicle, you’ll either need to do a general cleaning if the…
Summary Revving the engine will only increase the voltage by a few hundredths, which won’t be enough to revive a…
Summary Gasoline comes from crude oil, which is a non-renewable resource taken from fossil fuels. Before it reaches the pump,…
Summary If you don’t have jumper cables, you can jumpstart a vehicle with a dead battery via the push start…
Summary To change a flat tire, you'll need a car jack, a lug wrench, a spare tire, and your owner's…
Summary E85 gasoline or flex fuel is an alternative fuel that uses a mixture of ethanol and gasoline.Some advantages of…
Summary Automotive batteries generally last anywhere between three and seven years. However, certain practices can reduce their intended lifespan. Improper…
Summary When you get your hands on a new stereo for your ride, you can either install it yourself to…
Summary A cylinder leakdown test is a procedure used to determine the percentage of compression loss due to components like…
Summary Car axles are central shafts that serve as a mechanical link between the transmission and the wheels. Most cars…
2 Step A 2 step is a form of launch control. Also known as a stutterbox, it acts as a…
Yaw Rate Sensor A yaw rate sensor measures a vehicle’s yaw rate, or its angular velocity around its vertical axis.…
Walk Plate Spring Release Handle A walk plate spring release handle is a part of a truck’s walk plate, which…
V-Band Clamp V-band clamps are used to secure flanged hoses or tubing together. The clamp is placed around the flanged…
U Bolt Plate The u bolt plate is a component that locks the u-bolt, which is a clamp that keeps…
T-Belt Tension Adjuster A T-belt tension adjuster is a component that adjusts and maintains the timing belt’s specified tension. A…
Summary For over five decades, the Nissan Z has been an icon in the world of sports cars. Enthusiasts love…
Summary Car logos represent the values of a car company and often tell the story of its origins. Some logos…
Summary Tires deflate when their air pressure drops, eventually going flat if uninflated.Tires go flat due to various reasons, such…
Summary The rims support and distribute the vehicle's weight to ensure proper balance. Bigger car rims provide better stability, higher…
Summary LED headlights are generally the better choice for drivers who want brighter light, better energy efficiency, and longer lifespan,…
Safety Glasses Safety glasses are an accessory worn to protect the wearer’s eyes against hazards, such as flying particles, toxic…