Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas?
In the movies, even a minor gasoline leak can immediately turn into a massive explosion—which is why to some, smelling fuel inside the car can be extremely unnerving. Plus, the...Read more
White Smoke From the Exhaust: What Does it Mean?
Smoke from your car’s exhaust is never a good sign. A significant amount of white smoke is particularly worrisome because it almost always indicates an internal engine problem. And that...Read more
What is a Car Tune-Up?
Vintage cars have a bunch of mechanical parts, such as ignition points and carburetors, that have to be constantly “tuned up.” But on modern vehicles, nearly all such components have...Read more
5 Possible Reasons Why Your Car Shakes When Braking
A shaking or pulsating when applying the brake pedal almost always indicates excessive rotor runout or a variation in rotor thickness. Although not quite accurate, many professionals refer to these...Read more
How to Unfold & Prep Your Bumper Cover for Installation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJiEa1lD2Zk&feature=youtu.be If you've just received your bumper cover, you may be wondering why it's folded. Most unpainted aftermarket bumper covers come folded to assume a more compact form. Folding our...Read more
Should You Wear a Face Mask While Driving?
These days, most people wouldn’t dare leave the safety of their homes without first donning a face mask or some sort of face covering. Be it a surgical mask, an...Read more
5 Ways to Celebrate 4th of July While Social Distancing
When we think of the 4th of July, images of cookouts with friends, flag-filled parades, crowded pool parties, and bright fireworks usually come to mind. But due to circumstances beyond...Read more
There’s a Shortage of RVs: Is Now the Perfect Time for a Camper Van Conversion?
An increase in recreational vehicle (RV) sales is one unexpected result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the current state of affairs, dealers have seen a 170 percent jump in...Read more
Save Money During Tough Times: Fix Your Car, Instead of Buying a New One
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment. What’s more, according to the International Labour Organization, 1.6 billion workers – nearly half...Read more
Once You Develop a “Fix-it” Mindset, You Can Repair Nearly Anything
Last week, my washing machine stopped entering its drain cycle. Because the beat-up box is at least a decade old, family members immediately urged me to buy a new one....Read more
When Should You Use Your Headlights?
The main purpose of your vehicle's headlights is to improve visibility on the road when driving under low-light conditions. But using them isn't just a suggestion—drivers are required by law...Read more
Best Car Upgrades
If you’re like most enthusiasts, you simply cannot leave your car alone. You have to add a set of aftermarket wheels, a performance exhaust system, a set of fuzzy dice—something...Read more
5 Cool Car Gifts for Father’s Day
Father’s Day is right around the corner, and for most of us, this year’s celebrations are probably going to be a bit different due to the pandemic. Most people will...Read more
Catalytic Converter Theft is on the Rise: How to Protect Your Vehicle
In Mountain View, CA, thieves have cut catalytic converters out of dozens of hybrid cars within the last couple of months. The story is similar in Lincoln, NE, where converter...Read more
What are the Different Types of Headlights?
Headlights help you navigate the road at night and improve visibility in bad weather conditions. Suffice it to say, having properly functioning headlights is vital to your safety on the...Read more
Which States Have Reopened After Coronavirus Lockdown?
After weeks of sheltering in place to slow down the spread of COVID-19, several states have announced their plans to reopen and have started to ease restrictions and restart economic...Read more
What are the Parts of a Car Door?
Car doors come in different shapes, sizes, and types. Aside from protecting the passengers inside a vehicle, the doors also ensure a comfortable ride for everyone. Aside from being the...Read more
When Will the DMV Reopen?
