December Newsletter
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Happy Holidays

From everyone at RockAuto, we extend our best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year! Thank you for being our customer and letting us serve as your auto parts supplier!

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Last Minute Gift Solution!
Need a Christmas gift in a hurry? RockAuto Email Gift Certificate delivery is immediate and free. Simply choose the Email format and your friends and family will conveniently receive the E-Gift in their inbox. RockAuto Gift Certificates are available for any amount, are easy to purchase and even easier to use!

Tailored Tonneau Covers
See what we have from TAILORED TRUCK COVERS

Tailored Truck Covers' Tonneau Covers are an ideal choice for the truck owner who knows how much more enjoyable high quality truck accessories are. With their durable and functional design, these covers are perfect for protecting and securing your cargo from the elements. Tailored Truck hard tri-fold covers deliver a bold look, and extra bed security, while the roll-up covers conveniently roll open and out of the way for full bed access! The textured matte black finish and ultra low profile design merge flawlessly with your pickup for a sleek appearance. From the simple install and removal to the strategically placed weather seals, Tailored Truck Tonneau Covers are manufactured for superior performance.

Tailored Truck Covers

Find Tailored Truck Covers' Tonneau Covers for your specific truck in the "Body & Lamp Assembly" category of the RockAuto.com catalog, at the reliably low prices you expect.

Another Happy Customer!
Another Happy Customer!

Love this online auto parts store! They make it so easy to find the correct parts and give you many options to choose from that fit your budget ... way cheaper than buying at my local stores. Thank you RockAuto for making it so simple and affordable to maintain my car.

Alicia in California

Automotive Trivia
Automotive Trivia

In 2021, Stellantis was established as the parent company of Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot and many other respected vehicle brands. What is the origin of the name Stellantis?

A. The name was derived from Stella Plage, the beautiful French coastal town where the company merger was negotiated in 2019.

B. The name is based on the the Latin verb “stello” which means “to brighten with stars.”

C. Saint Ellantisforos is the Greek patron saint of safe travel.

Answer below

Repair Mistakes & Blunders
Repair Mistakes & Blunders

On a Christmas morning many years ago, my wife and I headed over to my parents' house to celebrate the day. Upon arriving, I saw my dad outside with his three cars in the driveway with fluid running out from under each one. When I walked over to question him, he mentioned it was going below freezing that night and he wanted to make sure the cars were protected with the proper amount of antifreeze. He said when he tested all three cars, the fluid in the radiators read below the acceptable concentration of antifreeze!

When I saw what was in his hand, I just shook my head and started to politely chuckle. He was using a battery acid tester to check coolant! In all fairness both testers can look very much alike. But, we still laugh about that to this day...

Charlie in Maryland


Typical Coolant & Battery Testers
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Power Steering Pressure Sensors
Tom's Story

Beginning with 1980s models, fuel economy was slightly improved by keeping engine idle speed low except when load on the engine increased after an accessory switched on or otherwise ramped up its drag on the serpentine belt. To avoid having the engine stall, the computer would raise the engine's idle speed by 100+ rpm after receiving a signal that the AC compressor switched on or the alternator's electrical output had increased.

The hydraulic power steering pump is another accessory typically powered by the serpentine belt. Starting later in the 1980s, many new vehicles got a Power Steering Pressure Sensor that would tell the engine computer when the power steering pump was working harder (fluid pressure rose) and engine idle speed needed to be raised.

Power steering pressure sensors and engine oil pressure sensors resemble each other and often fail the same way; by leaking fluid internally and/or onto the ground. When the pressure sensor is failing, the driver may notice that the idling engine sometimes stalls when the steering wheel is turned.

Power Steering Sensors
Typical Power Steering Pressure Sensors

Replacing a leaking or broken power steering pressure sensor typically just requires disconnecting the electrical connector and using a socket to unscrew the sensor (consult your vehicle's repair manual, found under "Literature" at RockAuto.com, for specific instructions).

One downside to the higher quality, tighter sealing electrical connectors and conduit on modern vehicles is leaking power steering fluid may stay hidden in the electrical connector. Over time, the fluid may deteriorate the electrical connector plastic and even start wicking up the wiring harness; possibly damaging a downstream electrical connector and/or sensor. As preventative maintenance, it is a good idea to periodically unplug power steering pressure sensors to make sure the inside of the electrical connector is dry.

The newest models may not have power steering pressure sensors because the computer relies on signals from other sensors (Steering Angle Sensor, etc.) to know when the idling vehicle is starting a turn. New cars may also have electric rather than hydraulic power steering systems. For specific vehicles, find Power Steering Pressure Sensors under "Steering" and new Power Steering Pressure Sensor Connectors under "Electrical-Connector" in the RockAuto.com catalog.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Janine's 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan MV
Janine's 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan MV

This trusty 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan MV has been in the family and on Wisconsin roads for over 15 years. When our daughter needed a vehicle for her job in California, and with pandemic pressures pushing car prices up to ridiculous prices, we were able to refurbish our beloved Eurovan (which had 300,000 miles on the odometer) to safely make the over 3,000 mile journey from northern Wisconsin to California’s central coast region via Yellowstone for one grand road trip. From RockAuto we sourced sliding door rollers, the complete exhaust system replacement, trailer hitch, antenna, brake lines, brake rotors and pads, oil, fuel, cabin and engine filters, four shock absorbers, and wiper blades.

Thank You RockAuto!
Janine in Wisconsin

Editors Note: Watch one of our new commercials inspired by customers like Janine.

Share Your Hard Work

Automotive Trivia Answer
Automotive Trivia
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In 2021, Stellantis was established as the parent company of Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot and many other respected vehicle brands. What is the origin of the name Stellantis?

A. The name was derived from Stella Plage, the beautiful French coastal town where the company merger was negotiated in 2019.

Answer: B. The name is based on the the Latin verb “stello” which means “to brighten with stars.” (source: https://www.media.stellantis.com... )

C. Saint Ellantisforos is the Greek patron saint of safe travel.

Share Your Hard Work And Stories
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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 T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and 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!