Car care

Products that cover a scratch on your car with matching paint or polish it so it shows less.

The complete wiper blade that clears rain off the windshield.

A replacement rubber strip that lets you keep the wiper frame and change only the rubber.

A filter that catches dust in the air coming into the car. Replacing it only fixes odors or weak airflow when a clogged filter is the cause; if the problem continues, have the climate system checked.

A filter that cleans the air going into the engine.

A standard-size bulb (such as H7) that fits headlights, tail lights and other car lamps.

A plug-in fuse that blows during an overcurrent to protect the car's electrical parts.

The cleaning fluid sprayed on the windshield. If the tank is full but nothing comes out, check the nozzles, the pump and whether it has frozen.

The lubricant that keeps the inside of the engine running smoothly. An oil pressure warning light while driving is different from an oil change reminder: pull over somewhere safe, turn off the engine and have it checked.

A liquid that cools the engine and keeps it from freezing in winter. Choose it by the approved specification, not by color, and have the car checked if the level keeps dropping or the coolant turns cloudy.

A gas-filled rod that lifts the trunk lid or liftgate and holds it up.

The bolts and caps that hold the license plate on the car.

There are two kinds: a door edge guard that clips onto the edge of the door, and a body side molding that sticks onto the side. The edge type keeps your own door from getting chipped, while the side type is the one that protects against dings from the car next to you.

A flap mounted behind the wheel to stop mud and stones from being thrown up.

A part that lets you replace only the glass inside the side mirror housing.

A clear film applied over the car's paint to guard against stone chips and scratches.

A cover that goes over the whole car to cut down exposure to dust, sun and snow. It won't completely stop the windshield from icing over.

A clay you rub over the paint to lift out fine contaminants stuck in the surface.

A towel woven from very fine fibers, used for drying and buffing. To reduce fine scratches, shake off any grit and wipe with a clean side.

A glove-shaped washing tool you wear on your hand to scrub the car.

A cleaner that dissolves and lifts iron particles stuck in the paint and wheels.

A cleaner that dissolves tar spots stuck to the car body. For bug splatter, use only a product labeled for that purpose.

A product that leaves a coating on the paint to add shine and make water bead and run off. Synthetic paint sealants are similar but count as a separate product.

A cleaner that scrubs the oily film off the windshield so you can see clearly.

A coating applied to the windshield so rain beads up and runs off. Check for wiper chatter after applying it.

A mat laid on the car floor to catch dirt and water.

The friction material in the braking system that stops the wheels.

The numbers on the sidewall (for example 225/45R17) show the width, aspect ratio and wheel size.

The vehicle battery that powers the starter and electrical systems. A battery warning light can also mean a charging system fault, so get a diagnosis before deciding to replace it.