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ATLANTA, Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today that it has published its 2023 Sustainability Report. The new report highlights GPC's approach to sustainability that looks inward to global operations and outward to how the company helps improve its vast network that includes teammates, suppliers, customers, communities and investors. "At GPC, we embrace our role in the global sustainable economy," said Paul Donahue, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are proud to share GPC's 2023 Sustainability Report, which highlights our work as One GPC Team to make significant progress on our environmental, social and governance initiatives. Thank you to our teammates, partners and suppliers who strive for excellence every day and deliver exceptional service for our customers and the communities in which we work and live." VIEW THE REPORT HERE: www.genpt.com/sustainability About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. SOURCE Genuine Parts Company For further information: CONTACTS: Investor Contact: Tim Walsh, 678.934.5349, Senior Director - Investor Relations; Media Contact: Heather Ross, 678.934.5220, Vice President - Strategic Communications View the full article

ATLANTA, Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, plans to release third quarter financial results on October 19, 2023. Management will also conduct a conference call on this date at 11:00 a.m. ET. The public may access the webcast and supplemental earnings materials on the company's investor relations website. The call is also available by dialing 888-317-6003. The conference ID is 9754822. A replay of the call will be available on the company's website or toll-free at 877-344-7529, ID 7086770, two hours after the completion of the conference call. About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. SOURCE Genuine Parts Company For further information: Investor contact: Tim Walsh, (678) 934-5349, Senior Director - Investor Relations; Media contact: Heather Ross, (678) 934-5220, Vice President - Strategic Communications View the full article

ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today that Bert Nappier, EVP & CFO, will present at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference at 1:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The presentation will be webcast live on the company's investor relations website. A replay of the webcast will be available after the event. About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. Investor Contact: Media Contact: Tim Walsh (678) 934-5349 Heather Ross (678) 934-5220 Senior Director - Investor Relations Vice President - Strategic Communications SOURCE Genuine Parts Company View the full article

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ATLANTA, May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced that Kevin Herron, President, U.S. Automotive Group (USAG) will retire at the end of 2023 after a distinguished 34-year career with the company. The company also announced Randy Breaux's promotion from President, Motion to the newly created role of Group President, GPC North America, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Herron will serve in an advisory role until his retirement to assist in an orderly and seamless transition. View File Download File Kevin-Herron View File Download File Randy-Breaux "Kevin has been an invaluable asset to GPC throughout his 34 years of dedicated service to the company, including the last five years as President of USAG," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and CEO. "He embodies GPC's values. He is a caring leader who always puts customers and people first, and his work ethic and automotive industry knowledge are unmatched. We extend our deepest gratitude for his commitment and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement." Mr. Breaux joined Motion in 2011 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Distribution, Purchasing and Strategic Planning. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in January 2018 and then President in January 2019. Over the past five years, Mr. Breaux has led the impressive transformation of Motion, including the strategic acquisition of Kaman Distribution Group (KDG). He established a strategic vision, developed a high-performing team and culture, and delivered consistent and exceptional performance each year. In the new role, Mr. Breaux will oversee both the automotive and industrial businesses across North America, while assuming day-to-day responsibility as President of USAG. He will continue to report to Will Stengel, President and Chief Operating Officer. "We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Randy to the new role of Group President, GPC North America," Mr. Donahue continued. "He has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver outstanding results. Randy's leadership and relevant expertise make him the ideal candidate for this role. This transition also represents the depth of our leadership team and our talent initiatives as we continue to foster the power of One GPC." About Genuine Parts Company Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com. SOURCE Genuine Parts Company For further information: Investor Contact: Sid Jones, (678) 934-5628, Senior Vice President - Investor Relations, Media Contact: Heather Ross, (678) 934-5220, Vice President - Strategic Communications View the full article

