automobile aftermarket parts

automobile aftermarket parts

Like it or not, if we use our cars for what they are designed for they will need regular servicing and repairs, some more than others too! Bearing in mind the other costs associated with vehicle ownership and the humble motor car suddenly takes on the look of a necessary evil. The servicing and repair costs are one area where we stand to save ourselves some money if we are educated in the ways to do this.

No, I am not talking about everyone taking Motor Mechanics 101 at their local college and trading their good clothes for a pair of overalls, what I am talking about is being educated and informed on certain aspects of how the auto repair industry works. For instance, many workshops will use only genuine replacement parts and charge for these accordingly when the aftermarket equivalent may be many times cheaper and superior in quality. Heck, some aftermarket parts even offer a warranty that exceeds the warranty offered on the genuine part!

Knowing if a particular service or repair is needed or whether it is simply an ‘up-sell’ can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of your car. When taking your vehicle in for routine maintenance or even a breakdown repair we are often faced with additional items that need to be carried out, but how do we know if these are absolutely necessary or even needed? These ‘required’ services can turn a low profit job into a gold mine for the workshop owner.

We are really at the mercy of the mechanic when we have limited knowledge of our motor vehicles and make no mistake, he knows this. Someone that has no idea about the working of their car can seriously stand to lose quite a bit of money to dishonest workshop operators. Simply knowing how to spot the difference between an honest, reliable mechanic and one that sees you and your car as another mortgage payment or funding for their next family vacation, can not only save you thousands of dollars but can also save you from frustration when the job is not done correctly.

Sure there are good, honest mechanics out there, but there are also a number of sharks that will take you for all they can. With a little bit of education this situation can be turned around to our advantage and taking the car in for repairs will no longer feel as painful as having a tooth pulled!

What are “aftermarket parts” on an automobile?

To what does that phrase refer?

any part that you buy that is not stock or not made by the company your car is made by.

Performance Tool w38886 6 Piece 1/2 Drive Large Hex Bit Socket Set 3/8, 1/2 , 9/16, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm $14.23 Wilmar Performance - 6Pc 1/2Dr Hex Bits (3/8In-1/2In- - Hex Sockets / Bits - This part MAY have several vehicle applications. Please inquire when in question....

Performance Tool W38802 Star Bit Socket Set, 12-Piece $11.19 Wilmar W38802 12pc Star Bit Skt Set...

Wilmar W30759 7 Piece Plier Set with Cushion Grip $16.99 Wilmar W30759 7 Piece Plier Set...

Parrot MKi9000 Advanced Bluetooth hands-free car kit for iPod $136.99 BLUETOOTH(R) SCREENLESS HANDS-FREE SYSTEM; NO NEED FOR A SCREEN SYSTEM OFFERS A VOICE MENU FOR ACCESSING ITS FUNCTIONS; BLENDS IN SEAMLESSLY INSIDE ANY VEHICLE; AUTOMATIC PHONEBOOK SYNCHRONIZATION; TRAINING-FREE MULTI-SPEAKER VOICE RECOGNITION; SPEECH SYNTHESIS OF NAMES IN PHONEBOOK; CONTACT MANAGEMENT UP TO 2000 CONTACTS PER PHONE...

Parrot Evolution Bluetooth Car Kit $137.99 BLUETOOTH -ENABLED HANDS-FREE CAR KIT WITH A DASHBOARD-POSITIONED KEYPAD EXTERNAL MICROPHONE & UNDER-DASH CONTROL UNIT; UNIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE PROVIDES VOICE-RECOGNITION DIALING OF UP TO 150 NAMES & REDUCES BACKGROUND NOISE & ECHO; CALLER'S VOICE IS REPRODUCED OVER THE VEHICLE'S STEREO THAT IS AUTOMATICALLY MUTED FOR PHONE CONVERSATIONS; BROWSER BUTTON LETS USER SCROLL THROUGH MENUS & PHONE DIR...

Leather Case + Home Wall Charger + Car Charger Adapter For Blackberry Playbook $6.77 Compatible with: Blackberry Playbook....

XO Vision IR620 Universal IR Wireless Foldable Headphones for In-Car Video Listening $9.98 XO Vision IR620 Universal IR Wireless Foldable Headphones also feature a one-size-fits-all, foldable earcup design, extra foam cushioning for comfort, and conveniently located Volume Control....

Metra 40-GM10 GM Antenna Adapter $0.01 GM factory antenna with mini barbed or barbless plug for aftermarket radio...

Metra 70-1858 Radio Wiring Harness For GM 88-05 Harness $8.95 For 1988+ GM models...

High-Performance Jeep Cherokee XJ Builder's Guide 1984-2001 (S-A Design) $20.93 Ready to turn your Jeep Cherokee XJ into a trail-worthy machine? Why not? With two available 4-wheel-drive systems, solid axles front and rear, and a torquey 4.0-liter straight 6, the Cherokee is a very capable machine, especially when it's modified the right way. This book isn't about cutting apart your Cherokee to build an over-the-top, off-road-only rock crawler (though you can take it there), ...

Royce Leather Automobile Organizer - Black $60 Royce Leather-Keep all your essentials in this genuine leather organizer. Holds manuals, insurance and registration cards, maps and a zippered compartment perfect for this first aid needs. Also includes a flash light, tire gauge and a beautiful silver with gold tone pen.

Royce Leather Automobile Organizer - Tan $60 Royce Leather-Keep all your essentials in this genuine leather organizer. Holds manuals, insurance and registration cards, maps and a zippered compartment perfect for this first aid needs. Also includes a flash light, tire gauge and a beautiful silver with gold tone pen.

Outward Hound Automobile Back Seat Hammock Protector $29.5 Outward Hound Automatic Back Seat Hammock Protector is a great for protecting your car seats and keeps your pet contained while creating a safer drive for you and your pet. It attaches easily to back seats of most vehicles. Proctects your pet from falling into the back seat floor Helps keep your seats and upholstery clean and free of pet hair Creates a barrier to keep pets from climbing into front of vehicle Reduces distractions while driving Product Dimensions: 56"L (door to door) X 59"w (back seat to front seat)

Royce Leather Automobile Utility Case - Purple $24 Royce Leather-The "Must Have" kit for all car owners!

Royce Leather Automobile Utility Case - Black $24 Royce Leather-The "Must Have" kit for all car owners!

Medela Breastmilk Bottle Spare Parts $6.95 Always have clean bottle parts on hand!  Features: Convenient mesh bag for cleaning bottle parts in the dishwasher - and keeping them together! For use with Medela wide base nipples and breastmilk bottles. Perfect for long-term breastmilk storage.

Filstar XP Parts Tray $27.89 Comes with everything you need to replace the intake/outtake system on your XP1, XP2, XP3 or XP4. Includes the following pieces: (1) Outlet pipe (1) Outlet pipe extension tall (1) Outlet pipe extension small (1) Outflow regulator (1) Spraybar outlet (1) Power jet nozzle (1) Inlet pipe (1) Inlet pipe cap (4) 3" Inlet pipe extension tubes (1) Inlet strainer (6) Suction cups (6) Suction cup clamps (4) Flexible tubing clamps

Dr. Browns Replacement Parts Standard Collar 3 Pack $4.99 Dr. Browns Replacement Parts Standard Collar 3 Pack

Dr. Browns Wide-Neck Replacement Parts Insert 2-Pack $4.99 Dr. Browns Wide-Neck Replacement Parts Insert 2-Pack

Dr. Browns Replacement Parts Standard Insert 3 Pack $4.99 Dr. Browns Replacement Parts Standard Insert 3 Pack