RockAuto on TV

Keep an eye out for the new RockAuto TV commercial!

RockAuto Catalog Additions

You have been asking for them, and now we have them. RockAuto Window Decals and Bumper Stickers. Also available as a set.

• RockAuto Static Cling Window Decal - 5.5" x 2" Window Decal (White on Clear Vinyl)
• RockAuto Bumper Sticker - 7.5" x 2.5" (Blue on White)

Stay hydrated while working on your car or hit the road with this handsome water bottle in your cup holder. High Gloss Blue, 25 oz. Stainless Steel Water Bottle.

Forum of the Month

2gnt.com recently celebrated its 12th anniversary, with many of the original tight knit members still active. The goal of 2GNT.com is to provide owners of the 1995-1999 Non-Turbo Mitsubishi Eclipse & Eagle Talon (DSMs) a singular source for technical information and community.

As DSM owners, we hope that, by providing quality technical information that is easily accessed, combined with a community of like-minded enthusiasts, we will all keep these cars running strong well into the future.

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact cynthia@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Years ago, my brother and I were working on my 1967 Mustang Fastback. I had just installed the battery cables, but had not connected them to the battery yet. While doing other things, I asked my brother to hook up the battery. He asked me where the cables went to. Knowing that he was taking automotive shop class, I thought he was kidding around, so I said "You know where they go". Shortly afterwards I heard the most dreaded two words, "Uh-oh", followed by the smell of smoke.

He had crossed the cables and shorted out the engine wire harness! I grabbed a pair of heavy duty wire cutters and cut one of the cables, but not before the damage was done. Luckily the damage was limited to the engine harness. And the car had come with a parts car that I thoroughly parted out including the wiring harness. We stopped all work on the car until the next day when I installed a new set of battery cables.

I still have the car.

Van in Illinois

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for awhile!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and shirt size (large or extra large) and we will mail you a RockAuto "Do it yourself?" t-shirt if we publish your story (see the t-shirts under Extras in the 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!

Automotive Trivia

Chrysler Group's new 3.6L V6 engine has how many exhaust manifolds?

A. Such an easy question! It is a V6 so it has two exhaust manifolds, one on each side of the V.
B. It features Fiat "synchronous exhaust venting" designed to use exhaust gas vacuum to pull exhaust out of the next cylinder to fire. Three exhaust manifolds are plumbed based on engine firing order rather than exhaust port location.
C. It has zero exhaust manifolds. To lower the cost of assembly, the exhaust plumbing is part of the cylinder head casting.

Answer below

DIY Maintenance and Repairs, Will it Void the Warranty?

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) reported that on August 20, 2010, Honda issued a release to customers that stated “only by purchasing Honda Genuine parts through an authorized U.S. Honda dealer can you be assured of the replacement part’s authenticity, reliability and compatibility.”

In response to that statement, the US Federal Trade Commission issued a FTC Consumer Alert in December. Quotes below are from that FTC Alert titled: “Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance, and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?”

"Do I have to use the dealer for repairs and maintenance to keep my warranty in effect?

No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work.”

"Will using "aftermarket" parts void my warranty?

No. An "aftermarket" part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. Simply using an aftermarket part does not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket part.”

If a car dealer attempts to mislead you by claiming that repairs or maintenance must be performed at the dealer then be sure to file a complaint with the FTC (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en).

The AAIA has also created a survey (http://aftermarket.org/Government/ComplianceAssistance/AAIA-FTC-Survey.aspx), primarily aimed at professional mechanics, to “ensure that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a realistic picture of some of the anti-competitive actions taken by franchised new car dealers that are impacting independent repair shops and consumers.”

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

Dear RockAuto,

This is my newly acquired 60K mile 1963 Rambler American 440 Convertible. This car had belonged to my best friend's parent's since the late 1980's. It was used as a parking lot advertisement for their battery shop that my friend and I worked for.

Sometime in our late teens, when his parents went out of town, we snuck the car out one night to go cruising. During our adventures that evening, a hub cap let go and got all bent up. We were busted! It took years to find the correct replacement. This, coupled with problems during a repaint, led to the car being parked for the last time in 1992. My friend's dad and I have been negotiating for at least the last 15-16 years to purchase the car. He finally called me about six months ago with a price I couldn't resist, and I was fortunately in a position to jump on the deal.

With the help of RockAuto I have been able to locate some very difficult to find parts, such as the master cylinder, and various other parts that have allowed me to resurrect the old lady and put her happily back on the road!

And yes, the damaged hubcap was still in the trunk when I brought her home. It now hangs on my garage wall!

Thanks RockAuto!

Robb in Texas

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to feature you & your car or truck in our monthly newsletter. Please e-mail flamur@rockauto.com with details.

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