Tag Archive for: #advanceautoparts

The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood Keeping Interiors Smelling Fresh

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

If the inside of your vehicle has lost that “new car smell,” there are a couple of things to check on before you hang another one of those air fresheners on the rear-view mirror.

If your car is a 1990’s model or newer, did you know that it probably has a cabin air filter?

Those things help keep dirt, dust – and smells – from penetrating the vehicle’s interior.

Not sure? Ask the staff at Advance Auto Parts for a little assistance. District Manager Michael Puckett said a clogged cabin air filter could be the culprit for that lingering smell.

Those filters function much like the air filters in your home, Puckett noted on Thursday’s installment of Pop The Hood.

The filters help to trap the dust and dirt and help keep your car’s dashboard and other flat surfaces clean.

If those surfaces need a good wipe down, Advance Auto has a full selection of products to help.

Once you’ve got the interior dusted and gleaming, it may be time to add a fancy scent.

There are plug-in types and sprays in addition to the iconic rectangular tags that hang from the rear-view mirror.

There’s one scent called “New Car Smell,” but Puckett said he’s partial to Cherry himself.

Whether it’s a cleaning product, cabin air filter or other item to help keep your vehicle’s interior shiny and squeaky clean, visit either of the Advance Auto Parts locations in Henderson – on Raleigh Road or just off Dabney Drive – for all your car care needs.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Air Filters

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Air filters play a vital role in preventing dirt, grit and other impurities from fouling vehicle engines. In the old days, the air filter casing was pretty easy to spot: it was round like a donut and sat right up there on top in a housing that resembles a frying pan.

At least that’s how WIZS co-host John Stevenson said he describes it. These days, however, an air filter is likely found in a rectangular housing near the inside of one of the fenders.Stevenson and colleague Bill Harris discussed the finer points of air filters on the Pop the Hood segment of The Local Skinny!

Let the folks at Advance Auto Parts help you figure out the right type for your make and model.

With just a few bits of information – make, model, year and/or the VIN – the staff at Advance Auto can help you determine the exact type of filter you need.

The air filter should be changed annually – more often, though, if you drive along dusty areas like gravel roads or other places that kicks up dirt.

A clogged air filter can affect your vehicle’s overall performance, Stevenson said.

“It can affect your gas mileage and could throw a check engine light,” he said.

And if your vehicle rolled off the assembly line earlier than 1989, don’t go looking for its cabin air filter – they were first introduced in 1989.

 

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value on and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

 

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Your Car’s Air Conditioning

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

 

In this summer heat, drivers want to be able to count on their cars’ air conditioning to keep them cool. But what to do if the air coming from the vents provides little, if any, relief?

The first thing to consider is whether the vehicle’s cooling system has enough refrigerant. The staff at Advance Auto Parts can help owners choose the right refrigerant for your make and model.

WIZS’s own John Stevenson joined co-host Bill Harris on Thursday’s segment of Pop the Hood. Stevenson, himself a do-it-yourself when it comes to maintaining his own cars, said lack of refrigerant is the most common reason a vehicle’s AC unit isn’t performing properly.

This is especially true with older vehicles, he explained, that have seals that start to go bad.

“It’ll work in the summer, but in the winter, the seals will start to shrink and some of that gas will start to seep out.” Then, when you next call on the AC to work its magic, it won’t cool.

Adding refrigerant is the quick fix – replacing a faulty compressor is more involved, Stevenson said. And way more expensive.

Whether you take your vehicle to a repair shop or try to do it yourself, Stevenson said it’s important to flush the system of refrigerant before the work begins. A bad compressor can throw pieces of shrapnel through the cooling system, he explained, and if it’s not removed, it could wreck the newly installed one.

It could take a do-it-yourselfer a few hours to replace a compressor, depending on its location under the hood, among other things.

“If you’re handy and have the tools,” it’s not that bad, Stevenson said. “But it can be a pain,” he said, because you have to disconnect lines and remove belts to get to the compressor that also has to be removed.

