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Bosch is offering RockAuto customers a 10% instant rebate on select Engine, Emission, Fuel & Air and Ignition sensors throughout the month of June, 2026! As the world's leading supplier and original equipment manufacturer of Oxygen Sensors, Bosch is known worldwide for quality and performance. Their lineup of Engine Management sensors guarantees OE quality and performance, to help reduce emissions, improve fuel economy and keep your engine running like new.  Find Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensors, Oxygen (O2) Sensors, Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors and more for your specific vehicle in the RockAuto catalog. While shopping, watch for the | |
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 Why is the Indy 500 racetrack called the brickyard? | |
 I am restoring a 1996 Jeep Cherokee from top to bottom. My first vehicle was a Jeep CJ-7, so I figured I'd be somewhat familiar with the engine. The first thing I did was change the oil. While removing the oil filter, my hand brushed against a plastic component located just above the filter. The piece was so brittle from age that it snapped in half. I unscrewed the remaining portion, took a picture, and tried to identify it. I turned to an AI app, figuring it might know what the part was. It immediately and confidently identified it as a Coolant Temperature Sensor. It also assured me that the part wasn't critical and that I could continue driving the vehicle while waiting for a replacement. I looked up the part online, and it appeared similar to the one I had broken. I didn't examine it very closely because I assumed the AI knew what it was talking about. I finished changing the oil and filter, then started the engine to make sure the new filter wasn't leaking. Oil started spraying everywhere in the engine bay! I shut the engine off immediately and cleaned up the two to three quarts of oil that had ended up on the ground. The part I had broken was actually the Oil Pressure Sending Unit, and it turns out that part is very much required. Later that day, I ordered a factory service manual. Brett in Texas  Jeep Oil Pressure (left) vs. Coolant Temperature Sensor |
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 During a recent trip, I found the "Toyota Corolla or similar" rental car I had reserved was unavailable so I was given a free upgrade to a shiny black Lincoln Navigator. I greatly enjoyed stylishly cruising along while the Lincoln's seat gave my back a massage. The one luxury feature I never fully appreciated was the power running boards. Whirring motors deployed and retracted the running boards whenever I opened and closed a door. Running boards went out and in at least four times when I climbed into the driver's seat, remembered I needed to get a bag out of the cargo area, put the bag in the passenger seat and finally climbed back into the drivers seat. RockAuto.com sells new running board motors (found under "Body & Lamp Assembly"). I should see $$$ and hear "ka-ching" when running boards move excessively, but I just cannot help thinking like a DIYer who hates waste and always wants parts to last as long as possible. It was comical how I gradually started avoiding opening and closing the Lincoln's doors to reduce the wear on the running board motors. "It is nice weather. How about we just meet in the parking lot and talk through the Navigator's open window?"  Lincoln Running Board Settings I finally searched the owners manual and learned where to go under "settings" to turn the running boards "off." There is also an "out" setting that leaves the running boards extended while the vehicle is parked. However, on most vehicles, the running boards will retract and return to the "auto" setting once the vehicle starts moving (3 mph, 5 km/h). Some vehicles' "auto" setting allows you to adjust the length of time the running board stays out once you close a door which works well if the extended time is minutes rather than just a few more seconds.  Running Board Motor Reading about the running boards in the owners manual is a great idea, because features differ significantly between different brands and models. For example, some trucks (Ford) have a "kick switch" on the running board that lets you extend it without going through a bunch of setup screens on the dash. This leaves the running board "out" and might help avoid some motor cycles, at least until the vehicle moves again. Regularly cleaning and lubricating both the powered and un-powered running board brackets/hinges will prevent/solve problems and help the motors last significantly longer. If there is still a problem, first check the running board motor connector (found under "Electrical-Connector") because it is also located in the harsh environment near the rocker panel. For some vehicles, new running board motors come with or without a new bracket/hinge. Especially in salty areas, rust may have frozen the old motor inside its bracket so it is easiest to replace the entire assembly. It is a good idea to mark the location of the motor/bracket assembly on the running board before unbolting it in case the mounting points on the running board potentially slide in a metal track (GM). Tom Taylor, To read more of Tom's articles, choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page. |
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 This is the magnet collection that I started in 2010. |
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Here is my 1987 Ford F-700 that my father drove for work before he retired. The truck sat for about 35 years and had only 47,000 miles on it! I bought it and removed the original bed and built a custom pickup bed for it instead. A new turbo, water pump, belts, engine gasket kit and electrical parts came from RockAuto. There was a ton of work put into getting it to this point in the picture and was purpose-built to haul heavy equipment around. It has the original 7.8L Ford diesel engine with a 5 speed manual transmission and a 2 speed rear end. I converted the rear suspension to air ride that I pulled off of a box truck. I drive this truck often and have had zero mechanical issues with it. It definitely is an attention grabber every time I take it out! Eric in New Jersey |
 Why is the Indy 500 racetrack called the brickyard? | |
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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 or other commercial use. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! For submission instructions and tips for taking pictures of your car, please visit our Photography Tips & Submission Info page. Show Off Your RockAuto Magnet Collection Email a high resolution image(s) of your collection to marketing@rockauto.com. Include your geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) and any other details you would like to share. Your Most Infamous Auto Repair Blunder Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes. Please email your story to marketing@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto Hat if we publish your story. See the 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! | |