Many Americans have been under stay-at-home orders over the past few months. In an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19, all non-essential activities had to be postponed indefinitely....Read more
6 Car Adventures to Try During COVID-19
Road trips can be a therapeutic experience for drivers and passengers alike. You get to enjoy the freedom of going anywhere the road takes you—even places that are well beyond...Read more
10 Ways to Honor Our Fallen Heroes this Memorial Day
Whenever we gather with family and friends to celebrate Memorial Day, it’s important to remember what—or rather who—we honor: the valorous men and women in uniform who made the ultimate...Read more
Top 5 Female Race Car Drivers of All Time (and 5 Up-and-Comers to Watch)
Racing has always been a male-dominated sport. What most people don’t realize, however, is that there have been (and continue to be) some outstanding professional female drivers. And we’re not...Read more
Best First Cars for New Drivers
Whether you’re a first-time car buyer or a parent looking for your teen’s first ride, going through all the available options can be a bit overwhelming. Of course, choosing your...Read more
The Best NASCAR Racing Video Games You Can Play Today
Are you all hyped for the comeback of NASCAR? That’s right—if you haven’t seen the news yet, NASCAR will resume its Cup Series at the Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May...Read more
What Sets a NASCAR Stock Car Apart from the Car in Your Driveway?
The stock car is the essence of NASCAR. It is said to have gotten its start in the Prohibition Era—born out of the need for secret distilleries to deliver moonshine...Read more
NASCAR Drivers Return to the Track After Months of Intense Virtual Racing
For the last couple of months, the COVID-19 pandemic forced nearly everything to close—including race tracks. But while in-person NASCAR events were on hold, many drivers were engaging in virtual...Read more
How to Buy a Car During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is shaping the way Americans move and travel. While some states have begun to relax certain restrictions, things are still a long way from going back to...Read more
Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Within the US: Is Interstate Travel Allowed?
If you're looking for information on which states have reopened and their restrictions, read our guide to all state reopenings. There are nearly 1.25M known cases and more than 73,000...Read more
Mother’s Day Stories: Giving Back to the Moms Who Inspire Us
This Mother's Day, we're paying tribute to a few of the Wonder Women in our lives. We may not be able to take them out for brunch, but we still...Read more
Top 7 Vehicles That are Perfect for Surviving Disasters & Emergencies
Like everyone else, I’ve been swept up in the calamity surrounding COVID-19. Before things got really crazy, though, I had the foresight to buy some used exercise equipment in preparation...Read more
A Brief History of Lowriders
How much do you know about lowriders? For those of us who didn't grow up around them, it's easy for media perceptions to limit our understanding. When we look at...Read more
Show Off Your Ride: The Lowrider Edition
With Cinco de Mayo car shows, block parties, and other public gatherings getting canceled this year, many of us have been disappointed, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find safe,...Read more
Step Bumper vs Receiver Hitch
Having the ability to tow a trailer can prove extremely useful for both work and play. But not every vehicle rolls out of the factory with the parts required to...Read more
How Can I Get My Car Fixed During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
During the COVID-19 lockdown, in nearly every city, only businesses deemed essential are allowed to remain open—and that leaves many people wondering how they can bring their cars in for...Read more
8 Things You Can Do for Mom While Staying Home This Mother’s Day
The chaos surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic can make it easy to forget that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. What’s more, due to the threat of the virus, it...Read more
What to Do If You Can’t Make Your Car Payments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic may still be far from over. As the situation develops, a lot of companies and institutions are taking a huge hit. The fear imposed by the current...Read more
Coilovers vs Springs
People have a hard time understanding whether a coilover is a shock or a spring when, in fact, it’s both. Although that may sound confusing, we have the information you...Read more
CarParts.com’s Ultimate Parts Giveaway: 3 Reasons to Enter, 3 Ways to Win
UPDATE: The entry period for the CarParts.com Ultimate Parts Giveaway has ended. Thank you for joining! Winners have been randomly selected and we are now in the process of reaching...Read more
Car Insurance Companies to Issue Refunds & Discounts Amid COVID-19 Crisis: What You Need to Know
Travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders placed across the country to curb the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in fewer cars on the road. As a result, this has led to...Read more
Is Curbside Pickup Safe During COVID-19? Top Establishments That Offer the Service
Before social distancing took over our lives, you could easily go online and have your groceries or food delivered to your doorstep. But the COVID-19 crisis has forced companies to...Read more
Can You Drive Without a Catalytic Converter?
The catalytic converter is tougher than most parts found in your car. That’s because it needs that toughness to withstand high operating temperatures. But it can still break down or...Read more
What Does a Speed Sensor Do?