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5 Must-Have Tools You Can Use Outside the Garage It’s true: NAPA boasts nearly 6,000 Auto Parts stores and more than 17,000 Auto Care centers. With America’s largest network of aftermarket automotive parts and auto service, it might come as a surprise that NAPA also specializes in equipment and expertise outside the garage. That’s right, NAPAonline.com carries a huge range of tools from the smaller toolbox basics like measuring tape, screwdrivers and extension cords to large power tools for serious home repair like pressure washers and cordless or corded power drills. Shop for all the best tools from top brand names like DeWalt, Carlyle Tools, Milwaukee Tool, Craftsman and more. These compact tools work great inside and outside the garage, around the home or even on the road. From full home renovation projects like siding replacement, hardwood floor installation and plumbing upgrades to small jobs like fixture installation or adding window treatments, a great home improvement journey starts at NAPA. Shop for Hand Tools at NAPAonline Even the most complicated at-home projects require those small toolbox staples like a reliable measuring tape. This Milwaukee Tool 25-foot measuring tape features magnetic hooks that cling to steel, as well as a reduced blade arc for a straighter standout. For outdoor projects and surveying, larger units can span up to 300 feet, such as this DeWalt fiberglass long tape. A keychain-style measuring tape is a great addition in any vehicle emergency kit to use for scale reference in accident photos. Nothing kills the excitement of a home-improvement odyssey like a lack of electrical outlets or worse, a too-short extension cord. Keep a UL Listed basic 25-foot extension cord on hand for electrical access or upgrade to a 100-foot cord for maximized length. These cords are durable, insulated for use with power tools and remain flexible in temperatures down to -40 degrees F. This Craftsman 50-foot retractable extension cord features four grounded outlets and a safety circuit breaker, plus the built-in cable management eliminates twisting. Best of all, the spool design has a rewind handle for fast and tidy pack-up and storage. The humble screw is an ancient design. It’s the fastener that holds our world together, so never underestimate the tool that drives it. In all shapes and sizes, both Phillips head screwdrivers and flat-head screwdrivers are critical tools for any basic tool kit and are used everywhere. This durable Craftsman 8-piece screwdriver kit is a great way to make sure you always have the right size screwdriver. For a space-saving option, go with a multi-head device like this Milwaukee Tool 13-in-1 screwdriver. Different types of specialized screws require specific kinds of screwdrivers, such as these Carlyle T6 torx screwdrivers for torx security screws. Also, consider this Milwaukee Tool precision screwdriver set, which includes a #00 size for small tech repairs. Powerful Tools for Every Project One of the simplest ways to improve your home is a good, old-fashioned scrub down! As time passes, ultraviolet rays, dust, insects and even algae and smoke can build up on and stain siding, outdoor furniture and concrete driveways. The garden hose is rarely sufficient for a quality clean and the cost of hiring a service racks up quickly. Shop NAPAonline.com for a personal pressure washing system, so you can keep the outside of your home looking great and free of damage. These versatile tools are powered either by electricity or gas and come in a variety of psi ratings that you can use to clean more than just siding and driveways. If you only need a great way to wash your vehicle, this NAPA electric pressure washer offers 1300 psi and a quick connect multi-directional nozzle. For a more robust, gas-powered cleaning, try this BE Power Equipment 3100-psi pressure washer with a 208cc gas engine and brass head axial pump with a preset unloader valve for low-maintenance use. No home improvement kit is complete without a reliable power drill. Choosing the best option may take some research, but these days, many power tool systems are designed to utilize one common type of battery. Both DeWalt and Milwaukee Tool offer combo kits that feature multiple tools, as well as charging bases so you never get stuck with a dead battery. Additionally, consider a uniquely designed right angle drill for drilling in tight corners and hard-to-reach spaces. Shop at your local NAPA Auto Parts store and check off your home improvement to-do list! When you sign up for NAPA Rewards, you get access to our members-only offers and special promotions. Get 1 Point for every $1 you spend. When you collect 100 points, you’ll automatically receive $5 off your next purchase. Photo courtesy of Pexels. The post 5 Must-Have Tools You Can Use Outside the Garage appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

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Imagine you are driving your Jeep or heavy-duty truck down the highway when you hit a bump and suddenly the steering wheel starts shaking violently. The shaking is so bad you can’t stop it no matter how hard you try to steady the wheel and it only goes away once you are nearly stopped. This situation is known as “death wobble” and it has troubled drivers of mostly offroad and heavy-duty vehicles for decades. So, what is a death wobble and how can you stop it? What Is Death Wobble? The term “death wobble” is not a technical term, but one made up to describe an occurrence when driving. While traveling straight at normal speeds and on flat roads, the vehicle has no issues. But if it hits a bump, an oscillation begins in the front wheels. The oscillation increases causing the front wheels to “wobble” violently back and forth. The wobbling motion is then transmitted to the steering wheel through the steering linkage. The forces are usually so great that the driver is physically unable to steady the steering wheel. Some drivers have come to accept the event as a normal part of driving their vehicle, while those who experience it for the first time are usually left shaken both literally and physically. What Causes Death Wobble? The simplest explanation for what causes death wobble is looseness in the front-end components. Here are a few common causes: Loose steering joints Tie rod ends worn Track bar bushings worn Worn ball joints Sway bar bushings worn Worn out wheel bearings Out of spec alignment Depending on which part is worn out, it may only take one of them to induce death wobble. The more likely scenario though is that several parts are degraded allowing for a greater combined amount of looseness in the system. And as one part wears and creates more movement, it speeds up