Make sure you replace something called a “receiver dryer” while you’re at it, he suggested, because it tends to get clogged up over time. “Replace it just to be on the safe side,” he said.

 

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value on and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

 

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“Pop The Hood” Change Your Oil, Keep Your Engine Hummin’

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Today’s cars and trucks let their owners know when it’s time to change the oil, but drivers who are used to keeping up with it themselves may still have the “every 3,000 miles” ingrained into their thoughts.

However you keep up with it, changing the oil is probably the single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle’s engine.

And for those do-it-yourselfers, the knowledgeable staff at Advance Auto Parts can help steer you to the proper oil and oil filter for your vehicle.

Most motorists know that oil changes have to happen at least periodically, even if they don’t know precisely when or how often.

The folks at Advance Auto can help you with questions about brands, types, weights of oil.

If you decide to change the oil yourself, always remember Safety First!

Following are a few reminders when changing the oil in your car or truck:

  • Park on a level surface and put chocks behind the tires.
  • It doesn’t hurt to put a jack stand under the car – even if it isn’t jacked up – for extra protection.
  • Gather tools and materials – gloves, eye protection, funnel, drain pan.
  • Don’t over-tighten the oil plug or filter.
  • Let the oil drain for about 15 minutes.
  • Make sure the old oil filter gasket doesn’t stay stuck to the engine!

Advance Auto Parts stores have oil disposal receptacles. Please dispose of used oil and filters properly.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Tuneups

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Vehicles don’t usually break down in convenient locations, like the driveway. Vehicle owners can help to make sure their cars and trucks stay in good working order with regular tuneups, whether performed at home or by your favorite mechanic.

Advance Auto Parts maintains a wide inventory of replacement parts, from spark plugs to air filters and the cabin air filters, to keep drivers driving and cars moving.

Michael Puckett, manager of the Advance Auto on Raleigh, said it could be time for a tuneup if the engine is “missing” on one cylinder, or if the ride is a little rough.

Today’s spark plugs can last longer, but they also are more expensive, Puckett said on Thursday’s Pop the Hood segment.

The staff at Advance Auto can help customers choose the correct plug for their vehicle. “We can verify by putting in the VIN,” he said, or even use the vehicle’s license plate to verify the make and model. Different vehicle manufacturers use different brands of spark plug, so it’s important to install the proper plug.

Proper maintenance can prolong the life of a spark plug, and Puckett said he’s seen plugs last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Most manufacturers recommend changing the plugs at 100,000 miles, but he said to refer to your vehicle manual for your car’s specs.

And those cabin air filters that seem to magically disappear under and behind the dashboard, help keep debris and more out of the vehicle’s cabin. A clogged cabin air filter can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning; with the upcoming summertime heat, that wouldn’t be good.

“If you keep your vehicle up,” Puckett said, “a lot of times, you’ll be running clear and free.”

Check out all the products and services that Advance Auto Parts offers, in-store and online.

Now, through Aug. 16, spend $50 with Speed Perks and get 20 cents off a gallon of gas at participating Shell stations.Visit https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ to learn more.

The information contained in this post and the broadcast audio attached is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value on and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship. 

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“Pop The Hood” – Brakes

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

It’s important that our vehicles go when we step on the gas, but it’s just as important that they stop when we apply the brakes.

Drivers who hear a scraping or grinding sound when braking should take heed: It could mean your brakes need some attention. Ignoring it could only make the problem worse, so Michael Puckett, manager of Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road, recommends getting it checked out.

Those sounds could mean the brake pads or shoes need replacing or the rotors need turning.

“It could be the brake pads have gone down to the metal,” Puckett explained, adding that if the rotors have been damaged beyond the point of being turned, they’ll need replacing.

If the vehicle pulls to the right or left, it could be a sign that the brake calipers need work.

A lot of times the configuration is brake shoes on the back with pads on the front, but if you don’t know exactly what you need, the team at Advance Auto can help. With just a little information about your vehicle, or the VIN, customers can find exactly the right parts for their project.

