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 Troubleshooting a faulty transmission sensor requires you to find the sensor, remove it from the transmission, and test it…
Summary The SUV coupe combines the off-roading capabilities of an SUV with the sporty look and feel of a traditional…
Summary HD matrix headlights consist of a cluster of LED bulbs instead of a single high-beam bulb. They’re powered by…
Summary EV and hybrid batteries differ in various ways, such as their charging method, capacity, and range. Their similarities include…
Summary Catalytic converters are devices installed along a vehicle’s exhaust pipe that transform harmful hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides…
Summary LED headlight conversion kits contain everything you need to convert your headlights from halogen to LEDs. While it’s possible…
Summary Paintless dent removal is a technique for repairing minor body damage on vehicles, which doesn’t require bodywork and repainting.…
Summary Your car isn’t automatically deemed “totaled” if its airbags are deployed during a crash. The deployment only indicates the…
Summary Chassis lubrication involves applying grease or oil to the chassis and its connection points to reduce friction and ensure…
Summary Some things you should consider when choosing a rooftop tent include vehicle compatibility, your car's roof rack system, and…
Summary You'll need tools like a tire-changing machine, tire irons, lug nut wrench, and safety equipment to properly remove the…
Summary Initially, auto customization focused on improving a vehicle’s appearance and performance. Auto customization soon shifted towards more digitally oriented…
Summary When shopping for a car vacuum, consider the same factors you normally would when buying an important replacement part.…
Summary Some things you should consider before changing car colors include potential regulatory and registration issues, how it could affect…
Summary It can be hard to differentiate tire noise from wheel bearing noise. You’ll have to verify the location of…
Summary The ignition switch is operated by the ignition cylinder, but is a separate part and is usually connected to…
Summary To keep the spare tire in good condition, check its tire pressure and tread regularly. You can also include…
Summary The muffler silences the engine exhaust. The average cost to replace a muffler can range anywhere from $50 to…
Summary The automotive paint code is a number that corresponds to the specific color your auto manufacturer used on your…
Summary Possible reasons your engine is ticking include lifter tick, dirty lifters, exhaust leaks, bad bearings, a cracked flywheel, loose…
Summary Fuel pumps deliver fuel to the engine’s fuel rail.Common mistakes people make when installing them include incorrectly wiring the…
Summary Curb rash is a minor cosmetic damage to a vehicle’s wheel that comes from getting too close to an…
Summary “Bedding in” or “burnishing” new disc brakes improves the compatibility of your vehicle’s brake pads and rotor, and it’s…
Summary A hypoid gear is a type of spiral bevel gear that transfers power and distributes torque. Hypoid gears are…
Summary Wind buffeting refers to the phenomenon where air from outside a vehicle mixes with air inside the vehicle. You…
Summary Design requirements, driver preference, and vehicle regulations are some of the reasons why vehicles don't have gas tanks on…
Summary Before cleaning the garage floor, park your vehicle elsewhere and remove unnecessary things like toolboxes and old bikes. It’s…
Summary Tonneau covers are inexpensive accessories that protect your truck bed from the elements and debris. A soft brush, detailing…
Summary Problems that can result in a stiff steering wheel include a bad steering rack, misaligned wheels, power steering fluid…
Summary Possible reasons your car door won't close include a stuck seatbelt, a closed latch jaw, a dirty or corroded…
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 When people wash their vehicles, they often forget to clean their tires, undercarriage, engine bay, battery terminals, and air…
Summary Your vehicle’s gas mileage is essentially how many miles it can travel per gallon of gas. It’s measured in…
Summary Aftermarket Ford F-150 parts and upgrades we suggest include: Replacement headlights, a Kool Vue rear view mirror, a Westin…