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Accessories

Car Tweeters: How They Affect the Speakers, Types, and More

Reading Time: 4 minutesA car’s audio system can make or break road trip enjoyment. Whether you’re driving alone or with friends, nothing beats… Read More

Car Roof Rack: Pros, Cons, and Installation Guide

Reading Time: 5 minutesRoof racks are accessories that you can install on your vehicle’s roof. You can use them to carry extra cargo,… Read More

What Is a Wheel Chock? Types, Uses, and Mistakes to Avoid When Using One

Reading Time: 5 minutesParking space is never a guarantee when you’re away from home. Whether you’re parking for a few minutes for a… Read More

Air Conditioning and Heating

What Are Car Swamp Coolers?

Reading Time: 5 minutesCar swamp coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, are a cost-effective alternative to standard air conditioning for vehicles. Before modern… Read More

Engine Air Filter vs. Cabin Air Filter: Key Differences Explained

Reading Time: 6 minutesIf there’s one thing you and your engine have in common, it’s that you both need clean air to function…. Read More

Why Your A/C Turns off Due to High Engine Temp

Reading Time: 5 minutesCar air conditioning (A/C) systems run on the power generated by the engine’s crankshaft. While this power allows the A/C… Read More

Ask CarParts.com

Will Using an Aerosol Cleaner Prevent Carbon from Accumulating on the Engine Valves in My 2012 Ford F-150?

Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: I have a 2012 Ford F-150 with a direct-injected, 3.5L EcoBoost engine. To combat carbon build-up on the valves,… Read More

Where is the Windshield Washer Motor Located on My 2002 Kia Sportage?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteQ: I have a 2002 Kia Sportage. Recently, my car’s windshield washers stopped working. I can no longer hear the… Read More

Why is My 2007 Toyota Tacoma’s Steering Wheel Shaking at Highway Speeds?

Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. The truck has a minor steering wheel shimmy on the freeway when traveling… Read More

Braking System

How Do You Cut Brake Lines? Plus How to Flare and Bend Them

Reading Time: 4 minutesBrake lines can leak, corrode, and crack over time, which can reduce your vehicle’s braking performance and reliability. You’ll need… Read More

Brake Lag: Definition, Causes, and Other Facts You Should Know

Reading Time: 5 minutesBrake lag isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s a natural part of the braking process that’s used to… Read More

How Many Brake Pads Per Wheel Are There? And Other FAQs

Reading Time: 5 minutesIt’s important to stay on top of the list of maintenance tasks connected to your vehicle’s brakes. After all, they’re… Read More

How Often Should You Wax Your Car?

Reading Time: 4 minutesMost people wax their car after every wash, which should typically be done every two weeks. While regularly waxing your… Read More

Oxidizing Paint on Car: Causes and How to Fix It

Reading Time: 5 minutesPaint oxidation on vehicles refers to the chemical process that breaks down the paint and ruins its shine and color…. Read More

What’s the Best Way to Remove a Car Clear Coat?

Reading Time: 4 minutesA clear coat shields the rest of the vehicle’s paint job from harsh conditions and minor damage. Unfortunately, exposure to… Read More

Is a Third Brake Light Required? Should You Replace Yours?

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe federal government has required third brake lights on cars in the US since 1986 to improve the brake light’s… Read More

Tips for How To Replace a Tail Light Bulb

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf your vehicle’s tail light or brake light goes out, it’s essential that you repair it as soon as possible…. Read More

Troubleshooting a Brake Light That’s Not Working

Reading Time: 8 minutesIf one or all of your brake lights isn’t working, it can be a cause for alarm. After all, brake… Read More

Cooling System

How Much Does a Water Pump Cost For a Car?

Reading Time: 4 minutesYou’ve probably heard that faulty parts need replacement as soon as possible. That rule applies to the water pump, the… Read More

Bad Engine Air Filter Symptoms and Replacement Tips

Reading Time: 5 minutesIf you’re noticing dirty air filter symptoms on your daily drives, it’s probably time to switch out your engine air… Read More

How To Stop the Coolant Leaking From the Bottom of Your Car

Reading Time: 4 minutesTo begin with, the coolant doesn’t typically leak from the top of your car because coolant is subject to gravity… Read More

So Why Do Car Batteries Die in Winter?