Many parts manufacturers are making brake pads and shoes from ceramic these days, which can mean they last longer.

The staff at Advance Auto keeps safety first, Puckett said, and will help educate customers about specific parts for specific needs. If you use your truck for towing, you may need a certain type of brake pad or shoe.

Once your vehicle repair has been made, it’s important to do a road test to make sure the problem has been resolved. Steps to ensure safety during a repair and afterward are what Advance Auto is all about.

Visit https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ to learn about the complete line of parts and services available at Advance Auto Parts.

The information contained in this post and its associated audio is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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Pop The Hood: Maintaining Your Car’s Cooling System

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Nobody wants to get stuck on the side of the road with an overheated engine. With just a little maintenance – and an abundance of caution – vehicle owners can make sure all is well under the hood.

Michael Puckett, with Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road, can walk customers through the process of checking to make sure radiators and cooling systems have the proper antifreeze and coolant to keep drivers on the road and out of the shop.

It’s safety first, Puckett said on Thursday’s Pop the Hood segment on WIZS Radio. Safety goggles and protective clothing – including gloves – are important when dealing with antifreeze or coolant.

Antifreeze can be dangerous to people and to animals, so DIY’ers should always store and dispose of it properly. It’s important to remember to disconnect the battery and make sure the engine is cold, whether you’re simply topping off fluids or doing a system flush.

The staff at Advance Auto Parts can help you get just the right product for your make and model vehicle, as well as provide you with the manufacturer’s specifications.

“There’s a bunch of different colors of antifreeze,” Puckett said. “You always want to make sure you’re doing it per OEM (original equipment manufacturer) specs.” The wrong type of antifreeze could affect engine performance.

Advance Auto also offers online purchase for its products for quick and easy pickup in as few as 30 minutes.

“Call the store and we can help you with anything you have questions about” when placing an online order, he said. Visit shop.advanceautoparts.com to learn more.

Call the Raleigh Road store at 252.438.2049 and the Prosperity Road location, just off Dabney Drive, at 252.438.4183.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

CLICK PLAY to hear Pop The Hood: Maintaining Your Car’s Cooling System from May 18, 2023!

 

WIZS Pop The Hood: Batteries

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— for our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts

Unless you’re really into vehicles and how they work, you may think all car batteries are alike. By asking just a few simple questions about your particular driving habits, the knowledgeable team of employees at Henderson’s two Advance Auto Parts locations can help you choose the right battery for your vehicle.

In this first installment of “Pop the Hood,” Advance Auto Parts District Manager Jay Matthews explains a bit about choosing the right battery for your needs.

Running a lot of errands each day and stop and start your vehicle often? Have you tricked out your car or truck with lots of electronics? The Advance Auto Parts employees aren’t being nosey, Matthews said. “What they’re trying to do is determine the best battery for you.”

It’s important that your car’s battery provide adequate cranking power – and that varies with the seasons, he noted.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is what it takes to crank your vehicle at 70 degrees is totally different from what it takes at 30 degrees.”

Drivers are welcome to come to either location – 400 Prosperity Drive just off Dabney Drive or 390 Raleigh Road – to get a complimentary battery or alternator check, just to make sure things are operating properly.

Preventive maintenance is just one way to reduce the chance that your vehicle is going to leave you stranded.

Sometimes it’s not the battery that needs replacing, Matthews said. Sometimes, the corrosion that occurs when acid leaks from the battery ends up on the terminals and in the battery cables.

“On most vehicles, we do free installation of batteries,” he said. Some vehicles have batteries in tricky places that just aren’t safe to install in a store parking lot. The folks at Advance Auto can look up the information quickly to determine which vehicles that don’t qualify for the free installation.

Advance has free curbside services to offer battery checks, as well as wiper replacement and check engine light scans. And the stores offer a 10 percent military discount.

Check out “Pop the Hood” every other Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on WIZS

CLICK PLAY for 5-4-23 Broadcast!