Our general FAQ section provides clear answers to the most common automotive questions that apply to all vehicles, regardless of make or model. From understanding routine maintenance schedules and oil change intervals to learning about warning lights, smog checks, brakes, tires, and general car care tips, this category is designed to help every driver. Whether you’re new to car ownership or just want reliable advice, our general FAQs give you the knowledge to keep your vehicle safe, reliable, and road-ready.
What Is an Example of a Crossover? An example of a crossover is the Toyota RAV4, a car-based SUV that blends passenger-car underpinnings with sport-utility styling and ride height. More broadly, “crossover” describes a blend or intersection between categories—appearing in autos, entertainment, science, finance, medicine, and sports—whenever elements from distinct domains combine or cross paths. …
How to Tell if Your Electric Power Steering Motor Is Bad If your electric power steering (EPS) motor is failing, you’ll typically feel a sudden increase in steering effort—often with an EPS or steering-wheel warning light—along with intermittent or total loss of assist, jerky or uneven assist, or unusual electric whine/clunk when you turn the …
Why Your Steering Wheel Is Hard to Turn Even When the Power Steering Fluid Is Full If your steering wheel is hard to turn despite a full reservoir, the most likely culprits are a failing power steering pump, a slipping or broken serpentine belt, a clogged reservoir screen or hose, binding in the steering rack …
Which midsize SUV tows the most? The Dodge Durango, when properly equipped, can tow the most weight among midsize SUVs, with a maximum rating of up to 8,700 pounds. For shoppers who can’t source a V8 Durango, the next-highest factory tow ratings in the class come from the Land Rover Defender and Land Rover Discovery …
How much do sponsors pay NASCAR teams? Sponsors typically pay NASCAR Cup Series teams from roughly $500,000 to $2.5 million per race for primary logo placement, with full-season primary deals commonly ranging between $15 million and $35 million a year at top teams; associate logo packages generally run from about $250,000 to $2 million per …
How Much Should It Cost to Replace a Catalytic Converter? Most catalytic converter replacements in the U.S. run about $300–$1,200 with aftermarket parts and $900–$3,500+ with OEM parts; hybrids, European/luxury models, multi-catalyst systems, and diesels can exceed $4,000–$6,000. Prices vary by vehicle, local labor rates, emissions rules (CARB states typically cost more), and whether additional …
The Four Essentials an Engine Needs to Run An internal-combustion engine needs four fundamentals to operate: air, fuel, compression, and an ignition source—spark for gasoline engines, or heat from compression for diesels. These work together in precise timing to mix and ignite the air-fuel charge, generate power, and keep the engine running smoothly. The Four …
How to Shift a Sequential Transmission To shift a sequential transmission, load the lever lightly in your shift direction, momentarily unload engine torque (brief throttle lift or clutch pull), click one gear at a time, and reapply power; for downshifts, close the throttle, select one lower gear per click, and match revs with a blip …
Can You Run a Normal Engine on Nitromethane? Not safely or successfully: a standard gasoline engine will not run on nitromethane without extensive, purpose-built modifications, and attempting it can cause immediate damage or fire. Nitromethane—famous in Top Fuel drag racing—behaves very differently from gasoline, requiring drastically higher fuel flow, different ignition strategy, compatible materials, and …
Camshaft vs. Crankshaft: What’s the Difference? A camshaft controls when engine valves open and close, while a crankshaft converts the pistons’ up‑and‑down motion into rotational power that turns the wheels. They are synchronized—typically with a belt, chain, or gears—and in a four‑stroke engine the camshaft rotates at half the speed of the crankshaft. This article …
Are the brake light and tail light the same? No—brake lights and tail lights are different functions, even when they share the same housing or LED module. Tail lights are low-intensity “running” lights that illuminate whenever your headlights or automatic lighting are on, while brake lights are brighter, activate only when you press the brake …
When to Change Your Oil: What the Oil-Life Percentage Really Means If your car shows an oil-life percentage, plan your oil change when it drops to around 10–15% and complete the service no later than 0% or the time/mileage limit in your owner’s manual (commonly 7,500–10,000 miles or 12 months with modern synthetics). That quick …
What Are the Little Nubs on Tires Called? The little rubber “hairs” or nubs on tires are called vent spews—also known as vent whiskers or nibs. They form during manufacturing when small amounts of rubber are pushed through tiny vent holes in the mold to let trapped air escape. They have no performance role once …
Can You Still Drive With a Bad Torque Converter? Yes—sometimes—but it’s risky and often short-lived. If the torque converter is only beginning to fail, a vehicle may still move under its own power for limited distances; however, continued driving can quickly escalate to transmission overheating, sudden loss of drive, and expensive damage. The prudent course …
