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 blind spot refers to any area around your vehicle that you can’t see without turning your head. Blind…
Summary Most headlight bulbs last the lifespan of the vehicle. Unfortunately, a poorly built headlight can wear out faster than…
Summary In most vehicles, the emergency trunk release can be found near the trunk latch. All modern cars sold in…
Summary The driveshaft bearing helps carry the weight of the driveshaft to keep them aligned and secure them to the…
Summary The high-pressure power steering hose supplies the steering gear with oil from the pump, while the low-pressure hose transfers…
Summary As its name indicates, rear-wheel drive is a powertrain distribution system where the engine drives the rear wheels only…
Summary An illuminated power steering symbol could indicate that your vehicle doesn’t have enough power steering fluid. Driving with a…
Summary Tire plugs and tire patches mend holes in tires left by stray nails, stones, and other sharp objects. These…
Most modern cars have one to three drive belts that help different parts of the engine function. Without these car…
Summary Some of the possible reasons why your car won’t go in reverse include low transmission fluid, dirty transmission fluid,…
Whether you’re changing your car door because the old one is damaged or outdated, it pays to know how to…
Summary A dead battery, faulty starter, and an activated valet mode are some of the reasons why your remote start…
Summary Sitting in damaged or worn-out seats can harm your health and affect your driving experience. Always replace the car…
Summary The most common reason cars pull to the side is an alignment issue. Uneven tire air pressure, uneven tire…
Summary Some cleaning agents you can use to clean chrome wheels include wheel cleaners, soap, and vinegar. To keep chrome…
Summary Water spots form on your car when water beads evaporate and leave behind minerals such as magnesium and calcium.…
Summary A manual transmission generally lasts anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. It can even last up to 200,000 miles…
Your vehicle’s lights are more than mere guides to help you navigate under low-visibility conditions一they also help you communicate with…
Summary You’re supposed to replace an O2 sensor once it is dirty or faulty. Cleaning O2 sensors is not recommended…
Summary A tire that’s patched properly can last anywhere between 7 and 10 years. However, poor installation or the hole’s…
Summary Engine displacement is the total volume of the cylinders swept by the pistons during a stroke, measured in cubic…
Summary An engine is idle when it’s running but the vehicle isn’t in motion. It needs to idle at a…
Knowing what you’re getting into is important when purchasing a secondhand vehicle. Making sure that you’re getting your money’s worth…
Summary Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in the transmission.Manual transmissions lubricate their internal parts with transmission…
Summary Synthetic oil refers to lubricants that use artificially made chemical compounds. Not every car benefits from synthetic oil. Vehicles…
Summary The oil filter protects the engine from abrasion and premature wear by removing dirt, carbon, and metal particles in…
Summary Faulty vehicle speed sensors, bad wiring, and a failing instrument cluster are possible reasons why your speedometer isn’t working.…
Summary Pressure washing your car is a fast and effective way to clean it. However, it could damage your vehicle’s…
Summary Hill descent control is a setting that allows vehicles to drive downhill slopes safely and at a controlled speed.…
Summary An A/C recharge lasts anywhere between three and five years, depending on how frequently your A/C is used. Some…
Summary Struts are spring and pump mechanisms equipped with a spring and a shock absorber to help control handling and…
Summary Performing a drive cycle is one way to determine whether or not emission system repairs are successful. There are…
Summary It’s never safe to drive with a cracked windshield. Doing so could result in visibility issues, which can ultimately…
Summary Soot, acids, dirt, water, fuel, and other combustion byproducts may accumulate in the engine oil. One effect of engine…
Summary Younger drivers typically refer to the letters on automatic transmissions as “prindle.” “P” stands for park, “R” stands for…
Summary Colored headlights at shows and events are okay, but they aren’t allowed on the road. All US states require…
Fuel prices tend to go up instead of down. Fortunately, you can mitigate the impact on your wallet by driving…
Summary The engine oil’s main function is to eliminate friction by lubricating the moving parts of the engine. It also…
Summary Some of the possible reasons why your vehicle may be beeping include an unbuckled seat belt, an open door,…
Summary Ultra-low sulfur diesel is a more refined version of diesel that contains less sulfur. This type of diesel can…
Summary A mistuned carburetor could cause a lean air-fuel mixture.Poor fuel economy, rough idling, and hesitation when accelerating are some…
Summary The steering can make squeaking noises for various reasons. Possible reasons for the noises are dry ball joints, power…
Summary You should not drive with a cracked rim. You’ll only put your safety at risk if you continue to…
Summary Homemade windshield wiper fluid is a budget DIY maintenance hack for your vehicle. Most of the ingredients for it…
Summary Brake lights can fail due to a blown bulb, a malfunctioning brake light switch or circuit, and a blown…
Summary Some common reasons why a car won’t jumpstart include a damaged battery, loose or corroded battery terminals, and jumper…
Summary Brake fade is the temporary loss of braking power when the brakes are too hot. Some common causes of…
The steering column is a vital part of a car’s steering system. It transmits the steering input from the steering…
Summary Rearview mirrors refer to adjustable mirrors usually attached to the top of the windshield. The rearview mirror allows the…
Summary The normal transmission temperature for many vehicles falls between 170 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Low transmission fluid levels and…
