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RockAuto May Newsletter
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Another Happy Customer!
Another Happy Customer!

The excellent organization and selection of parts for all my vehicles ranging from the 1960s to the 2000s are unsurpassed in online parts ordering. I especially appreciate the heart symbol representing what other customers have favored.

Timothy in California


Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

Need goody bag items and a gift certificate for your show? RockAuto can help! Email marketing@rockauto.com for more information.

28 Millgate Cruise Night
Burlington, WI Email
May
29 Relics & Rides
Marble Rock, IA Email
May
29 4th Annual Benefit Car Show
York, PA Email
May
29 100 Mile Car Cruise & Show
Charlotte Hall, MD Email
May
29 Bugs on the Hooch
Columbus, GA Email
May
29 Bay Life Car Show
Brandon, FL Email
May
31 Memorial Day Car Show
Burton, MI Email
May
1 Arkansas Camaro Fest
Gravette, AR Email
June
2 Cary Cruise Nights
Cary, IL Email
June
4 A Small Town Weekend
El Reno, OK Email
June
4 Razorback Ramble
Hot Springs, AR Email
June
5 Cars & Coffee
Otisville, NY Email
June
5 EuroBrit Cruise-In
Madison, AL Email
June
5 16th Annual Charity Car Show
Huntsville, AL Email
June
5 AMCRC HDAMC 9th Western Regional Car Show
Fallon, NV Email
June
5 Krusin Klassics 35th Fun Run Car Show
Escanaba, MI Email
June
5 JOANT 51st Annual Concours D'Elegance
Frisco, TX Email
June
5 Cruisin' The Museum
Waynesburg, PA Email
June
5 Mopars in Branson
Branson, MO Email
June
5 26th Red Mill British Car Day
Clinton, NJ Email
June
BH SENS TPMS Sensors
See what we have from BH Sens
BH SENS TMPS Sensors

RockAuto is proud to offer Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensors and Service Kits from BH SENS! BH SENS is a joint venture between the TPMS business units of Huf Group and Baolong Group. Most BH SENS TPMS Sensors are developed and produced in the Huf Baolong Electronics facility, in Bretten, Germany. With more than 20 years of global experience, BH SENS has become one of the of the world's largest suppliers of original equipment (OE) TPMS Sensors; supplying Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other vehicle manufacturers.

BH SENS direct-fit sensors (listed by Year/Make/Model in the RockAuto.com Catalog under the “Wheel” category) are programmed and ready for installation straight out of the box. To relearn the tire pressure sensors after installation, follow the instructions of your vehicle's manufacturer typically included in the owners manual.

In addition to their direct-fit OE Replacement sensors, BH SENS also makes a universal TPMS Sensor, called IntelliSens (listed under “Tire” in the "Wheel" category of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab). IntelliSens Universal Sensors fit and function just like their OE Replacement sensors, after they have been programmed using a TPMS Tool (available under "Tool" in the “Wheel” category of the Tools & Universal Parts tab). Universal TPMS Sensors are Clone Capable, which are ideal for drivers who frequently swap wheels/tires, such as during the winter season. A relearn procedure is not required once sensors have been cloned.

All TPMS Sensors offered by BH SENS are supported by the common TPMS Tools; simplifying any needed programming and/or relearning.

Forum of the Month
TheMustangSource.com

TheMustangSource.com is a popular online meeting place for fans of the Ford Mustang. The bulk of the information in this easy to navigate forum focuses on the 2005 through 2014 Mustangs, but you will find thousands of threads about all Mustang generations. From general chit-chat to in depth discussions on modifications, if you drive a Mustang or if you do not but are a "pony car" enthusiast, you will find something of interest in this forum.

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 marketing@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders
Repair Mistakes & Blunders

My fiance and I own several older cars which our children use. I was recently called upon to do maintenance on a 2001 Ford Focus with the 2 liter engine that was displaying a check engine light. When I scanned the codes I was discouraged to see there were several, but upon researching the codes I discovered that one was the downstream oxygen sensor with the others related to lean mixture and other maladies. I decided to check the oxygen sensor first. I was actually relieved to see that it appeared to be dead when I monitored it with the scan tool. My plan was to replace this item and clear the codes and hope that it would solve the rest of the issues.

