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By Counterman
The winter registration deadline for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) testing and recertification is March 31.
Those service professionals
link hidden, please login to view by the deadline will have 90 days to schedule an appointment to take their selected ASE tests. ASE now offers three options for taking certification or recertification tests:
link hidden, please login to view is available throughout the year and is conducted days, nights and weekends at more than 450 secured, proctored Prometric test centers. Those with unexpired automobile certifications (A1-A9) can use the link hidden, please login to view for recertification. ASE also offers link hidden, please login to view as an online recertification solution for all ASE recertifications tests, excluding L1 and L2 tests. To register and select an available option to take selected ASE certification tests, visit
link hidden, please login to view by March 31, click on register and sign-in. Once logged in, users can next click on “orders” and then “store” where they can find the tests they want to take, add those tests to the cart, check out and registration is complete. For assistance from ASE customer service, call 800-390-6789. The post
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By NAPA
What Maintenance Does a Hybrid Car Need?
While standard vehicles that rely only on combustion engines do suffer from more wear and tear under the hood due to high heat and intense vibrations, hybrid vehicles still require routine maintenance and repair. A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Hybrid vehicles can go anywhere without requiring a charge because they are started with a fuel injection to get the motor running. The electric motor in a hybrid vehicle reduces the work the vehicle must do, making fuel consumption minimal.
Due to the advanced technology of regenerative braking, a hybrid car is designed to capture excess engine power to improve vehicle efficiency and mile per gallon (MPG). Hybrid owners benefit from less frequent brake part replacements because the regenerative braking system redirects the friction involved in stopping your vehicle. While the brake pads and brake rotors on a hybrid do not wear as quickly as standard combustion cars, it is still important to have them routinely inspected, cleaned and replaced when advised by a professional technician at a
link hidden, please login to view. The maintenance needs of your hybrid vehicle still include tune-ups. Don’t skip out on those routine oil changes and fluid top-offs, as well as replacing
link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view. A proper wheel alignment and tire rotation is still recommended each 5,000 miles or every six months for daily commuters in hybrid vehicles. During those service appointments, your technician should also check the condition of your belts and battery. You are possibly wondering about the cost to maintain a hybrid vehicle. The cost covers a large range because of factors like the type of hybrid you own and the advanced level of service required to work on a hybrid vehicle. Fortunately,
link hidden, please login to view to comprehensively perform your hybrid vehicle maintenance. NAPA is committed to keeping maintenance costs affordable for drivers while offering state-of-the-art vehicle parts, services and support. Different Hybrid Vehicles for Different Drivers link hidden, please login to view
The burning question remains: Do hybrid vehicles cost more to own? The good news is that most hybrid vehicles do not need any special maintenance. And the great news is that investments in the upkeep of a hybrid vehicle are often balanced by the savings at the gas pump, as well as the long intervals between routine servicing. Keep in mind, the replacement parts of a hybrid, from popular makers like Toyota and Lexus, can cost more at checkout due to their advanced functionality.
As the future of car driving, ownership and maintenance moves toward all things electric, the experts at The NAPA Network are here to guide you as you debate if it’s worth making the switch to hybrid, a hybrid plugin or a fully electric vehicle. Remember, an EV draws all of its power solely from an electric battery system that needs charged regularly. For more information, checkout “
link hidden, please login to view” on our NAPA Know How Blog. Another factor when gaging if a plug-in model will work for your lifestyle is determining if there are charging stations in your area, at home and at work or if you will take the leap by installing an at-home charging station in your garage. NAPA offers electrification installation services powered by
link hidden, please login to view, which provides all of your home-garage EV charging station needs. Whether you are cost-saving or trying to save the planet, the evolving hybrid and EV market offers fascinating technological advances and fun ways to save money while still exercising your freedom to take on the open road. Remember, you can order all the hybrid replacement parts you need from NAPAOnline.com or visit
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By NAPA
Some people have been asking, do electric cars work in cold weather? Absolutely they do! But winter driving doesn’t always mean a winter wonderland, sometimes it just means preparing for the cold. People have been link hidden, please login to viewelectric cars in cold weather for years with little or no trouble other than potentially shorter battery range. Here’s a few tips about driving an electric car in winter.
Preheat Before You Leave
One advantage to plug-in electric cars in the winter is they can use grid power before you drive. It makes far more sense to prepare for your drive while connected to grid power than use up battery range. If your electric car has the option to preheat the cabin while link hidden, please login to view take advantage of that feature. Vehicles like the link hidden, please login to view and Nissan LEAF can be toasty warm for your departure. Use seat heaters if so equipped as they are more efficient at warming the occupants directly. Once you are on the way it will take far less power to maintain a comfortable cabin than if you had started cold leaving you parking spot.
Use The Right Tires
If you live in an area where winter tires are recommended, by all means use them. Snow tires are able to stay pliable in low temperatures and typically feature a special tread design that helps grip the wintery roads.
While it is common for electric vehicles to use special low rolling resistance tires, during the winter months you want all the grip you can get. Luckily with the growing popularity of electric vehicles there are now specific link hidden, please login to view made for EVs. These EV winter tires are designed specifically to address the needs of an electric car by balancing low rolling resistance while still offering winter weather traction. Just make sure to change into winter tires before the weather shifts.
