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 Alternator belts are used to drive the alternator, making it an important component when it comes to powering your…
Summary Bidirectional scan tools are used to read the diagnostic data in your vehicle’s computer. They can also be used…
Summary Car batteries typically last anywhere from 3 to 5 years, but there are many factors that can cause one…
Summary There are two kinds of oil light: the oil pressure light that illuminates when the engine has low oil…
On the whole, parking is a pretty easy part of driving a vehicle. All you need to do is slide…
Summary Transmission fluid lubricates the transmission system, preventing metal parts from grinding against each another.Transmission fluid is usually changed every…
Summary Lug nuts are heavy metal fasteners that screw onto the lug nut studs of the wheel hub, securing the…
You’ve probably seen 4x4 vehicles roaming the streets and heard of them conquering the great outdoors. Aside from having that…
Summary High-beams are intended to be used for highway driving at night. Avoid using high-beams when driving near other vehicles.…
Summary Bubbles appear in car paint for various reasons like early overcoating, painting in humid conditions, and debris getting trapped…
Summary Although the Toyota Prius is seen as a reliable daily driver, some owners are left to deal with problems…
Summary Cars typically overheat when idling because you’ve been stuck in traffic for too long or if the cooling system…
Summary Rattling noises can be quite hard to diagnose because a lot of damaged or worn-out components can produce the…
Summary Regular wear and tear, broken honeycombs, and a loose heat shield can cause the catalytic converter to rattle. Driving…
Summary Some of the reasons your car stalls after getting gas include low-quality fuel and contaminated fuel pumps. A malfunctioning ECU,…
Summary Water can come out of your tailpipe due to water condensation during combustion, cat-con operation, and engine heat.In some…
Summary Hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) rely on two propulsion systems: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Most hybrid…
Summary A ceramic coating is a type of auto body protection used to keep your car’s paint looking as good…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1151 stands for “Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch Sensor Indicates Lean Bank 2.”…
Summary The P1004 code stands for “Short Runner Control Valve Control Performance.” It’s not a general code, so its meaning…
Summary The P1518 code stands for “Intake Manifold Runner Control (Stuck Open).” It indicates that the PCM has detected an…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1131 stands for “Lack of Upstream to the Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch.” The code is…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1128 stands for “Closed Loop Fuel Not Achieved Bank 1.” The powertrain control module (PCM)…
Summary Driving with a collapsed radiator hose can warp your engine’s cylinder heads, cause a head gasket leak, or bust…
Summary One of the best ways to get gum off your car is to use a bug and tar remover. Another…
Summary Activating the AWD lock means that power will be evenly split amongst all four wheels of your vehicle.Use the…
Summary Some of the possible reasons why your car battery can be drained overnight include accidentally leaving the lights on,…
Summary The charcoal canister minimizes toxic emissions after burning fuel. You can find the charcoal canister between the fuel tank,…
Summary Power seats let you adjust their height and position through levers, buttons, and switches.These specially designed seats are operated…
Summary Hydrolock happens when water or coolant enters the combustion chamber and cannot be compressed, leading to an engine lock.The…
Summary Premium air for tires is nitrogen. It’s when you use nitrogen to inflate tires instead of regular air.Some advantages…
Summary Choose a parking spot with empty spaces on both sides. Activate your turn signal in the direction of the…
Summary You will remove the torque converter, inspect the new converter's seal before flushing it with automatic transmission fluid (ATF),…
Summary ECM stands for “electronic control module.” It serves as the engine’s computer.The ECM is typically found in the passenger…
Summary The attention assist feature alerts the driver that they’re showing signs of fatigue or drowsiness behind the wheel. This…
Summary Roll start is a trick where an assistant pushes the vehicle while you turn the ignition to the run…
Summary The fuel system stores and supplies fuel to your vehicle’s engine to keep it running.It’s important to clean the…
Summary Upstream and downstream oxygen sensors check oxygen levels at different points in the exhaust system. Upstream oxygen sensors or…
Summary Freeze plugs seal the sand-casting core holes and keep the coolant in the engine.They can get damaged because of…
Summary If your vehicle’s A/C only works when your car is moving, you might be dealing with a bad A/C…
So, your car’s radio is not working. Now what? It’s time to learn what might’ve happened and how a mechanic…
Summary A track bar, also known as a panhard rod, restricts the lateral movement of your wheels by keeping the…
Summary Tire hairs are formally known as vent spews.While tire hairs usually show on new tires and shrink or disappear…
Summary Your car might jerk when stopped because of a bad transmission, dirty transmission filter, low transmission fluid level, and…
Summary The traction control switch is responsible for activating or deactivating traction control.Some signs the traction control switch has developed…
Summary The fuel rail pressure sensor is an electronic device that monitors the pressure inside the fuel rail, the metal…
Vehicle tires significantly improve a vehicle’s ride quality and traction. When tires are flat, your rim will sit on the…
Summary Coolant prevents the engine from overheating, transferring heat from various components to the radiator where it’s released as hot…
Summary A toggle switch turns an accessory on or off.Any switch can be called a toggle switch if it’s capable…
Summary You can make your car look good and keep it clean for months with wax, polish, or both.Waxing is…
