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By NAPA
First, How to Prevent Frost on Car Windows
We’ve all experienced it, when you’re already running late and you rush outside to find your vehicle’s windows completely encased in ice and frost. While you may think your plans are frozen solid, don’t panic. The experts at NAPA are here to help with an effective game plan to defrost your car windows and get you on your way!
The best option to prevent a frosted or iced-over windshield before it starts is to park your vehicle in a garage. Obviously, this isn’t an option for everyone, so it’s a good idea to swing by your local NAPA Auto Parts and get a plan together before the cold weather starts.
Pretreat your vehicle windows and windshield with a treatment like
link hidden, please login to view to help prevent heavy ice and frost buildup. This pretreatment uses hydrophobic compounds to create an invisible barrier between your windows and the cold winter air so that mild frost and ice cannot build up on them. When you park your vehicle in the evening, consider covering the windshield with a towel or link hidden, please login to view. You can use bungee cords or magnets to hold the tarp in place, which can help prevent moisture and eventually ice from collecting. Pause Before You Thaw link hidden, please login to view
In the mad rush to get their vehicles defrosted and get to work on time or make a flight, many panicked drivers have filled a bucket with hot water, tossed it over their windshield and immediately regretted it. Cold glass that is suddenly exposed to hot water will expand very quickly. In very cold climates, the windshield glass will quickly contract again. This radical temperature fluctuation puts stress on the glass and can cause chipping, cracking and may require a costly
link hidden, please login to view. Likewise, you should never dump hot water on icy doors and door handles. Modern vehicles contain a network of sensitive electronics and exposing these to hot water can mean a very pricey repair bill. You should also avoid attacking your frosted windows with anything besides a durable
link hidden, please login to view, especially anything metal. While it might help you take out some pent-up frustration, it can lead to cracking and may damage the seals on the outer edge of your windshield and windows, causing leaks. Best Way to Defrost Car Windows
The best way to defrost your windows and windshield is easy. Remember that warm, dry air can hold more moisture than cold, moist air, so defrosting windows is all about dry air. Follow these three steps to getting back on the road with frost-free windows and avoid spending a fortune in repair costs this winter:
Start your vehicle and turn the heat on High. The air won’t be warm at first, but as it warms, the circulating air will help collect moist air in the vehicle cabin. Turn on A/C and turn off the air recirculation. It may seem crazy, but using the coils in your vehicle’s A/C and pulling in cold, dry winter air from the outside results in dryer air in your cabin. Crack your windows. This helps get even more cold dry air circulating. Depending on the climate and your vehicle, using these three simple steps should help your windows defrost in 5–10 minutes. Resist the urge to turn on your
link hidden, please login to view until your windshield is defrosted. Using your wipers when frost is still on your windshield puts strain on the wiper arms and motor plus dulls the blades. Most importantly, remain patient and don’t drive with partially defrosted windows! Limited visibility means unsafe driving, so the wait is worth it. Sure, you might still run late, but at least you’re not risking an accident or a steep repair bill.
You can also keep a can of
link hidden, please login to view handy to help get your windows clear faster. Now you can save even more on all the great deals NAPA Auto Parts has to offer for safe driving this winter when you sign up for link hidden, please login to view! Get 1 Point for every $1 you spend. When you reach 100 points, enjoy $5 off your next transaction. Best of all, there’s no card to carry; your NAPA Rewards membership is part of your NAPAonline account. Featured image courtesy of
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By NAPA
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For That Car Guy In Your Life link hidden, please login to view
If you’re searching for what to get him for Valentine’s Day, NAPA has you covered. Car lovers take pride in their vehicles, so now is the perfect time to show the special person in your life that same care. From personalized interior accessories to
link hidden, please login to view, NAPAOnline has all the upgrades, performance parts and quality tools for your DIY Valentine. That special mechanic or technician in your life needs a way to keep their hands clean and ready for date night with safe cleaning solutions like the
link hidden, please login to view. Pair this with link hidden, please login to view for small jobs and the link hidden, please login to view to keep their hands from cracking.
