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Parts Unknown
How to make sure your car parts are up to speed
By mark richardson
about
30,000 parts, from spark plugs and
pistons to each small screw that helps
hold those thousands of parts in place.
While there are no strict government
standards for auto parts, there are
clearly defined specifications from
the vehicle’s manufacturer for those
thousands of parts. They must be the
The average car contains
Good,
Better, Best
replacement parts are
often sold according to quality,
so what’s the difference?
correct size, of course, but they must
also be built to precise tolerances to
ensure they don’t break or wear out
too quickly. A screw securing a door
lock must be tightened to a set torque;
brake pads must be able to withstand
particular temperatures.
When the time comes to replace a
component, how can you be sure it’s
authentic and the best part for the job?
Start by purchasing it from a trusted,
reputable source, says Michael Raven,
director of major accounts for NAPA
Canada Inc., which operates 19 stores
in Manitoba.
“Our product team works with a
global supply chain to ensure we have
the best fit for specific parts. We also
source top-tier vehicle parts for the
Canadian marketplace,” Raven says.
When purchasing a part for your
vehicle—ideally from a NAPA store
or CAA Approved Auto Repair
Services (AARS) garage—a service
tech should advise you on the choices
available, and make sure all parts
have a warranty. “Any trustworthy
facility will assess your driving habits
and conditions to determine the best
option for your vehicle,” Raven adds.
Aftermarket parts are often
manufactured by the same companies
that made the original parts for
the automaker. “Over the years, the
aftermarket has worked out all the
kinks,” says Bryce Perry, NAPA’s
general sales manager for Manitoba.
“If warranty claims keep coming back
on a certain part, the manufacturer will
fix it to make that part better.”
Reputable stores like NAPA also
conduct regular quality checks on
parts. But be wary of online purchases:
It’s buyer beware if you Google a
replacement part and order it from a
foreign source, which may not follow
your automaker’s specs.
So how can you be sure of a part’s
quality? “Ask questions,” Perry
suggests. “Does it meet the automaker’s
minimum standards? Where is the
manufacturer based? You can even
look at the packaging and see if it’s
in French and English, which would
indicate it’s standard for Canada.”
GOOD BETTER BEST
meets the automaker’s
minimum original requirements.
safe to use, but may not last as
long, or work as effectively as
possible. a good option if you
don’t plan to keep the vehicle. improved over the
original part, so it might
last longer or perform
better than when the vehicle
was new. it will be a bit
more expensive. the latest model of part
using the most up-to-
date technology. over the
long term, it will probably
give the best value for your
repair budget.
cAA maNitoBa
fall 2018
29