Drive Easy
If your warm driving style is already easy going to maximize battery range, driving an electric car in cold weather will be an easy transition. The roads will likely be slippery so easing into acceleration and braking will help keep things under control.
Keep in mind that most electric vehicles are fairly heavy, so there is a lot of momentum built up even under normal driving. Loads of low-end torque make for spirited driving in warmer months, but you will need to dial back the accelerator pedal in slippery conditions. If your vehicle has “ECO” mode, use it. You may have a winter/snow driving mode as well so check your owner’s manual.
Turn Off Regenerative Braking
As amazing as regenerative braking is at recouping energy and extending driving range, it can also cause problems on slippery roads. Normally when the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator pedal the regenerative braking system kicks in to help slow the vehicle. This is great in dry weather, but the braking action that recovers electricity can cause the wheel to lose grip on slick roads making for erratic handling. People driving electric cars in winter conditions need to pay attention to the road surface. If the road conditions are slippery, it is best to turn off your regenerative braking system and go back to using your trusty brake pedal.
Your Range May Vary
Depending on your vehicle, electric car battery life in cold weather will vary. If you have an older electric vehicle with less than 100 miles of range you will need to be as sparing with power as you can. Things like headlights, link hidden, please login to view, radio, seat heaters, battery heaters, fans, even power steering all take previous battery power. On the flip side, if your vehicle’s range is in the hundreds of miles and your trips around town are short, there’s no reason to skimp on the power. Of course this assumes you will recharge once you are done driving for the day.
Plan For An Emergency
This tip applies to everyone on the road, but in an electric vehicle your
link hidden, please login to viewshould include a portable 110v charger if you have one. Sure it is the slowest way to recharge, but it beats no charge at all if you are stuck at a friend’s house. 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 taking care of an electric car battery in cold weather and learning more about electric cars in winter driving, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your link hidden, please login to view. The post
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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
You’ve Got the Power to Clear the Powder link hidden, please login to view
link hidden, please login to view is a great way to get inches or even feet of snow cleared out of your way when you need without waiting around for a municipal or private service to arrive. People who live in snowier parts of the country know that the saying is correct: “If you want something done, do it yourself!” It’s especially beneficial for those who live in rural areas or may need a clear route in an emergency. Many truck owners with added-on aftermarket snow plows also choose to offer their services to neighbors or set up small businesses during wintertime. Let’s face it, many truck, SUV and Jeep owners forego installing and operating
link hidden, please login to view because of the risk to their vehicles. But most of those snow-laden horror stories usually originate from poor maintenance and improper installation. Fortunately, the experts at NAPA Auto Parts have all the right link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view to ensure your rig can handle the next big blizzard or nor’easter. How to Use a Snow Plow on a Truck
Before getting your rig out in the downy flakes, it’s important to consider a few things:
How much snow will you plow and where? Will you install the plow mechanism only once or twice every winter? Will you focus on a driveway or will you clear larger areas? What kind of terrain will you clear? Roads? Fields? Answering these questions can help you determine link hidden, please login to view: a for light-duty snow clearing, a v-plow for breaching large drifts and depositing snow on either side or a box plow for moving large amounts of snow. Once you find the right plow, you need to install it correctly. Carefully study your vehicle owner’s manual, as well as the manual for the plow, so you know the right tools to use and what precautions to take. Get familiar! Study the terrain prior to a snow event and never plow unfamiliar terrain. Hidden boulders, ditches, stumps and retaining ponds can spell disaster for a truck, so make sure you know where you’re going and what’s below the snow. To minimize the chances of engine trouble while you’re plowing, set aside some time to do a full tune-up on your rig before you start. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels, change the oil and the oil filter. Replace any headlights or taillights that are dim or out completely. Replace wiper blades if they are worn and consider upgrading to a model that’s suited for winter use like the
link hidden, please login to view or link hidden, please login to view. Transmission issues are common problems that can arise from plowing with a truck, but you can avoid undue stress to your gearbox by doing your research and adhering to a mindful maintenance schedule during the winter months. Check your transmission fluid frequently. Smell it for a burning odor that could indicate overheating. Consider installing a
link hidden, please login to view and pause plowing if the temperature goes above 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Putting Safety First Comes with Rewards
Winter driving can get risky, especially when you’re plowing with your truck, SUV or Jeep, so make sure you are prepared for any possible emergency situations. Along with keeping your truck stocked with a good
link hidden, please login to view, keep a link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, energy bars and bottled water in case you become stranded overnight. Retrieval equipment like
link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view and can come in handy in case you come across a stranded driver. Visibility on the road is always important, but the bleak, dim days of winter make visibility crucial. Equip your rig with a fully-functional link hidden, please login to view before you begin so that everyone else on the road can see you and you can see them. From windblown drifts to a few inches in the driveway, let NAPA Auto Parts help you prepare for the powder this winter! We also offer a great selection of smaller plowing options if you want to plow with something other than your pickup. Turn your UTV,
link hidden, please login to view or even your into a small plow so you can leave your ride in the garage. Start reeling in the points when you join the
link hidden, please login to view program this winter—sign up now and get $5 automatically! Featured image courtesy of
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