Zimmermann Brakes
See what we have from Zimmermann

RockAuto now offers Zimmermann Rotors and Brake Pads. Zimmermann is known for their high quality brake parts for European makes like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo and more. Zimmermann rotors are designed to absorb and dissipate heat efficiently for better braking and improved rotor lifespan and many meet the strict European ECE R90 approval for brakes. Zimmermann also offers a coated rotor line called Coat Z, which provides enhanced corrosion resistance for drivers in high salt and precipitation areas.

You can find Zimmermann Rotors and Brake Pads in the "Brake & Wheel Hub" category of the RockAuto.com catalog for many European vehicles.

Another Happy Customer!
Another Happy Customer!

This is the best platform I have used for online auto parts shopping. Easy to navigate and if a question arises the Help section is full of very good answers ... I hope RockAuto never changes. I would love to be a customer for another 13+ years!

Jeremiah in Florida

Automotive Trivia
Automotive Trivia

Which car manufacturer was the first to introduce a "Daytona" model in the 1960s?

A. Dodge

B. Ferrari

C. Studebaker


Answer below
Repair Mistakes & Blunders
Repair Mistakes & Blunders

After a year of searching for a low mileage 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan with a 4.6L engine, I finally found one with 20k miles. It had HID projector headlamps which I was excited about as all my other vehicles had "old fashion" halogen bulbs. But, when I bought it, I noticed the headlamp range was severely limited, maybe five feet in front of the car. I decided to adjust the level with the leveling screws, but they were far down into the engine bay so I went out and bought a very long screwdriver only to find out the screws were stripped by the previous owner who was probably trying to fix the same issue.

Defeated, I took the car to two different dealers to have them check it out. They both told me I had to replace the headlamp assemblies which would of cost well over a thousand dollars a piece from them. Of course I said "No thanks!" There had to be another solution.

Soon afterwards while changing the oil, I noticed a tiny little sensor hanging loose from the sub-frame close to a tiny and conveniently located socket on the control arm. The sensor snapped into that socket exactly! When I started the car, the headlamps did a new "dance" and leveled themselves out perfectly which finally solved my headlamp problem! They still work perfectly to this day. Turns out, that generation of Genesis had auto-leveling headlamps based on the weight in the vehicle. The dealerships never mentioned this as a feature nor checked into that system (I didn't know it was a feature myself). Even if I had paid thousands of dollars for new headlamp assemblies, the issue may not have been fixed! Lesson learned - look for anything out of place while performing routine maintenance! 

Paul in Michigan

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Electric Vehicle Fluids & Filters
Tom's Story

Many electric vehicles have transmission fluids and filters that need to be changed even though they have neither conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) nor conventional transmissions. Gear oil or automatic transmission fluid is used to lubricate and cool the reduction gear sets/units. The oil/fluid cools the electric propulsion motor(s) on some vehicles as well.

Electric vehicles are often said to have a single speed, but that single speed is not the speed of the spinning electric motor(s). A set of reduction gears is used to convert the high speed, low torque output of the electric motor to the lower speed, higher torque output needed to turn the vehicle's wheels. This is similar to the differential turning a conventional car's axle shafts reducing the speed of the driveshaft.

Gear oil is typically used to lubricate/cool a conventional differential. Similarly, gear oil is used in many reduction gear units. Automatic transmission fluid is also commonly used because car manufacturers learned how to design hybrid vehicles that have both ICE transmissions and electric motor reduction gear sets sharing the same fluid.

Specific automatic transmission fluid or gear oil is required by the vehicle manufacturer depending on the model/year and sometimes also by the drivetrain option. For example, Ford's base-level electric Mustang Mach-E, might use gear oil in the front reduction gear unit and transmission fluid in the rear unit, while the GT version of the Mach-E may use automatic transmission fluid in both the front and rear reduction gear sets.

For some models/years, electric car manufacturers may specify an "electrical driveline fluid" rather than an automatic transmission fluid that is also used in ICE powered (and other electric) vehicles. Electrically conductive driveline fluid may be necessary when the vehicle has a "wet axle" where the fluid cools the electric propulsion motor as well as the reduction gear set. (Circulating regular automatic transmission fluid through a powerful electric motor can be a bad idea because regular automatic transmission fluid might act as an electrical insulator. When that insulating effect momentarily breaks down, there could be arcing that damages parts like bearings, gears and seals. Arcing could also speed up oxidation (deterioration) of the fluid itself.)

Follow the reduction gear set fluid replacement intervals recommended by the electric vehicle manufacturer, but be aware that manufacturers might tend to downplay electrical vehicles' maintenance needs so they compare favorably with ICE powered vehicles. Changing oil/fluid and filters more frequently could make gear sets last longer, especially in harsh driving conditions (hot, dirty, high speed, towing...). Changing the reduction gear fluid and filter is often a job appropriate for a DIYer who is comfortable doing similar work on conventional cars. For example, the spin-on filters typically used on Tesla front and rear reduction gear sets look just like ICE oil filters.

Hydraulic Filter, Transmission Oil, Seal Rings, Drain Plug
Tesla Service Kit w/ Filter, Fluid, Seals & Drain Plug

See the reduction gear set filter and fluid/oil for specific electric vehicles under the "Transmission-Automatic" and "Drivetrain" categories in the RockAuto.com catalog. A "Transmission Service Kit" may be available that conveniently includes the reduction gear set filter, fluid, gaskets, drain plug and other necessary parts all under one part number.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Robert's 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
Robert's 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

This is my 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 that I recently obtained from my dad. Driving what used to be his truck every day is one of the coolest feelings! It’s been a super reliable truck, but anytime I’ve needed to perform any maintenance, all the parts are from RockAuto. Last fall I replaced the pitman arm, idler arm, and both inner tie rods. And just recently ordered the parts I needed to repair a coolant leak.

This truck is my pride and joy, and I’m so grateful to have RockAuto to keep the maintenance affordable.

Robert in Utah

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Automotive Trivia Answer
Automotive Trivia
Up

Which car manufacturer was the first to introduce a "Daytona" model in the 1960s?

A. Dodge

B. Ferrari


Answer: C. Studebaker (The Studebaker Daytona (based on the Lark) was introduced in the 1962 model year. It was the official pace car for the 1962 Indy 500. Source: RockAuto.com catalog and macsmotorcitygarage.com/)

Share Your Hard Work & 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 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!