Reading Time: 4 minutesHave you ever gone out to face a biting winter day, got behind the wheel, and found that your car… Read More

Is a Third Brake Light Required? Should You Replace Yours?

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe federal government has required third brake lights on cars in the US since 1986 to improve the brake light’s… Read More

Tips for How To Replace a Tail Light Bulb

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf your vehicle’s tail light or brake light goes out, it’s essential that you repair it as soon as possible…. Read More

What Is an Axle?

Reading Time: 7 minutesIt’s not the biggest part, but the axle can cause various problems for your ride if it’s damaged or broken…. Read More

Six-Wheel Drive: What’s 6×6 or 6WD in Vehicles and Why Is It Important?

Reading Time: 4 minutesSix-wheel drive refers to a vehicle configuration that uses six wheels instead of the standard four. This means these vehicles… Read More

What Does the Transfer Case Control Module Do for Your Vehicle?

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe transfer case control module is one of the many computers in modern four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, especially the models… Read More

Electrical System

Will Changing My Instrument Cluster Change The Mileage?

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe instrument cluster is a crucial component of any vehicle, housing a collection of gauges and displays that provide drivers… Read More

Nissan Frontier Runs After Jump Starting Then Dies

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe Nissan Frontier is certainly a tough workhorse that anyone can depend on. But as reliable as it is, the… Read More

Multifunction Switch: What It Is, How It Works, When to Replace, and More

Reading Time: 6 minutesA multifunction switch is actually a cluster of switches built into a single assembly. It typically includes the wiper/washer switch,… Read More

How Long Can You Drive With a Bad Turbo?

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf you’re looking for a way to upgrade your small engine, installing a turbocharger is a great option. Turbochargers compress… Read More

Why Do You Hear a Droning Noise or Other Sounds While Driving? Causes Explained

Reading Time: 6 minutesYour car makes various sounds when you’re driving it. Most of the noises come from the moving parts of your… Read More

Bad Fuel Filter Symptoms, Causes, and Other Important FAQ

Reading Time: 4 minutesIn order to function properly, the engine needs a sufficient supply of clean fuel. A fuel filter helps achieve this… Read More

Exhaust System

What Does It Mean When the Catalyst Monitor Is Not Ready?

Reading Time: 3 minutesIf you’re at an emissions center having your vehicle tested, its catalyst or converter monitor needs to work to complete… Read More

Active Exhaust Systems: What They Are, How They Work, and Other FAQ

Reading Time: 4 minutesMost standard exhaust systems steer exhaust flow away from the engine and cabin, keeping you and your passengers safe from… Read More

A Brief Guide to the Exhaust Manifold

Reading Time: 5 minutesYour vehicle’s exhaust system has many parts that work together to remove hot gases from the engine, reduce their emissions,… Read More

Ignition System

So Why Do Car Batteries Die in Winter?

Reading Time: 4 minutesHave you ever gone out to face a biting winter day, got behind the wheel, and found that your car… Read More

What To Do Before, During, and After Jump-Starting a Car

Reading Time: 4 minutesAccidentally leaving your headlights on, faulty relays, and extreme weather conditions are just some of the things that can drain… Read More

Troubleshooting Key Fob Issues: How to Reset Automatic Car Starter

Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen key fobs malfunction, one of the most common culprits is a dead battery. However, there are situations where replacing… Read More

Installing a New Car Alarm In Your Vehicle: A Brief Guide

Reading Time: 6 minutesMost cars have a security alarm system that alerts everyone nearby when someone tries to break into the vehicle. However,… Read More

How To Get Spoiled Milk Smell Out of Your Car

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen milk goes bad, it develops an unpleasant, sour smell that can be hard to tolerate, especially in a confined… Read More

How Do You Get Grease Out of Car Seats?

Reading Time: 5 minutesHaving clean car seats is about more than just keeping appearances. Clean car seats help prevent unpleasant odors, remove bacteria… Read More

Maintenance

Why Does Your Car Produce Cricket-Like Sounds?