link hidden, please login to view will protect his hands while doing hard jobs, and the link hidden, please login to view protect him from potentially hazardous and harmful chemicals on-the-go. Add a link hidden, please login to view to his garage work area, so that he stays toasty and comfortable, especially in the cold winter and early spring mornings.
link hidden, please login to view Remember to shop NAPA’s giant selection of popular, long-lasting
link hidden, please login to view. The options are endless, with carpet floor mats and all-weather protection. link hidden, please login to view will create the ultimate shield for his vehicle’s interior, with a sturdy, customized fit that incorporates deep channels to trap liquids. WeatherTech is proudly made in the U.S. and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Explore how a good
link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view can work together to keep the interior of his prized pickup or sporty roadster looking and smelling fresh. Industrial strength link hidden, please login to view is the perfect prime and shine solution for creating a blemish-free finish on his work truck or off-road Jeep.
link hidden, please login to view are a straightforward way to his heart, and these aftermarket upgrades are a great way to be noticed on the road. NAPA offers several high-end headlight and tail light customization products, including replacement parts for when your OM parts fail, like replacing a link hidden, please login to view. If you’ve noticed that his headlights are a little dim, grab a
link hidden, please login to view for a DIY fix designed to quickly and safely restore, maintain and protect all types of headlights, polishing them back to their original shine. The system cleans away yellow stains and clears buffs, scratches and smudges. Adding new light bulbs can be all he needs to cut through the fog, especially with the link hidden, please login to view. A
link hidden, please login to view can light the vehicle’s interior and exterior; this stylish gift can even be used inside your home. The link hidden, please login to view is a fun and useful lighting machine that simply stows away when not in use. It offers advanced optics and rotational points for lighting any vehicle’s undercarriage in a home garage. link hidden, please login to view A
link hidden, please login to view will keep him safe on the road. If he has to exit his vehicle, be sure he has a link hidden, please login to view to fare the wind and cold. The link hidden, please login to view or link hidden, please login to view will add even more equipment to his growing emergency supplies. The
link hidden, please login to view takes care of his organization, fitting 230 pieces into a durable toolbox, while the link hidden, please login to view is a fun way to keep him excited about chores. And the link hidden, please login to view hand tool offers a higher blade speed than corded jigsaws for a clean, more controlled cut. Share your love by ordering from NAPAOnline.com today for that special man in your life. Take advantage of
link hidden, please login to view, and don’t forget to browse our selection of link hidden, please login to view. Photo courtesy of
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By NAPA
Troubleshooting With NAPA: Why Is My Car Heater Blowing Cold Air?
It’s easy to take modern conveniences for granted. An electric coffee pot brewing while you step out of the room. A garage door that opens with the click of a button. Heated air pumping out of the vents into your vehicle on a cold winter’s morning. But what would you do if those conveniences just stop working? Specifically, how do you fix a car heater that is blowing cold air?
Before you panic, let’s double check the obvious. Is your vehicle warmed up enough from a cold start to push out heated air? For your car heater to function properly, the temperature gauge on your dash (which measures the heat around your engine) should read in the middle, not in the blue cold zone or the red hot zone. If you’re too impatient to wait for your vehicle to run long enough to push out hot air before hitting the road, our experts suggest
link hidden, please login to view to give yourself some extra time. Next, let’s check the settings of your internal cabin temperature controls. Has your automatic climate control system set itself to defrost only for the first few minutes? Are the vents on your dashboard open and angled properly to disperse a strong current of air? If those quick checks were the problem, we promise, we won’t tell anyone. However, if you still haven’t found the answer to ‘why is my heater blowing cold air into my car,’ the next step is to lift the hood to remove any possible obstructions, like leaves and debris, that might be blocking the cold air intake system. Airflow backup could also be caused by a dirty, clogged cabin air filter. A
link hidden, please login to view keeps the air inside your vehicle clean, while also trapping dust and dirt before it enters your heater core and evaporator. Locate your air filter, and remove it for inspection. If the pleats are clogged with debris, it’s due for a change. As part of a maintenance routine, replace your cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Another easy solution to solving a car heater problem is topping off the coolant level. If the coolant level is low, not only will heat not reach your heater core, but the built-up heat not being transmitted properly by coolant could damage your engine. If your coolant level is low, top it off. Be aware, it is critical that you also check for signs of damaged hoses or loose connections that could be leaking.
