Warranties are used to protect consumers and manufacturers and encourage good vehicle maintenance. But it’s important to ask questions about voiding a vehicle warranty — you might be surprised by steps you can take while still following the rules. Here are a few practices to follow for keeping your warranty intact. Git ‘R Done: Routine maintenance such as oil and filter changes are not only imperative to keeping your car in good condition, but they are required to stay under warranty. You can even do them at home so long as you pay attention to fluids and record-keeping as outlined below. Fluid Assets: You might have some leeway in aftermarket parts, but manufacturers are serious about which

Humankind has been using oil for at least 4,000 years, and oil myths go back just as far. Ancient people believed crude oil had medicinal benefits. Marco Polo, around the turn of the 14th century, discovered camel drivers using it to treat mange. And the first Venezuelan oil export was intended as a gout treatment. In case you thought oil myths were isolated to beauty products and miracle cures, there are plenty of old mechanics’ wives’ tales ready to kill your engine in a few thousand miles. Myth: Heavy oil is better in summer. Light oil is better in winter. Fact: Use the oil specified for your year, make and model. With 5W-20, multigrade oil is already heavier in summer and lighter in wint

Are things starting to look a bit dim inside your car? It could be time to replace or upgrade your car interior light bulbs. The good news is this is easy — even for a first-timer. Locate Your Lights Step one is to find out just how many interior light bulbs your vehicle has and where they are located. Probably best to do this in the evening, early morning or, at the very least, someplace shady. Once you’ve got that dealt with, open the passenger door, see the lights come on, and start looking and counting. Most newer vehicles have at least a dome light located somewhere in the headliner of the interior roof and a couple of map lights usually mounted close to where the rearview mirror is. Bu

If you’ve ever had a problem with your auto windows fogging, you know how dangerous this issue can be. Fogged windows can severely limit your outward visibility when driving, and this could cause an accident. In this article, we’ll take a look at why windows fog. We’ll also offer a few tips and tricks you can use to clear and prevent fogged windows in different types of weather. Why Do Car Windows Fog? The air around us exists at varying temperatures, and it also contains varying amounts of moisture. When air reaches a certain temperature, the moisture it contains condenses and is released as dew. The temperature at which this condensation takes place is known as the dew point. So what does

Automatic garage doors are a common modern convenience. When they’re working properly, they open with the simple press of a button. Over time, however, these doors may become stuck, make too much noise or operate too quickly, among other problems. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to fix a garage door, here are five of the most common solutions: Noisy Door Your automatic garage door opens and closes just fine, but it is noisy to the point where your neighbors are complaining. Inspect the tracks and look for debris that may be interfering with the door’s movement. Once you’ve cleared any detritus from the tracks, apply a lubricant, such as 3-in-1 garage door lube, directly to any hi

Hailie Deegan captured her second NASCAR K&N Pro Series West win of the season and third career series victory with a last lap move that sent fellow Bill McAnnally Racing teammate Derek Kraus spinning at the NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 presented by ENEOS at Colorado National Speedway on Saturday. All three BMR team drivers battled competitively for a podium finish, but the thrilling end was due to the hard battle between the pair of NASCAR Next racers — 17-year-old Temecula, California, native Deegan and Kraus, the 17-year-old from Stratford, Wisconsin — during a two-lap, green-white-checkered finish on the 3/8-mile oval. Deegan (66 laps led) and Kraus (43) combined to lead 109 of the 150 event laps

It used to be when you heard someone say “diesel,” the word “dirty” was usually in close proximity. Those were the old days. Today’s modern diesel engines, including those found in popular medium duty vehicles, have been engineered to reduce those dirty emissions, including particulate matter (soot) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Since 2004 when new diesel emissions standards went into effect for on road diesel engines, maintaining the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system has become an essential part of the service process. What An EGR Valve Does The EGR valve redirects a portion of the exhaust gas back into the intake system. While this might sound counterintuitive, it actually has the eff

Do-it-yourselfers take pride in the fact that they can fix practically anything around the house, from garden equipment to the family car and everything in between. As a DIYer, you might know how to check and replace your brakes, but the question is: At what point should you take your car to the mechanic? For most small and medium car issues, a well-equipped DIY garage, some YouTube videos, and maybe a manual or two are all that is necessary. Hopping on the NAPA Know How blog is another easy way to review the best way to complete any number of repairs, such as basic electrical diagnosis and repair, changing engine oil, replacing brake pads and rotors or even dealing with minor flood damage.

