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Car Care Month: A DIY Car Maintenance Checklist
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By NAPA
Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Josh Berry made his third start for Hendrick Motorsports as the fill-in driver of the No. 9 link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as Chase Elliott continues to recover from a fractured tibia. It was Berry’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start. He rolled off the grid from the 21st position and took the opening stage to adapt to superspeedway-style racing in the Next Gen car, ending stage one in 28th. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native improved to 11th in stage two. During the final stage of the race, Berry was battling inside the top 10 when he was involved in a multi-car incident on lap 190. The team made repairs and Berry was able to rebound for an 18th-place finish.
Josh Berry qualified 21st for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It was Berry’s third race filling in for the injured Chase Elliott as he continues to recover from a fractured tibia. Berry took the green flag for his first Cup Series superspeedway-style race and used the opening laps to get a good feel for his Chevrolet. The 32-year-old driver was scored in 20th when the first caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 11. Opting not to pit, Berry lined up in that same position after choosing the top lane and battled inside the top 25 once the race resumed. Berry got shuffled to the back of the main pack on lap 42, but was undeterred from the loss of track position as he made his way back up to 28th to close out the stage at lap 60.
During the stage break, Berry reported to the team that the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet was a little free on entry, but the balance got better on the longer run. Interim crew chief Tom Gray called the Hendersonville, Tennessee, native to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Berry took the green flag for stage two from the 26th position on lap 68 and continued his forward progress, settling in behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the 21st position. Berry was running in 15th when teams began making scheduled green-flag pit stops on lap 127. The driver of the No. 9 stayed out until Gray called him in for a fuel-only stop on lap 138. Back out on the track, Berry made his way to as high as ninth before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 11th to end stage two.
The No. 9 team made a stop for four tires and fuel under the stage-ending caution, sending Berry back out to start the final stage in 17th. After beginning the stage in the top lane, he made a move to the bottom and used that to his advantage to work his way to 10th on lap 182. Berry continued to race inside the top 10 until a multi-car incident occurred on lap 190, collecting the No. 9 Chevrolet. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular was able to drive the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet away and brought it to pit road for repairs. The team worked hard over the course of two pit stops to fix up the front-end damage, and Berry lined up 25th for the lap 200 restart. Less than 10 laps later another incident brought out the yellow flag, giving the team another opportunity to work on the No. 9. Berry was scored in the 23rd position for the restart on lap 216 and reported early in the run that the NAPA Auto Parts Camaro felt better after the most recent repairs. He battled hard in the final stint of the race, climbing his way back inside the top 20 and ultimately scoring an 18th-place finish in the 260-lap event.
“I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy,” Berry said. “I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top 10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.”
Start / Finish: 21 / 18
Next Race: Sunday, March 26, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
How to Watch or Listen: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM
NAPA:
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By NAPA
Christian Eckes returned to victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) in thrilling fashion to give McAnally-Hilgemann Racing the organization’s first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) victory on Saturday afternoon. The driver of the No. 19
link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet Silverado RST reclaimed the points lead after racking up 50 points and capturing his second stage win of the year. The victory gives Eckes and his team a virtual lock to the NCTS playoffs for the third time in his career.
The Middletown, N.Y., native started the 137-lap event from the fourth position after inclement weather washed out qualifying on Friday afternoon. Eckes boldly asserted himself as a threat by taking the lead on the opening lap and dominated Stage 1. The NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet paced the field on the outside of the AMS high banks until a caution flew on lap 24. Crew chief Charles Denike kept Eckes on track to go for the stage win, and the call paid off. Eckes held off all challengers on lap 30 to earn 10 points and one playoff point with his second stage win of 2023 after leading every lap.
Eckes pitted under the stage caution for right side tires and restarted 20th on lap 38 as the running order flip-flopped due to contrasting pit strategies. Eckes stayed in the lead draft for the majority of Stage 2 and ran as high as ninth but was scored 14th at the end of the segment on lap 60. Denike put four tires on Eckes’ Chevrolet, which allowed him to restart 11th on lap 68. Another quick caution on lap 79 offered Eckes the chance to top off with fuel for the final run, but he was caught speeding on pit road.
Eckes started his march back to the front from 28th position on lap 84 and took advantage of every opportunity to claw his way back into contention. A restart on lap 103 saw him rocket to 11th, which included a four-wide maneuver to cut through the pack. Eckes worked the less-preferred bottom lane to perfection as he capitalized on the restarts to crack the top five on lap 121, and he claimed the runner-up spot on lap 123. A late caution set up an overtime restart. Eckes elected to take the bottom of the front row, which proved to be the winning decision. Eckes traded the lead with fellow Chevrolet driver Nick Sanchez on the overtime restart and used a surge of momentum on the final lap to pull alongside for the lead down the backstretch. Eckes held the lead on the final lap as a caution waved coming out of Turn 4 to secure the victory, his third playoff berth, and his first victory at AMS.