Another common problem that causes a car heater to pump out cold air is if the control valves in the thermostat are stuck open or closed. A thermostat is a temperature regulator in the form of a valve, situated between the engine coolant outlet and the radiator inlet. If possible, fix the stuck valves, or follow these tips for a full
link hidden, please login to view. The Fix Is In, And It Won’t Be Pretty
Any quick fix for no heat in a car was mentioned above. If you are still experiencing car link hidden, please login to viewheating problems, it is likely a more costly and time-consuming solution. Let’s start with the fan, often called the blower. You should hear the fan running if your heater is turned on, especially full blast. It is possible debris has been lodged or wrapped around the fan, which would cause a tapping noise or popping sound.
If the airflow is weak coming out of your HVAC system, then it is likely a blown
link hidden, please login to view. When you turn on your interior heat, a fan behind the core starts up and blows heat into the passenger compartment. If there is no air current, the solution could be as simple as replacing a fuse or as complicated as replacing the fan itself. If your heater is blowing cold air, the fan motor might be working, but the water pump, actuator or heater core could be failing. A car heater not working could be due to the vital role the
link hidden, please login to view performs. The water pump is typically driven by the accessory drive belt, serpentine belt or timing belt. A worn-out belt can prevent your water pump from operating at peak efficiency. A slow leak from your water pump will cause residue to build up around the pump. Look for coolant trails leading down from the pump or a gunky deposit around the outside. Still car heater troubleshooting?
link hidden, please login to view are critical to controlling heat, the A/C and even defrost. Knocking, clicking and fluctuating air flow could point to a bad actuator, or two. Cold air output could be an issue if either of the hoses connected to your link hidden, please login to view have become loose. One hose is tasked with transporting hot coolant from the water pump to the heater core. The second hose returns the coolant to the top of the engine. Worst case scenario, if the area inside your vehicle, underneath the dash, is damp from a continuous leak, it is highly likely your heater core needs replaced. Most drivers are not equipped to fix a car heater blowing cold air. Just to diagnose the problem can require a jack, jack stand and many, many hand tools. The solution, even if simple, could involve specialty hoses, connections and clamps. To replace an entire heater core entails removing several components to get behind the firewall, or even removing the entire dash inside your cabin. Newer model vehicles, packed with sensitive electronics, make things even more challenging. When in doubt, take your vehicle to
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By NAPA
Why Do Car Batteries Die in the Cold?
It happens every year: the days get shorter, the nights get longer and we bundle up and prepare for the long, cold months ahead. When it comes to automotive issues, winter is sometimes an especially challenging time. When the mercury drops, it can
link hidden, please login to view on the complex systems and parts under the hood of your vehicle. If you drive a car, truck or SUV with a traditional internal combustion engine, the battery in your ride is particularly vulnerable in lower temperatures. Most vehicle batteries are 12-volts, and they consist of six cells. Each cell houses two plates—one made of lead, the other of lead dioxide. The plates are submerged in sulfuric acid, which acts as a catalyst, causing a chemical reaction between the plates producing about two volts of energy per cell. With six cells, you get twelve volts of power.
