Tag Archive for: #popthehood

The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood Change Your Oil

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

These days, our vehicles do a good job of telling us when it’s time to change the oil. Most vehicle experts agree that changing the oil in a timely manner is one of the best things a car or truck owner can do to extend the life of a vehicle’s engine.

If you’re the type of vehicle owner who likes to tackle this task yourself, trust the folks at Advance Auto Parts to help you choose the proper type of oil – there are so many options!

Manufacturers may recommend synthetic oil for newer models, but that sweet ’65 Mustang parked in the garage may need a conventional oil.

Remember, think safety first when changing the oil yourself. Even if you don’t need to jack the vehicle, it may be a good idea to put a jack in place, just in case.

And chock the wheels for good measure.

Use a drain pan to catch the oil once the plug is removed – and make sure that the old gasket comes off the block when you remove the oil filter!

Give the oil 15 minutes or so to drain and then you can install the new filter.

DIY’ers know to rub a little fresh oil around the seal, take care not to cross thread or overtighten.

Advance Auto Parts is a great place to bring that reclaimed oil for proper disposal.

Tune in to this week’s Pop the Hood segment for a step-by-step “how-to” for changing the oil in your car or truck.

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 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

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

It’s time to wash your ride – maybe past time – and you’ve found a few minutes in an otherwise busy day to put some soap in a bucket and get to work. But before you pull out an old t-shirt from the rag bag and squirt some dish soap in a bucket, you may want to check in with the folks at Advance Auto Parts.

Cleaning your vehicle properly is not as simple as you may think.

Michael Puckett is a district general manager for the auto parts chain, whose shelves are filled with a variety of cleaning products to fit any need, from chenille and microfiber cloths to rubbing compounds and paint touchups.

If you normally run through a car wash to get that road grime off your car or truck, you may find the selection a bit overwhelming. If your car is newer, it may have a protective clear coat on it. If you’re babying a vintage model, you can select a rubbing compound to enhance the color.

And let’s talk about tires and rims for a bit.

“We’ve got brushes to use on your tires,” Puckett said, as well as other products to put some gleam on those tires. Are those pricey rims aluminum or chrome? There’s a different product for each material, and those products aren’t all spray-on, so you’ll need to know how to apply them.

Puckett outlines a 5-step process that he and the staff at Advance Auto recommend to customers to create that perfectly clean vehicle:

  • Step 1: Wash and headlight restoration
  • Step 2: Surface prep and paint repair
  • Step 3: Wax and polish
  • Step 4: Wheels and tires
  • Step 5: Glass and interior

There are products that combine wash and wax products for a 2-in-1 effect and Puckett said the ceramic clear coat products help restore faded paint colors.

If your vehicle has a scratch that you’d like to fix, Puckett said there’s a variety of touch-up products on the store shelves to choose from. Don’t see your particular color? Let the folks at Advance Auto make that paint match for you. “We can actually mix it right here at the store,” he said.

“I enjoy helping every customer and helping them get what they need to complete their projects,” Puckett said.

When you’re picking up those cleaning supplies to make your car or truck sparkle, just remember there’s one thing that Advance Auto does NOT stock – elbow grease.

The information contained in this post and audio 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: 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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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Belts and Hoses

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

Getting ready for that annual vacation and you’ve made a mental to-do list before you pile in the car for that much-needed getaway:

Lights turned off and front door locked? Check.

Stopped by the bank for some cash? Check.

Grocery store for snacks and drinks for the ride? Check.

Popped the hood looking for cracked belts or bad hoses?

Umm, well, no.

Michael Puckett of the Advance Auto Parts store on Raleigh Road says if you see bubbles along hoses or cracking along your vehicle’s belts, it’s probably time to replace them. A blown hose or broken belt can leave you stranded, delaying your arrival to that vacation destination.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, Advance offers a loaner tool program to its customers to handle hose clamps and that all-important belt tensioner tool that helps you thread the belt in place.

Not a DIY-er? No problem.

“We have some local shops that we can recommend,” Puckett said, to send customers in the right direction.

It’s important to do a visual check of belts and hoses, but drivers also need to pay attention to those squealing noises coming from under the hood. It could mean a bad pulley or tensioner.

Paying attention to unusual sounds and looking for signs of wear are two good ways to avoid breakdowns and keep your vehicle running well and keeping you safe.

The information contained in this post and accompanying 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!