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No need to go to a mechanic for basic car maintenance—you can do it yourself! It’s not a coincidence that Car Care Month falls on April, a ripe time for life and an overall season of renewal. It is the perfect time to jolt your car from hibernation and prep it for spring and summer driving whose open and oftentimes overwhelming roads lead to some of the most breathtaking places you’ll ever see (think Pacific Coast Highway, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the like). But before taking everything in—the sceneries, the sensations, the stir brought by steering the wheel—it’s a must to check your car for issues that may have manifested or been overlooked during winter and ensure it is in top shape. This is, after all, what Car Care Month is about. So here’s a list of repairs you can do on your own before gassing up for your getaways: Fix Up Filters Air, oil, fuel—all these filters play an important role in keeping your ride’s efficiency at a high level: drive with a dirty air filter and it affects fuel economy, keep using a damaged fuel filter and you put your engine at risk of costly damage. It is critical to fix up new filters, especially when your old ones have been around for a while. Installing a new fuel filter could be a complex job but shouldn’t be a problem for a seasoned DIYer. Out with Old Oil If your ride has racked up significant mileage, somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles, chances are, your oil has already broken down and needs changing. It’s good practice to change your oil not just to ensure proper lubrication but also—and this is particularly true for the summer, a season of soaring temperatures—to guarantee that its viscosity matches the requirements of your car. If the temperatures are higher, you need heavier oil. Same thing if you’re driving an old vehicle model. Disregard this and you could be looking at potential engine damage. However, be sure you’ve done research prior to upgrading your oil because not all makes and models perform well with thicker oil. A no-no when changing oil: proceeding when your engine is hot. Waive Worn Wipers Unsightly streaks on your windshield can ruin its look and be a distraction when you’re driving. If you’ve been using old, worn-out wipers, they might be responsible for these ugly streaks, so ditch your old wiper blades and swap them for new ones. Do this every year—and clean them using windshield wiper fluid and a paper towel—and you’re guaranteed an unobstructed view of the road. It can take less than 20 minutes to install new wiper blades, but it can change your view of driving—literally. Looking for quality wiper blades? Here are some bang-for-the-buck options: https://bit.ly/2ISx62W Drain Dirt and Debris Your car’s radiator can be such the indefatigable workhorse. But as it performs overtime, it builds up deposits that can take a toll on your cooling system and cause decay on its chief components. How do you stop this from happening? One way is to use a cleaning solution to eliminate the harmful contaminants. It is imperative, though, to drain your old coolant first, flush it out with all the dirt and debris that come with it, then dispose it properly. Afterwards, it’s time to fill up your car with fresh coolant. Stop! Hammer Time You don’t scrimp on something that can save your life. You can invest on high-quality brake pads, but if you know how to change them without having to visit a mechanic, you can cut costs without compromising your safety on the road. Changing your brake pads (every 20,000 miles as suggested by experts) is a DIYable task that involves a bevy of tools: C-clamp, wrenches, pliers, pry bar, wire brush, floor jack, jack stands, and…a hammer. See, when you have an older car, you might have to use a hammer to secure in place your newly installed pads with the retaining clips that once locked the old pads in. It’s a nifty hack, but it needs to be done with caution. An advanced DIY project, replacing brake pads should be done with the right equipment and expertise. Yes to Connection, No to Corrosion No list of car maintenance tips is complete without a mention of the battery. Checking the battery from time to time should be second nature to any owner as it is important to vehicle performance. When it comes to battery upkeep, maintaining clean and snug connections remains to be the most critical part of the procedure. There is no place for corrosion on battery terminals because once rust sets in, the terminals’ ability to conduct power is curtailed. While soda is a viable option and is said to be effective, it’s still wise to get a professional product (or use a mixture of baking soda and water) to rid your battery of those powdery blue and white corrosion mounds. Make sure to dry the posts with a clean rag after the cleanup. You’re all set! If you’ve ticked these items off your maintenance checklist, then you can go back revving on the road in no time. Want a step-by-step breakdown of more maintenance tasks? Check out these expert-guided car repair videos: https://bit.ly/2GtwYUG The post Car Care Month: A DIY Car Maintenance Checklist appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

