CarParts.com, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements (Details)

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	$ 1,175	$ 13,564
Cash and cash equivalents Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	1,076	10,335
Investments Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	99	1,125
Investments - ARPS Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value		2,104
Level 1 [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	1,175	11,460
Level 1 [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	1,076	10,335
Level 1 [Member] \| Investments Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value	99	1,125
Level 1 [Member] \| Investments - ARPS Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 2 [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 2 [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 2 [Member] \| Investments Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 2 [Member] \| Investments - ARPS Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 3 [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value		2,104
Level 3 [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 3 [Member] \| Investments Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value
Level 3 [Member] \| Investments - ARPS Total [Member]
Financial assets valued on recurring basis
Assets, fair value		$ 2,104