Modern vehicles contain a variety of different speed sensors. For example, most cars have a vehicle speed sensor and multiple wheel speed sensors. Other types of sensors, such as the...Read more
Best Online Resources to Help You Learn How to Fix Cars
With the need to practice social distancing and self-quarantines, nearly everyone has some extra time on their hands these days. Now, to most people, the shelter-in-place orders may seem like...Read more
Auto Fun Survival Kit: A Week of Car-Inspired Activities for Families Stuck at Home
Are the kids (and maybe adults) in your family getting antsy at home? There’s plenty you can do together to make staying in fun! Every week, the team at CarParts.com...Read more
10 Ways to Make Your Car More Eco-Friendly
It might be hard to find a silver lining in the situation our world is facing today, but here’s some good news: since social distancing and stay-at-home orders have been...Read more
What are the Best Catalytic Converters?
A lot of people doubt the importance of replacing a bad catalytic converter. Many car owners are also not that eager to replace their faulty catalytic converters because replacement could...Read more
How to Clean & Disinfect Your Car’s Interior During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you probably only cleaned your car’s interior a couple of times a year. But now, if you're like most people, you're hyper-vigilant about disinfecting every inch...Read more
PSA: Tips for Storing Your Vehicle During COVID-19
Many states and large cities have now implemented shelter-in-place orders to help curb the COVID-19 outbreak—meaning everyone has to stay home. And while there are exceptions to this mandate, such...Read more
Best Shocks for Lifted Trucks
Shock absorbers ensure a smooth ride for any car that roams the roads. They are even more critical to trucks that often go off-roading for recreation or work. They may...Read more
The Create Your Dream Car Challenge
Whether you’re a kid, an adult, an everyday driver, or an everyday dreamer—or all of the above—you’ve probably had big ideas about your dream car. What it would look like....Read more
Car Organization Hacks: Keep Your Ride Clutter-Free
Many of us are guilty of having a messy car. With everyone’s busy day-to-day routines, the task of cleaning and organizing your car is often left on the back burner....Read more
Bumper Cover vs. Bumper: What’s the Difference?
Most people who don't know much about vehicles would probably find it confusing when they encounter the term, “bumper cover.” Is that different from a bumper? What is it used...Read more
Car Care Month & COVID-19: Prep Your Vehicle for Emergencies
April is National Car Care Month—and it’s less than two weeks away. Now, with the exception of our brave health workers and other frontliners who are working hard to fight...Read more
How to Avoid the Glare from Oncoming Headlights
If you’re the kind of driver who can’t take glare that well, you’d want to avoid the glare from oncoming headlights because being temporarily blind on the road could potentially...Read more
Steel vs. Alloy Wheels
Steel or alloy wheels—how do you know which one is right for your vehicle? These two options are the most common types of rims used in cars today. Each type...Read more
Daylight Savings & Car Crashes: What You Need to Know
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of adjusting clocks one hour forward during spring and reverting it back in fall. The practice stretches back to the 19th century and...Read more
What are the Best Wheel Spacers?
There is some debate on the benefits of wheel spacers and how safe they are to use on your car or truck. For the most part, spacers provide several benefits...Read more
A Guide to Car Window Accessories
Car window accessories like a windshield sun shade can help protect your vehicle’s interior and your eyes from the potentially adverse effects of intense sunlight. They can make getting into...Read more
A Guide to Using Your Tax Refund on Car Repair & Maintenance
All year you've been patiently waiting for your tax refund... and now it's finally here. Now, you can give your car some much-needed TLC. Whether your ride needs repair or...Read more
Top 5 Car-Related Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
Hard-working Americans like yourself look forward to spring for a few reasons: one of them being tax refunds. When it's time for the money to roll in, you start daydreaming...Read more
A Tale of Two V-Day Car Catastrophes (Plus One Happy Ending)
A Perfect Disaster Courtesy of Erin We met at a local Cars ‘n’ Coffee show just a few weeks before Valentine’s Day. He drove a Subaru WRX STI while I...Read more
5 Car Date Ideas (and How To Prep Your Car for a Sweet Getaway)
Love is in the air this month—and if you’re looking for romantic date ideas that won’t break the bank and allow you to avoid the crowds this Valentine’s day, here...Read more
My Car Accelerates on its Own: What’s the Issue?
