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The Road To AAPEX Starts Here
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By NAPA
Catalytic Converter Theft Statistics
According to data compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), reported catalytic converter thefts jumped from 1,298 in 2018 to 14,433 in 2020. And this trend is still gaining speed. In the first half of 2022, the automotive insurance provider State Farm received more than 23,000 catalytic converter theft claims.
This national crime spree has drawn the attention of local law enforcement, as well as federal investigations. In November 2022,
link hidden, please login to view on the bust of a multimillion-dollar catalytic converters theft network. Arrests, searches and seizures took place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia. California accounts for nearly 25% of insurance claims for theft of catalytic converters followed by Texas with nearly 14% of claims. Approximately 1,600 catalytic converters are reportedly stolen in California each month. However, vehicle owners across the country must prepare ahead of time to prevent catalytic converters from getting stolen.
On December 9, 2022, the
link hidden, please login to view in a suburb south of Chicago. They seized 128 stolen catalytic converters worth approximately $54,000. In the stash were several reciprocating saws, which are used by thieves to detach a catalytic converter in less than a minute. Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft
To prevent catalytic converter theft, crime experts recommend parking your vehicle inside a secure garage or in a well-lit area. But that isn’t always possible, especially for work vehicles. Sure, an alarm system might help deter someone from quietly breaking into your vehicle for valuables, but a criminal ring willing to operate an electric reciprocating saw at night in a suburban neighborhood is most likely not scared away by an annoying alarm.
Because fleet vehicles like cargo vans and heavy-duty pickup trucks sit higher, they are often the target of catalytic converter theft. However, reports show that standard commuter hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, Lexus RX and Honda Jazz, have the highest number of cases of catalytic converters getting stolen. Fortunately, The NAPA Network is here to help with catalytic converter theft prevention.
Best Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Device link hidden, please login to view
A
link hidden, please login to view is a metal device designed to reduce harmful emissions and gases, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and other air pollutants. On a standard combustion engine, this required part converts toxic fumes into safe gases through a chemical reaction. On the inside, catalytic converters are lined with tiny pores that are coated with platinum, rhodium or palladium. These precious metals are what makes a premium catalytic converter worth more than $1,000 on the black market at junk yards. For the best catalytic converter theft protection, the NAPA experts recommend installing the
link hidden, please login to view. Built from heavy-duty metal wire, the cage of your CatClamp is unbreakable by design. Choose either the Standard Model with a 1-Year Warranty or the Stainless Steel MAXX Model with a Lifetime Warranty. Both versions are manufactured in the United States. This easy-to-install catalytic converter theft deterrent product fits almost any gas-powered vehicle, including RVs. The durable metal rope can loop around your converter in as many as eight different points. Keep in mind, your CatClamp cables must route through a permanent (non-moving) component of your vehicle. While this catalytic converter anti-theft device can cost a couple hundred dollars, installing a replacement catalytic converter can cost thousands of dollars between the purchase of the part and the professional labor required.
Signs of a Stolen Catalytic Converter
Signs that your catalytic converter was stolen include a loud noise coming from your open exhaust, sluggish acceleration, dark smoke expelling from your tailpipe or the smell of rotten eggs coming from underneath your vehicle. If you notice any of these signs, investigate further. Driving a vehicle without a catalytic converter is illegal, unless the age of your vehicle makes it exempt. Without a catalytic converter, your vehicle will not pass the required annual emission test.
Operating a vehicle with no catalytic converter also means hot, dangerous gas is released under your car, which heats up sensitive components and exposes passengers to carbon monoxide. That’s why many car owners place an anti-theft device for catalytic converters on each of their gas-powered vehicles.
Keep in mind, all-electric vehicles, which consume no gasoline or diesel and plug into electric sockets to replenish their batteries, are the only vehicles on the road today that do not have and do not need a catalytic converter. But for all other vehicles, including standard hybrids and plug-in hybrids, NAPA is your one-stop-shop for all the
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By Counterman
Dana Incorporated introduced its Victor Reinz Reinzosil room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone to North American customers at the recent AAPEX and SEMA shows in Las Vegas.
“While Victor Reinz Reinzosil RTV silicone has been available for some time, it’s relatively new to the North American market and has quickly become a customer favorite for sealing surfaces in engines, transmissions, axles, cylinder liners and plastic housings,” said Bill Nunnery, senior director, sales and marketing, global aftermarket for Dana. “This is the first time Dana has featured Reinzosil RTV silicone for light-duty vehicles at AAPEX and SEMA, and it was a very positive experience. Customers told us they prefer it over the brand they have been using and that as a one-tube solution, it helps them reduce inventory and simplify the ordering process.”