Choosing a campsite means making sure it has all the essential RV hookups you’ll need to get the most out of your vacation. A beautiful view and fun activities in the area are great, but if you can’t power your lights at night or run your shower in the morning, by mid-week you’ll be cranky enough to start looking for a new campground to call home. Here are three essential RV hookups you’ll need to consider when selecting your next vacation spot: 1. Electrical Cables Getting your RV connected to the grid typically means being able to hook up your electrical system to the outlets at a site. You’ll need to know how many amps your RV’s on-board electrical gear needs to operate properly (usually

Tasked with shopping for oil change supplies, the number of engine oil types and varieties can be mind-boggling. Conventional oil, synthetic oil, oil for cars newer than 2012, high mileage oil, detergent oil, recycled oil and more — is it just hype or marketing? Ask for advice and you’ll likely be further confused or conflicted, and car maintenance is complicated enough, but does your vehicle need high mileage oil? What’s in Your Engine Oil? A jug of engine oil isn’t just mineral or synthetic oil but contains additives, some up to 30%. These additives improve certain oil characteristics, suppress weaknesses and add new beneficial properties. This 5W-20 high mileage motor oil contains additio

How often should you change spark plugs? These parts play a crucial role in the operation of a car’s combustion engine, influencing everything from acceleration to gas mileage. They need proper care if you want your vehicle’s engine to perform at its best. Below, we’ll take a look at how often spark plugs need to be changed, and we’ll talk about what can happen if these parts aren’t replaced in a timely manner. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide for changing your car’s spark plugs. Timely Replacement Is Key You can answer the question, “How often should you change spark plugs?” by taking a look at your car’s owner’s manual. The manual will list a recommended replacement interval. Usuall

If your lawn mower won’t start, it’s not always easy to know where to begin your troubleshooting. Fortunately, most mowers are relatively simple machines that can be easily serviced at home, which lets you tackle minor repairs without having to tag in a professional. There are three main requirements for any gasoline-powered engine to function: fuel, air and spark. If you’re missing one of those key elements, then your lawn mower isn’t going to fire up. Here’s how you can investigate each of those concerns if your lawn mower starts giving you starting trouble. Check On Sparky Most lawn mowers have a single spark plug design, which means there’s only one plug to check on. You’ll want to first

It might seem like it’s a little late for spring cleaning, especially if you haven’t quite gotten around to brush hogging that back lot or to rip up that new garden plot. It’s never too late to make sure your tractor is up to snuff, including having a well-stocked toolbox. Fortunately, most of what that you’d likely need in your tractor toolbox are things that you already have in your garage. Back to Basics: DIY Garage to Tractor Toolbox If there is one constant in tractor operation, then it’s vibration. Things are bound to get loose after a long time in the field. Loose components can suddenly become lost components, so a good set of wrenches and sockets can come in handy to take care of th

Traction control brake pad use isn’t something you’ll typically ever have a conversation about with your mechanic — unless, of course, you get involved in high-performance driving. Whether it’s autocross, lapping, a driver instruction event or a skid school, any environment where you are asking your vehicle to provide maximum traction or corner quickly can activate the electronic systems designed to enhance your driving experience. Once this happens, brake pad wear can start to accelerate in ways you might not have anticipated. Let’s take a closer look at how your brakes and traction control system interact. How Does It Work? As computer systems became more sophisticated in the 1990s, electr

There are some repairs and maintenance items that can only be done from underneath a vehicle. While your vehicle may be equipped with a jack, it was never designed to be used for anything but an emergency. We’ve put together this car jack and jack stands guide to help you understand the different options available for getting your vehicle off the ground. Safety Is Paramount This is a true story about my friend Ken. A mechanic by trade, Ken was wrenching on a personal vehicle in the driveway one weekend when he became a victim of a nightmarish scene. The flimsy factory jack he was using to keep the car off the ground failed, causing Ken to become trapped between a concrete driveway and a few

Summer is when we’re most likely to take an extended trip, with many of us driving to destinations that are hours, or perhaps even days, away from our homes. When the weather gets warm, the question of how to prepare your car for a road trip is sure to come up. Long trips can take a toll on our cars, which is why it’s important to make sure it’s ready for the journey ahead. So, how do you prepare your car for a road trip? By following our checklist and tips. Before You Hit the Road You’ll rack up many miles on your vehicle before your trip is done. To avoid a breakdown, which can delay or even ruin your vacation, ensure that your maintenance items, as outlined in your owner’s manual, are acc