How a Brake Light Is Wired A brake light is typically powered from the battery through a fuse to a brake‑pedal switch, then on to the rear lamps (or a body control module that drives them), and finally to ground; older vehicles send power directly to the bulbs, while many modern vehicles route the switch …
What materials are used to make a car? Modern cars are built from a mix of metals (primarily steel and aluminum), polymers and elastomers (plastics, foams, and rubber), glass, composites, and a growing array of electronic materials and critical minerals; electric vehicles add large lithium‑ion battery systems and powerful magnets or alternative motor materials. Core …
Do torque converters add horsepower? No—torque converters do not add engine horsepower. They can multiply torque at low speeds and improve launch performance, but they also introduce some slip and heat losses until their lock-up clutch engages. In practice, a well-matched converter can make a vehicle feel quicker without increasing the engine’s actual horsepower output. …
The most common combustion engine: the four-stroke, spark‑ignition piston engine The most common combustion engine in use today is the four-stroke, spark‑ignition (Otto‑cycle) piston engine—typically fueled by gasoline and found in the majority of passenger cars and many motorcycles and small machines worldwide; in heavy-duty transport and some passenger vehicles, the four-stroke diesel (compression‑ignition) engine …
How to Unclog a Fuel Injector Without Removing It You can try unclogging fuel injectors in place by running a high-quality PEA-based fuel-system cleaner through the gas tank and, if needed, using a pressurized on-car cleaning kit that feeds cleaner through the fuel rail. These methods can dissolve soft deposits and restore spray patterns; if …
How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add to a V8? On a stock, naturally aspirated V8, a well-designed cold air intake (CAI) typically adds about 5–15 horsepower at the wheels, though some cars see as little as 0–5 hp and others can touch 10–20 hp under ideal conditions. With an ECU tune and …
How a Turbo Works, Explained Simply A turbo uses your engine’s hot exhaust to spin a small turbine that drives a compressor, which forces extra air into the engine; more air plus the right amount of fuel equals more power from the same engine size. A wastegate limits the boost so it doesn’t over-pressurize, an …
What Is the “Pin” on a Tennis Racket? There isn’t a standard part officially called a “pin” on a tennis racket; the term usually refers to one of several small items that look pin-like. Depending on where you see it—at the butt end, in the strings, along the frame holes, or on new-racket packaging—it’s likely …
Where is the safety glass on a vehicle? Safety glass is used in virtually all vehicle glazing: the windshield is always laminated safety glass, while most side and rear windows are tempered safety glass; some models also use laminated glass for front side windows, rear windows, and panoramic roofs. In modern cars, safety glazing is …
How Often Should You Change Your Engine Oil (in Kilometers)? For most modern cars running synthetic oil, plan an oil change every 10,000–15,000 km or about once a year, whichever comes first. If you drive in “severe” conditions (frequent short trips, heavy traffic, towing, extreme heat/cold, dusty roads) or own an older vehicle, aim for …
How to Test a Fuel Pump: Safe, Reliable Methods You Can Use Today You can test a fuel pump by confirming it primes, checking fuel pressure (via a scan tool or mechanical gauge), verifying power and ground at the pump, measuring current draw, and, if needed, performing a flow or leak-down test. In practice, start …
How a Gooseneck Hitch Attaches to a Truck A gooseneck hitch mounts to brackets bolted to the truck’s frame under the bed; a reinforced center section brings a 2-5/16-inch ball up through a hole in the bed—positioned over or just forward of the rear axle—so the trailer’s coupler can lock onto it, with safety chains …
How to Tell If Your Brake Pads Are Bad: The Signs, Checks, and What to Do Most bad brake pads reveal themselves through high-pitched squealing, grinding, longer stopping distances, vibration in the pedal or steering wheel, a brake warning light, or visibly thin pads (about 3 mm or less). If you notice grinding or a …
Can I add a heads-up display to my car? Yes—most drivers can add an aftermarket heads-up display (HUD) to a car without a factory system. Options range from simple GPS or OBD-II units that project speed to more advanced “combiner” displays that mirror navigation and driver data from your phone. Expect prices from about $40 …
The process of supercharging: how engines gain power by forcing in more air Supercharging is the process of compressing and forcing more air into an internal combustion engine—typically via a mechanically or electrically driven compressor—so the engine can burn more fuel per cycle and produce greater torque and power. In practice, a supercharger raises intake …
Which NASCAR driver was an actor? Several NASCAR drivers have crossed into acting. Notable examples include Richard Petty (voice of “The King” in Pixar’s Cars), Jeff Gordon (Cars 2 and Saturday Night Live), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Herbie: Fully Loaded and Cars), and Cale Yarborough (guest roles on The Dukes of Hazzard). Their appearances range from …