Auto Parts Made Easier in Redlands

Auto parts, we all need them, we all want high quality and low, low prices. But how do we get all ob the above? Be a smarter shopper, that’s how. I know many of you are asking “How do I become a smarter shopper?” By asking the right questions and giving good information. Here’s an example; you own a 1996 Acura Integra. You need an alternator, the part which provides a charge to the battery when the engine is running. You want to change it yourself because labor at your local garage is well over $65 an hour. You know yours is dead because your battery light is lit on the dashboard and you need a jump every time you need to start the car. Why do I know it’s the alternator? Well the car IS 9 years old and that’s prime grounds for dead alternators. The best thing to do next is either remove the dead alternator and have it handy, or write down as much information as you can find from it. The more you can tell the people helping you the better the help will be.

Now comes the fun questions part. Say you call your local auto parts store, we’ll use Pep Boys, since they’re everywhere and we all know where there is one, kind of like a Denny’s. But Pep Boys breakfasts aren’t as good. So we call them and ask for the parts counter. The person will ask for three things up front, year make, and model of the car. Well of course they’ll need that. They may ask about certain options, air conditioning, automatic or manual transmission. Now on to the meat of the call (on to the pressed vegetable matter with texture for our Vegan readers), you say “I need an alternator”. They may ask for the manufacturer whose name appears on the dead one. Many makers produce alternators as factory equipment in many cars, so to say “Well it’s an Acura alternator!” isn’t going to make for a productive call. Being a Japanese car it’s likely one of two main makers- Nippondenso or Mitsubishi. You know this because you had looked at it before you made the call. Typically the parts counter people will give you a list of available parts and their prices. Ask why one costs less than the other, but don’t ask why they feel their parts are worth THAT much. Ask if it’s new or rebuilt. New parts cost a lot more than rebuilt, and all you’re getting is new exterior to match the new interior. Many rebuilt parts are just as good as new, they just tend not to be as pretty. Write down what they say, the part number and price, and then get their name. Repeat this procedure with Kragen’s, Auto Zone, Auto Value, etcâÂ?¦ Someone will have a better price on it and that’s what you want, right?

Now that you have found a suitable alternator at a price that won’t make your wallet cry, go get it! Take the dead one with you, because many places take dead alternators and make them good alternators by replacing a few parts inside and you’ll get a decent credit towards the next one, typically between $35 and $50, maybe more. Take your alternator home and install it and, voila! A running car again! You probably didn’t spend more than $150 or so. Try getting that kind of price from the garage.