Reading Time: 4 minutesAt some point, your car may start making unusual sounds that will require attention. These noises are audible warnings that… Read More

What To Do If Your Car Has Been Sitting and Won’t Start

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf you have a vehicle that’s been sitting in your garage or elsewhere unused for a long period of time,… Read More

How Many Miles Till Oil Change Is Needed?

Reading Time: 6 minutesEngine oil lubricates vital moving parts like the crankshaft and pistons, keeping them cool and friction-free. “Lubrication” means that the… Read More

OBD-II Trouble Codes

Mini Cooper S P01497 Fault Code Explained

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe P01497 fault code has plagued many Mini Cooper S vehicles, particularly the 2008 and 2009 model years. But what… Read More

P1345 Code: Camshaft Position Correlation

Reading Time: 3 minutesModern vehicles are equipped with camshaft and crankshaft position sensors that send data to the powertrain control module (PCM). The… Read More

P1604 Code: Startability Malfunction

Reading Time: 3 minutesA “no-start” condition isn’t uncommon. There’s a plethora of reasons why a vehicle wouldn’t start, and it can be hard… Read More

Car Suspension Problems: Signs to Look Out For

Reading Time: 5 minutesThe suspension is arguably one of the most important systems in your vehicle. Without it, driving would simply be insufferable… Read More

What Do Control Arms Do?

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhat is a control arm? A control arm is a suspension component that guides a vehicle’s front wheel assembly, allowing… Read More

Coil Spring Compressor Tool: What It Is, How to Use It, and More

Reading Time: 5 minutesCoil springs are part of the MacPherson strut assembly. While you can buy fully assembled struts, they are notoriously difficult… Read More

Transmission

How a Differential Works

Reading Time: 4 minutesYou might have heard about the differential as a part of the vehicle’s drivetrain. If it fails, it can cause… Read More

FAQ: What Is a Transmission Fluid Exchange?

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhat’s the Definition of a Transmission Fluid Exchange? A transmission fluid exchange replaces all the fluid in the transmission rather… Read More

Settling the Fuel Consumption Debate: Manual vs. Automatic

Reading Time: 7 minutesConsumers choose cars by carefully considering factors like cost, resale value, performance, and utility. But among these factors, fuel consumption… Read More

Warning Lights

Door Ajar Light: What It Means, How to Fix, and More

Reading Time: 4 minutesBefore driving off, you may hear beeping or a chime and see a warning light on your dashboard signaling that… Read More

What Does the Service Battery Charging System Warning Mean?

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe dashboard has many warning lights that activate when something goes wrong with their associated part. One such indicator advises… Read More

What Does the Maintenance Required Light Mean?

Reading Time: 6 minutesYou can get a lot of information from your vehicle’s dashboard because it holds crucial indicators, like your trip odometer,… Read More

Wheels and Tires

The TPMS System: Its Purpose and Benefits

Reading Time: 4 minutesYour vehicle has many systems that watch the state of various parts. If one or more parts wear out or… Read More

What Is Road Force Balance, And Why Should You Consider It?

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf getting your tires balanced the normal way didn’t do much to address any problems you’ve had with your wheels,… Read More

What Defines Good Winter Tires for a Truck?

Reading Time: 4 minutesWinter tires are a must if you drive in a state that receives snowfall. However, not all tire products are… Read More

Auto Repair

So Why Do Car Batteries Die in Winter?

Reading Time: 4 minutesHave you ever gone out to face a biting winter day, got behind the wheel, and found that your car… Read More

Is a Third Brake Light Required? Should You Replace Yours?

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe federal government has required third brake lights on cars in the US since 1986 to improve the brake light’s… Read More

Tips for How To Replace a Tail Light Bulb

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf your vehicle’s tail light or brake light goes out, it’s essential that you repair it as soon as possible…. Read More

How Often Should You Wax Your Car?

Reading Time: 4 minutesMost people wax their car after every wash, which should typically be done every two weeks. While regularly waxing your… Read More

The TPMS System: Its Purpose and Benefits

Reading Time: 4 minutesYour vehicle has many systems that watch the state of various parts. If one or more parts wear out or… Read More

What Is Road Force Balance, And Why Should You Consider It?

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf getting your tires balanced the normal way didn’t do much to address any problems you’ve had with your wheels,… Read More

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