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Tool Intel – Understanding Air Tool Fittings and Couplers
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By APF
Cabin air filters may not be the most exciting part of today’s vehicles, but their role in cleaning up the interior air can be vital to your customers’ health.
Air pollution is becoming a bigger concern, even as cars are producing fewer emissions. Since the 1990s, automakers have included cabin air filters as a standard feature on vehicles, to remove dust, pollen, allergens and soot from the air in the interior of the car.
Much like an air filter for your home’s HVAC system, the cabin air filter improves the quality of the air entering the vehicle through the heating and cooling system. It also keeps dirt, debris, bugs and leaves out of the evaporator and heater core.
How often should these filters be changed? That depends on the filter’s service life and operating conditions. However, most manufacturers recommend replacing them once a year.
Cabin air filters are very efficient and can filter up to 100,000 liters of outside air through the vehicle’s interior – which is one reason that it’s a good idea to change these filter elements regularly. Your customers may not even realize they have one of these filters, because it’s not as commonly known as an air filter or oil filter. They sit behind the glovebox or in some other out-of-the-way location where most vehicle owners never see them. And being out of sight can lead to lack of maintenance.
There are two different types of cabin air filters available from the aftermarket: particle filters and activated carbon filters. While particle filters retain airborne particles, activated carbon filters have the added benefit of converting unpleasant or hazardous gases into breathable air and preventing these substances from entering the car. Regular replacement of the cabin air filter is particularly important for owners or passengers suffering from allergies, and may require more frequent changes in these cases.
Changing a cabin air filter requires minimal tools, if any at all. Most can be removed with a screwdriver and by lifting a couple of tabs. You can find the location from the owner’s manual or look it up online or in your service manual. The location of the filter in many vehicles is near the glovebox or under the hood by the windshield cowling where air enters.
Counterman, along with filter manufacturers, continues to point out the need to replace these filters at proper service intervals. But most vehicle owners don’t change their cabin air filter often enough (if ever) because it typically doesn’t affect the performance of the vehicle. However, when mold or other bacteria attach to the pleated paper filter element, it can affect the air quality inside the car. A plugged-up filter also restricts airflow through the HVAC system and can create heating and cooling issues.
When customers are replacing other filters, it’s a good idea to ask them if they’ve replaced their cabin air filter lately. If a customer complains that there’s a strange smell coming from the vents, chances are the cabin air filter is long overdue for a replacement.
With a fresh cabin air filter installed, at least the air on the interior will be clean and free of hazardous particles at a time when the environment around us is getting more unhealthy.
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By Mighty Auto Parts
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. The C6 Corvette was just removed from winter storage and was about to receive a complete service. The engine roared to life and the instrument panel reflected a systems check. Bulbs were illuminated and would time out, indicating that systems or components were functioning as normal. Moments later, a warning lamp resembling an occupant holding […]
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By Clifford Auto Parts
If you’ve ever looked into car engine management systems, you’ve probably come across the terms ECM (Engine Control Module) and ECU (Engine Control Unit). While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. Understanding the difference between ECM and ECU can help you diagnose vehicle issues, make informed repair decisions, and ensure your car runs efficiently.
At Clifford Auto Parts, we specialize in high-quality ECMs and ECUs, providing affordable replacements with free shipping across the USA. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between ECMs and ECUs, their roles in vehicle performance, and how to know when it’s time to replace them.
✅ What is an ECU (Engine Control Unit)?
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is a broad term referring to any electronic module that controls various aspects of a vehicle's operation. Modern cars often have multiple ECUs that manage different systems in the vehicle, such as:
✔️ Engine Management (ECM) – Controls fuel injection, ignition timing, and emissions.
✔️ Transmission Control (TCM) – Regulates automatic gear shifting.
✔️ Brake Control (ABS Module) – Manages anti-lock braking systems.
✔️ Body Control (BCM) – Controls lighting, windows, and climate systems.
The ECU acts like the brain of the car, receiving signals from sensors and making real-time adjustments to optimize performance, efficiency, and safety.
✅ What is an ECM (Engine Control Module)?
The Engine Control Module (ECM) is a specific type of ECU dedicated to managing the engine’s performance. It ensures the correct amount of fuel, air, and spark is delivered to keep the engine running smoothly.
