CategoryKnow How

Check with the experts at NAPA before investing in an automotive upgrade. Take advantage of our advanced shopping guides on brake parts, headlamps, bike racks, seat covers, cordless drills, garage storage solutions and more. Whether you need insight on buying a used car or what to do for an EV battery recall, the NAPA Blog will keep you informed and powered up.

Posted November 8, 2017 Know How

How Does a Car Charging System Work?

Your car’s charging system has a hand in nearly everything that happens in your vehicle. Here’s a basic look at how the magic happens.

Exposed suspension, ball joints and bushings in a VW

Posted November 7, 2017 Know How

How to Spot Bad Ball Joints and Bushings: 3 Classic Signs They Need Repair

Ball joints and bushings are the backbone of your vehicle’s suspension system. Here’s how to deal with them when they start to rattle and wander.

An engine under the hood of a new car prepared for the engine break-in process.

Posted November 6, 2017 Know How

4 Engine Break-In Do’s and Don’ts

Engine break-in can be controversial. Don’t punish your engine during the break-in period and you’ll enjoy better performance over the life of your car.

A vehicle's oil reservoir being filled with a funnel. A closer analysis of the numbers on the bottle can tell you more about the oil weight.

Posted November 2, 2017 Know How

Understanding Oil Weight: What Do the Numbers on the Bottle Mean?

Choosing the right engine oil weight doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a look at what the numbers on the bottle actually mean.

Posted November 1, 2017 Know How

5 Alternator Issues and Warning Signs: How to Stay Ahead of a Potential Problem

Don’t get caught on the side of the road with alternator issues. Learn how to spot the signs that it’s about to fail before it does.

Posted October 30, 2017 Know How

What Do Fuel Additives Really Do?

You’ve probably seen the significant shelf space devoted to fuel additives. Here’s what they do.

Shop lights come in many forms with bulb options, like this LED

Posted October 28, 2017 Know How

The 5 Most Important Shop Lights You Need for Any Job

Having the proper shop lights for different jobs can make things a lot easier. Here’s a look at some lights every shop should have.

Posted October 26, 2017 Know How

What is an EDR? Understanding Event Data Recorder Technology

The moments leading up to a crash offer valuable data to accident investigators, which is captured by the EDR.

Garage lighting should include more than a single bulb, and take different projects into account.

Posted October 21, 2017 Know How

Garage Lighting Like the Pros: How to Stay Lit and Stay Safe

Garage lighting keeps you safe and makes automotive projects that much easier. Check out these lighting options for your home garage.

There are several myths about redlining a car, but not all of them are true.

Posted October 19, 2017 Know How

Redlining a Car: 3 Common Automotive Myths Debunked

Your engine’s redline is not something to be feared. Here are 3 myths about what redlining a car does to your engine.