Cars are some of the biggest sources of pollution in the environment, and it doesn’t help if your daily driver is in bad shape because it’s very likely producing even more pollutants than well-maintained vehicles. Earth Day helps bring awareness to the need for protecting the environment, and you can do your small part to protect it by fixing your ride. The great news is that APW Rewards, Auto Parts Warehouse’s loyalty program, can help you do so with its 4-day Earth Day promo exclusive to APW Rewards members from April 23 – 26. Simply by signing up for a free APW Rewards account, you will automatically get free 100 points during the promo period. The perks don’t end there, however, because on top of these signup points, every purchase you make on Auto Parts Warehouse during the promo will give you double points. What does this mean? It means, for example, that a $100 order will give you 200 points instead of the usual 100. With 200 points in your APW Rewards account, you can immediately redeem a $10 off $20 coupon that you can use on your very next purchase, guaranteeing you savings that you can’t get anywhere else! If you’re looking for the best value for your money, APW Rewards is a loyalty program that gives you multiple ways to save when you shop for car parts and accessories. As mentioned, you will get points equivalent to the dollar value of your order the moment you join this exclusive club. These points are redeemable for coupons that could get you up to $100 off on your next order along with special access to promos and benefits that are not available to other customers. Finally, once you’ve had $300 worth of purchases, you will unlock Premier Tier, which will give you double points for the rest of your APW Rewards membership. As long as you remain active by making a purchase, your account will not expire and you can continue to earn points and redeem auto parts store coupons whenever you need. This is the best time to get your ride in tip-top shape and contribute to making the environment healthier and safer for you and other people. When you’re ready to sign up for free, just go to https://bit.ly/2ZxFquQ and seize this 4-day promo while it lasts. The post Fix Your Ride, Protect the Environment with APW Rewards: Double Points for Every Purchase for 4 Days Only appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

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Ignoring signs your alternator is bad can lead to catastrophic results. How long does an alternator last? This is a common question among drivers, especially those who, upon sliding the key in the ignition, are left hearing a clicking sound instead of the glorious roaring of the engine. Sure, it could mean a lot of things. Could be a dead battery, a loose battery connection, or a dying engine. Similarly, the alternator, a source of power for many of your car components, can very well be the cause of the problem. Typically, a good-quality alternator can last until 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Or, as Jeff Gunning, service manager of Addison Auto Repair & Body Shop in Denver, claims: about seven years. How to Check if the Alternator is Bad It’s best practice to check the alternator from time to time. If your Check Engine light comes on and you get code P0562 when you connect a code reader to the diagnostic port, it’s likely your alternator has gone faulty. Now, if there’s no warning light but your gut tells you your alternator is failing, go ahead and open the hood. Check the belt. If the belt appears slightly burnt or glazed, it’s an indication it’s loose; it’s slipping instead of moving along with the pulleys. Best fix here is to adjust the tensioner or swap your serpentine belt for a new one. What if everything checks out under the hood? Well, it’s time to do the ultimate litmus test: check your alternator’s voltage. A healthy alternator should pack 12 to 13.5 volts. Any reading below means your alternator is already bad. On the other hand, if the number shoots up beyond this range, then the safe assumption is that the alternator is overcharging your battery. What Happens When Your Alternator Goes Out What happens then if your alternator’s gone kaput? Ultimately, it will result in a discharged battery and cause your car not to start. You’re also likely to experience these symptoms we can collectively dub as DEAD: D-imming headlights E-lectrical issues A-bnormal noises D-ead battery and stalling engine If you’re looking to replace a worn-out alternator, Auto Parts Warehouse has got the best options for you right here: https://bit.ly/2OsWUUf. The post How Long Does an Alternator Last? appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

