Read Auto Repair Guides vetted by our Team of ASE-certified Master Automobile Technicians
Accessories
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: What Does a Tesla Car Key Look Like? A: Tesla car keys come in two types: key fobs shaped… Read More
Reading Time: < 1 minuteQ: Where Is the Back Up Camera Typically Located? A: The back up camera is usually found at waist-level rear… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat Do Car Horns Look Like? Car horn designs vary. The electric horn, which is the most commonly used in… Read More
Air Conditioning and Heating
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your vehicle’s A/C compressor quits in the middle of a heatwave, it could damage the rest of your A/C… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesIf your A/C’s barely pushing out cool air—or worse, blowing hot—your condenser might be on its last legs. It’s the… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat Does a Freon Leak Look Like? Unlike coolant, refrigerant doesn’t have a distinct color (if there is no dye… Read More
Ask CarParts.com
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
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
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
Reading Time: 5 minutesIf your car’s starting to make grinding noises, shake, or pull sideways unexpectedly, it might be time for a new… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesAbsolutely. A vehicle’s braking system relies heavily on a brake fluid’s ability to remain in a liquid state under pressure… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat Does an Anti-Lock Braking System Look Like? The basic components common to all anti-lock brake systems include wheel sensors,… Read More
Car Body
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your step bumper takes a hit or starts to rust, it can jeopardize your vehicle’s hitch stability, safety, and… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked, loose, or sticking interior door handle puts you one reach away from climbing out the passenger side like… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesModern cars make grille design more functional than ever, with active shutters, integrated cameras, and precise fitment requirements. That means… Read More
Car Lights
Reading Time: 5 minutesCorner lights might not be the flashiest part of your ride, but they matter more than most people think. They… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA busted tail light is a real problem. It cuts your visibility on the road, especially after dark or when… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesMost modern vehicles have interior lights that automatically turn on when you open the doors. While this is convenient when… Read More
Cooling System
Reading Time: 5 minutesIf your cooling fan assembly stops working, you’ll know it. Rising temperature gauges, loud fan noises, or the A/C blowing… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesIt’s never a good sign if you hear any unusual sounds from the engine bay, especially if it’s a squealing… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesYour vehicle’s temperature gauge keeps track of the engine’s temperature and relays the information to you through your vehicle’s dashboard…. Read More
DIY
Reading Time: 2 minutesA: The car axle is a long rod that connects two wheels on either side of the car. It usually… Read More
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA: Removing the battery lid exposes six cells that are separated by a plastic wall. Each of these cells generates… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked, loose, or sticking interior door handle puts you one reach away from climbing out the passenger side like… Read More
Drivetrain
Reading Time: 2 minutesA: The car axle is a long rod that connects two wheels on either side of the car. It usually… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA damaged axle can chew through tires, stress other drivetrain parts, and make driving unsafe. If your vehicle feels clunky… Read More
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
Electrical System
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA: Removing the battery lid exposes six cells that are separated by a plastic wall. Each of these cells generates… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat Does A Car Alarm Look Like? A: A car alarm has different electronic components that are wired to the… Read More
Reading Time: < 1 minuteOn most vehicles, the computer box is usually near the glove box or under the dashboard. There are, however, some… Read More
Engine
Reading Time: 3 minutesQ: Where is the flywheel located on the car? The flywheel is usually found in the engine’s rear end, between… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesDon’t ignore a failing timing chain kit. Rattling noises, rough starts, or engine misfires usually mean the chain or its… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA busted fuel pump is more than an inconvenience. It can stop your car in its tracks, leave you stranded,… Read More
Exhaust System
Reading Time: 5 minutesExhaust headers enhance the performance of cars with 4-cylinder engines. They replace the exhaust manifold and reduce the backpressure in… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesExhaust pipe sizes can be a little tricky to pin down. The measurement process seems simple enough: identify the exhaust… Read More
Reading Time: 3 minutesIf you upgrade your vehicle’s engine, don’t forget to enhance the exhaust system. Otherwise, the increased exhaust gases produced by… Read More
Ignition System
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen a car battery begins to leak, you’ll notice chalky green acid deposits forming around the battery terminals. This is… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: Where Is the Kill Switch Typically Located? A: In most vehicles, the kill switch can be found behind the… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe key fob has replaced the traditional car keys in modern models. It lets you unlock the doors, start the… Read More
Interior
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: What Does a Five-Point Harness Car Seat Look Like? A: A five-point harness car seat has five points of… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesMold is always bad news. It’s ugly, stinks, and spreads quickly. Finding it in your car is even worse. If… Read More
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
Maintenance
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: What does pollen look like on a car? Pollen looks like yellow dust or powder to the naked eye,… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesThere are many reasons you might keep a vehicle in storage for long periods. Perhaps it’s part of a collection… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesNew car owners who are trying to take on the DIY route for the first time are often faced with… Read More
OBD-II Trouble Codes
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe P1497 fault code has plagued many Mini Cooper S vehicles, particularly the 2008 and 2009 model years. But what… Read More
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
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
Suspension
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: Where Are the CV Boots Typically Located? A: The CV boots are typically located on the ends of a… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesThanks to your vehicle’s suspension system, you can enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride even as you drive over small… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: Where is the Control Arm Typically Located? A: Control arms are typically located in the frontmost part of the… Read More
Transmission
Reading Time: 4 minutesQ: What does a car transmission look like? A: The typical car transmission resembles a church bell. Its rear end… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn a manual transmission, the clutch can be found between the crankshaft and transmission housing. In an automatic transmission, the… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: Where is the CV joint located in a car? Constant velocity (CV) joints are found on both ends of… Read More
Warning Lights
Reading Time: 6 minutesNot all of your vehicle’sinstrument panel lights should illuminate after you remove your key from the ignition. The instrument panel… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesImagine driving about normally, when you notice lights flashing on your dashboard. It’s not just the check engine light. Other… Read 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
Wheels and Tires
Reading Time: 6 minutesYour vehicle’s fender liner shields the wheel wells from dirt, water, salt, and debris that would otherwise get flung into… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesTemperature affects tire pressure, changing how the tire performs and altering its service life. It’s vital to know what cold… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesMost tires last around 6 to 10 years in storage, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises against… Read More
Auto Repair
Reading Time: 6 minutesYour vehicle’s fender liner shields the wheel wells from dirt, water, salt, and debris that would otherwise get flung into… Read More
Reading Time: 2 minutesA: The car axle is a long rod that connects two wheels on either side of the car. It usually… Read More
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA: Removing the battery lid exposes six cells that are separated by a plastic wall. Each of these cells generates… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your step bumper takes a hit or starts to rust, it can jeopardize your vehicle’s hitch stability, safety, and… Read More
Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked, loose, or sticking interior door handle puts you one reach away from climbing out the passenger side like… Read More
Reading Time: 5 minutesModern cars make grille design more functional than ever, with active shutters, integrated cameras, and precise fitment requirements. That means… Read More