deterioration of connected parts. There are reports of Jeep Wrangler death wobble stemming back for years, which are now joined by reports of Jeep Gladiator death wobble. While Jeeps are a large part of death wobble issues, there are also Ford truck death wobble reports (mainly in the Super Duty line) and even some in the Dodge Ram truck line. The main connecting theme to these vehicles is a solid front axle. While some drivers have reported death wobble with independent front suspension vehicles, it is uncommon. Oftentimes, tire shimmy is misidentified as death wobble. A vibration that appears at one speed but goes away at another speed is more likely tire shimmy or an out of balance tire. Most people peg it as Jeep death wobble though because of lifted aftermarket suspension parts, but stock suspensions are susceptible as well if worn. Larger tires, which cause more stress on suspension and steering components, can cause death wobble to worsen. Adding larger tires to a vehicle with no death wobble issues won’t cause an immediate change, but it can speed up the breakdown of components. Is Death Wobble Dangerous? Anything that affects your steering and interferes with your ability to control the vehicle is a dangerous condition. The greatest danger from death wobble comes when driving on slippery roads (rain, snow or ice) where reduced vehicle control can prevent an effective response in an emergency situation. How to Stop Death Wobble Once the front wheels start to shake violently back and forth, the only reliable way to stop it is to bring the vehicle to a halt. Do not slam on the brakes, just slow down the vehicle in a controlled manner. You may still have some steering control, but it is difficult to grip the wheel, so don’t expect to make any sharp turns before stopping. Once the vehicle is no longer in motion, the shaking will stop. How to Fix Death Wobble The best Jeep death wobble fix is to replace loose or worn suspension and steering components. You must take the entire front end into consideration as a unit with every part having an effect on the others. All pieces need inspected for wear and looseness while leaning towards replacement of any questionable pieces. It is unlikely that death wobble is caused by a single loose component and is far more likely brought about by the sum of multiple loose joints. To inspect the steering components, have an assistant move the steering wheel back and forth quickly while the vehicle is flat on the ground. Observe the steering joints. You should see no delay in the movement from one part to the next connected part. Movement from the steering wheel should create movement at the front wheel nearly instantly. Any loose joints need replaced. An alignment is also recommended whenever trying to fix death wobble. This ensures that all the front-end components are pointing the right direction and with the correct angles. Some suspension lift kits can affect the front axle caster, which you should check and correct if found out of spec. Sometimes vehicle owners will add a heavy-duty aftermarket steering stabilizer to remedy death wobble, but it is not a solution and may not stop the problem. You still need to address the underlying worn component issues. If your Jeep or truck is affected by death wobble, you need to deal with the problem sooner than later. Death wobble is curable, so there is no reason to live with it. Check out all the steering and suspension products available on NAPAonline or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA Auto Care locations for routine maintenance and repairs. To learn more about how to fix death wobble, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store. Photo courtesy Flickr. The post What Causes Death Wobble? appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. 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Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Josh Berry made his third start for Hendrick Motorsports as the fill-in driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as Chase Elliott continues to recover from a fractured tibia. It was Berry’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start. He rolled off the grid from the 21st position and took the opening stage to adapt to superspeedway-style racing in the Next Gen car, ending stage one in 28th. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native improved to 11th in stage two. During the final stage of the race, Berry was battling inside the top 10 when he was involved in a multi-car incident on lap 190. The team made repairs and Berry was able to rebound for an 18th-place finish. Josh Berry qualified 21st for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It was Berry’s third race filling in for the injured Chase Elliott as he continues to recover from a fractured tibia. Berry took the green flag for his first Cup Series superspeedway-style race and used the opening laps to get a good feel for his Chevrolet. The 32-year-old driver was scored in 20th when the first caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 11. Opting not to pit, Berry lined up in that same position after choosing the top lane and battled inside the top 25 once the race resumed. Berry got shuffled to the back of the main pack on lap 42, but was undeterred from the loss of track position as he made his way back up to 28th to close out the stage at lap 60. During the stage break, Berry reported to the team that the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet was a little free on entry, but the balance got better on the longer run. Interim crew chief Tom Gray called the Hendersonville, Tennessee, native to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Berry took the green flag for stage two from the 26th position on lap 68 and continued his forward progress, settling in behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the 21st position. Berry was running in 15th when teams began making scheduled green-flag pit stops on lap 127. The driver of the No. 9 stayed out until Gray called him in for a fuel-only stop on lap 138. Back out on the track, Berry made his way to as high as ninth before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 11th to end stage two. The No. 9 team made a stop for four tires and fuel under the stage-ending caution, sending Berry back out to start the final stage in 17th. After beginning the stage in the top lane, he made a move to the bottom and used that to his advantage to work his way to 10th on lap 182. Berry continued to race inside the top 10 until a multi-car incident occurred on lap 190, collecting the No. 9 Chevrolet. