PERFORMING A SEARCH BY USING THE "SEARCH BY KEYWORD" FEATURE

A "keyword" can be one of the following:

• a "word" or word-based text string that may or may not include symbols or numbers but does NOT include any spaces
• a VW part number (you must use hyphens as separators, not spaces)
• a manufacturer's part number (you must use use hyphens as separators, not spaces)

The keyword search function will only effectively search on a SINGLE WORD SEARCH TERM (no Boolean expressions or multiple word combinations). Basically, anything you type in that contains a SPACE will NOT search properly. Your search will find any match for the exact combination of letters, symbols, and numbers that you type in.

Tips and Details for a Search by Word-Based Keyword

In its current form, the keyword search compares your keyword to the database of PRODUCT NAMES and to the list of assigned KEYWORDS. It will find your exact search term as a discrete word OR as a word within a word. For example, if you are looking for a "fuel pump" for your car, you can search either fuel (which will give you any part with fuel in the name) or pump (which would also give you waterpump, IF we carried such an item). If you type in "cam" looking for a camshaft, you are also going to get "matches" of camber adjusters, camshaft, cam bearings, cam plug, Web-Cam, and camber compensator. Notice that all these have "cam" in their product name. It's important to keep this in mind when choosing your search term.

Tips and Details for a Search by VW Part Number

The keyword search area is also designed to search for the VW part number. For example, if you are searching for a master cylinder for a 70' type 2, you might know (from a VW parts book, or RMMW's catalog) that the VW part number is 211 611 021T. If you would like to search for this part, use that number separated by HYPHENS. In this example you would use "211-611-021T" for your search. To further ensure that you zero in on the correct part, you should omit the "T" since the T is a subclass of that part. This is important because not every vendor uses the exact VW numbering system, especially when it comes to the last letter. The "same" part can have a "G" ending for German or "BR" for Brazilian (by some vendors). If you leave this last letter off, you will come up with matches that will get you very close to what you are looking for.

Tips and Details for a Search by Manufacturer's Number

Our keyword search function also accommodates searches for a SUPPLIER or MANUFACTURER'S part number! So, if you are looking for a West Coast Metric Deluxe Door Kit for a 64 Bug Sedan, and have their catalog, the most direct way to find it using our search engine is to look up the WCM part number (111-0660) and type it in as a keyword. If these numbers have a suffix like "F", "J", etc., we recommend you leave it off, since the suffix indicates a subclass of the major class. In the example above, you will find door restoration kit, and then the product details will offer you your choice of the specific Kit you are seeking (Cal-Look vs. American Look, etc.) It's always more effective to search for a broader term than the detailed one when searching via VW or supplier part numbers.

PERFORMING A SEARCH BY USING THE "SEARCH BY CATEGORY" FEATURE

Of course, there is always the Search by Category option as well (a little more cumbersome for zeroing in on a single part, but searching this way eliminates the guesswork associated with finding the right keyword!) Simply select the appropriate category from our drop-down category list, then subsequently select the subcategory in which the part you are seeking is most likely to belong.

HELP US MAKE OUR CATALOG EVEN EASIER TO SEARCH!

Can't find something?

Please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail if you are having trouble finding a particular part on our site. It could be a glitch in our database (we are still working all the kinks out), or we may not have added that part yet. It could also be that we need to add a new search keyword!

…which brings up one more important point. Many parts have more than one name they are referred to by. We are in the process of expanding our assigned keywords to include alternate spellings and versions of a part name or reference. This is gradually being implemented as we expand our database. If you are unsuccessful at finding an item using a keyword that you think should be addedd, please drop us a quick email and we will add it! In that way, you can help make our search system even better for yourself and future users!

In any case, a simple email will help both of us out and may provide a quick answer to whether or not we carry that particular product you are searching for.

MANY parts we carry are not in the database yet. Don't hesitate to email us and ask for something you need! Hopefully you can imagine the immense undertaking of cataloging, describing, and listing the thousands of parts we carry. Just the task of organizing many of these parts in a cyber-medium is much more complicated than it first seems. (This is part of the delay in listing our interior products: model, color, fabric, and style all affect price, for example).

Our goal is to make it so that our parts catalog and associated search methods are easy and effective for YOU to use to find a specific part you need. To make this happen for every part in a catalog of 10,000+ is no simple task, and simply "throwing it up online" is NOT satisfactory for us - we are determined to do this right! We also welcome your suggestions for product keywords and other ideas at .