Summary A wheel stud is a large bolt protruding from the wheel hub that fastens the wheel to your vehicle.…
Summary The clutch transmits torque from the rotating driving motor to the transmission.On average, a car clutch lasts between 30,000…
Summary A vehicle with a keyless entry system is locked and unlocked using a small electronic device called a key…
Summary The turn signals lights are amber-colored lights on the side of your vehicle’s front and rear ends. It might…
Summary Intermittent wipers are windshield wipers equipped with an intermittent setting. Their relay is typically found in the underhood junction…
Summary The cabin air filter is part of your car’s climate control system and responsible for keeping dust, smoke, and…
Summary The accelerator pedal position sensor tracks the gas pedal’s position at any given time. When you step on the…
Summary The constant velocity (CV) axle seals are rubber seals that prevent differential oil leaks around the axle where it…
Summary There are two types of throttle bodies, namely the older style with a throttle cable and a drive-by-wire throttle…
Summary DTC P0513 stands for “Incorrect Immobilizer Key,” and this code is logged when the PCM can’t recognize the immobilizer…
Summary Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0700 is defined as “Transmission Control System (MIL Request).” The P0700 code triggers when the…
Summary The diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0175 stands for “Engine Too Rich (Bank 2).” The powertrain control module (PCM) will…
Summary Excessive vibration while idling can be caused by faulty components like engine mounts, spark plugs, tires, accessory belt drives,…
Summary Several things can cause a shaky steering wheel, including imbalanced tires, damaged suspension components, bad tires, worn-out bearings, and…
Summary Crate engines are replacement engines that you can buy separately from a vehicle. A short block engine is an…
Summary A typical tire valve stem consists of a core, cap, and body. Three common types: rubber valve stem, high-pressure…
Summary The P06DD code stands for “Engine Oil Pressure Control Stuck Off.” A faulty oil pump, low engine oil level,…
Summary The easiest way to learn your vehicle’s windshield wiper size is by checking the owner’s manual. You can also…
Have you ever mixed up two different car parts because of their similar-sounding names? You are not alone. Some people…
Summary An overinflated tire could lead to excessive pressure on the tire walls, causing the tire to become too stiff.…
Summary There are several types of interior and exterior door handles such as pull-out handles, push-down handles, pull-up handles, trigger…
Summary Experts recommend replacing or repairing your clutch every 75,000 miles since its average lifespan lasts between 30,000 and 150,000.…
Summary The fan clutch is the component that engages and disengages the cooling fan, increasing airflow over the radiator and…
Summary A vehicle’s fuel tank has a sending unit with a “float” that floats on top of the fuel supply…
Why You Shouldn't Skip Cleaning Car Windows Driving with a dirty vehicle window can be a hassle. Dusty, hazy, or…
Summary The parking brake makes sure that your vehicle doesn’t move while it’s parked. If you drive with the parking…
Summary TSBs inform mechanics that certain vehicle models tend to have problems. They also offer tips on how to repair…
Summary The oil cooler line is a hose that connects the engine and the oil cooler, enabling lubricating oil to…
Summary Drag links are steel shafts that send mechanical movement from the pitman arm to the tie rod end. Heavy-duty…
Summary A bad gas cap is going to illuminate your check engine light. At the same time, you’ll smell fuel…
Summary The trunk latch is responsible for closing the trunk lid and keeping it shut as you drive. A trunk…
Summary Some symptoms of a bad automatic transmission gear-shift indicator include a malfunctioning indicator light, an illuminated gear that doesn’t…
Summary Push-button starts enable remote locking, minimize road accidents, and help prevent car theft. Unfortunately, push-button starts aren’t perfect. The…
Summary Trunk lock actuators open the trunk when the driver presses the key fob or the release button, but it…
Summary Fishtailing happens when your rear tires lose traction and the rear of the car begins to slide to the…
Summary A door striker plate is a metal clip that sticks out of the car door’s edge. It works with…
Summary Door latches refer to claw-like metal assemblies located in the rear of a vehicle’s door.If your door isn’t latching…
Summary An auxiliary battery refers to the secondary car battery. It powers certain electrical components even when the engine is…
Summary Siphoning gas out of your car is the best option if you’re dealing with contaminated fuel, surviving during a…
Summary A hood latch acts as a fastener that keeps the hood shut. It also opens the hood a couple…
Summary The operation of a fuel gauge depends on its type, which can either be analog, electronic, or magnetic. There…
Summary One of the most common causes of screeching noises is a worn-out serpentine/drive belt. Other possible reasons for the…
Summary Every gallon of gas that a vehicle uses emits approximately 24 pounds of greenhouse gases, and a typical passenger…
Summary Regular tune-ups for your Toyota can help prevent breakdowns, enhance vehicle performance, and ultimately keep you safe on the…
Summary An average Honda tune-up will include services like replacing spark plugs and air and fuel filters, ignition timing checks,…
Summary The vehicle stability system is designed to mitigate loss of vehicle control by measuring yaw (sideways movement) and acceleration…
Sticking to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is the best way to keep it in great shape. While regular trips to…
Summary Drivability refers to a vehicle’s ability to be driven, but it can also indicate the vehicle’s condition as a…
Summary The parking brake is a latching mechanism that’s part of the overall brake system, which operates independently, connecting to…