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular was able to drive the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet away and brought it to pit road for repairs. The team worked hard over the course of two pit stops to fix up the front-end damage, and Berry lined up 25th for the lap 200 restart. Less than 10 laps later another incident brought out the yellow flag, giving the team another opportunity to work on the No. 9. Berry was scored in the 23rd position for the restart on lap 216 and reported early in the run that the NAPA Auto Parts Camaro felt better after the most recent repairs. He battled hard in the final stint of the race, climbing his way back inside the top 20 and ultimately scoring an 18th-place finish in the 260-lap event. “I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy,” Berry said. “I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top 10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.” Start / Finish: 21 / 18 Next Race: Sunday, March 26, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas How to Watch or Listen: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NAPA: @NAPARacing Chase Elliott: @ChaseElliott Hendrick Motorsports: @TeamHendrick No. 9 Team: @Hendrick9Team The post Berry Rallies to 18th-Place Finish at Atlanta after Damage from Multi-Car Incident appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Returning to Pennsylvania for a second weekend in a row, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series had dates lined up for both Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Penn., and Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Penn. Unfortunately, mother nature struck again, and Friday night’s program at Williams Grove was canceled. Saturday at Lincoln was bitterly cold with wind and temperatures peaking in the 40s. Nonetheless, Lincoln Speedway is a track where Brad Sweet, driver of the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts Sprint car, has been dominant, missing the top 10 only once in his last nine starts. With 49 cars in attendance, Sweet was slated to qualify seventh in Flight B. He hit the charts 14.660 second, placing him second in the flight. Starting from the first spot in Heat Race 4, Sweet was eager to get the jump on second-place starter Chris Windom. The NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 launched ahead to pick up the heat race win and lock Sweet into the Fast Pass Dash. “As we race, I think we are going to learn more and more about the tires, obviously, as the track changes,” Sweet said, drawing the second spot for the dash. “Hopefully, with our NAPA Auto Parts car, that was a good dash draw; we can keep it up front tonight.” With six laps to complete the dash, the Big Cat rolled off from the second spot with his eye on the lead. At the drop of the green flag, Sweet managed to pull ahead to the lead. The No. 49 machine took off in the clean air up front, and Sweet picked up the Fast Pass Dash win. That put the NAPA No. 49 in the first starting position for the 35-lap Lincoln Speedway feature. With Sweet eyeing victory lane, the green flag dropped. The NAPA driver jumped to the early lead before holding off the field while battling through heavy lapped traffic, but Sweet fell back to second with 12 laps to go. He held his line and brought the NAPA Auto Parts machine home in second place. “We’re never happy to finish second, but we had new tires tonight, and the racing was actually a lot of fun there in the A-main,” Sweet said after the race. “I was struggling to figure out how to get my car off the corner there a little bit better, but that’s a part of the learning curve… We are going to have to keep adjusting out setups and try to find a package that’s going to be better for the whole 35 laps.” Next up on the schedule is the Talladega Sprint Car Showdown at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama, on Friday and the World of Outlaws Black Ice Brawl at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi, on Saturday. Start / Finish: 1 / 2 Points Standing / Total: 4th / 812 (-40) Next Race: Friday, March 24, Talladega Short Track, Eastaboga, Alabama How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com NAPA: @NAPARacing Brad Sweet: @BradSweet49 Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt The post Sweet Races to Lincoln Speedway Podium appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Christian Eckes returned to victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) in thrilling fashion to give McAnally-Hilgemann Racing the organization’s first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) victory on Saturday afternoon. The driver of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST reclaimed the points lead after racking up 50 points and capturing his second stage win of the year. The victory gives Eckes and his team a virtual lock to the NCTS playoffs for the third time in his career. The Middletown, N.Y., native started the 137-lap event from the fourth position after inclement weather washed out qualifying on Friday afternoon. Eckes boldly asserted himself as a threat by taking the lead on the opening lap and dominated Stage 1. The NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet paced the field on the outside of the AMS high banks until a caution flew on lap 24. Crew chief Charles Denike kept Eckes on track to go for the stage win, and the call paid off. Eckes held off all challengers on lap 30 to earn 10 points and one playoff point with his second stage win of 2023 after leading every lap. Eckes pitted under the stage caution for