Throwback Thursday: 1978 Datsun 510 station wagon.

Two- and four-door sedans and a four-door wagon were staples of the 510 series cars, which offered gas mileage generally between 25 and 35 mpg, great reliability, many interchangeable parts and attractive sticker prices. The wagon was discontinued in 1972, but returned in 1978, when a hatchback was also offered.

The unit-body 510s had independent front suspension and four-link coil rear suspensions, except the wagon, which had leaf springs in back. Sedans and hatchbacks had reclining front bucket seats, and all models had fold-down rear seats, carpeted cargo areas, tinted glass, electric rear defrosters, side window defoggers, t... Read more

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

You’ve seen it every day this week, and you’re pretty sure it was like that last week too. When you pulled into your parking stall, the car beside you has its spare tire on. That little compact spare tire, or donut, looks like it’s seen better days. Isn’t there a rule for how far you can drive on a spare tire?

Types of spare tires

Compact, or space-saver tires, known as donuts
Full-size spare tires
A donut is a rudimentary tire, with very little tread or sipes in the tread. It is often undersized in both height and width and is mounted on a basic steel rim.

A full-size spare tire... Read more

5 Signs Your Car Isn't Shifting Correctly

If your car is not shifting properly, you could end up with very expensive transmission repairs. So, how do you know if your car isn’t shifting the way it should? Watch for these signs to avoid serious transmission trouble. Warning light comes on: A warning light alone doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a shifting problem, but if you notice it along with any of the symptoms that follow, you should get it checked out. Car is shifting hard: The car feels as if it’s reluctant to shift gears the way it usually does, or isn’t shifting smoothly. You might notice a clunking or thudding sound when the car shifts gears, or has difficulty ... Read more

CarpartsNigeria Nigeria Quick Site Training

 

CarPartsNigeria.com is one of the leading online car and truck parts and accessories stores in continental Africa. We have a complete selection of high-quality parts for a wide range of new and used vehicle makes and models - offered at the lowest prices. There are millions of inventoried parts in the CarPartNigeria.com database (online & Offline), and the search is quick and simple.

Why is auto parts shopping a challenge in Africa? If the search for the correct replacement and aftermarket vehicle parts and accessories is already giving you headaches, it's time you stop looking elsewhere—--- Try CarPartsNigeri... Read more

Throwback Thursday: Volkswagen Polo Mk1 (86)

The first-generation Polo, a rebadged version of the Audi 50, was introduced in 1975 and was produced until October 1981. By 1979, 500,000 Polos were produced worldwide. It shared the internal designation Typ 86 with the Audi 50.

The differences between the Audi and Volkswagen models were minor, with the Polo being cheaper and much more basic. The two cars were initially sold alongside each other, but the Audi 50 never sold as well, and was withdrawn in 1978. The Polo was manufactured at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg.

In 1977, the Derby saloon was released, which was simply a Polo, identical to the hatchback from the... Read more

5 Car Parts Potholes Can Damage

Potholes are road imperfections that occur when soil compacted beneath pavement becomes weakened or displaced. Roads are particularly likely to form potholes in winter and spring months, when ice and lots of running water disrupt the base layers under the pavement. As cars drive over these weak spots, the pavement deforms, cracks, and chips away, leaving a hole in the road surface. Potholes start small, but grow as traffic hits them, potentially becoming deep or large enough to damage a car.
Over 80% of roads are rated as being in poor condition and are often riddled with potholes. Feeling the jolt from hitting a pothole - and the ... Read more

How Do You Know When Your Transmission Fluid Needs to Be Changed?

Transmission oil or fluid is a vital part of your vehicle’s performance, as it lubricates the various components and inner surfaces of the transmission system to prevent wear over time. Although you rarely need to change transmission fluid other than every 30,000 miles or every other year as a preventative measure, there are instances where you may need a transmission fluid flush more frequently. Promptly consult a mechanic if you notice any of the following symptoms in your vehicle that can indicate it’s time for a transmission fluid change:

Grinding or squealing noises while shifting: These noises aren’t just... Read more

Throwback Thursday: 1957 Ford Thunderbird

For 1957 the front bumper was reshaped, the grille and tailfins were made larger, and larger tail-lights were fitted. The spare wheel moved back inside the trunk, which had been redesigned to allow it to be mounted vertically. The side "Thunderbird" script moved from the fins to the front fenders. A new option was "Dial-o-Matic" 4-way power seats that would move rearward when the ignition was turned off to allow easier exit and entry. In addition to the standard 292 and optional 312 engines, higher performance versions of the 312 were offered, including two with McCulloch superchargers rated at 300 and 340 hp (254 kW) respectively. 1957... Read more

How to Use a Car Diagnostic Tool

In the past, car diagnostic tools were prohibitively expensive. Prior to 1996, an independent technician could expect to pay thousands of dollars for a tool that was compatible with only a single vehicle make. Even after the introduction of onboard diagnostics II (OBD-II), professional scan tools continued to cost thousands of dollars.

Today, you can buy a simple code reader for less than the cost of a movie ticket, and the right accessory can even turn your phone into a scan tool.

Since most of the information you’ll need to interpret trouble codes can be found online, a check engine light no longer has to c... Read more

The Top 5 Things That Will Drain Your Battery

You're late for work and rush out to your car, only to find that it won't start. The headlights are dim and the engine simply refuses to turn over. You realize that your battery is dead. But how did this happen? There are five main causes of car battery drain or failure.

Human error

You’ve probably done this at least once in your life – you come home from work, tired and not really thinking, and left the headlights on or didn't completely close the trunk. Overnight the battery drains, and in the morning your car won’t start. Many new cars alert you if you’ve left your lights on, but may not have a... Read more