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There are various ways to remove stickers from a car. You can use household items, like ice and a hair dryer, or use more specialized products such as glass cleaners and adhesive removers. Car stickers can either be cosmetic or law-required. Whatever their purpose may be, the day will come when it’s time for them to go. Mandatory inspection stickers, which are commonly slapped on the windshield and need to be changed every year, can be a real pain to remove. Same goes for car decals, which due to changes in trends and tastes, may not be fashionable to let them—pardon the pun—stick around. Putting on stickers on a car is an effortless job but removing them is another story. It can be harder than you think, especially if you don’t really know what you’re doing. In this article, we’ll tell you a trick or two to remove stickers on windows, windshields and bumpers where they are commonly located. But before we go to the specifics, here’s a protip: It is easier to remove stickers after a car wash. Window cleaner or glass cleaning solution – Generously spray glass cleaner on the sticker. Let it soak for a couple of minutes. Once the sticker becomes soft, start chipping away. Begin at the edges by using a razor blade or a box cutter, then proceed by carefully pulling up the entire sticker. To remove sticker residue from glass, simply spray your glass cleaner again and wipe the residue with a piece of cloth. A good cleaner is key to pulling the job off with much ease, so opt for high-quality glass cleaners just like what Auto Parts Warehouse is offering: https://bit.ly/2HY7DWd. Rubbing alcohol – If you want a cheaper option, go for rubbing alcohol. The procedure is roughly the same with that of using glass cleaner. The only difference is the amount of time to accomplish the task. It’s also best to use a microfiber towel when taking out those nasty sticker remnants. Ice – A less popular hack that’s still worth a try! See, cold temperature is an effective alternative to solvents. Ice can cool off and harden the sticker’s adhesive, making it easy to peel off. Just put an ice pack over the sticker and wait for it to get soaked. Chip and pull the sticker away with a razor and that’s it! The downside, however, is that sticker residue will not be removed entirely. For this, you might need extra scrubbing using a thin blade and cloth. Adhesive remover – Car experts suggest that using adhesive removers is the best way to get stickers off glass. As the name suggests, they are specifically meant to counter stubborn sticky substances. An adhesive remover follows a specific formula that removes residue without harming the surface, which makes it perfect for windshields. Not all adhesive removers come cheap, though, so you need to allot budget if you want to get rid of those car stickers fast. The steps in using an adhesive remover are similar to the processes mentioned earlier (spray, soak, strip off, scour)—only this time, everything will be easier and quicker. Get Rid of Bumper Stickers without Ruining the Car Paint Now when it comes to bumper stickers, there’s an unlikely method that is tried and tested: the hair dryer method. This technique works best on stickers that are not fixed on glass. Note: a hair dryer is more ideal than a heat gun as the latter can destroy your car paint. Step 1: Have your vehicle cleaned. You can either have professionals wash it for you or simply home-wash it. What’s important is to free your car from dirt. If you have few stickers on your car, just clean the area where your stickers are. Step 2: Prepare your hair dryer by running it for a while. Reminder: use a hair dryer with hot air mode. The hot air from the hair dryer has the right amount of heat to soften adhesives without ruining your car paint. Keep your hair dryer a few inches away from the sticker and work starting from the center outward. Step 3: Use a sturdy plastic card or squeegee to start scraping the edges of the sticker. Bear in mind to use a thin and blunt material when doing this (e.g., rulers and business cards). Avoid sharp and pointy objects to prevent damaging your car paint. If scraping the sticker proves difficult, reheat the sticker using the hair dryer. Step 4: If the sticker is heated properly, the plastic card will easily slide under it. Do a back-and-forth motion using the plastic card (or your fingertips) to peel off the sticker. Step 5: Once the sticker is removed, you can apply an adhesive remover or detailing spray to eliminate adhesive residue. The post How to Remove Stickers from Car appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

Low power steering fluid is one reason why your car squeaks when turning the wheel. Does your car make a screeching noise when turning? There are several possible reasons why this is happening and it usually means you have to replace or fix a part or two. It’s always best to have a mechanic inspect your car to get a proper diagnosis but you can check out our list below to get an idea of what’s causing the problem. Causes of Car Noise Low amount of or contaminated power steering fluid – When your car makes a screeching noise when turning, it is possible your power steering fluid is running low. As you know, the fluid is used to lubricate your vehicle’s power steering system, so your car could squeal while you’re driving when you’ve lost too much fluid. Adding more fluid should fix the issue. Check out Auto Parts Warehouse for quality power steering fluid: http://bit.ly/2KcQSIK It’s also possible that your car makes noises because your power steering fluid is contaminated with dirt and debris. In this case, you will have to replace all the fluid in your car. Faulty power steering pump – The power steering pump needs lubrication to work properly. A damaged power steering pump due to low amount of fluid could be another cause of car noise when turning. Add fluid to solve the problem but if the noise remains, best consult a mechanic immediately as the pump might need to be replaced right away. Auto Parts Warehouse offers quality replacement power steering pumps right here: http://bit.ly/2ONDFF1 Dry suspension and steering components – Suspension and steering components such as tie-rod ends, seals, ball joints, and universal joints should be lubricated in order to function properly. Even a single dry part can contribute to noise when turning. Loose belt – Squealing noises can also be due to a loose or worn out power steering belt. The power steering belt, which is responsible for supplying power to the power steering system, wears out or becomes loose due to constant use. Inspect for damage and replace it as soon as possible once you start hearing unusual noises. Interior trim rubbing – It’s possible for new cars to have the steering wheel housing rub against the interior trim when the weather is hot. When temperatures are high, these materials expand, causing gaps to close and producing noises. Tire issues – Underinflated tires, worn out tire treads, and loose wheel bolts can create screeching noise when turning. Always check if your tires and wheel cover are properly inflated and bolted. Tire rotation helps prevent treads from wearing out, so do it regularly. Worn out brake pads – You must check your brake pads right away if your brakes squeal while you’re driving because it usually indicates that the pads are already worn out and need replacing. Don’t wait for this squealing noise to turn into a grinding noise because then it means you’ve already severely damaged your brake components. Remember: your safety should be your primary concern while on the road, so check your car immediately when you start hearing unusual noises. The post Why Does My Car Make a Noise When I Turn? appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

