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By abenleulmi
Hey everyone,
With the summer heat hitting hard, I've seen way too many drivers—both everyday commuters and even some DIYers—making the exact same mistakes under the hood that end up completely wrecking their air conditioning systems.
Replacing an A/C compressor or a blown blower motor at a US dealership can easily cost you $1,200+ out of pocket. The worst part? Most of this damage is caused by simple, everyday habits we do without even realizing it.
Here are a few quick, costly traps you need to avoid right now if you want to save your compressor and save some cash at the pump:
Blasting the A/C on Max at Startup: Doing this the second you turn the key places a massive, sudden parasitic load on a cold engine and slips your serpentine belt. Let your RPMs stabilize first!
Cruising with Windows Half-Down: This creates a non-stop thermodynamic tug-of-war. Your cabin sensors will force the A/C clutch to stay engaged indefinitely, burning through your gas.
The Continuous Recirculation Trap: Leaving the recirculation button on for hours traps interior moisture and turns your evaporator core into a literal breeding ground for mold and that foul "gym-sock" smell.
I’ve put together a completely free, breakdown guide that covers the step-by-step pro mechanic method to cool down a scorching hot car cabin in under 60 seconds without straining your engine. It also includes a breakdown of real-world repair costs if these habits are ignored.
If you want to keep your ride icy cold and stop burning extra fuel this summer, check out the full guide here: 👉
<a href="https://autoskil.com/things-not-to-do-while-cars-ac-is-on" title="Read the full guide on things to avoid while driving" style="color: #1a73e8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">5 Things Not to Do While Your Car’s AC is On</a> Would love to hear your thoughts or any under-the-hood hacks you guys use to beat the heat! Stay cool out there.
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By oliviarosesmith
Planning a summer road trip in my Jeep and part of the route runs through some pretty remote wildlife areas — think deer, maybe elk depending on elevation. Never had a close call yet but I'd rather be prepared than find out the hard way at 60mph.
Been going back and forth on whether to upgrade the stock bumper before I go. A few things I'm weighing:
Does a heavier aftermarket bumper actually help in an animal strike, or is it more about looks/winch mounting for most people? Front vs rear — is front the priority if I'm mainly worried about wildlife on the road? Anyone dealt with insurance/deer strikes and wish they'd had better protection beforehand? Budget isn't unlimited so trying to figure out if this is a "nice to have" or something I'll actually regret skipping. Would love to hear what setups people are running, especially if you've done a similar trip or actually hit something with stock vs. upgraded bumpers.
Trip's about 3 weeks out so I've got a little time to sort parts and get them installed before I leave.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view are gearing up for another season of excitement with the launch of the 2026 Perfect Stop® Powersports Summer Sweepstakes, kicking off this June and running through the end of July. This exclusive MyPlace4Parts promotion gives professional technicians opportunities to win big all summer long with every qualifying Perfect Stop® purchase. Throughout the promotion period, technicians will earn automatic entries with every qualifying purchase of Perfect Stop® products placed through MyPlace4Parts, including brake pads, rotors, calipers, sensors, shoes, brake cleaner, and brake fluid. Participants will have the chance to be one of six Grand Prize winners, each of whom will get to select a powersports vehicle of their choice. In addition, a total of $25,000 in gift cards will be awarded to 150 lucky winners, keeping the momentum going all summer long.
“Perfect Stop® is more than just individual components—it’s a complete brake job lineup built to deliver confidence from start to finish,” said Justin Hebert, vice president of category management for the
link hidden, please login to view “From pads and rotors to calipers, fluids, and even sensors, it’s a full-system solution that allows shops to perform complete, reliable, OEM-quality brake service every time. When technicians choose Perfect Stop®, they’re picking perfect—every time.” Built for reliability, coverage, and performance, the Perfect Stop® product line supports light, medium, and heavy-duty applications, giving professional technicians a trusted solution for comprehensive brake jobs across a wide range of vehicles. Like previous years, this promotion will run exclusively on MyPlace4Parts, the industry’s most robust B2B eCommerce solution designed specifically for professional service and repair shops.
“Combining the strength of the Perfect Stop® brand with the speed and simplicity of MyPlace4Parts makes this promotion especially impactful for professional shops,” added Hebert. “It’s about delivering a complete brake solution backed by a seamless ordering experience that helps technicians save time, stay focused on the job, and continue to service their customers with confidence.”
Professional technicians, don’t miss your chance to win big while stocking up on a complete brake solution built for performance and reliability. Get your entries in by the end of July and make this summer a Perfect Stop® summer.
For full promotion details and official rules, visit
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By Counterman
Several
link hidden, please login to view members enjoyed a weekend of bass fishing and World of Outlaws racing as the winners in the Grote-Federated Co-Man “Bass ‘N’ Outlaws” promotion. The Federated members spent a day on a guided bass fishing trip on beautiful Lake Tohopekaliga near Orlando, Florida, and watched a night of World of Outlaws racing at the Federated DIRTcar Nationals at the Volusia Speedway Park in De Leon Springs, Florida. The promotion winners also received lodging on the St. John’s River with all meals included during the trip.
“Our members had a great day of fishing, a night of exciting racing and we even saw some alligators,” said John Marcum, director of marketing for Federated. “We want to thank our partners at Grote for an incredible trip and a highly successful promotion that rewarded Federated members for their continued growth and commitment to Grote. The winners enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to our friends at Grote.”
To be eligible for the promotion,
link hidden, please login to view members were rewarded for their purchases of Grote Industries products for a three-month period through the Federated Co-Man warehouse. The winners were chosen based on the highest percentage of growth and highest dollar growth in Co-Man Grote purchases. In addition, members were al The post
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By Counterman
Applications are now open for the Federated Car Care Scholarship Program. Applicants can apply at
link hidden, please login to view. The application deadline is March 31. Qualified candidates must select “Federated” on the online application. Federated Car Care Scholarship Program Details
Fisher Auto Parts funds the Federated Car Care scholarships in memory of Art Fisher. Art Fisher founded Federated Auto Parts and the Federated Car Care program. The program offers scholarships to active Federated Car Care Centers. Eligible centers must purchase from a Federated member.
“We are very pleased to continue offering scholarships to the children and employees of Car Care Center members, supporting their pursuit of higher education,” said Bo Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher Auto Parts. “The University of the Aftermarket Foundation makes the application process easy and efficient, and we urge interested students to submit their applications as soon as possible. We are excited to recognize a new class of deserving
link hidden, please login to view scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 academic year.” Eligibility and Award Administration
The
link hidden, please login to view administers the scholarships. The foundation will award several scholarships to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include employees and children of active Federated Car Care Center members. Applicants must attend accredited two- or four-year colleges. Eligible programs include ASE/NATEF certified automotive, heavy-duty, or collision training programs. Licensed and accredited vocational schools also qualify. High school students graduating in 2026 may also apply. Application Process and Consideration
Federated participates along with more than 30 scholarship organizations. These organizations award scholarships through the foundation’s central website. Each completed application receives consideration for every matching scholarship. Applicants only need one application at AutomotiveScholarships.com.
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