A faulty ECM can cause serious performance issues, including:
✔️ Check Engine Light Staying On
✔️ Engine Stalling or Misfiring
✔️ Poor Fuel Efficiency
✔️ Starting Problems
At Clifford Auto Parts, we offer tested and warrantied ECM replacements for Ford, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and more, ensuring a plug-and-play experience for vehicle owners across the USA.
✅ How Do ECM and ECU Work Together?
While the ECM specifically controls the engine, it still communicates with other ECUs in the car. For example:
✔️ The ECM and TCM (Transmission Control Module) work together to ensure smooth gear shifting.
✔️ The ECM and BCM (Body Control Module) coordinate engine start functions with security and lighting systems.
✔️ The ECM interacts with the ABS Module to adjust power delivery during emergency braking situations.
Modern cars rely on these interconnected systems to provide seamless driving performance.
✅ When Should You Replace Your ECM or ECU?
If your vehicle is experiencing engine trouble, transmission issues, or persistent warning lights, you may need to replace the ECM or a specific ECU. Some warning signs include:
✔️ Check Engine Light stays on, even after repairs
✔️ Sudden drops in fuel efficiency
✔️ Rough idling, stalling, or misfires
✔️ Transmission shifts erratically or gets stuck in a gear
✔️ Car fails to start despite a working battery
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to costly repairs. The best way to diagnose the problem is to use an OBD-II scanner to check for ECU or ECM-related fault codes.
✅ Why Choose Clifford Auto Parts for ECM & ECU Replacements?
At Clifford Auto Parts, we specialize in providing high-quality, reliable ECM and ECU replacements that fit seamlessly into your vehicle. Here’s why thousands of vehicle owners trust us:
✔️ Wide Selection: We offer ECMs & ECUs for Ford, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and more.
✔️ Lifetime Warranty: All our ECMs come with a lifetime guarantee for peace of mind.
✔️ Fast & Free Shipping: Get your replacement within 3 business days, anywhere in the USA.
✔️ Affordable Pricing: Save hundreds of dollars compared to dealership prices.
✔️ Plug-and-Play Compatibility: Our ECMs are programmed and ready to install.
Don't let a failing ECM or ECU slow you down! Shop today at link hidden, please login to view for top-quality replacements.
✅ Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between ECM and ECU helps car owners diagnose vehicle problems, make informed repair decisions, and ensure long-term performance. While ECUs control multiple car functions, ECMs specifically manage the engine’s performance.
If you're facing engine issues, poor fuel efficiency, or transmission troubles, it may be time to replace your ECM or another ECU module. At Clifford Auto Parts, we provide tested, warrantied, and affordable ECMs and ECUs to keep your vehicle running like new.
🚗 Need an ECM replacement? Visit link hidden, please login to view today!
📞 Questions? Call (516) 494-7838 for expert assistance.
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By Counterman
Hunter Engineering has introduced a website that breaks down sophisticated ADAS procedures and terminology into easy-to-understand topics, as a means to help simplify the ever-complicating conversations around ADAS.
Available for free to access and use, Hunter’s interactive ADAS Learning Tool works on touchscreen tablets or desktop computers. Designed to assist counter workers or allow customers to explore on their own, the tool succinctly answers many of the why, when and how questions both shops and consumers have regarding ADAS calibrations,
link hidden, please login to view explained. “ADAS has received plenty of attention the past several years, but comparatively little of it deals with talking to actual vehicle owners,” said Tommy Maitz, Hunter director of marketing. “This learning tool will help shops have more informative and effective conversations with their customers about which systems are included on their cars, and the need for calibrations.”
The tool begins by separating ADAS procedures into four main categories – camera, radar, ultrasound, internal – and provides brief overviews and images for each type to aid with in-person discussions. From there, a user can examine the color-coded vehicle image to learn about the specific functions and locations of ADAS components, and when calibrations would be recommended or required.
Also included on the page are extensive lists of the names OEMs use for the ADAS systems across their models, color-coded to locations on the image. Although the names vary widely across the dozens of OEMs, the functions usually fall into one of the four main categories, Hunter said.
“While shops generally know much more about ADAS than their customers at this point, there’s still some confusion and uncertainty when they talk to them,” Maitz said. “This tool is a quick and easy way for everyone to understand the concepts and get on the same ADAS page.”
For more information, visit
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