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 Hardtop convertibles have roofs made of metal or composite panels. The difference between hardtops and soft tops is the…
Summary Electric mirrors can stop working due to a bad switch, a faulty motor, or a blown fuse. Loose connectors…
Summary Some common causes of poor fuel economy include dirty oxygen sensors, spark plug issues, and a dirty mass airflow…
Summary You can use a commercial battery terminal brush and cleaner to clean your battery terminals. If you want a…
The SEMA Show 2023 in vibrant Las Vegas was an automotive extravaganza, showcasing an impressive lineup of vehicles that dared…
Summary Avoid replacing just one tire because it could lead to reduced stability and other problems.Some owner’s manuals indicate if…
Summary Listening to music while driving helps reduce stress, enhance mood, and bring back happy memories.However, it can also make…
Summary Loss of air is arguably the greatest setback of pneumatic tires or the tires you currently have on your…
Summary Two ways to keep a black car clean are using the correct cleaning materials and decontaminating.Decontaminating a car involves…
Summary Suspension travel refers to the distance between the center of the wheel from full extension to full compression of…
Summary It takes a lot of time for the engine to warm up during winter, but the good news is…
Summary Brake cleaning is important for EVs because their conventional brakes can become dirty since they may not be used…
Summary You need to store your car properly if you plan to leave it parked for a month or more.…
Summary Bad weather can increase the risk of a multi-car pileup.You can avoid a multi-car pileup with steps like driving…
Summary Head gaskets need to be made of a durable material that can handle tremendous temperatures and pressures. Head gaskets…
Summary Foam cannons are an attachment for gas and electric-powered pressure washers. They use the high-pressure water from the pressure…
Summary Relays are electronically operated switches. They rely on small currents from a remote switch or computer to cut off…
Summary A tailgate refers to the entrance or door of the truck’s bed. To load and unload large cargo from…
Summary The North American Charging Standard (NACS) is Tesla’s proprietary electric vehicle (EV) charging standard. NACS uses a 5-pin layout…
Summary Transmission jacks are designed to carry transmissions for easy installations and removals. They work either with a hydraulic pump…
Summary Bump steer happens when a bump on the road interacts with a poorly installed suspension, causing your wheels to…
Summary SS 304 contains more chromium and nickel, giving it superior durability and resistance to corrosion and rust.SS 409 costs…
Summary Fasteners are responsible for connecting and securing parts of a vehicle. Despite being made from durable metals, fasteners can…
Summary Road salt is usually made of sodium chloride (NaCl) or calcium chloride (CaCl2). It’s sometimes mixed with other chemicals…
Summary Dealerships can accidentally damage brand-new cars in transit or at showrooms and dealership lots.To avoid new car damage, inspect…
Summary It’s generally legal to drive trucks with American flags if you follow the right methods and respect flag etiquette.…
Summary Currently, there are 291 million registered cars in the US. That means there’s a car for every 1.17 people.…
Summary It’s important to keep organized when overlanding and offroading. When picking what to buy, consider the type of vehicle…
Summary Before cleaning the engine bay, wear protective gear and take a picture for reference. Also, protect electric parts, clean…
Summary Some of the most iconic road trip movies are Mad Max, Duel, and Rain Man.If you’re looking for light-hearted…
Summary An interference engine is one that has pistons slamming into the valves when the timing belt snaps.Every engine with…
It’s hard to beat BMW vehicles when it comes to making vehicles that not only feel good to drive but…
Summary Don’t discard used electric car batteries in the trash or landfills. Instead, it’s best to give them to an…
Summary Carbon fiber is a sturdy and light polymer used to make car parts.Using carbon fiber parts guarantees a durable,…
Summary Wet sanding removes or smoothens scratches on a vehicle's surface.It lets you restore your car’s paint job, make polishing…
Summary Studded snow tires are winter tires with studs that increase traction in the snowy terrain.These tires improve control and…
Summary If your hydraulic jack is damaged, extends slowly, kicks back, or has frothy oil, there’s something wrong with it…
Summary Yes, it’s possible to buy a car after leasing it.There are many benefits that come with buying leased cars…
Summary OBS stands for “Old Body Style,” referring to the rugged and boxy-looking trucks manufactured between 1988 and 1998. Many…
Summary The chassis is the supporting structure that holds the parts of a vehicle together.It has four types: backbone, ladder…
Summary Ice and snow make roads slippery, reducing tire traction and increasing the risk of accidents.Other common concerns include stress…
Summary Trading in your vehicle is quicker than finding a buyer. You’ll also save money on advertising and tax.Your vehicle…
Summary High-tech car theft refers to how thieves use technology to combat increasingly complex security systems brought about by technological…
Summary Snow chains improve tire traction on snow, ice, and other slippery surfaces. How to install these chains varies depending…
Summary Steering wheels could have cruise control, adaptive cruise control, and audio control functions. Adaptive cruise control is an upgraded…
Summary The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time with over 50 million units sold.Many choose the Corolla…
The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in the world, with over 50 million units sold since its debut in…
Summary Your vehicle needs more care during winter.Some nifty hacks to survive the season include rubbing onion to the windshield…
Summary Double clutch shifting is the method of depressing the clutch pedal twice between gear shifts. Double clutching significantly improves…
Summary The carburetor mixes air and fuel before they’re delivered to the cylinders. It’s entirely mechanical and relies on cables…