Your battery may start acting up when the temperature drops, so check out these
link hidden, please login to view. The chemicals inside the battery move slower at lower temperatures, putting stress on the battery and making it difficult to provide sufficient starting power to your vehicle. If you park your vehicle outdoors, you may notice a significant decrease in battery power if the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if your battery is older than three years and you don’t plan on starting your vehicle for several days or weeks at a time. Let’s face it: vehicle batteries are expensive, and the added stress of cold temperatures can shorten their lifespan. To prolong battery life and save cash, it’s a good idea to invest in a
link hidden, please login to view or disconnect and safely store your vehicle battery indoors. Car battery winter storage is also a great way to maintain the units of your favorite outdoor toys, such as boats, ATVs or link hidden, please login to view. Let the experts at the NAPA Network help you save money and get the most out of your vehicle battery by safely disconnecting and storing it this winter. Disconnecting a Car Battery for Storage
So, you decided to disconnect your car battery for storage this winter. Great idea! Troubleshooting battery problems in cold weather is a headache, but it can also lessen the overall life of your battery, costing you a lot of money in the long run. If you park your vehicle outdoors or in a garage with minimal insulation, it’s a good idea to remove and store the vehicle battery if you don’t plan on driving it more than once every two weeks during the winter.
First, you need to safely disconnect your vehicle’s battery. Before you begin, make sure you’re using
link hidden, please login to view and insulated link hidden, please login to view. You’ll also need a link hidden, please login to view that fits the bolts of your battery—your owner’s manual should have this information available. Turn off your vehicle. Never attempt to disconnect your battery with the engine running. With the engine off, locate the terminals of your vehicle battery. They may have black and red caps on them, black for negative and red for positive. The negative terminal is labeled with a negative symbol and the positive terminal is labeled with a positive symbol. Remove the plastic caps and locate the negative terminal. Using the wrench, loosen the nut and bolt, then remove the connector cable from the terminal. Repeat this process with the positive terminal. Now you’re ready to safely remove and store your battery!
Car Battery Storage for Winter link hidden, please login to view
The battery is a vital component of your vehicle, but it is also sometimes a volatile one. The chemicals that provide the crucial reaction that powers your vehicle and its systems are extremely caustic and dangerous. Neglecting proper car battery storage for winter can cause significant damage to your battery and anything nearby, so let NAPA Auto Parts help you plan for properly storing your battery.
Before you store it, take the time to carefully clean any
link hidden, please login to view and out of the battery tray. Ideally, you should store your battery indoors in a dry, temperature-controlled area like a closet or utility pantry. Always store your battery in a link hidden, please login to view and keep it on a low shelf above the cold cement floors or carpets to avoid static discharges. If you’re storing your battery in an area with minimal temperature control like a garage or shed, equip the space with link hidden, please login to view to ensure the battery storage box stays level and away from any moisture that might collect on the ground. Never store a vehicle battery on a high shelf above your head. Make sure to routinely check the batteries while in storage to ensure no fluids are leaking and top off any fluids that have evaporated. While some drivers want to disconnect and store their vehicle batteries, others may not have the time or a good space to store them. Fortunately, NAPA Auto Parts offers a great selection of battery maintainers, battery conditioners and trickle chargers. These low-profile devices not only charge and maintain your vehicle battery while not in use, but they also help break down any buildup of sulfur crystals on the plates.
Don’t let Old Man Winter’s plummeting temperatures send your battery to an early grave! Shop NAPA Auto Parts for car battery winter storage solutions. Now you can choose to stay out of the cold and take advantage of our
link hidden, please login to view. After you checkout online, select “Deliver From Store” and add your delivery address (must reside within 5 miles of the servicing NAPA Store). The store will notify you when your order is out for delivery, it’s that simple! Photo courtesy of
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By NAPA
With winter’s grasp firmly upon us, the issue of getting stuck in snow becomes more prominent in our daily lives. Whether you are just slipping a little or the wheels are buried to the axles, these 10 tips on how to get your car unstuck from snow are not only helpful, but can prove to be a lifesaver. All of these tips have been compiled through years of getting stuck ourselves.
1. Don’t Stop!
The best tip for how to get car out of snow is to not get stuck in the first place. If you are sliding off the road, headed towards a snow drift, slush pile, etc, do not stop unless you are going to end up in a dangerous situation or hit something. Your vehicle’s momentum can carry you out of the mush. The same goes for when you are stuck and get some movement. Don’t stop until you are absolutely stuck. Even a little bit of constant movement is better than just spinning the wheels. If the way in front of you is clear and you are in no danger of hitting anything, try to keep moving.
