Automotive expertise from NAPA Auto Parts
Check out the latest featured automotive articles from the NAPA Know How Blog. With over 90 years of experience NAPA wants to share our Know How with everyone.
Have you suddenly found yourself with some free time on your hands? If so, there are a few easy vehicle maintenance projects that you can do with minimal prep right at home. These aren’t complicated projects and most need only basic tools and supplies. So before you start watching the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy again, take some time for easy vehicle maintenance that will pay off dividends later…
Engine air filters come in lots of different shapes and sizes, but they all do one job: They keep the inside of your engine free from harmful debris. Over the years, the design of engine air filters has changed, from their size to their material, so no one filter works best for all makes and models. Here’s a rundown of an engine air filter’s components…
Your car’s battery is an integral part of your vehicle’s electrical system. When it fails, you’re not going anywhere. The time to consider your next battery purchase is before you need one, as batteries sometimes fail with little warning. Here’s how to buy a car battery and what you need to know about getting the right one for your vehicle…
When you think about it, the idea that putting a small amount of pressure on a pedal could bring a speeding vehicle to a halt sounds a little ludicrous. Luckily, we’ve developed braking systems that do exactly that (and more). One key to good brakes is surprisingly small: the brake bleeder screw. Do you know how to use it and what it does for you?
Your nose is an effective detective. When chemical molecules are released, smells enter your nose, dissolve within a mucous membrane and are immediately transferred to your brain to decipher. However, not all odors are easily interpreted, including certain odd car smells that could signal an even greater problem…
It’s easy to tell when your windshield wipers need to be replaced because the evidence is right in front of you. Similarly, a dirty cabin air filter might release unpleasant odors or block air from flowing through the vents. An engine air filter that needs to be replaced, however, isn’t so obvious…
If you’re shopping for a new car battery, replacing the original battery with the same one is the easiest option. But even if you’re just swapping it out with a newer version, it’s important to understand car battery ratings — what they mean and how they make a difference. Car battery ratings cover four different aspects of performance. Learn how to read them, so you can choose the right battery for your car.
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. If your car is making unusual sounds, you might have a belt issue. Here’s what to look (and listen) for…
Knowing how to unfreeze windshield wipers is important if you live in a region that experiences cold winters. Your car’s wipers serve a critical role in keeping your windshield clear, so you can see the road ahead during ice- or snowstorms…
With winter in full force, you may have noticed that your windshield wipers are just not cutting it. The weather is throwing snow, sleet and frost at you, and your windshield wipers are struggling to keep the glass clear. But are winter windshield wipers really that different than regular wipers? First, let’s take a look at different windshield wipers and how they work…