right side tires and restarted 20th on lap 38 as the running order flip-flopped due to contrasting pit strategies. Eckes stayed in the lead draft for the majority of Stage 2 and ran as high as ninth but was scored 14th at the end of the segment on lap 60. Denike put four tires on Eckes’ Chevrolet, which allowed him to restart 11th on lap 68. Another quick caution on lap 79 offered Eckes the chance to top off with fuel for the final run, but he was caught speeding on pit road. Eckes started his march back to the front from 28th position on lap 84 and took advantage of every opportunity to claw his way back into contention. A restart on lap 103 saw him rocket to 11th, which included a four-wide maneuver to cut through the pack. Eckes worked the less-preferred bottom lane to perfection as he capitalized on the restarts to crack the top five on lap 121, and he claimed the runner-up spot on lap 123. A late caution set up an overtime restart. Eckes elected to take the bottom of the front row, which proved to be the winning decision. Eckes traded the lead with fellow Chevrolet driver Nick Sanchez on the overtime restart and used a surge of momentum on the final lap to pull alongside for the lead down the backstretch. Eckes held the lead on the final lap as a caution waved coming out of Turn 4 to secure the victory, his third playoff berth, and his first victory at AMS. “Just really happy,” Eckes said. “Thanks to Charles (Denike), everybody on this team. They work so damn hard and this is what makes it all worth it. Thanks to NAPA, Chevrolet, everybody. I’m pumped. It’s going to be a really good year. “I think this is just what I kind of figured was going to happen coming here. I knew the potential of Charles (Denike), and I knew the potential of the race team, and Bill’s passion to win, so it made my decision to come here really easy.” Start / Finish: 4 / 1 Points Standing / Total: 1st / 151 pts. Next Race: Saturday, March 25, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas How to Watch or Listen: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NAPA: @NAPARacing Christian Eckes: @christianeckes Bill McAnally Racing / McAnally-Hilgemann Racing: @BMR_NASCAR The post Eckes Captures Milestone Win for MHR and NAPA Auto Care Team appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Hybrid vehicles work by powering off the engine when they are not in motion on the road, such as at a stop light or in traffic, which is considered idling. Hybrid-electric vehicle technology uses idling to achieve fuel savings of nearly 15% according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is a great choice for consumers who are environmentally conscious or want to save money at the pump. However, you should understand some key insights about letting your hybrid vehicle sit idle for too long. With more professionals working from home, it is all too easy to let your hybrid vehicle sit completely idle in your garage for long periods of time. However, if you do not start up and drive your hybrid regularly, you run the risk of causing serious issues to your battery pack. Hybrid batteries need exercised weekly at a minimum to prolong your hybrid vehicle’s performance. But remember, there are also other ways a vehicle can idle. The exact length of time that you can let a hybrid car, truck or SUV sit completely idle without being turned on varies by the make and model. If you’re working from home and not driving as much, make sure to turn your hybrid vehicle on in a ventilated area and let it run for at least a few minutes each week to exercise the battery pack. If you cannot turn the vehicle on at least once a month, consider having a friend or trusted neighbor do it for you. If you have to let your hybrid sit idle without powering it on for more than 30 days, inspect your vehicle or take it to a local NAPA Auto Care center near you to prepare for your absence. Store the hybrid vehicle in a well-ventilated area or garage that is free of moisture, ensure any interior lights or plug-in accessories are turned off and rest easy knowing you’ve prepared your prized hybrid vehicle for a long absence. Do Hybrid Vehicles Use Gas While Idling? Hybrid vehicles use a combination of gas and battery power to function and can include an array of features like idle-stop systems where energy is transferred from the gasoline engine to the electric starter and back to the generator/battery. An idle-stop system (also commonly known as the start-stop system) helps drivers save gas by powering down the engine (idling) when the vehicle comes to a halt for even a short period of time. Imagine you brake at a red light—the hybrid engine automatically shuts down to save on gas. Then, when you release the brake pedal to accelerate, the engine starts back up again. The idle-stop system makes up today’s market of hybrids that can come standard in both mild hybrids and full hybrids. Mild hybrids that use idle-stops are typically conventional combustion engine vehicles that simply idle when not in motion, but do not take advantage of an electric motor that full hybrid vehicles possess. So, which type of hybrid electric vehicle has an idle-stop operation? The answer is that many mild and full hybrids now come with idle-stop technology, shutting off the gasoline engine when at rest, coasting or slowing down. Due to idle-stop, no gas burns inside the engine, saving you money while saving the planet at the same time. NAPA thanks you for doing your part to reduce the heat island effect, which happens in large metropolitan areas where air quality and pollution is affected by vehicles that have high carbon emissions from fossil fuel. According to Reuters, U.S. hybrid vehicle sales increased a whopping 76% in 2021 and is on pace to continue growing sales. Additionally, Mordor Intelligence estimates that the hybrid-electric vehicle market was worth $252 billion in 2020 alone and may reach as high as $1,165 billion by 2026. Even Ford Motor Company predicts that electric vehicles will make up 40% of its sales by 2030. How Long Can a Hybrid Vehicle Sit Idle? As you cruise along in your planet-loving