Having complete control over your vehicle is essential to your safety on the road, so it can certainly be jarring (and frightening) when your car suddenly accelerates by itself while...Read more
Better Together: A Guide to Buying Parts in Pairs
Is your car looking a little worse for wear? Or do you know someone who’s been saving up for ages to fix their ride? Show them some love this Valentine’s...Read more
Win a $300 Shopping Spree in CarParts.com’s Write-a-Review Sweepstakes – EXTENDED
Reviews and ratings are a fundamental part of the shopping experience—which is why your feedback is important to us. If you’re a CarParts.com customer and you’d like to review your...Read more
Game Changers: A Rundown on the 2020 Super Bowl Car Commercials
Innovation. Progress. Resilience. These were three of the biggest themes that drove this year’s line-up of Super Bowl commercials, especially when it came to the automotive spots. Featuring brilliant storytelling...Read more
Is it Illegal to Drive Without a Side Mirror?
Side mirrors are typically more prone to accidental damage due to their location and the fact that they stick out from the body of the car. Some accidents can cause...Read more
Top 8 Radical Ford F-150 Raptor Builds
The Ford F-150 has no shortage of die-hard fans. Known for its performance, durability, and heritage, it is without a doubt one of the best-selling trucks in America. Since its...Read more
Is the Mazda Rotary Engine Worthy of a Comeback?
Internal combustion engines have been powering cars since the mid-1800s. The inherent reliability, efficiency, and power are what made them the standard for car manufacturers. The automotive industry has had...Read more
Is Learning How to Drive a Stick Shift Still Necessary?
Learning how to drive a stick shift used to be a rite of passage for most young drivers. At a time when families had at least one manual transmission vehicle,...Read more
Iridium vs. Platinum Spark Plugs
Over 90% of cars on the road are equipped with internal combustion engines, and a vast majority run on gasoline. Some of the most critical components of a gasoline engine...Read more
When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
Summary: Car models are released almost yearly, this would mean that keeping up with one or two would be economically improbable and inefficient. However, there will be times when it...Read more
Ford RS200: From Homologation Special to Garage-Built Kit Cars
Back in the day when Group B rallying was a thing, car manufacturers scrambled to create the lightest and fastest rally car. Unlike Group A vehicles, which are production models...Read more
What to Pack in Your Winter Emergency Car Kit
Roadside emergencies have a way of happening at the worst possible time. Whether you’re driving cross-country on a holiday or going on your usual twenty-minute commute, having a car emergency...Read more
A Look Back–and a Look Forward–at the Changes in Automotive Technology
When the ball drops in Times Square on January 1st, 2020, we won’t just be entering a new year—we’ll be entering a new decade as well. There have been many...Read more
How to Decorate Your Car with Christmas Lights (for Parades & Parties)
Note: Please check your local and state laws regarding the legality of driving with Christmas lights and other decorations on your car. Planning to go all out with your holiday...Read more
Is Star Wars Technology Inspiring Future Cars?
When it comes to imagining futuristic civilizations and technologies, the ‘Star Wars’ franchise is second to none. Its rich and expansive universe envisions a galaxy where hyperspace travel, light sabers,...Read more
What to Do After a Car Accident: 6 Steps Every Driver Should Know
Even the most careful drivers get into fender benders. While it’s best to be safe on the road and practice defensive driving to avoid road accidents, it’s in your best...Read more
2021 Dodge Viper: Everything You Need to Know
Rumors are spreading that the Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Group is planning to revive the Viper—yes, barely over two years after it got axed. It sounds like the American front mid-engined,...Read more
Fact or Fiction: Are Electric Cars Bad Winter Vehicles?
People are increasingly becoming conscious of the environmental impact of their vehicles. This has prompted auto manufacturers across the globe to commit to developing cleaner forms of automotive technology in...Read more
12 Last-Minute Gift Ideas
Don’t know what to get your loved one this year? Nothing says, “I love you,” like going out of your way to fix up their car. While the holidays can...Read more
Automotive Innovations To Be Thankful For in 2019
There are a lot of things to be thankful for each and every year. The mere fact that you’re able to read this article while sitting in your comfy couch...Read more
Military Humvee vs Civilian Hummer: the Complete History and Rumors of a Comeback
The United States Armed Forces have had a lot of motorized land vehicles throughout the years. From the weird armored cars of the First World War to the Jeeps and...Read more
Top 10 Destinations for Your Next Holiday Road Trip
Got wanderlust this holiday season? Stick a pin in one of these spots for an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to celebrate in a city abuzz with holiday chaos, or...Read more
Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires: Should You Change Your Tires for Winter?
