BY MIKE HAGERTY / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 12, 2020 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / What’s that sound? Your vehicle, which usually purrs like a kitten, has started squeaking like a mouse. If it happens when your car is running, but not moving, it’s most likely an issue with a belt. What Causes a Squeaky Belt ...

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BY MIKE HAGERTY / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 24, 2020 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / You already know that your car’s battery is essential — you’re not going anywhere without that power. So, you probably check the terminals to make sure they’re staying free of corrosion and replace the battery when it’s worn out. But when ...

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BY BENJAMIN HUNTING / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 5, 2018 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / A radiator leak is a fairly serious problem to have with any vehicle. While it might be tempting to just keep adding coolant to the top-up line and continue driving, your car or truck’s cooling system has one of the most ...

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BY MATTHEW C. KEEGAN / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 14, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Wouldn’t it be great if our cars told us when something is wrong? In a way, they already do. Modern cars have instrument panels with dozens of symbols and warning indicators. These notify you of basic issues, like the windshield ...

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BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Old and failing spark plugs can cause a host of problems in your engine, and it should be expected that you’ll have to change them at least a few times during the life of a vehicle. Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward DIY that ...

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BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 28, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Changing your oil filter (and oil, of course) is the cornerstone of responsible engine maintenance. But what happens when you go to do the thing and your oil filter is uncooperative? If you know how to remove a stuck oil filter ...

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BY MATTHEW C. KEEGAN / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 24, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Gas prices go up and gas prices go down. This constant seesaw can put a wrinkle in any budget, leading consumers to carefully consider their next vehicle. But purchasing a new car isn’t always a practical or an affordable solution ...

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BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 27, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Engines are complex machines with rapidly moving metal parts and small clearances. And as such, they generate a lot of heat. You already know that coolant is an integral part of keeping your engine from exploding, and you probably also know that ...

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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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