automobile, just as you start to brake, the hybrid’s stop-start system will engage the regenerative braking system. Regenerative braking uses rotational energy from your wheels to create electricity for your generator in a full hybrid vehicle model. The generator then sends the electricity to your battery where it is stored and used later as your energy reserve. As the brake is fully pushed, the generator shuts down the gas flow. Stepping on the accelerator again restarts the engine and uses that stored energy, running it to the electric starter. If you have a full battery, hybrid vehicles can idle for nearly two hours. Of course, this figure can scale up or down depending on your hybrid’s make and model. Keep updated about the condition of your hybrid battery and take care of the day-to-day maintenance needs with the help of NAPA’s expert technicians, the NAPA Blog and NAPAonline.com. Note: Although mild hybrids offer fuel savings, they are only a small savings compared to fully hybrid-electric vehicles. For more information about hybrid-electric vehicles, consider reading “What Goes Into a NAPA Reman Hybrid Battery Pack.” Featured image courtesy of Pixabay. The post Don’t Let Your Hybrid Sit Idle appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Shopping for Spark Plugs With NAPA Automotive ignition and engine work are some of the most straight-forward DIY projects that at-home mechanics have performed for decades. At NAPA, not only do we want to guide you on which replacement spark plugs to purchase, but also educate drivers on how they function and the process for how to replace spark plugs. Your vehicle’s ignition system routes high-voltage current from the ignition coils to the spark plugs in a synchronized firing order. The timing is critical to optimize the power created from the explosion or spark. Spark plugs use precisely crafted ceramic insular bodies and punched steel casings, which house two electrodes with a gap in between them. When voltage is sent to the plug, an electrical arc is formed between the two electrodes, thus igniting the fuel/air mixture. Spark plugs determine the power output, fuel economy and even engine temperature of your automobile. Signs that it is time for spark plug and coil replacement include jittery or rough idling, power surges from the engine, diminished acceleration and decreased gas mileage. Remember that spark plugs are not designed to last the lifetime of a vehicle. Built-up deposits and natural widening of the electrode gap can cause spark plugs to fail as time passes, so replacing spark plugs is a routine part of vehicle maintenance. Note: It is always best to replace all the spark plugs at the same time. NAPA experts recommend installing replacement spark plugs every 30,000 miles on older models, which matches most manufacturer recommendations. With a modern vehicle, you only need to change spark plugs every 100,000 miles thanks to advances in materials and ignition design. Replacing spark plugs will take roughly an hour if your vehicle has a four-cylinder engine. Spark plug replacement takes longer for vehicles with a V6 or V8 engine. A standard vehicle typically has the same number of spark plugs as the number of cylinders. So, a V6 would need six replacement spark plugs. There are exceptions like Chrysler V8s, which use two plugs per cylinder. Which Plug Sparks Your Interest? At the heart of each spark plug is an electrode that connects to the vehicle’s ignition coil via a thick wire. Spark plugs installed by car manufacturers often contain copper, nickel or chromium core electrodes. The metal mentioned in the replacement part’s name indicates the material used to construct its electrode, which gives you an idea of the different types of spark plugs in most retail aftermarkets. You can also find high-performance spark plugs composed of rare, powerful metals like ones with fine-wire iridium centers and double platinum ground electrodes. Glow plugs are typically used for heavy-duty diesel applications. So, are you wondering what type of spark plug is best for your car? Autolite Copper Spark Plugs are ideal replacements for older model vehicles. These copper spark plugs are applicable to a wide range of makes/models and are guaranteed to deliver quick starts, good fuel efficiency and smooth acceleration. Although, for commuter vehicles that aren’t classics, some of the best types of spark plugs come from ACDelco’s line of premium aftermarket plugs. This product line includes reliable conventional spark plugs, specialized marine spark plugs and RAPIDFIRE Single Platinum Performance Spark Plugs. Our experts highly recommend spark plugs from the top-tier levels: ACDelco Silver (Advantage) and ACDelco Gold (Professional). One of the reasons to go with a premium spark plug is that their platinum construction provides better performance and more durability when compared to copper. For example, platinum spark plugs are typically good for up to 100,000 miles of service. These plugs are engineered to generate more heat, which means they can operate in hotter environments. Due to the minimizing of carbon deposit build up, platinum plugs give a better spark for a longer period of time. For an ideal upgrade, go with the Autolite Platinum Spark Plug, which delivers optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. This Autolite spark plug is specifically designed for Ford pickups and SUVs, such as the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Because iridium conducts energy better (an iridium electrode’s durability is six times harder than platinum), it’s the optimal choice if you want to get the most out of a performance engine. Iridium spark plugs are engineered to offer excellent engine idling stability and a smooth performance, which is critical in newer vehicles that use electronic distributor-based ignition systems. NGK Spark Plugs manufactures replacement parts for virtually every automotive, motorcycle, marine and small engine application. NGK Iridium IX spark plugs are specifically designed for the performance enthusiast, because they provide outstanding acceleration and high fuel