“Just really happy,” Eckes said. “Thanks to Charles (Denike), everybody on this team. They work so damn hard and this is what makes it all worth it. Thanks to NAPA, Chevrolet, everybody. I’m pumped. It’s going to be a really good year.
“I think this is just what I kind of figured was going to happen coming here. I knew the potential of Charles (Denike), and I knew the potential of the race team, and Bill’s passion to win, so it made my decision to come here really easy.”
Start / Finish: 4 / 1
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 151 pts.
Next Race: Saturday, March 25, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
How to Watch or Listen: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM
NAPA:
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By NAPA
Get Vehicles Out of a Jam With a Wheel Dolly
If you’re the kind of mechanic who gets under the hood of dozens of cars, you already know the value of good tools. Sure, there are essential hand tools and power tools
link hidden, please login to view. But what about the perfect tool for some really heavy lifting—like a vehicle that won’t start? Park the tow truck and stow those tow straps because there’s a better way to move using car wheel dollies. Wheel dollies for cars can vary widely in style depending on the size of the vehicle you are moving and the amount you want to spend on a dolly. Whether you need to move a vehicle a few feet to make the most of your storage space, move a broken down or abandoned vehicle or simply get a vehicle un-stuck, let the experts at NAPA Auto Parts help you find the best car dollies for your garage so you can relocate that ride the fast and easy way!
Choosing the Best Car Dolly link hidden, please login to view
Vehicle wheel dollies or car dollies are also known as “car skates.” The nickname is fitting because that’s exactly how they work, and they use the same concept as a furniture dolly or a moving dolly. You can use these wheeled platforms in pairs or in sets of four—one on each wheel—to support the weight of a vehicle so you can easily maneuver it (sometimes by just one person)!
Choosing the best car dolly all depends on a few factors:
How often you’ll use it How much you want to spend How large the vehicles are that you want to lift or move You should also bear in mind the kind of equipment to which you already have access. For example, while more advanced car dollies feature hydraulic functionality, basic models require a standard
link hidden, please login to view to lift the vehicle onto the dolly. You should also avoid storing vehicles on wheel dollies for extended periods of time, so make sure your garage is equipped with a reliable set of link hidden, please login to view for long-term storage. A basic option like the
link hidden, please login to view offers a no-nonsense approach. Each dolly is designed to withstand 1,000 pounds and features deep grooves so the vehicle’s wheels remain stable during transport. This set of link hidden, please login to view offers a fully welded steel frame built to support 1,250 pounds, and the heavy-duty swivel casters are lockable for safety. No wheels on the vehicle—no problem! Use a jack along with this pair of link hidden, please login to view, which features padded saddles that can support up to 1,800 pounds and sit on the vehicle’s frame instead of the wheels. How to Use a Hydraulic Wheel Dolly?
Hydraulic wheel dollies are very convenient pieces of equipment for any garage. There’s no need for risky maneuvers with long-handled floor jacks plus you can partially dissemble many models for easy storage. Additionally, because they are designed with adjustable slider bars, you can open and close the roller arms to accommodate many sizes of tires.
Before you begin, double-check the weight of your vehicle and the size of your tires to make sure you’re using the right model of wheel dolly for the vehicle. This professional-grade
link hidden, please login to view has a 1,500-pound weight rating and features 18 ½” aluminum roller arms that can adjust to accommodate wheels measuring 13”–24.” This beefy link hidden, please login to view holds 19”–37” tires and can accommodate light-duty trucks and SUVs. When you’re ready to use your hydraulic wheel dollies, follow these steps:
With the vehicle parked, manually open the roller arms along the slider bar, then roll the dolly forward towards the vehicle, fitting the arms on either side of one front tire Using your hand or foot, begin pumping the hydraulic pedal, so the roller arms close and raise the wheel When you reach the desired height, lock the arms in place using the locking pin on the slide bar Repeat for the other front wheels or on all four wheels Nothing completes a set of lifting tools quite like a reliable set of car wheel dollies. Now you can relocate any vehicle without starting the engine or waiting on a tow truck. Shop NAPAonline.com for all our great deals on garage tools and equipment.
link hidden, please login to view Enjoy early access and exclusive deals, as well as a $5 bonus when you join. Already a NAPA Rewards member? Complete your profile to unlock your $5 bonus today. Photo courtesy of
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By NAPA
Benefits of a Ceramic Car Wash
The only thing that can make cruising around in your prized ride more delightful is cruising around with it stunningly shiny. Properly washing and detailing your vehicle at home is a great way to keep it looking the way you want. And, because an at-home car wash means you’re going over your vehicle from top to bottom, you can check for any cosmetic issues like damaged trim or chipped paintwork.
