Antifreeze Uses and Why Your Car Needs It
December 28, 2015
By Matthew C. Keegan / Originally Published December 21, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / As temperatures drop, a very important liquid is at work in your car to help keep it running. Known traditionally as “antifreeze” and sometimes thought of as “coolant,” this fluid runs in a circular pattern under the hood to maintain the temperature ...
DIY: 5 Ways to Repurpose Spare Car Parts Creatively
December 20, 2015
By Erich Reichert / Originally Published November 20, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / There are few things more satisfying than making your own automotive repairs — but once you’re done, what happens to those old, spare car parts? Maybe a tire gets made into a swing for your kids, but let’s face it: Most of those ...
Cars gone Hot Rod, Top Cars that make great Kustoms
December 12, 2015
By Tara Hurlin / Originally Published October 27, 2015 / Hagerty / Nothing reflects the qualities of America quite as well as the Hot rod: resourcefulness, innovation, diversity, freedom, and maybe even a bit of rebelliousness. Although a commonly used term today, it has become broader over the last decade to encompass vehicles of many faces, purposes ...
7 Holiday Traffic Safety Tips
December 11, 2015
By Sarah Shelton / Originally Published December 5, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / Whether you’re getting together with friends and family or stealing away from the daily grind for a few days, the destination behind your holiday drive can light up your season. But travel during these busy times can be stressful — and sometimes hazardous. ...
Your Car Temperature Gauge System: Read it Right, Save Your Motor
November 18, 2015
By Benjamin Hunting / Originally Published November 13, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / Your car temperature gauge seems straightforward: a needle that shows you whether your engine is hot or cold, with a “safe zone” of temperatures in between. However, not every car has this type of setup, as some feature a digital readout with actual ...
Safety Tips for Winter Road Trips
November 9, 2015
Okay, in sunny SoCal we don’t exactly have “winter driving.” But, that doesn’t mean we don’t need to be prepared… particularly for a snowboarding trip to Mammoth, or even to Flagstaff for Thanksgiving. Preparedness is essential when it comes to any road trip, and especially for long distance winter road trips. With an increased risk ...
The Oil Types Personality Quiz
November 5, 2015
By Erich Reichert / Originally Published November 4, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / From horoscopes to home decorating, telltale signs of our personality types are all around us — whether we’re aware of it or not. Although it may never show up on a dating site profile, which of the oil types is right for you ...
High Mileage Car Tips for Extending Vehicle Life
November 3, 2015
By Matthew C. Keegan / Originally Published October 28, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / Just one more year. That’s what you have been telling yourself as you complete yet another repair on your aged car. But if you’ve been keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule and responding quickly to each indicator of trouble, then there’s ...
Replacing Shocks: When is it Time?
October 28, 2015
By Benjamin Hunting / Originally Published October 18, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / Replacing shocks on your car can dramatically improve your vehicle’s performance. These crucial components play a pivotal role in your suspension system, as they not only help smooth out rough roads by absorbing potholes and broken pavement, but they also affect braking, handling ...
Pack a Car Emergency Kit for the Long Road Ahead
October 22, 2015
By Matthew C. Keegan / Originally Published October 10, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / If you’re planning a long drive, especially one where you’ll be on the road for at least six hours, you need to ensure that your car emergency kit is well stocked. The farther you go, the more likely it is that something ...
Four Tips for Finding the Correct Car Part
October 15, 2015
Finding the right car parts at a swap meet can be a tricky business. Simply showing up and looking for an alternator, a starter, a water pump, or a fuel pump is going to leave a wide margin for error. A lot of times it’s not enough to simply know your vehicle’s year, make, and model when ...
Timing Chain Versus Timing Belt: A Primer
October 11, 2015
By Benjamin Hunting / Originally Published October 6, 2015 / National Automotive Parts Association / Knowing if there’s a timing chain versus a timing belt in your car, and what exactly they both do, can help you save on expensive maintenance, costly repairs or both. Although it might seem like an overly technical subject, understanding a timing belt ...