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If you’ve been putting off fixing your car, the best time to do those repairs would be right now because April is National Car Care Month. A lot of vehicles need maintenance and upgrades, yours included, and Car Care Month is an important reminder of the value of taking care of our vehicles. Here at Auto Parts Warehouse, we want to help you get your ride in tip-top shape with APW Rewards’ exclusive offer from April 10-12. During this period, APW Rewards members will get free 100 points just for signing up! But your savings on auto repair don’t end there. For 3 days only—every product you purchase from AutoPartsWarehouse.com as an APW Rewards member will get you either free 100 points or 200 points! All these points are easily redeemable for exclusive coupon codes that you can use on the site to get huge discounts on auto parts and accessories. In fact, you can already redeem a $10 off coupon with just a minimum of 200 points and you can keep on earning points to get discounts up to $100 off per order! During the limited promo period, APW Rewards will give you free 100 points on select items–with no purchase limit. The great news is you can earn even more points–200 points to be exact–if you purchase from the brands listed below: Replacement Kool Vue Evan Fischer StyleLine N-Dure Bolton Premiere Garage-Pro Plus, all loyalty members who accumulate $300 worth of purchases unlock Premier Tier membership, which automatically credits double points for every purchase all year round–even after our Car Care Month promo is done! No need to hunt down discount codes; with an APW Rewards membership, all the coupons you need can be found right inside your APW account. Investing in your daily driver ensures the smoothest and safest drive. To help get you started on refreshing your ride, check out this simple car care checklist. Sign up for an APW Rewards membership for free today at https://bit.ly/2UOEfrq and avail of this special deal that await you for Car Care Month. Remember: the more points you earn, the more auto parts store coupons you can redeem for future purchases. Make car care a priority while earning big savings with APW Rewards. The post APW Rewards Car Care Month: Free 100 or 200 Points for Every Purchase for 3 Days Only appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, announces the release date for its first quarter 2019 results as Wednesday, April 24, 2019, with a conference call to follow on Thursday, April 25, 2019. View the full article

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, announces the release date for its first quarter 2019 results as Wednesday, April 24, 2019, with a conference call to follow on Thursday, April 25, 2019. View the full article

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, announces the release date for its first quarter 2019 results as Wednesday, April 24, 2019, with a conference call to follow on Thursday, April 25, 2019. View the full article

It’s March Madness! And that can only mean one thing for you and other sports fans around the country: it’s time to fill out your brackets to predict who will win this year’s collegiate national championship. On Auto Parts Warehouse, we’re giving you one more reason to get excited about March Madness: for 5 days only, we have an exclusive offer to APW Rewards members: mad rewards points for free! Joining APW Rewards from March 26-30 will automatically credit you free 50 points. APW Rewards is Auto Parts Warehouse’s loyalty program, which gives you exclusive offers and heavy discounts on car parts and accessories all year round as a member. On top of that, for every purchase you make between March 26-30, APW Rewards will give you free 100 bonus points for orders below $200 or free 200 bonus points for orders above $200! Those points are going to come in handy if you need to fix or upgrade your daily driver and you want to save on repair costs. Your bonus points in addition to the points you will earn equivalent to the dollar value of your order will more than likely make you immediately eligible to redeem discount auto parts coupons starting at $10 off. APW Rewards has bigger discount codes that you can redeem, including a $100 off coupon that you can apply on your order! Another friendly tip: if you want to save more on car parts: all APW Rewards members who accumulate 300 points from their purchases will automatically unlock Premier Tier membership, which grants members double points for the rest of their membership as long as they remain active customers at Auto Parts Warehouse. The more purchases you make, the more points you earn, the bigger the discounts you can apply on your every order. So while you’re waiting for your favorite NCAA team to play this year, you may want to visit APW and sign up for this exclusive and limited-time offer for March Madness. Sign up today at https://bit.ly/2CEL2tC and start grabbing mad rewards points! The post March Madness Sale! For 5 Days Only: Free 50 Points for Signing Up, 100 Points for Orders Below $200 or 200 Points for Orders Above $200 appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