Summary Knowing how to replace a coil spring insulator is essential if you want to keep your vehicle in good…
Summary Replacing the headliner of your vehicle is difficult but not impossible with this detailed guide. The price of the…
Summary Unauthorized entry, vibrations, and impact can trigger car alarms.Car alarms are subject to false alerts due to a faulty…
Summary Misalignment can cause your front tires to wear on the inside. Some of the common tire wear patterns include…
Summary DTC P1682 stands for “Ignition 1 Switch Circuit 2,” and this is logged when the PCM detects a voltage…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1456 stands for “Evaporative Emissions Control System Leakage Fuel Tank.” The code is activated when…
Summary Issues with the step motor function or its circuit will alert the powertrain control module to register a P1778…
Summary A misfire in one of the cylinders can trigger a P1399 trouble code. An illuminated check engine light, a…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1516 stands for “Throttle Actuator Control Module Throttle Actuator Position Performance.” This code is set…
Summary Backup lights illuminate when you set the gear lever to reverse.These lights are usually white and bright enough to…
Summary The legality of driving your car with a trunk open will depend on factors like vehicle type, cargo size,…
Exposure to used car batteries can be very dangerous to people and the environment. Because of this, it’s important to…
Summary Dessert driving is certainly a fun activity, but keep in mind that the terrain can be unforgiving sometimes一especially when…
Summary An immobilizer adds an extra layer of security by verifying whether the correct key has actually been inserted into…
Summary The code P1101 is logged once the PCM detects an issue with your MAF sensor. The common causes of…
Summary The curbs along the road’s edges have colors for the driver’s convenience, and each color represents what you are…
Summary It can be frustrating and inconvenient if your manual key isn’t opening your car door. Some common reasons behind…
Summary Tow/Haul mode is a feature available in most automatic transmission vehicles. It helps drivers tow heavy cargo by adjusting…
Summary Cleaning tinted windows the same way you’d clean a normal car window could damage their tint. You’ll have to…
Summary The service park assist warning message on your gauge cluster indicates a possible problem with your park assist system.…
Summary Car hitches give your vehicle more points to mount or attach specific objects, namely bicycles or towing platforms.There are…
Summary Your heater core is most likely damaged if your car heater isn’t blowing hot air. Contaminated coolant, a faulty…
Summary Without diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), the exhaust system becomes clogged, and the powertrain control module might put the engine…
Summary Insufficient brake fluid in the brake system can cause brake failure, making it dangerous to drive.Brake fluid leaks can…
Summary The main causes of traffic jams include traffic incidents, road construction and maintenance, high traffic volume, and adverse weather…
Summary Some ways to remove sap from your vehicle include hand washing, applying commercial cleaners, and using home remedies.Sap is…
Summary Rustproofing provides undercarriage rust protection by preventing the electrochemical reaction that creates rust.Undercoating is a type of rustproofing where…
Summary An odometer measures the distance your vehicle has traveled over the course of its lifetime.Meanwhile, a trip meter measures…
Summary Halogen lights are still the most common lights you’ll find on most vehicles today, and they can get as…
Summary Gaskets in cars play a critical role in keeping oil and coolant contained in their corresponding pressurized channels. Engine…
Summary The key not in vehicle warning light is an indicator light on dashboards of vehicles that come standard with…
Summary The oil separator removes the oil from the crate case vapors and feeds it back into the system by…
Summary Common reasons why windshield wipers won’t turn off include a faulty control switch and a faulty relay. Park switch…
Summary To pump the brakes means to step on the brake pedal multiple times.Pumping the brakes can help improve their…
Your vehicle’s power outlets are incredibly useful because they allow the driver and passengers to power or charge their devices.…
Summary The thrust angle is the angle of the rear wheels based on the total rear toe. The best thrust…
Summary The different wiring harness types are the air conditioning, engine compartment, floor, interior, and main harness.The common causes of…
Summary Your spare tire should hover around 35 to 60 pounds per square inch (PSI), but the actual amount depends…
Summary Bleeding is a process that removes any excess air that’s trapped in the brakes’ hydraulic system.There are several ways…
Summary A common complaint from many drivers is a transmission that’s stuck in neutral. Some potential causes for this problem…
Summary Stop-and-go driving refers to stopping for short intervals while covering short distances. Frequent stop-and-go driving can cause the brakes to…
Summary A twin-cam configuration or a DOHC setup uses two camshafts per cylinder bank.A twin-cam engine can produce more horsepower…
Summary You can put water in a coolant tank but only if it’s an emergency. After all, it’s better for…
Summary Driving with less than a quarter of a tank of fuel isn’t bad for your vehicle, but driving on…
A vehicle that won’t start, won’t spin the starter, or will start and immediately die is one of the most…
Summary If you think it’s time to get rid of your vehicle, consider selling it at an online marketplace, donating…
Summary The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) tube diverts gases from the exhaust manifold through the EGR system for burning in…
Summary The crankcase filter removes contaminants from blow-by gases before they reach crankcase ventilation.Oil leaks and an illuminated check engine…
Summary Coolant or antifreeze circulates through the cooling system and keeps your engine’s temperature stable. Coolant boils between 300 and…
Summary You can determine if brake fluid needs replacement by checking its color.Brake fluid starts with a clear, slightly yellow…