If you’ve stuck to the basic hands-free automated car washes in the past, you may have noticed a range of cosmetic issues surfacing after the dirt and grime is rinsed away. While swirling and micro scratches are just a bothersome eyesore, chipped paint can expose the metal underneath to rust and corrosion. At best, this can decrease your resale value and, at worst, you’re dealing with costly body damage.
The latest advancements in car wash detergents and polymers have led to improvements in the way we maintain our vehicles, both with professional car washes and at home. Enter, the ceramic car wash. Check out all the benefits of ceramic coating and ceramic car washes here plus shop NAPAOnline.com for everything you need to get a resilient, brilliant shine on your vehicle.
What is a Ceramic Coating and How Does It Perform?
In the 1900s, enamel coating was used to help protect vehicles from rust and corrosion. As automotive paint developed,
link hidden, please login to view became the most common way to safeguard the paintwork and buff out small scratches. Harvested from palm trees native to Brazil, this wax has a wide variety of uses in the cosmetics, food and medical industries. In the 1950s, scientists developed blends of silicone dioxide and titanium dioxide that would one day become the link hidden, please login to view we know today. Then came the 1980s, a big decade for vehicle wax (and not just thanks to the “wax on, wax off” technique featured in “The Karate Kid”)! Teflon coatings were developed; however, these coatings deteriorate with repeated washing and only provide approximately six months of durability. Then a new ceramic coating known as nano ceramic hit the market. Using a synthetic silicon dioxide blend, this unique formula creates a chemical bond with automotive paint, and the resulting polymer layer provides a super-protective lacquer-like coat with a brilliant candy-shell shine that really turns heads.
A nano-ceramic coating is the perfect addition to any car enthusiast’s cleaning routine. The initial application fills in swirling and micro scratches plus the hydrophobic properties repel water and protect against harmful UV rays. Best of all, ceramic coatings help maintain a beautiful finish for months and even years at a time. With proper maintenance, you can enjoy fewer and less labor-intensive vehicle washes.
Because applying ceramic coatings requires a long curing time in a stable environment, many drivers avoid this process at home by having the formulation applied professionally. But for those brave souls, NAPAOnline.com has
link hidden, please login to view, ceramic car wash and link hidden, please login to view, as well as soaps that work with your existing ceramic coat, such as link hidden, please login to view. You can find every product you need to apply and maintain a successful ceramic coat at NAPA. NAPA Expert Tips: Sustaining That Showroom Shine link hidden, please login to view
Even if you choose to skip a ceramic coating altogether, you can still get great results at home using a
link hidden, please login to view or ceramic car wash like the link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view. The key to getting all the benefits of a ceramic car wash is using the proper
link hidden, please login to view. Use two link hidden, please login to view outfitted with link hidden, please login to view so the water does not fill with small contaminants that can cause swirling and micro scratches to appear on paintwork. Grit guards keep dirt trapped at the bottom of the bucket and out of the washing mixture and rinsing water. A good link hidden, please login to view, a link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view delivers a professional-grade vehicle wash at home. Tip #1: Always use a foaming prewash. Using a link hidden, please login to view that hooks directly to your hose nozzle makes this first step easy. Tip #2: Wash in the shade. To avoid UV damage and water spots, you should try to wash your vehicle in the shade or in the early morning or late evening. Worst case, keep a pop-up tent on hand to make a perfect shady area for wash days, right in your driveway. Tip #3: Wash tires separately. Start with washing your tires because they are the dirtiest parts of your vehicle, and you don’t want all that dirt and grime to end up back on your freshly washed vehicle. Begin with a preliminary cleaning, then add polishes and link hidden, please login to view once the whole vehicle is cleaned and waxed. Tip #4: Avoid washing with circular motions. If you follow these steps, you should have little or no debris contacting your paintwork. However, if there is a bit of debris present, the micro scratches will appear less obvious if they are in a line rather than a light-diffusing swirl pattern. The experts at NAPA know how much fun it is to drive a pristine, gleaming machine. A well-maintained vehicle inside and out will love you back and get you down the road longer. So, let us help you keep your ride shining and protected. Shop our range of ceramic car washes and ceramic coating kits plus get in and out faster than ever! Participating NAPA Auto Parts stores now offer a convenient
link hidden, please login to view option so you can get back on the road in no time. Featured image courtesy of
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By Counterman
Oil changes continue to be one of the most common DIY repairs performed on vehicles today. According to a recent Counterman P.A.R.T.S. report, changing the engine oil was the second-most popular DIY auto care job, behind only changing the wiper blades.