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Green is the color of St. Patrick’s Day, with parades, feasts, and celebrations all breaking out in the traditional Irish color all over the country. Here at Auto Parts Warehouse, we want to give you another reason to see green in the form of massive savings on car parts. For 6 days only, APW Rewards, Auto Parts Warehouse’s, loyalty program, is going to give away free points to everyone who signs up for a loyalty account or purchases online. Joining APW Rewards from March 18-23 will give you free 200 bonus points, which can already be redeemed for a $10 off $20 coupon. But future savings don’t end there. For 6 days, buying auto parts and accessories from Auto Parts Warehouse as an APW Rewards member will give you 100 bonus points in addition to the points you will earn equivalent to the dollar value of your order. Now those are some huge, lucky savings that will be very useful if your daily driver badly needs some repairs. So how can you save more with an APW Rewards account? Points you earn from purchases as an APW Rewards member are redeemable for discount auto parts coupons up to $100 off. As long as you remain an active member, you can keep on earning rewards points from your orders and instantly convert them into big discount coupons available nowhere else. Accumulate 300 points worth of purchases and you’ll unlock Premier Tier membership, which will automatically give you double points on all APW purchases. Your luck starts now if you’ve been wanting to cut back on auto repair costs. Save on quality car parts and accessories by signing up for free today: https://bit.ly/2XXNqol. Keep in mind that this promo is only from March 18 to March 23, so hurry up before it’s over. And one final, important note: for you’re your safety, please remember not to drink and drive during the festivities. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from your friends here at AutoPartsWarehouse.com The post APW Rewards Lucky Savings: Get 200 Points for Signing Up and 100 Points for Every Purchase for 6 Days Only appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

A bad fuel injector can cause engine misfire and internal engine damage. Fuel injectors, which help vehicles achieve higher fuel efficiency and better emission control, are said to be “non-wearing” items. In fact, they are so sturdy they can last the shelf-life of a car. However, like any other part, fuel injectors are not exempt from damage. You can still have a bad fuel injector, and usually clogging (due to dirt, carbon build-up or watered-down gasoline) is the culprit. When you start experiencing engine misfires, lack of power, an engaged check engine light, and leaking fuel, you can bet the clogging has gone from bad to worse. Some drivers rely on mixing additives and detergents with their gasoline to remedy the clogging. These substances can reduce gasoline vapor deposits, sure, but they can’t entirely eliminate the impurities. To avoid fuel injector problems, experts recommend cleaning the injectors using a dedicated fuel injector cleaner every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Moreover, it’s best practice to inspect your fuel injectors as early as possible. If you find them clogged, cleaning them may suffice. You can choose to have a professional mechanic do it for you (typical fuel injector cleaning cost is between $50 and $80), or you can do it yourself (disclaimer: doing it yourself is not highly encouraged). However, if you’re dealing with a cracked or damaged fuel injector, replacement is necessary. If you need high-quality and budget-friendly replacement fuel injectors, you can check Auto Parts Warehouse’s fuel injector selection here: https://bit.ly/2tMCPPf How to Clean Fuel Injectors without Removal DIY-ing the job is not advisable for beginners. That’s because it requires a deeper understanding of the engine. Aside from that, the right equipment and proper procedure are necessary to yield good results. However, if you want basic knowledge on how to clean injectors using a fuel injector cleaning kit, here’s what you need to know: Materials you need: Fuel injector cleaning kit (should be compatible with your engine) Cleaning solvent (should be the kind recommended for your cleaning kit) Step 1: Connect the cleaning kit to your engine’s fuel port. To do this, check your cleaning kit manual for the proper procedure (fuel injector cleaning kits vary in connection designs). Step 2: Disable your fuel pump and make sure the fuel is returned to the gas tank. Do this by plugging the fuel return line, or you can opt to insert a U-tube. Take note that your CPU might show error codes once your pump is disabled. You may clear the codes later. Step 3: Disconnect the pressure regulator and connect the injector cleaning kit to the fuel port. Make sure your engine doesn’t turn over by turning on the ignition. Step 4: Remove the fuel cap from the gas tank to ensure there’s no build-up of pressure in the system. Step 5: Attach the compressed air hose to the cleaning kit. Consult your service manual and check for the right fuel pressure for your vehicle. Open the valve of your cleaning kit until it matches your car’s required fuel pressure. Step 6: Start your engine and let it run for about five to 15 minutes to let the cleaning solvent pass through the injectors. The engine should shut off once the cleaning kit has used up the solvent. Step 7: Lastly, reverse the steps (disconnect the kit and activate the fuel pump and fuel generator). After everything is back to normal, run your engine again and check for unusual noises. If you hear clicking sounds in a rapid succession, it means your fuel injectors are working perfectly. The post How to Clean Fuel Injectors appeared first on The Auto Parts Warehouse Blog. View the full article

GPC's Alliance Automotive Group Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Dutch based PartsPoint Group View the full article

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