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 Crab walking refers to a four-wheel steering setting that lets you move your vehicle laterally. Examples of cars that…
Summary A turnabout is a driving maneuver that turns your car within a confined space. The different types of turnabouts…
Summary Reaction time is the speed at which people process information and make decisions. It’s a crucial part of driving…
Summary Variable Valve Timing (VVT) optimizes engine performance by adjusting valve timing. This is done using a part called a…
Summary If diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1497 triggers on a Mini Cooper S, it means “Downstream Throttle Air Leak.” This…
Summary Vehicles that were manufactured 20 or more years ago all fall into the classic car category as far as…
Summary Insurance companies don’t offer special policies that are exclusively tailored to protect your vehicle against winter-related damage. However, you…
Summary Use the high-range 4WD mode on dirt roads and paved roads covered by water, snow, or ice. Engage the…
Summary Remember to check your state laws on learner’s permits before you hit the road. Ask your local DMV for…
Summary When your vehicle hits a bump on the road, the suspension system absorbs that kinetic energy, keeping the tires…
Summary All 50 states enforce a legal limit on BAC and will penalize DUI offenders. You can prevent other people…
Summary Even all-wheel drive vehicles require winter tires for safe driving on snow and ice. While AWD can supply power…
Summary Rain guards are accessories that redirect rain and wind away from open windows. They also reduce wind noise and…
Summary The maintenance required light is a manufacturer-programmed indicator that alerts you when it’s time for your vehicle to go…
Summary If air gets into a hydraulic clutch system, it can lead to a spongy clutch pedal, a clutch that…
Summary In Japanese, the word " Subaru” means Pleiades, the Greek name for the star cluster in the constellation Taurus.…
Summary The Jeep brand received exclusive rights to use its name on June 13, 1950, 7 years after Willys-Overland applied…
Summary The NSC estimate indicates 35,068 car crashes each day, while the NHTSA estimate is 16,249 car accidents daily. Afternoon…
Summary The 6.2L LS engine is renowned for its performance and versatility. Like most LS engines, it’s known for its…
Summary A smoke test is a diagnostic procedure to identify leaks in a vehicle’s intake system. A smoke machine is…
Summary Fix-it tickets are the more casual term for correctable violations, which are citations for vehicle repair, insurance, or registration…
Summary Your vehicle’s clutch assembly is a link that connects the engine and the transmission. It allows you to interrupt…
Summary Unfortunately, tires on brand-new cars tend to wear out faster than tires from an exclusive tire manufacturer. Original equipment…
Summary A tire tread depth gauge is obviously a tool used to measure a tire’s tread depth. To use a…
Summary Rod knocks refer to unusual rhythmic thumping sounds an engine makes while running. It’s a common indicator that there’s…
Summary You’ll come across a group of letters and numbers etched on the sidewall of your tires. These figures represent…
Summary As of writing, it takes the Lucid Air Pure approximately 17 minutes to charge to 200 miles, which is…
Summary E15 gas is a type of gasoline that contains 15% ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. Unlike regular unleaded gasoline…
Summary A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) relearn is a process that lets your vehicle recognize and connect to its…
Summary Roof racks are accessories that you can install on your vehicle’s roof for extra storage. They provide more storage…
Summary The Honda two-motor hybrid system has an electric generator motor and a propulsion motor. Not only can it switch…
Summary Bad lifters can lead to knocking, rattling, a rougher driving experience, and severe engine damage. A bad lifter causes…
Summary It should take 30 minutes to sufficiently charge your vehicle’s battery, but the battery can, when the vehicle is…
Summary A totaled vehicle will legally be registered under a salvage title when an insurance company declares that its repair…
Summary How a car registration looks like can vary depending on where you live. Some states use paper documents, while…
Summary The average car weight was 4,094 lbs in 2022. The common vehicle weight measurements are curb weight, gross vehicle…
Summary The Tesla Model 3 is the lightest, while the Tesla Model X is the heaviest. Individual trims for Tesla…
Summary Key fobs use RFID technology to communicate with the vehicle. These signals can unlock the doors and start the…
Summary In automatic transmission vehicles, the brake pedal is the left pedal. In manual transmissions, it’s the middle pedal. Pressing…
Summary Today, Scat Pack is a trim for modern Dodge Challengers and other models. In the past, cars that belonged…
Summary The freezing temperature of gasoline is between -40 and -200 degrees Fahrenheit. Most gasoline freezes at -100 degrees Fahrenheit.…
Summary Engine fuel efficiency is determined by measuring how much of the energy in the fuel gets converted into power…
Summary The security indicator light is a red blinking light on the dashboard that turns on after you lock your…
Summary Knowing your car window’s glass type, keeping an escape tool in your vehicle, and planning an exit strategy can…
Summary Depending on various factors, the recommended interval between oil changes varies between 5,000 and 15,000 miles. While engine oil…
Summary Wheel chocks are small wedges that you can place against your vehicle’s wheels to keep them from moving. There…
Want to make the car enthusiast in your life feel like a kid on Christmas morning? To curate the ultimate…
Summary Rat rods are custom cars that are specifically designed to have worn-down, “ratty” looks. These vehicles are appealing because…
Summary The Jeep Comanche was a product of the pickup truck boom in the 70s. The Comanche truck was based…
Summary Power inverters are electronic devices that convert a car battery's DC power to AC power. The two power inverter…