Victor Reinz Reinzosil sealant is resistant to fluids, including mineral oils and synthetic oils, lubricants, gasoline, diesel oil, greases, water and detergents, and is safe for all sensors. Available in 70-milliliter tubes, it is ideal for use on two-dimensional flat surfaces where there is a sealing gap, such as gasket intersections and components originally sealed with RTV by the manufacturer, including intake manifolds, valve covers and oil pans, according to the company.
To learn more about
link hidden, please login to view RTV silicone and other Dana products, contact a Dana sales representative or visit link hidden, please login to view. The post
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By NAPA
In some parts of the country road salt and brine are a normal part of life. Road salt is elegantly efficient at the job of controlling ice and snow on streets, but it is also efficient at causing corrosion on vehicles. Road salt gets mixed into wintery slush and then splattered all along the lower parts of vehicles. When you get road salt on car parts and allow it to sit, that’s when trouble begins. It is important to remove salt from car, truck, and SUV surfaces before it can take hold and cause damage. When looking at how to neutralize road salt on car parts you only need the right tools and supplies. Here’s how to remove road salt from car, truck, and SUV surfaces.
How to Remove Salt from Car Carpet
Even if you have
link hidden, please login to view there is always the possibility that slush and road salt will make their way onto your interior carpet. The first step in how to remove salt stains from car carpet is to grab your vacuum. Get up as much of the salt crystals while they are dry. Next take a spray bottle and mix together equal parts white vinegar and warm water. The water/vinegar mixture makes it easier to remove salt from car carpet by breaking it down. Working in small areas give the salt stained carpet a good soaking with the water/vinegar mixture and let it sit for a minute. Now take a plastic bristle brush and scrub the stained area to work in the water/vinegar mixture and further loosen any salt. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water/vinegar mixture. You may need to repeat the process several times to fully remove the salt stains. The final step for how to get rid of road salt on car carpet is to give the carpet a thorough vacuum with the wet/dry vacuum so there is no liquid left behind. How to Remove Salt from Car Paint
Your best bet for removing road salt from car paint during the winter is your local car wash. Find a touchless car wash and use it often during the winter months. While it is possible to wash your car at home, when the temperatures are hovering near freezing the idea of cold wet hands isn’t so fun. Running your car through the wash every two weeks (or sooner if it is really nasty) will help prevent road salt from eating your car.
If you do have a warm snap and want to wash your car at home, take the time to
link hidden, please login to view to make the most of your lucky weather. Pay special attention to using the two-bucket washing method so you aren’t putting grit back on your paint. Regardless of which method you choose, road salt on car paint needs to be removed before it has a chance to reach the metal body panels. Plus it never hurts to have a clean, nice looking car. How to Remove Salt from Underneath link hidden, please login to view
The underside if your vehicle is filled with nearly endless nooks and crannies where road salt can accumulate. One of the main effects of road salt on cars is a crumbling underside. Your best bet for how to clean salt off bottom of car components is your local car wash again. You want to select the undercarriage wash option to get salt that is clinging to your chassis and other undercar parts. This kind of wash will reach into the areas where road salt can accumulate without driving it any further into hidden areas. Something like a pressure washer will technically get the underside of your car clean, but the extreme water pressure can also force the salty mixture deep into crevices, which is the absolute last thing you want.
Preventing Road Salt Damage
Keeping road salt from ever touching your vehicle’s metal is the most basic form of protection. Before winter settles in give your car a good wash followed by a fresh coat of wax. If you have any paint scratches
link hidden, please login to view to seal them so salt can’t take hold. You can also opt to have your vehicle link hidden, please login to view. These compounds are applied to the underside of the vehicle and prevent salt from contacting metal body parts. 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 about how to remove salt from car carpet,the effects of road salt corrosion on cars, and how to neutralize road salt on car parts, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your link hidden, please login to view. Photo courtesy of
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By Counterman
Purolator Filters, a division of MANN+HUMMEL, received three Automotive Communication Awards at AAPEX 2022 in Las Vegas.
The categories included Best Article/Blog/Content Piece-Technical; Best Video; and Best Merchandising. Women in Auto Care (WiAC), an Auto Care Association community, presented the awards.
“Our goal is to continuously inform and educate while also entertain consumers and customers alike on the importance of choosing premium filters,” said Daryl Benton, vice president of sales and marketing automotive market – North America at MANN+HUMMEL Purolator Filters LLC. “We are honored to earn recognition for these efforts from WiAC, an organization dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women in the auto care industry.”