2. Don’t Spin the Wheels
When you are stuck and your tires are just spinning, stop. That is not how to get unstuck in snow. Unless you are on solid ground (concrete or asphalt), stomping the pedal and spinning the wheels is just going to make it worse. You will just end up digging a hole with the tires and possibly ending up with the chassis sitting on the ground, making getting unstuck ever harder.
3. Apply Proper Power
A little accelerator pedal finesse is one answer of how to get a car unstuck from snow. Use your throttle sparingly and in the right way. If too much power is overpowering the tires and snow, use part throttle. You would be surprised how less power might just get you out of a bad situation.
4. Shift to Low Gear
Make sure your automatic transmission is shifted into the lowest gear. For manual transmissions, you actually want to shift into a higher gear, such as 3rd or 4th, and use the clutch to control the spin. There will be less shock on the tires and you will have more control to keep the tires from spinning in the snow.
5. Turn Off Traction Control
This one might seem counter-intuitive for how to get unstuck from snow, but when you are stuck and need power to the wheels, any slipping will cut the power right when you need it.
link hidden, please login to view most of the time, but once you are stuck it can just get in the way. Push the traction control button to turn it off. Some vehicles require you to push and hold the button for several seconds. When in doubt check your owner’s manual. With this feature off you will be able to spin the tires with no interference from the onboard computer. Watch out for using too much power though (see #2). 6. Rock Back & Forth
The classic move for how to get a car unstuck by yourself is called rocking. This is a maneuver where use the engine to roll the vehicle forward, put it in reverse, roll it backward, and then shift to drive and roll forward. Doing this several times builds momentum for the vehicle, often getting it out of the rut it is stuck in. Once you are over the hump and rolling in one direction, power out of the mess until you are on solid ground. This trick is a little easier for automatic transmission owners and will take some coordination for those with a manual transmission.
7. Use Traction Devices
It is too late to add
link hidden, please login to view or cables to your tires, but you can use other items to enhance the grip of your tires. Rocks (quarter size and smaller), sand, even small branches and sticks can give you the grip you need to get out. It is a good idea to carry a bucket or bag of sand, pebbles, kitty litter, etc when you live in snow-prone areas. 8. Go Straight Ahead
Make sure your tires are pointed straight. There is considerably more stress on the tires when they are turned and plowing through the snow. This means means it is harder for the vehicle to move, and therefore easier for the tire to spin rather than get traction and push or pull the vehicle out of the mess.
9. Let Some Air Out
When you just can’t get the grip, try letting some air out of the tires. This makes a wider contact patch and can give you the necessary grip to get out. Just don’t forget to
link hidden, please login to view the tires to the proper specification as soon as possible. Until you get the tires reinflated, keep the speed down so you don’t ruin your tires. 10. Be Ready to Shovel Snow
Sometimes the answer for how to get car unstuck from snow if you just have to get down and dig. Carrying a camp
link hidden, please login to view will make this easier, but a stick, wood board, or even a plastic cup can get the snow, slush and mud out of the way. The idea here is to dig a long ramp from the tire to the flat ground instead of a deep sudden rut that you likely find yourself in. Additionally, there may be a large mass of snow under the chassis, making it difficult to move. You need to try to remove as much of this as possible. If you can’t get your car unstuck with these tips, call a tow truck for assistance. Make sure your tailpipe is clear of snow so that the exhaust fumes don’t back up into the cab of the vehicle. This is now the time to break out your
link hidden, please login to view, sit tight and wait for the cavalry. Stay safe! If you have any tips on how to get your car unstuck, please leave them in the comments section below.
Check out all the
link hidden, please login to view available on link hidden, please login to view or trust one of our 17,000 link hidden, please login to view for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to get a truck unstuck by yourself or any other vehicle, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local link hidden, please login to view. The post
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