Despite the rise of sophisticated anti-collision technology and automatic braking systems, your vehicle’s safety still relies heavily on a simple set of parts that’s often overlooked—your tires. Choosing the right...Read more
A Black Friday and Cyber Monday Buyer’s Guide for Car Enthusiasts
Black Friday and its good buddy, Cyber Monday, are just around the corner. And that means it's time to stock up on goodies for your car (or your loved one’s...Read more
How to Spruce Up Your Ride This Black Friday and Cyber Monday
On Black Friday, you could waste time wrestling with throngs of aggressive shoppers at the mall. Or you could order car parts and accessories on CarParts.com, while kicking back in...Read more
2019 LA Auto Show: Vehicle Debuts and Concepts to Watch Out For
The 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show) is right around the corner and we know you’re itching to see the cars that are lined up this year. The LA...Read more
When is the Honda S2000 Coming Back?
It’s been 10 years since Honda axed its S2000 roadster… yet the question still lingers—how could Honda dump a precious gem loved by so many so easily? But perhaps ending...Read more
The Good and the Bad About Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
The truth is, no matter how careful we try to be on the road, accidents happen. Sometimes, nature is the cause, but more often than not, people are the ones...Read more
Turbocharger vs. Supercharger: Which is Better?
If you’re looking for ways to boost your car engine's power, you've probably come across the long-running debate between fans of superchargers and turbochargers. The former is an old technology...Read more
Fact or Fiction: Can Catalytic Converters Catch Fire?
In 2018, approximately 90,000 acres of the Sierra National Forest near the Yosemite were burned to the ground. The Ferguson fire burned for over a month before it was fully...Read more
A Closer Look at the Chevrolet Silverado and its Special Edition Lineup
The Chevrolet Silverado's roots run deep in American car culture. General Motors’ marquee full-size pickup truck is loved by many for the balance it offers as both a work truck...Read more
Are Automotive Technicians Ready for a Self-Driving, Electrified Future?
In the past, all someone needed was a set of wrenches and a little aptitude to become a mechanic. With zero formal education, backyard tinkerers were able to turn their...Read more
There’s a Nationwide Shortage of Mechanics. So Who’s Going to Fix Your Car?
Being a mechanic is tough work—especially nowadays. Modern mechanics, now called automotive technicians, must know more than ever before. Techs must be able to troubleshoot the complex electronics found in...Read more
How Eco-Friendly are Green Cars? The Main Points of Debate
Green cars have captivated the fascination of the world since they took to the road in the 2000s. The obsession with clean transportation has grown so much that even the...Read more
Pop Culture Car Showdown: Green Hornet’s Black Beauty vs Knight Rider’s KITT
Which is the best car in pop culture? It's a tough question to answer because each generation has their own favorites (there's Vin Diesel's 1970 Dodge Charger for people who...Read more
Your Rights at the Dealership: Negotiating Prices, Lemon Laws, and More
How many times have you driven home from the dealership and felt like you could’ve gotten more for less? Whether you’re a first-time car buyer or a car owner considering...Read more
7 Tips for Organizing Your Subcompact Car
For the past few years, the national average gas price has been on a crazy roller coaster ride. The current national average is $2.66 per gallon, with some states paying...Read more
[Infographic] Drunk Driving: The Leading Cause of Death on U.S. Roads
One in every three fatal road crashes in the U.S. is caused by alcohol-impaired driving. Every 48 minutes, one person dies from a drunk driving accident. This number includes not...Read more
It’s “Name Your Car Day.” Have You Named Yours?
At CarParts.com, we love our cars like they're our children. This affection has inspired many of us to name them—a custom that has been memorialized in the National Day Calendar...Read more