Summary In some cases, extremely hot temperatures can become too unbearable even for a cooling system that’s been running well…
Summary Car decals are basically stickers with enhanced durability because of their layers. Most decals have two layers of paper…
Summary Always make sure that the windshield wiper blades are compatible with the windshield wipers in length and type. Framed…
Summary Some ticking in an engine is normal due to an engine’s direct injection system. A cold engine can also…
Summary Looking for accessories to give to your car enthusiast friend? You should consider a set of high-quality floor mats…
Summary You need parts like electric tape and tools like the drill and multimeter to install a car alarm system.…
Summary A kill switch is a switch that stops the engine from starting. The available types are the starter disable…
Summary There are oil additives that can stop leaks. These additives are more convenient for vehicle owners since you don’t…
Summary Transmission replacement takes one to two days for most vehicles. More complex transmissions or those requiring component replacement can…
Summary Choosing the right tow hitch is important. Choose a tow hitch that matches your vehicle’s towing capacity and trailer…
Summary The main headlight types are halogen, LED, xenon/HID, and incandescent. Bi-xenon headlights use the same ballast for both high…
Summary There are a variety of electrical system issues that can lead to brake light problems. If one or more…
Summary To get rid of the smell of spoiled milk from your car, blot the spill first. Then, take out…
Summary A rattle noise in the engine refers to any unusual sounds from the engine whenever you accelerate. It can…
Summary The engine temperature warning light indicates that the engine is running dangerously hot. The warning light turns on because…
Summary Bad spark plugs, dirty fuel injectors, a faulty carburetor, and low engine compression can cause rough idling. Dirty air…
Summary If you want to turn off an illuminated check engine light (CEL), you can use a scan tool. Alternatively,…
Summary Your vehicle’s engine air filter is part of its induction system. It cleans the air entering your engine before…
Summary You’ll need dish soap, degreaser, baking soda, or commercial cleaner to remove grease stains from your car upholstery. A…
Summary The choice between a truck and an SUV depends on your preferences and needs. Some things you need to…
Summary Car swamp coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, are used to cool the air inside a vehicle by evaporating…
Summary Classic cars aren’t as safe as modern cars because they lack advancements in automotive safety technology. Some ways to…
Summary An adaptive suspension system is a type of setup that lets drivers fine-tune their suspensions, depending on certain road…
Summary Typically installed in new Honda vehicles, a Collision Mitigation Braking System is a safety feature that automatically applies the…
Summary The HID ballast is the component responsible for mediating the voltage and current of an HID bulb. Replacing it…
Summary The average depreciation rate for vehicles is 20% for the first year and 15% yearly until the four or…
Summary Exhaust cutouts are aftermarket modifications installed in the exhaust system that lets you control the flow of exhaust gases.…
Summary Electric vehicles tend to be about 30% heavier than gas-powered vehicles because of their large battery packs. Heavy EVs…
Summary Spark plugs are responsible for delivering the high voltage spark that will ignite the air-fuel mixture. When a new…
Summary Every 32 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the US. Installing an upgraded alarm siren, repairing faulty door…
Summary If your vehicle gets stuck in the desert, don’t leave your vehicle. Do your best to stay calm and…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Because almost everything is going on sale at CarParts.com! That’s right. From…
Summary The indoor car cover is intended to be used inside enclosed parking areas. Meanwhile, the outdoor car cover provides…
Summary Most modern vehicles have two air filters: the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. They essentially serve…
Summary Some cute car names, such as Astro and Toto, are great if you consider your vehicle a friend. If…
Summary Check the turbocharger product to see if its emission levels are 46-state or 50-state legal. Turbochargers are either brand-new…
Summary A clay bar is a synthetic clay that can abrade contaminants embedded into your car's paint. Most clay bar…
Summary Ball joint replacement can cost approximately $250 to $500 per ball joint for most vehicles. But on vehicles with…
Summary Acceleration rattle can sound like buzzing, humming, or grinding. A soft/failed motor mount is one possible cause. Others include…
Summary The common places where coolant leaks from include cracked or loose hoses, worn or broken plastic hose connectors, cooling…
Summary While most states require liability insurance for vehicle owners, it doesn’t cover a stolen car. Liability insurance covers the…
Summary The price of a replacement valve cover gasket ranges from $12 to $124, while labor cost can be from…
Summary The heart of your vehicle’s system is its heater core, and the blower motor is like the lungs. Heater…
Summary Car starters usually last between 80,000 and 100,000 starts or between 100,000 and 300,000 miles. Some of the most…
Summary Breaking the tire bead involves pushing the bead down into the center part of the rim. Breaking a tire…
Summary A seller can hide a lot of flaws behind an online listing. One of the most important reasons you…
Summary Fatal car crashes happen more frequently during the weekend; nonfatal crashes often happen during weekends. The highest number of…
Summary An oily film forms on windshields when it gets hot enough to burn any oily contaminants on their surface.…
Summary Cavitation is one of the most common reasons why your new power steering pump could be whining. Topping up…
Summary An LS engine swap is the process of replacing a vehicle’s stock engine with any LS engine from General…