efficiency. Get Started With NAPA Are you looking for where to buy spark plugs and spark plug wires? NAPA Auto Parts stores and NAPAonline.com are proud to offer thousands of spark plugs and ignition components for sedans, pickups, minivans, SUVs and more. Make sure to select the ones specifically engineered for your vehicle’s make and model. Plus, take advantage of our convenient Buy Online, Pickup in Store option. If you are concerned about how much spark plugs cost, we have some good news! The cost of spark plugs ranges as low as less than $2 per spark plug to more than $100 dollars for spark plugs used in industrial or racing vehicles. You can purchase a long-lasting, high-quality, aftermarket replacement spark plug for less than $6 each. Keep in mind, you need to remain patient while removing spark plugs and make sure to remove one spark plug at a time in the correct firing order. You must remove and replace each spark plug, along with any accompanying wires, before moving on to the next one in the chain. Most modern vehicles incorporate coil-on-plug technology, which don’t utilize external spark plug wires. Finally, you must check to see if there are proper gap spaces on your new set of spark plugs to finish this installation. This technical auto repair requires using a spark plug socket with a swivel head, a spark plug wire puller and a spark plug gap gauge just to name a few specific tools. With that in mind, you are probably wondering how much it costs to get spark plugs changed by a professional mechanic. The average cost of spark plug replacement is $140 for a four-cylinder engine, $180 for a six-cylinder engine and $220 for an eight-cylinder engine. Schedule an appointment with your nearest NAPA Auto Care center today! Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The post Shopping for Spark Plugs With NAPA appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Tanner Reif came away with a 12th-place finish in the General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway on Friday night, as he made his first start for Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) in the No. 16 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet SS. He battled a vibration and handling issues in the race, which marked the season opener for the ARCA Menards Series West. The event, with 32 entries, also served as a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series. After starting 20th on the grid in Friday’s race, Reif steadily worked his way forward. He was up to 15th by Lap 11 and 13th on Lap 18. He was on the verge of breaking into the top 10 throughout the second half of the race, but could not gain additional ground and was 12th at the checkered flag. Reif expressed confidence that the team will have a fast NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet at the next ARCA West race at Irwindale Speedway, where he scored one of his two series wins as a rookie last year and where BMR has collected 17 wins. “The NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet ran hard and the crew worked as hard as they could, but we just had a couple of things we couldn’t work out on the car,” Reif said. “It had a vibration and was off pace. Just because we had some adversity tonight doesn’t mean it will continue. I think we can make up these points and win a couple of races this year.” Start / Finish: 20 / 12 Next Race: Saturday, April 1, Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif. How to Watch or Listen: Live on FloRacing and Tape-Delay CNBC (Sun., April 23, noon ET) Tanner Reif: @Tanner_Reif NAPA Racing: @NAPARacing Bill McAnally Racing: @BMR_NASCAR The post Reif Finishes 12th at Phoenix in First Start for BMR appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

Defending NHRA Funny Car world champion Ron Capps is leaving Gainesville Raceway with the confidence that he has one of the quickest cars in the class yet again after a second-round exit at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals. The driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra laid down the second-quickest pass of the event in the first round of Sunday eliminations before going up in smoke in the quarterfinals. Capps and tuner Dean “Guido” Antonelli made a statement in Saturday qualifying, where Capps recorded the third-quickest pass of Q3 before laying down a 3.874 E.T. at 333.25-mph in the final session to claim the first No. 1 qualifier award of his sophomore season as a team owner and driver. It was Capps’ seventh pole position since forming Ron Capps Motorsports. “(In the) last session, Q4, to go to the top and get the yellow hat is something we take very seriously,” Capps said. “It’s important to us to be able to fend off such great competition to steal the pole.” Racing in front of a packed house on Sunday morning, Capps in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra fired off a 3.855-second pass at 334.57-mph to defeat Terry Haddock and set what was then low E.T. of the event. In the second round, Capps left first against fellow Toyota driver Alexis DeJoria but lost traction just after leaving the starting line. “We felt great about race day,” Capps said. “(The weather) warmed up before second round and when I got back from the run and it smoked the tires, I told Guido how spoiled I was because we haven’t done that in a long, long time. We made a small clutch adjustment that caused us to smoke the tires, but we’re very, very happy with everything and I can’t wait to get going to the West Coast.” Capps, a veteran of the NHRA nitro ranks, started the season with a new look and new body on his Toyota GR Supra Funny Car. There were personnel changes with the retirement of co-crew chief John Medlen after the Ron Capps Motorsports team won its first world championship as an organization at the end of the 2022 season. With one race under their belts, Capps and company are now ready to continue chasing Capps’ third consecutive world championship, and fourth overall, as the NHRA Camping World Series moves on to Phoenix. “This last off-season was one of my favorites,” Capps said. “We had an extra