Buying The Right Parts For Your Vehicle

Before you go shopping for some parts to replace those on your vehicle, read the tips in this section carefully. They can help you avoid what’s probably the most annoying part of any automotive job: disabling your vehicle to work on it only to find that you need it to drive back to the store to exchange the stuff they sold you in error!

To buy the proper parts for your vehicle, you must know its specifications (or “specs,” as they’re often called). Most of this information should be in your owner’s manual, and a lot of it is also printed on metal tags or decals located inside your hood. You can usually find these in front of the radiator, inside the fenders, on the inside of the hood — anywhere the auto manufacturer thinks you’ll find them. I know of one car that has its decal inside the lid of the glove compartment. These ID tags also provide a lot of other information about where the vehicle was made, what kind of paint it has, and so on.

The service manual for your vehicle should have the specs for the parts you need, and the parts department at your dealership or a reputable auto supply store can also look them up for you.

It’s a good idea to stick with parts from the same manufacturer as those that your vehicle originally came with. That brand may be listed in a service manual for your vehicle. If you don’t have a service manual, tell the sales clerk at the auto parts store that you want OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. Quality aftermarket parts are available as well, but unless you trust your parts seller’s recommendations, or you’ve already used a particular aftermarket brand and had good luck with it, stick with OEM parts.

If you can’t find specs for buying and gapping spark plugs in your owner’s or service manual or on your vehicle, just ask to the expert. 

When you go to buy parts, keep in mind that most professional mechanics get discounts at auto parts stores. Ask if you can get a discount given that you’re installing the parts yourself. It can’t hurt to try. Even if you don’t get a price break on parts, you’ll still be ahead of the game because you won’t have to pay labor charges.