BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 10, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Anyone familiar with cars knows changing an engine air filter is an important part of routine maintenance, but why do engines need an air filter to begin with? Just why are they so important and how do they affect performance? No ...

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Look at the Condition and History You love everything about your classic car: driving it around, showing it off, waxing it, and going to shows and talking to other classic car owners. But, occasionally, you wonder if you would like to sell it. You may have had it for 10 or 20 years… what’s it ...

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Do-it-yourselfers take pride in the fact that they can fix practically anything around the house, from garden equipment to the family car and everything in between. As a DIYer, you might know how to check and replace your brakes, but the question is: At what point should you take your car to the mechanic?...

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BY WARREN CLARKE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 29, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Do you smell gas in your vehicle when you’re behind the wheel? There are many causes of gasoline smell in a car, and some of these are minor. However, in some cases, this smell could be triggered by a major issue ...

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We all love looking at classic cars, but unless you’re a professional photographer, taking a picture never seems to convey just how cool your car is. Art worthy shots of your classic car should be easy to take! With these quick tips, you can go from boring everyday snaps to awesome posters in the making ...

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BY NICOLE WAKELIN / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 25, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Many of the tools needed to change brakes are probably sitting in your toolbox or garage already. If not, purchasing these tools is something of an investment since most can be used for a multitude of other tasks. Here are the ...

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BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 1, 2016 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Like a patient who exhibits certain symptoms when they’re sick, your car has ways of telling you it isn’t well. Although most of the time you need a mechanic’s tool set and know-how to fix the problem, there are a few ...

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BY MATTHEW C. KEEGAN / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 18, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / When finishing a trip, you place the transmission in park, turn off the ignition and take your keys with you before exiting the vehicle. But there is another step you should include: engage the parking brake. The parking brake supplies an ...

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With classic cars come some classic problems, and there’s nothing more classic than the problem of oil stains on your driveway or garage floor. Grease, oil and grime accumulate whenever you work on your classic car. Spilled oil isn’t just an eyesore, though, it’s a fall hazard and runoff can hurt the environment. Cleaning up your ...

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BY BENJAMIN HUNTING / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 12, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / When considering brake rotor replacement, you may be tempted by several of the options that are presented to you to enhance your vehicle’s stopping power. In fact, there’s a small universe of bolt-on brake parts out there that are intended to upgrade ...

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BY NICOLE WAKELIN / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 29, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / You’ve probably heard it can be an expensive repair, but do you know what causes a blown head gasket? Here’s what your head gasket does to keep your engine running smoothly, common causes of a faulty one and what you should do ...

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BY BENJAMIN JEREW / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 3, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Engines have evolved — they need less maintenance, produce more power and require less fuel. With a reduced maintenance regime, oil change services become even more important. Here are five common questions regarding engine oil change services. 1. When Does the Engine ...

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