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Accessories

How to Mount an Instrument Panel Cover, Plus Mistakes to Avoid

Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked or sun-damaged dashboard is one of those interior problems that’s hard to ignore once you notice it, and… Read More

The Best Window Visor Brands for Clean Fit and Lasting Performance

Reading Time: 6 minutesA damaged or missing window visor becomes a problem as soon as you drive in rain, wash your vehicle, or… Read More

How to Install Chrome Fender Trim: A DIY Guide

Reading Time: 4 minutesThere’s something satisfying about upgrading your vehicle yourself, and installing chrome fender trim is one of those projects that delivers… Read More

Air Conditioning and Heating

Fixing Your Car’s Air Conditioning: Symptoms, Quick Checks, and Real Repair Costs

Reading Time: 7 minutesIf your car’s A/C needs attention, start with a few simple checks. Look at the airflow first, then make sure… Read More

How to Recharge AC in Car: Safe DIY Steps and Smart Limits

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your cabin air stops feeling truly cold, topping up refrigerant is only sometimes the answer. A modern automotive AC… Read More

The Best Blower Motor Resistor Brands for Steady Airflow

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your blower motor resistor goes bad, it messes up your entire heating and cooling system. Air might only blow… 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

Before You Order a Brake Booster, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 7 minutesA brake booster replacement looks straightforward until the part arrives, and something doesn’t match. The pushrod is too short. The… Read More

What Does a Car Brake Look Like?

Reading Time: 3 minutesThere are two common types of car brakes: disc brakes and drum brakes, which can both look different. However, they… Read More

Brake Fluid Replacement Cost: What You’ll Really Pay and Why It Varies So Much

Reading Time: 6 minutesBrake fluid is cheap; the damage from neglecting it is not. Replacing a $10–$30 bottle of fluid at the right… Read More

Before You Order a Bumper Step Pad, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesOrdering a bumper step pad sounds simple until the package arrives and the bolt holes land in the wrong places,… Read More

How to Install a Wheel Arch Repair Panel and Prevent Rust

Reading Time: 4 minutesRust around the wheel arches never stays small for long. A paint bubble above the tire eventually eats through the… Read More

Changing a Car Window: Step-by-Step Door Glass Replacement, Costs, and When to Call a Pro

Reading Time: 6 minutesTo change door glass in a door, remove the door panel, separate the glass from the window regulator, lift the… Read More

Before You Order a Headlight Switch, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesMost headlight switch orders go wrong before the old one is even unbolted. Someone sees a knob that looks right,… Read More

Before You Order a Bumper Reflector, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 7 minutesA bumper reflector seems like the simplest part of the car. It doesn’t move and just sits in the bumper… Read More

High-Quality Fog Lights: What to Look for in a Safer, Longer-Lasting Upgrade

Reading Time: 4 minutesHigh-quality fog lights are worth the investment because fog-light performance comes down to beam control, sealing, heat management, and fitment,… Read More

Cooling System

The Best Fan Clutch Brands Minus the Hefty Price Tag

Reading Time: 5 minutesA failing fan clutch doesn’t give much warning. The temperature gauge creeps higher in stop-and-go traffic. The AC blows warm… Read More

Where is the Heater Core Located in a Car?

Reading Time: 2 minutesIn some vehicles, the heater coreis located inside the cabin on the passenger’s side. It’s typically behind the dashboard, but… Read More

Radiator Flush: How to Do it At Home, Plus More FAQs

Reading Time: 6 minutesEngines don’t fail because coolant “disappears”; they fail when coolant ages, turns acidic, and slowly eats metals from the inside… Read More

Positive Crankcase Ventilation: How the PCV System Prevents Oil Leaks, Sludge, and Rough Idle

Reading Time: 6 minutesPositive crankcase ventilation is the controlled path that evacuates blow-by gases and oil vapor from the crankcase and routes them… Read More

Manual vs Automatic: Differences, Pros and Cons, Fuel Economy, and Reliability

Reading Time: 5 minutesManual and automatic transmissions are both solid choices, but neither is universally better. Automatics usually fit modern commuting and traffic… Read More

Changing a Car Window: Step-by-Step Door Glass Replacement, Costs, and When to Call a Pro

Reading Time: 6 minutesTo change door glass in a door, remove the door panel, separate the glass from the window regulator, lift the… Read More

Before You Order a Locking Hub, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 8 minutesA locking hub isn’t the kind of part you can match by eyeballing a thumbnail and hoping for the best…. Read More

Before You Order a Transfer Case Motor, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesA transfer case motor looks like a simple bolt-on. The thumbnails on any parts site reinforce that: small black electric… Read More

Where Is the 4WD Actuator Located? Plus Replacement Tips

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf you’re trying to figure out where the 4WD actuator is located, the short answer depends on your drivetrain design…. Read More

Electrical System

Deep Cycle Car Batteries: How to Choose, Charge, and Use Them Safely

Reading Time: 7 minutesA deep cycle car battery delivers steady power over extended periods and bounces back from repeated discharge cycles, making it… Read More

Where is the GPS Located in Cars?

Reading Time: 2 minutesFor some cars with built-in GPS trackers, the tracking device can be found under the dashboard near the OBD port…. Read More

Where is the A/C Fuse Located?

Reading Time: 2 minutesQ: Where is the A/C Fuse Typically Located in a Car? A: On most vehicles, the A/C fuse is located… Read More

Before You Order a Valve Cover Gasket, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 9 minutesA valve cover gasket looks like one of the simplest parts on the engine, and that’s exactly why it trips… Read More

What Is a Car Air Pump, & How Does It Keep The Exhaust Clean?

