Is Your Battery Ready?

Whether you are expecting another six cold weeks of winter, or looking forward to taking your convertible out of storage, is your battery ready for the upcoming season? RockAuto offers a wide selection of AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries, from brands including Exide, Deka, Motorcraft, ACDelco, Bosch and FVP.

AGM batteries can last up to 2X longer than the comparable conventional flooded lead acid battery even in the most extreme climates and on the roughest roads. AGM batteries provide dependable power for modern vehicles with advanced on-board electronics and Start/Stop technology. AGM batteries can be a good match for many older cars too, because they are less likely to be damaged by accidental deep discharges, and they will not leak.

AGM batteries

To see the AGM Battery options for your specific vehicle, go to the RockAuto.com catalog and click on the "Electrical" category. You can also navigate to the Tools & Universal Parts tab to shop for Automotive, PowerSport and Marine batteries based on BCI Group, dimensions, post configuration and application.

RockAuto Generations

Whether you're a first-time do-it-yourselfer ... or a mentor with decades of hard-earned experience, RockAuto has all the parts your car will ever need.

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Another Happy Customer!
Another Happy Customer!

My first stop when shopping for parts. From engine rebuilds, to brake maintenance, and everything in between, I hop online and find my parts on RockAuto.

Clay in Wisconsin

Automotive Trivia
Automotive Trivia

Why does RockAuto not have parts for the 1996 Jeep Wrangler?

A. The United Nations bought RockAuto's entire inventory to maintain their fleet of 1996 Wranglers used in peacekeeping operations around the world.

B. There was not a Jeep Wrangler built for the 1996 model year.

C. In October 2024, the last 1996 Jeep Wrangler in existence slipped off the Hurricane Radio Towers trail in Southwestern Utah and was never recovered.

Answer below

Repair Mistakes & Blunders
Repair Mistakes & Blunders

I’ve always maintained my own vehicles, but way back in my younger years (long before the internet and RockAuto) when money was a lot tighter; I always looked for the cheapest parts available. In doing so, I bought a somewhat questionable tune-up kit that included spark plugs, points, condenser, rotor, fuel filter (that included a short hose), and an air filter for my 1973 Ford Maverick. The vehicle had the 300 six-cylinder engine which in my humble opinion was one of the very best ever made and ran forever.

Within a short time of performing the tune up, the engine would suddenly quit after a few minutes and refuse to restart. But, when I would let it sit for a short time, it would start right back up and run for the same amount of time or distance before shutting off again.

It certainly appeared as a fuel problem but after removing the air cleaner, I could see fuel spraying into the carburetor. The engine had spark and the timing was perfect. The next thought was bad fuel, but testing proved this was not an issue, although I did change the fuel filter again in the event it picked up some debris.

The problem persisted, and I was losing patience, but fortunately my father came over to assist. We ran the vehicle until the engine quit, and he confirmed the diagnosis of a fuel issue. During the original tune up, I replaced the fuel filter along with the short rubber tubing. I left the tubing in place when I changed the filter the second time but then took it off and laid it to the side as I was considering removing the carburetor for an inspection and rebuild.

My father picked up the rubber hose and looked through it, noting it was almost closed internally. We discovered that short rubber tube was not fuel compatible and as fuel flowed through, it would swell and shut off the flow. During short periods of inactivity, without flow, the hose would open back up enough to allow the engine to restart.

That piece of very cheap 3/8 x 3” hose was indeed the culprit and it taught me a valuable lesson - saving money is great, but sacrificing quality is not.

Barry in Pennsylvania

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Reconnaissance Before Oil Change
Tom's Story

It has always been a good idea to do some reconnaissance under the hood and in the RockAuto.com catalog before changing a new-to-you vehicle's oil for the first time. You need the correct oil, oil filter and filter wrench/socket. Even on older cars there may be a new twist on an engine you already know well. Imagine the surprise experienced by new owners of GM's late '80s, early '90s version of the "Iron Duke" 2.5L engine (Chevy Astro, Pontiac Fiero...) when they discover the oil filter cartridge is buried inside the oil pan and a special oil pan plug tool may be needed to remove the worn filter access door.

Special tool to open Iron Duke's oil pan
"Iron Duke" Oil Pan Tool

With newer cars it has become increasingly important to also find out what the oil drain plug looks like (found under "Engine" at RockAuto.com) and make sure you have the correct tool to remove/install it. It may not be a traditional steel plug that can be removed using a common socket or wrench size.

New plastic oil pans may have their own special plastic oil drain plugs. It is hard to recognize the oil drain plug on the oil pan of GM's new 2.0L engine (Cadillac CT4, Chevy Blazer...):

GM oil pan with hard to see black drain plug
GM's 2.0L Oil Pan & Drain Plug

A unique plastic or steel oil drain plug may require a new oil drain plug socket.

Examples of drain plug socket sets
Examples of Drain Plug Socket Sets


More examples of unique oil drain plugs
More Examples of Unique Oil Drain Plugs

Like GM's "Iron Duke," the same engine may have a different oil pan and/or oil drain plug depending on which model it is in. Plus, there is a chance a previous owner replaced an original equipment (OE) oil pan with an aftermarket version. For example, here is an aluminum oil pan and oil drain plug to replace the OE plastic pan/plug on the Ford 2.7L V6:

Ford 2.7L V6 Aluminum Oil Pan & Oil Drain Plug
Ford 2.7L V6 Aluminum Oil Pan & Oil Drain Plug

Oil changes are still successful and satisfying with a little preparation! Look what oil pan, oil filter and oil plug are currently on the engine. See the replacement parts available for your specific vehicle under "Engine" in the RockAuto.com catalog. Find any specialty tools you need under "Tools & Universal Parts."

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Erik's 1990 Isuzu Trooper
Erik's 1990 Isuzu Trooper

My wife and I moved to Florida a few years ago, and we were getting tired of always getting our daily drivers full of sand every time we went to the beach and wanted to find a "beach beater" to use for our trips. One evening we were driving home from the beach, and I saw this 1990 Isuzu Trooper sitting outside of a local mechanic shop with a for-sale sign attached. My wife immediately fell in love with the (at the time) rusty bucket and we called the seller the next day.

When we test drove the vehicle, it had various issues with the powertrain but ran well enough for us to justify the purchase. I spent about a month working on repairing the rusty holes in the body, repainting the vehicle, and using RockAuto parts to fix many miscellaneous issues on the engine, including the full alternator, belts and pulleys, to get this thing back to running like it was in mint condition.

We exclusively drive the Trooper to the beach these days and all of the locals love it and have nicknamed her "Sandy". I don't think I will ever sell this car. Thanks for your amazing deals to help us get this project across the line!

Erik In Florida

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Automotive Trivia Answer
Automotive Trivia
Up

Why does RockAuto not have parts for the 1996 Jeep Wrangler?

A. The United Nations bought RockAuto's entire inventory to maintain their fleet of 1996 Wranglers used in peacekeeping operations around the world.

Answer: B. There was not a Jeep Wrangler built for the 1996 model year. (Production of the new 1997 Jeep Wrangler "TJ" began in early 1996. source: www.caranddriver.com/... )

C. In October 2024, the last 1996 Jeep Wrangler in existence slipped off the Hurricane Radio Towers trail in Southwestern Utah and was never recovered.

Share Your Hard Work & Stories
Up

Your Hard Work Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets or other commercial use. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! For submission instructions and tips for taking pictures of your car, please visit our Photography Tips & Submission Info page.

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Your Most Infamous Auto Repair Blunder Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes. Please email your story to marketing@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto Hat if we publish your story. See the Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the RockAuto catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!