This car was twenty years old, and I knew getting the old oxygen sensor out would not be a picnic. I was not shocked when my first attempt to remove it began to strip the hex nut. I decided to go for broke and start the engine to heat the exhaust while heating the bung on the exhaust pipe with a butane torch. After a few minutes I decided to give it a shot so I closed the valve on the torch and set it aside.

I leaned over and attached the breaker bar and socket to the sensor when I felt an intense burning on my head and the smell of burning hair. I pulled back and found the torch had a stuck valve and still had a small flame coming from it! I quickly moved it far out of the way, succeeded in pulling the sensor out, and easily installed the new one.

Like many men my age, my hair is not that thick on the top of my head, but a look in the mirror revealed a large bald spot and a burned scalp. It took over a month for my usual thin hair to grow back. At least the repair was a success!

Scott in New Hampshire

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 a while!). Please email your story to flamur@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!

Automotive Trivia
Automotive Trivia

What is the project, code named Uptis, that Michelin and General Motors are working together on?

A. Autonomous drones that should begin real-world flight testing in 2025, shuttling passengers between the Dulles and Reagan National airports.

B. Airless tires to be installed on new passenger cars as early as 2024. Similar airless tires are already in use on off-road construction and mining vehicles.

C. Flywheel energy storage systems for wind turbines; flywheel keeps spinning and generating electricity after the wind stops blowing. Public utility wind turbines installed in Manitoba since 2020 have included transmissions where flywheel systems will be mounted, beginning this year.

Answer below

It's Got Cop Suspension
Tom's Story

Suspension bushings compress, crack and/or crumble over time, resulting in noise and poor handling. It is a good idea to measure the diameter of the stabilizer bar (sway bar) when picking bushings for a vehicle model that came from the factory with multiple stabilizer bar size options or may have had its suspension modified by a previous owner.

Measuring the stabilizer bar

I used a digital caliper, wrench and masking tape to measure the stabilizer bar shown in the photo above (1979 Chrysler with larger diameter "Cop-car" suspension). I was pleased that all three methods indicated the stabilizer bar was 1-1/8 inches in diameter.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Brian's 2005 Morgan Aero 8
Brian's 2005 Morgan Aero 8

I have owned this 2005 Morgan Aero 8 for ten years. I know the original owner and have complete records from the day of delivery into the US. I have been a car guy for over 65 years, a British car enthusiast and an automotive engineer. When this car was introduced in 2000, I was immediately attracted to it. I like the classic 1938 styling, and the modern BMW drivetrain was very appealing. They were not imported to US until the Series 2 model in 2005; when 85 were built in the world and 60 came to the USA. I first saw and drove one in 2007 at a dealership in Florida. At that time I knew this was the car for me. The uniqueness, performance and reliability were the main factors. I waited until 2011 for this car to become available.

I was able to get service from the local BMW dealership for a few years until new software at BMW service did not recognize the Morgan's VIN number. At that time I chose to DIY the maintenance. I began to explore RockAuto for Morgan parts and found that I could identify the parts for my car. This past winter I performed a major maintenance service replacing belts, filters, spark plugs and thermostat along with much more adjusting, wrenching and torquing.

I appreciate that RockAuto has the parts I need for the Morgan as well as my daily driver cars.

Brian in Alabama (RockAuto customer for over 15 years)

Share 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, RockAuto social media or other commercial use. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@RockAuto.com with the vehicle history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

Automotive Trivia Answer
Automotive Trivia

What is the project, code named Uptis, that Michelin and General Motors are working together on?

A. Autonomous drones that should begin real-world flight testing in 2025, shuttling passengers between the Dulles and Reagan National airports.

Answer: B. Airless tires to be installed on new passenger cars as early as 2024. Similar airless tires are already in use on off-road construction and mining vehicles. (Source: https://michelinmedia.com/michelin-uptis/)

MICHELIN Uptis (Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System)

C. Flywheel energy storage systems for wind turbines; flywheel keeps spinning and generating electricity after the wind stops blowing. Public utility wind turbines installed in Manitoba since 2020 have included transmissions where flywheel systems will be mounted, beginning this year.

Back up to trivia question