Reading Time: 7 minutesA car air pump, formally called asecondary air injection pump and often nicknamed a smog pump, is a component bolted… Read More

Before You Order an Intake Manifold, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 8 minutesAn intake manifold isn’t a part most people order on impulse. But it’s one that frequently lands in the wrong… Read More

Exhaust System

Before You Order an EGR Valve, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 9 minutesAn EGR valve is one of the easiest parts to order wrong. Not because the part itself is complicated, but… Read More

The Best Exhaust Manifold Brands: Quality Replacements for Your Car

Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked exhaust manifold does more than raise the noise level. It can skew oxygen sensor readings, trigger a check… Read More

EGR Valve Replacement: When It’s Necessary, What It Fixes, and How to Do It Right

Reading Time: 7 minutesAn EGR valve replacement is rarely anyone’s first choice; it usually comes up after weeks of rough running, a persistent… Read More

Ignition System

Automatic Car Won’t Start: No-Crank vs Crank-No-Start Diagnosis and Safe Moving Tips

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen an automatic won’t start, the key is splitting the problem into two categories before you touch anything: no-crank or… Read More

Starter Replacement Cost: What You’ll Really Pay (and How to Keep It Reasonable)

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhen a starter begins to fail, you’re usually already annoyed: the car cranks slowly, clicks, or refuses to turn at… Read More

The Best Ignition Lock Cylinder Brands That Are Worth Your Money

Reading Time: 4 minutesThere’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling when your key won’t turn in the ignition. Maybe you’re already late for… Read More

The Best Turn Signal Switch Brands: Top Picks to Keep You Moving

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhen your turn signal switch goes bad, you notice it right away. Maybe the stalk doesn’t click into place, the… Read More

The Best Dash Cover Brands for Cracked and Faded Dashboards

Reading Time: 4 minutesA cracked dashboard can slowly chip away at your vehicle’s resale value if left unfixed. Since factory replacements are often… Read More

What Does a Five-Point Harness Car Seat Look Like?

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

Maintenance

Power Steering Fluid Flush: When to Do It, DIY Steps, and Cost

Reading Time: 9 minutesIf your vehicle uses hydraulic or electro-hydraulic steering assist, a fluid flush replaces most of the old hydraulic fluid so… Read More

What Does Acid Rain Damage Look Like on a Car?

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWhen acid rain falls on a vehicle and isn’t cleaned quickly, it can destroy the top coat and the paint… Read More

What Does Pollen Look Like on a Car?

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

OBD-II Trouble Codes

Mini Cooper S P1497 Fault Code Explained

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

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

Before You Order an Air Suspension Compressor, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 8 minutesAn air suspension compressor isn’t a part you want to order twice. It’s one of the higher-dollar components in the… Read More

Control Arm Replacement Cost: What a Realistic Budget Looks Like

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhen a control arm starts clunking or your tires wear in weird patterns, the noise isn’t the only thing that… Read More

What Does a Car Strut Look Like?

Reading Time: 2 minutesA car strut is a long, tube-shaped part that looks like a thick metal stick. Most vehicle struts have a… Read More

Transmission

Before You Order a Clutch, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 7 minutesA clutch replacement is one of those jobs where the cheapest-looking cart is rarely the correct one. Shoppers open a… Read More

Manual vs Automatic: Differences, Pros and Cons, Fuel Economy, and Reliability

Reading Time: 5 minutesManual and automatic transmissions are both solid choices, but neither is universally better. Automatics usually fit modern commuting and traffic… Read More

Transmission Replacement Cost: What Drivers Really Pay and How to Decide

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen a transmission fails, the real question is not whether it must be fixed, but whether the car is worth… Read More

Warning Lights

Do Your Instrument Panel Lights Stay On After the Key Is Removed? Here’s Why

Reading Time: 6 minutesNot all of your vehicle’s instrument panel lights should illuminate after you remove your key from the ignition.  The instrument… Read More

What Causes Car Dashboard Lights Flashing?

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

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

Wheels and Tires

How to Install a Spare Tire Carrier: Tips for Truck and SUV Owners

Reading Time: 5 minutesInstalling a spare tire carrier is one of the more useful upgrades a truck or SUV owner can make. It… Read More

TPMS Sensor Replacement Cost: What You’ll Really Pay and How to Keep It Down

Reading Time: 6 minutesIf your tire pressure light has been on for weeks even after you’ve checked your tires, you’re probably not worried… Read More

Tire Rotation: Cost, What A Fair Price Looks Like, and When to Add Balancing or Alignment

Reading Time: 5 minutesTire rotation isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about protecting a four-figure investment and the way your vehicle steers, brakes, and… Read More

Auto Repair

Before You Order a Locking Hub, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 8 minutesA locking hub isn’t the kind of part you can match by eyeballing a thumbnail and hoping for the best…. Read More

Before You Order a Headlight Switch, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesMost headlight switch orders go wrong before the old one is even unbolted. Someone sees a knob that looks right,… Read More

Before You Order a Bumper Step Pad, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesOrdering a bumper step pad sounds simple until the package arrives and the bolt holes land in the wrong places,… Read More

Before You Order a Transfer Case Motor, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 6 minutesA transfer case motor looks like a simple bolt-on. The thumbnails on any parts site reinforce that: small black electric… Read More

Before You Order a Clutch, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 7 minutesA clutch replacement is one of those jobs where the cheapest-looking cart is rarely the correct one. Shoppers open a… Read More

Before You Order a Valve Cover Gasket, Build the One-Job Order Sheet

Reading Time: 9 minutesA valve cover gasket looks like one of the simplest parts on the engine, and that’s exactly why it trips… Read More

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