Tips That Can Help Ensure You Get The Right Replacement Parts For Your Vehicle
Buying replacement auto parts for your car, truck or SUV does not have to be difficult. However, there are some things you can do to help ensure you get the right parts for your vehicle, and often they are simple tricks you can do without much effort.
Photograph Your Parts
If you need to buy a replacement part, but the old part is still on the car, you may want to take a minute to grab a few pictures of the old part with your cell phone before going to the auto parts store. The pictures don't have to be masterful works of art, but they should show things like mounting points, connectors, and the general position of the part on the vehicle.
The pictures can help you determine if the new part is the same and will fit your vehicle properly. Lay the new auto part out on the counter at the store, and compare all the connections and the general design of the replacement part with the pictures before you leave the store. While many auto parts will offer returns for parts that don't fit, you can save time by verifying the parts before you walk out of the store with them.
Check The Dates
The manufacture date of your vehicle is vital when buying replacement auto parts for it. Check the date range of the auto parts you are buying to determine if you need a specific year or if several years are the same.
The manufacture date for your car is on the plate inside the driver's door and on the cowl under the hood. If you are not sure how to read the plate, the auto parts associate can help you determine which year you have.
If the parts have a date range covering multiple years, make sure yours fall in the correct date range to get the right replacement auto parts.
Bring In Your Parts
The last tip that can help when buying replacement parts is to bring the old parts from your car to the auto parts store with you. If you have the old part of the car, taking it with you will allow you to lay the old and the new parts next to each other and compare everything from size, shape, and connectors.
If the parts don't match, have the associate pull the part from a year older or newer and compare them. Sometimes a mid-year change can make it harder to determine which replacement auto parts you need, but matching them up will ensure there is no confusion even if there was a change partway through the production of your car.
Visit an auto parts store to find out more.