Save while keeping your engine in tune and your brakes in top condition. Through the month of June, 2025, get an instant manufacturer rebate on select NTK Sensors, AISIN Timing Kits & Water Pumps, and R1 CONCEPTS Brake Kits.

NTK is offering RockAuto customers an exclusive $2.50 per part instant rebate throughout the month of June on their expanded line of sensors! From temperature, throttle position and VVT sensors, to MAF sensors and more, NTK sensors are designed and tested to OE quality standards. With over 80 years of automotive expertise, NTK is driven by a dedication to performance and quality.

AISIN, the number one supplier of Water Pumps to Japanese automobile manufacturers, uses advanced aluminum die-casting technology to build their Water Pumps, which allows for size and weight reductions without sacrificing cooling performance. AISIN Water Pumps are manufactured with the highest quality materials to create a strong, corrosion resistant body design. Their smooth coolant flow channels, efficient rotors, precision ball bearings and carbon ceramic mechanical sealing offer superior cooling performance and longevity.

All AISIN Timing Belt & Component Kits include AISIN Water Pumps and most include OE manufactured parts like Mitsuboshi Timing Belts and tensioners/pulleys with Koyo, NTN or NSK bearings, for high quality and longevity. Through the month of June, 2025 AISIN is offering RockAuto customers an exclusive instant rebate of $10 on their Timing Belt, Water Pump & Component Kits and a 10% instant savings on their Water Pumps.

R1 CONCEPTS Brake Rotor & Pad Kits provide high-quality stopping power. With their state-of-the-art technology, you don’t need to choose between performance and budget: it’s all in a single package. This month, R1 CONCEPTS is offering RockAuto customers an exclusive 10% instant rebate on their Brake Rotor & Pad Kits.

Simply add qualifying parts and kits (marked with a ) to your cart to instantly save. Find these parts and more under your specific vehicle in the RockAuto.com catalog.

I have a 2015 Acura RDX and have successfully completed oil changes, spark plugs, brake pads, shocks and struts so far. It was time to replace the transmission fluid, and I decided I wanted to give it a try to save some money. After doing some research and watching online videos, I felt confident to move forward with the task.

I pulled into my driveway and started the work. I put a wheel chock behind one of the rear wheels and jacked up the front of the car onto jack stands. Since this was my first time changing the transmission fluid, I was a little nervous so I took it slow and followed all the steps I researched. I drained the transmission, replaced the drain plug, carefully measured fluid back into the transmission, and checked for leaks. I then double checked to make sure I didn't miss any steps. It was getting dark, and I was ready to go for a test drive. I lowered the car off the jack stands and started it. All good so far! I put the car in reverse and gave it a little gas ... it was motionless. I thought "Oh crud ... what did I miss?"

I put the car in park and then tried reverse again. Same result. I tried a few more times of park, reverse, turning engine off/on but still no luck. My heart sank to my stomach and panic started to set in. I sat there for a few minutes feeling defeated. Did I need to reset the computer? Did I use the wrong fluid? I decided to try moving the car forward. That worked! I then tried reverse again but the car stopped suddenly. After a few more cycles of moving slightly forward and backward, I realized the car stopped at the exact same spot while reversing. It then hit me that it was the wheel chock! I quickly got out and threw the chock with all my might. Reverse now worked! I was relieved but felt like such a dummy. I have never forgotten to remove a wheel chock since.

Sung in Virginia

While traveling recently, I was struck by how many taxi, ride-sharing and shuttle-van experiences start off on the wrong foot because passengers have to hunt for the male part of the seat belt buckle because it has fallen to the floor. Customers, first-dates, grandparents and other passenger types are all embarrassed when they have to struggle to buckle their seat belts and disgusted when forced to feel around in dark seat crevasses with their bare hands.

The problem is usually caused by a missing Seat Belt Buckle Button Stop. These are typically little plastic buttons that keep the male half of the buckle from sliding down the seat belt webbing and disappearing. After years of being bumped by the buckle, the plastic button eventually breaks off and falls out of the seat belt strap. The car owner may not have ever noticed the plastic buttons and/or the job they were doing. When the part falls off and likely disappears, the car owner may have no idea what is suddenly causing all the seat belt confusion.

New Seat Belt Buckle Button Stops are found under “Interior” in the RockAuto.com catalog for specific vehicles. Installation typically involves inserting a plastic pin on one side of the button through the seat belt webbing. A hole in the other button piece then snaps onto the pin. The original opening in the seat belt fibers may still be visible or a new opening can be created by gently inserting the tip of an awl or similar tool. Other seat belts that still have their original plastic buttons can be used as a height guide for placement of the new button on its seat belt.

Some vehicles (including many Mercedes Sprinter vans) use a plastic seat belt guide/clip rather than a button. Replacement guides (shown above right) can be quickly clipped onto almost any seat belt to keep the male portion of the buckle at a preferred height. Find seat belt guide/clips in the “Tools & Universal Parts” tab under “Interior.”

Spending a few minutes installing new buckle stop buttons or guide/clips will give your vehicle a fresh opportunity to impress future passengers.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.