Summary An orange violation sticker on a car window means that the local law enforcement has tagged it as “abandoned.”Typically,…
Summary To fix your squeaky windshield wipers, you can try cleaning your windshield, replacing worn blades, and applying wiper blade…
Summary The types of engine fasteners are bolts, nuts and washers, and studs.You usually replace the engine fasteners when one…
Summary Oil is very important for your engine, but it needs to be changed at the intervals specified by the…
Summary A pushrod is a critical part of a pushrod engine.Pushrods transfer energy from the camshaft to actuate the valves…
Summary A tonneau cover is a protective cover that goes on top of your pickup truck’s bed, where precious cargo…
Summary An electric car horn works using a solenoid attached to a metal diaphragm that vibrates when a current is…
Summary A handheld temperature gun is an infrared tool that can read an object’s surface temperature within seconds.Handheld temperature guns…
Summary Road salt, otherwise known as halite, is the mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl). It is used during winter…
Summary Don’t let pets and people stay in your vehicle in the winter for long because it’s not safe for…
Summary The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheel's center when viewed from the side.Long-wheelbase vehicles have…
Summary Water-filled bumpers were a safety feature on cars back in the 60s. They help reduce damage caused by low-impact…
Summary For some drivers, reverse parking takes up too much time, disrupting the flow of traffic. But in reality, it…
Summary A speedometer calibration test is a procedure that’s meant to assess the accuracy of your ride’s speedometer.An inaccurate speedometer…
Summary Tire retreading involves removing the old and worn-out tread layer of a tire and replacing it with a new…
Summary If there's one bad driving habit that nobody wants to deal with, it’s tailgating.Some people tailgate because it’s their…
Images of the Impreza WRX are sure to come to mind when motorsports fans think about the top Subaru vehicles.…
Summary A cold air intake can improve your ride’s performance by 5 to 20 hp.A cold air intake boosts your…
Summary A timing light is a diagnostic tool that’s used to check an engine’s ignition timing.There are generally three types…
Summary Brakes that lock up are unable to release their grip on the wheels.Power brakes are more prone to locking…
Summary 1-2 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually in the US. Of these wildlife-vehicle collisions, around 200 people were killed and…
Summary Trickle chargers recharge car batteries slowly but steadily with a power output that’s much weaker than regular chargers.The benefits…
Summary Some of the reasons car dealerships are near each other include zoning laws, lot availability, and common ownership.Having dealerships…
Summary A range extender is a secondary power source or power generator that’s installed on range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). This…
Summary Like most holidays, commuter traffic mixes with the people trying to get out of town on Thanksgiving, which explains…
Summary Putting too many keys on your car keychain can lead to issues over time, mainly because a heavy car…
Summary The loop on your seat belt is called an energy management loop, and it’s designed to rip in the…
Summary Green lights on a car indicate it’s with either Homeland Security, Transportation, volunteer firefighters and first responders, command post…
Summary The most convenient ways to find cheap gas near you include doing research through gas apps.You can also save…
Summary Cetane is a highly flammable chemical compound naturally found in diesel fuel. It ignites under high pressure, causing the…
Summary A kinetic energy recovery rope is an elastic rope that stretches in response to loads and adds inertial energy…
Summary Tar spots are typically caused by driving over freshly paved asphalt roads since the surface is still soft and…
Summary A dead pedal is a flat surface situated to the left of a car’s clutch or brake pedal that…
Summary An engine block heater is a device that heats the engine block while the vehicle isn’t running.The engine block…
Summary Rubbing alcohol can be an effective agent in removing contaminants like oil, grease, and 3M tape adhesives.Rubbing alcohol is…
Summary Paddle shifters are small levers behind the steering wheel or column that let the driver shift gears in a…
Summary Always pack a shovel in the trunk so you can clear the way around your vehicle.You can also ask…
Summary To take good photos of your car, it’s a good idea to review basic photography rules like symmetry and…
Summary It’s safe to wear seat belts while pregnant as long as you do it properly. To wear a seat…
Road systems in the US improved significantly in the 1960s, and with it the demand for comfortable driving experiences also…
Summary Dielectric grease is a waterproof substance that seals out moisture and prevents corrosion.It’s used on different car components, such…
Because of the alarming numbers of transportation deaths and injuries, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released its first National Roadway…
Summary Rust can seal a bolt in its hole underneath your vehicle, making removal more difficult. You can break up…
New electric vehicle (EV) models are continuously being released as the US slowly transitions to EVs. The addition of fake…
Summary The light temperature of your off-road lights affects its color. Warmer amber or yellow lights have longer wavelengths, which…
Summary Full synthetic motor oil provides better lubrication than conventional mineral oil. It’s engineered in a lab and contains additives…
Summary Pothole damage claims are usually reimbursable, but the conditions will largely depend on which state your vehicle got damaged.You…
Cup holders are notoriously difficult to clean due to their inconvenient shape. Dirt, gunk, debris, and sticky residue from drinks…
The glove box or glove compartment is the storage unit within the dashboard. Although it was originally meant to store…
For some, the scorching sun is a welcome sight for beachgoers and the like. For car owners, however, it could…