month, and as an owner, it gave us a little more time to get everything together. Starting the season off with the Gatornationals was something I think the fans really love, and now I’m super excited to head West and get that string of West Coast races started. Couldn’t be happier with the way we started our season here. Test session went great on Tuesday. We brought out our brand-new 2023 Toyota GR Supra Funny Car body, and everything went according to plan.” The early-season West Coast swing will begin March 24-26 at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz. Start / Finish: Qualified No. 1 / Defeated by Alexis DeJoria in the quarterfinals Points Earned: 62 2023 NHRA Camping World Series Points Standing / Total: No. 6 / 62 pts. (-52) Next Race: March 24-26, NHRA Arizona Nationals, Chandler, Ariz. How to Watch or Listen: FS1; NHRA.TV NAPA Racing:@NAPARacing Ron Capps: @RonCapps28 Ron Capps Motorsports: @TeamRonCapps The post Capps Scores First No. 1 Qualifier of NHRA Season at Gatornationals appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article

In his second week filling in for the injured Chase Elliott, Josh Berry qualified 17th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular finished stage one in the 18th position and improved to 15th for stage two. After a late-race caution sent the race into overtime, the 32-year-old driver restarted in 13th and powered his way to 10th to end the day. It was Berry’s first career top-10 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series in just his fourth start. Josh Berry, who was tabbed to fill in for the injured Chase Elliott on ovals as the Hendrick Motorsports driver continues to recover from a fractured tibia, qualified 17th for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular made his second start for the No. 9 team on Sunday in the 312-lap event. He used the opening laps to settle in and find his groove as he continued adapting to the Next Gen car. Running in the 25th position on lap 19, he started to build his confidence and climbed to 22nd by lap 32. Berry’s forward progression didn’t stop there. He maneuvered his way to 20th on lap 46 and picked up two more positions to end the first stage in the 18th position on lap 60. During the stage-ending caution, Berry relayed that the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 needed more security on entry and exit of the corner. Crew chief Alan Gustafson made the call for four fresh tires and fuel during the pit stop. Scored in the 17th position after leaving pit road, Berry chose the bottom lane for the start of stage two on lap 68. He navigated the chaotic start to the stage and fought hard to stay inside the top 20. Berry swapped back and forth among the 19th and 21st positions throughout the opening 24 laps before dropping to 22nd on lap 93. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native then reported that the Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet was freer this run. Not long after, green-flag pit stops ensued. Gustafson called Berry to pit road on lap 119 for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment to tighten up the No. 9. Once pit stops cycled through, Berry was scored in 19th. He was in that same position when the caution flag waved on lap 137 and the team took the opportunity to make a pit stop for four tires and fuel. A fast stop by the team propelled Berry to 15th for the lap-145 restart. The 32-year-old driver held his own in the closing laps of the second stage to take the green-and-white checkered flag in 15th. After reporting that he needed a little more right-rear grip, Berry brought the No. 9 to pit road for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. He lined up 14th for the start of the final stage on lap 194 and continued to race inside the top 20. As scheduled green-flag pit stops were drawing near, Gustafson asked for an update on the Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet’s handling. Berry reported that the No. 9 was tight in the center of the turns, so the team opted to reverse the previous chassis adjustment during its pit stop for four tires and fuel on lap 240. Once the field cycled through stops, he was in the 17th position and improved to 16th with just 29 circuits left in the race. When the caution flag waved with 10 laps to go, the team called Berry in for four tires and fuel. Leaving pit road in the 15th position, he took the green flag with just three laps to go and powered his way to 13th before another caution came out, sending the race into overtime. Once the race was back underway, Berry charged to 10th place before the checkered flag waved to score his first ever top-10 in the Cup Series in just his fourth career start. All four Hendrick Motorsports drivers finished inside the top 10, with William Byron scoring the victory. “It was a really solid day for the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevy team,” Berry said. “We were able to improve a lot from what we had last week. We were able to stay on the lead lap basically the whole race. We had a couple of runs in there that were really good. A couple runs where we fell back a little bit, but it’s just all part of a learning experience for me. These races are so long and I need to be able to learn this car a little bit better where I can give Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) a little bit better direction on how to help me. Towards the end, we found that we were a little bit on the free side on our better runs. At the end there, we were probably going to finish 15th or 16th, which I was still pretty happy with. Obviously had the cautions there and we executed a couple of really good restarts there and was able to get a top-10.” Start / Finish: 17 / 10 Next Race: Sunday, March 19, Atlanta Motor Speedway How to Watch or Listen: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NAPA: @NAPARacing Chase Elliott: @ChaseElliott Hendrick Motorsports: @TeamHendrick No. 9 Team: @Hendrick9Team The post Berry, No. 9 Team Score Top-10 Result at Phoenix Raceway appeared first on NAPA Know How Blog. View the full article