Best Article/Blog/Content Piece
The award-winning Purolator article highlights the importance of full-synthetic oil-filter media with regard to filtration quality. Originally placed in late 2021, the article generated significant engagement and was highlighted in other digital publications in early 2022. The article showcases PurolatorBOSS oil filters, which feature SmartFUSION technology, and are engineered to be the ideal match for full-synthetic oils. Noting this, the article gives customers a deeper insight into the advantages of full-synthetic-media oil filters and passes along useful tips for technicians to share with their customers.
Best Merchandising
When PurolatorBOSS premium cabin air filters with Febreze Freshness were introduced, Purolator created a freestanding point-of-sale floor display to promote the product. The display contains high-end graphics and a quality finish with an application guide to assist consumers in finding the right filter for them.
The display also includes an informative take-home pamphlet for consumers to discover the role a cabin air filter plays in their vehicle. Many buyers gave significant feedback, noting the value of the Febreze partnership, and in turn, creating a dialogue that has led to significant purchases.
Best Video
Purolator also was honored with an award for creating a video that emphasizes the needs and concerns of consumers regarding clean air and vehicle performance. Filtering virus aerosols, dirt, debris, pollen and more, the video highlights PurolatorBOSS as a premium cabin air filter to rid these pollutants from a customer’s vehicle.
The video proved successful, as it garnered hundreds of thousands of views online and millions of impressions on digital TV. Gaining strong engagement on social media, Purolator’s video has continued to inform audiences on the importance of air decontamination.
The Women in Auto Care Awards Ceremony recognizes companies and agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing, and public relations efforts. The awards cover several business-to-consumer and business-to-business categories. Recipients received recognition during the Women in Auto Care Automotive Communications Awards Ceremony during AAPEX.
The award-winning video can be viewed here:
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By Counterman
Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner, unveiled its new Sparta fuel-pump line at AAPEX, showcasing the latest offering in its expanded aftermarket portfolio.
Designed specifically for older and high-mileage vehicles, Sparta made its AAPEX debut with updated visuals and new packaging. The Sparta brand offers another revenue opportunity for distributors and customers, targeting a specific subgroup of older vehicles.
The company also demonstrated its fuel-tank cleaning tool live at the booth. The tool is designed for scenarios when the fuel tank is difficult to drop or full of fuel; the magnetic head is effective at collecting debris from hard-to-reach areas of the tank. The cleaning tool has been well-received by technicians for helping optimize their productivity and deliver customer satisfaction.
link hidden, please login to view Visitors learned more about other aftermarket product lines, including steering and suspension and engine management. Since the initial launch of the steering and suspension program in 2017,
BorgWarner has added more than 5,000 Delphi-branded SKUs, or over 150% growth to the product line now totaling 8,500 SKUs, including more than 2,000 control arms.
All chassis product offerings undergo thorough dimensional and material analyses including extreme temperature, fatigue, three-axis and salt-spray testing in order to ensure premium product, durability, quality and the perfect fit. Further expansion is planned across products such as tie rods, sway bar links, control arms, and ball joints, where the company currently has 98% sales coverage across both domestic and import applications. Similarly, BorgWarner has continued to expand its Delphi Technologies engine-management line by 175 SKUs over the last year, with engine-sensor coverage and ignition coils.
Exhaust-gas temperature sensors, a newer part added to the Delphi Technologies portfolio, now has nearly 50 part numbers spanning both domestic and import applications.
Delphi Academy
Booth visitors also learned about the Delphi Academy, which has been designed with input from technicians to ensure it caters to their needs. It has more than 30 courses run by ASE-certified technicians, with both hands-on and virtual options available on the platform. Technicians who lead those training courses were at AAPEX, offering the chance for visitors to learn from the experts. Several courses for electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles are already available through the Delphi Academy with updates planned in the future.
For commercial-vehicle distributors and technicians, BorgWarner brought the recently launched Cummins HPI Application Kit for the Hartridge HK1400 Cambox. The HK1400 is an all-makes solution for testing electronic unit injectors and electronic unit pumps and is an essential choice for diesel workshops servicing diesel commercial vehicles. The HPI Application Kit is a set of dedicated ancillary hardware that replicates real-world conditions for accurate HPI testing.
Additionally, the Hartridge Sabre CRi Expert was displayed at the show. This advanced, compact, all-makes common rail injector tester comes with new test plans, new test steps, injector coding feature and a 2,700-bar rail pressure range enabling testing of LD, MD and HD common rail applications. Its features and functions make the Sabre CRi Expert a future-ready testing solution that helps shops stay ahead of the market, according to the company.
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