Changing the oil and filter is right in the sweet spot for do-it-yourself (DIY) vehicle owners: It’s a regular maintenance task that’s critical to the overall health and longevity of the engine, and it’s easy to perform. It’s the sort of basic maintenance that can be performed by someone who might not get their hands dirty otherwise. Chances are you’ve had a DIYer in your store asking how to get started. Let’s talk about some of the tips you can share with your DIY customers to help them change their own oil – and do it right.
Essential Tools vs. Non-Essential Tools
Tools are a long-term investment. They may cost more than they’ll save on the first oil change, but they pay for themselves in the long run!
Let’s start with the essential tools that every DIYer should have in their garage. At the top of this list, we find a jack and jack stands. Whenever you’re working underneath a vehicle, you need to make sure that it’s lifted up on level ground, and that it’s safely supported with jack stands. If you lift the vehicle up with a hydraulic jack, and don’t support it with jack stands, the jack can lose pressure and the vehicle will start to lower itself. If you’re underneath the vehicle when this happens, it can be deadly. Be safe, be smart and live to wrench another day. If any of the wheels are coming off, I place them underneath the vehicle for an added layer of protection. My thinking is simple: If something went wrong, having to replace a wheel and/or tire could be the least of my problems!
As a personal rule, I like to use jack stands that are rated for far more weight than I’ll ever put onto them. I have a number of 4-ton and 6-ton jack stands, and I prefer them over the less expensive 2-ton stands due to their increased footprint, and more robust construction.
link hidden, please login to viewFigure 1 Next on the list are the basic tools and supplies you’ll need to finish the job. You’ll need a basic set of sockets, wrenches and ratchets. You’ll also need some form of tool to remove the oil filter or filter housing cap (Figure 1). It’s worth mentioning that you may need to purchase specialty tools to remove the drain plug or filter housing on certain applications. For example, Volkswagen uses a proprietary tool to remove the plastic drain plugs from its modern four-cylinder engines. GM Ecotec engines require a special socket to remove the filter housing cap on its 1.4T and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines. These are only two examples of many, so it’s best to do some online research before starting the job. Make sure you have all the tools you need on hand BEFORE you start to drain the oil.
You’ll need some form of drain pan or container to catch the oil as it drains out of the engine. It’s a good idea to have some old rags or towels on hand to clean up any spills or messes along the way, and I usually have a can of brake cleaner for added cleaning “umph.”
Finally, let’s talk about personal protective equipment (PPE). It’s a good idea to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes, and gloves to protect your skin.
Tips & Tricks
First and foremost, a DIY customer probably will have a lot of questions about what type of oil they need, how much oil their engine holds and more. While you may be able to lookup fluid specifications and capacities in your catalog, your DIY customers won’t have access to something like that. But a quick Google search should get them on the right track. I would always advise them to follow the OE maintenance guide and specifications, regardless of mileage or age.
There are a lot of things that you’ll learn through experience. Any tips, pointers or advice you can share with your DIY customers can go a long way toward helping them, and might just be the thing that gets them back to your store for the next repair. For example, some oil-drain plugs feature a gasket or crush washer that seals up against the oil pan. This type of gasket will need to be replaced at every oil change. A leaky drain plug can be a real pain, and could be really discouraging to a DIYer after their first oil change.
Then there are the little things that just make the whole job go a little bit smoother. I like to keep some old, cut-up cardboard boxes around the garage. In a pinch, they work great as a “poor man’s creeper.” Sometimes you don’t have enough room under the vehicle to slide around on a creeper, so the cardboard gives me something to lay on without having to lay directly on the cold, concrete floor.
When replacing a spin-on oil filters, always wipe off the mounting surface before installing the new filter. This ensures that any dirt or debris will be wiped away, AND if the gasket was stuck in place, you’ll either feel it, or you’ll knock it off of there. If you installed the new oil filter on top of the old gasket, it wouldn’t seal correctly. The result would be a massive blowout, leaving oil all over the garage floor. Not a great way to spend an afternoon!
link hidden, please login to viewFigure 2 The same applies to cartridge oil filters, but for different reasons. Cartridge oil filters are held in place by a filter housing cap. This cap will contain one or more O-rings that seal inside the housing. These O-rings need to be replaced with every oil change, and they’re almost always included with the new cartridge oil filter. Whatever you do, don’t double up these O-rings! This can lead to massive oil leaks, but it also can make the filter housing cap nearly impossible to remove (Figure 2).
Finally, always dispose of the used oil safely. If your store will take used oil, be sure to let your customers know. If your store cannot take in used oil, make a list of nearby shops that will. Some shops use oil-burning heaters, so they may take used oil without a charge to the customer.
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