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.
Can You Reverse with an Equal-i-zer Hitch? Yes. The Equal-i-zer weight-distribution hitch is designed to allow backing up without disconnecting, including moderate turns, as long as you avoid jackknifing and proceed slowly. In extremely tight or uneven situations where parts could bind, it’s wise to temporarily remove the spring bars before completing the maneuver. What …
Deep Cycle vs. Starting Battery: What’s the Real Difference? A deep cycle battery is built to deliver steady power over long periods and tolerate repeated deep discharges, while a starting (cranking) battery is designed to provide a short, high-current burst to start an engine and should not be routinely discharged deeply. In practice, use deep …
How to Make Out in a Car, Safely and Respectfully The essentials: park legally in a private, safe spot; get enthusiastic, ongoing consent from an adult partner; keep the engine off; adjust seats for comfort; communicate and move at a pace that respects both people’s boundaries; and stop if anything feels off or unsafe. Below, …
Good Racing Names: Standout Ideas and How to Create Your Own Good racing names are short, punchy, and evocative—think Apex Fury, Jetstream Nova, Carbon Viper, Scarlet Comet, Thunderlane, VeloSpectre, Phoenix Throttle, and Silver Sovereign. They signal speed, power, and personality at a glance. Whether you need a moniker for motorsport, horses, greyhounds, running teams, or …
Who Created HowStuffWorks? Marshall Brain created HowStuffWorks in 1998. The author and entrepreneur launched the site to explain the mechanics of everyday objects and technologies in plain language; it later evolved into a wide-ranging digital media brand known for explanatory articles and hit podcasts. The Founder: Marshall Brain Marshall Brain is an American writer, educator, …
Power Windows vs. Manual (“Normal”) Windows: What’s the Difference? Power windows are electrically operated via switches and motors, while normal (manual) windows use a hand crank and mechanical gears; power windows offer greater convenience and safety features but introduce more complexity, cost, and potential failure points, whereas manual windows are simpler, lighter, cheaper to repair, …
What are “marbles” in racing? Marbles are small balls and strips of rubber debris shed from tires that accumulate off the racing line, making the surface slippery and hazardous; they shape overtaking, tire management, and strategy across series such as Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, sports cars, and MotoGP. The term describes how rubber torn from …
How to tell if an engine coil is bad You can tell an ignition coil is failing by confirming misfire or coil-circuit trouble codes with a scan tool (P030x/P035x), noting symptoms like rough idle and loss of power, and validating with simple tests such as a coil “swap test,” a spark tester, and checks for …
Why Your Car’s Brakes Make a Flapping Sound A flapping sound from your brakes usually points to something rubbing a rotating part (like the rotor or drum) or a loose/damaged piece of brake hardware. It’s typically rhythmic and changes with speed. Often the cause is debris, a bent shield, worn pads, or loose clips—issues that …
How much will synthetic fuel cost? Today, true synthetic “e‑fuels” made from green hydrogen and captured CO2 typically cost about $3–7 per liter (€2.8–6.5/L) at plant gate for e‑gasoline/e‑diesel, $2–4/L (€1.9–3.7/L) for e‑kerosene, and $0.9–1.6/L (€0.8–1.5/L) for e‑methanol, with retail prices higher after taxes and distribution; by around 2030, best‑location projects are expected to fall …
Can You Roll Back Mileage on a Digital Odometer? Yes—rolling back a digital odometer is technically possible, but it is illegal in many jurisdictions and increasingly difficult to hide because modern vehicles store mileage across multiple electronic modules. Buyers should verify history, inspect records, and scan vehicle systems to detect inconsistencies. What Digital Odometers Are …
Is Curb Weight the Same as GVWR? No—curb weight and GVWR are not the same. Curb weight is how much a vehicle weighs ready to drive with all standard fluids and a full tank of fuel, but without people or cargo. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum total weight the vehicle is allowed …
What Is a Transmission Clutch? A transmission clutch is a mechanical device that temporarily connects and disconnects the engine from the drivetrain so a vehicle can start smoothly, change gears, or stop without stalling. In practical terms, it controls the flow of power from the engine to the wheels. While classic manual transmissions use a …
What Is the Most Cost-Effective Car to Run in 2025? For most drivers today, the most cost-effective car to run is a small, reliable hybrid—think Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Toyota Prius—because they combine very low fuel use with minimal maintenance and strong resale value; if you have affordable home charging and drive a typical annual …
Where is the transmission in my car? In most cars, the transmission is bolted directly to the engine: in front‑wheel‑drive vehicles it sits to one side of the engine bay as a transaxle, while in rear‑wheel‑drive vehicles it’s mounted behind the engine along the center tunnel; all‑/four‑wheel‑drive setups add a transfer case or power‑transfer unit. …
Do We Still Use Combustion Engines? Yes—combustion engines are still widely used across the world in road transport, aviation, shipping, agriculture, construction, and backup power. While electric and other zero-emission technologies are growing fast and many governments plan to end sales of new gasoline and diesel cars around 2035, internal combustion engines (ICE) remain dominant …
Does regenerative braking actually use the brakes? Mostly no. Regenerative braking slows a vehicle by running the electric motor as a generator to recover energy, so the friction brake pads and rotors often aren’t applied. However, the car will blend in the conventional brakes whenever extra stopping power is needed or when regeneration is limited …
How Many Miles Should You Drive Before an Oil Change? For most modern cars running full-synthetic oil, plan an oil change every 7,500–10,000 miles (12,000–16,000 km) or about once a year. If you drive in severe conditions or use conventional oil, shorten that to 3,000–5,000 miles (5,000–8,000 km). Always follow your owner’s manual or your …
Can I Increase My Tongue Weight Capacity? In most cases, you cannot legally increase your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity beyond the lowest-rated component, but you can sometimes raise your usable tongue weight by installing a higher-rated, frame-mounted hitch and using a properly sized weight-distribution system—provided you still stay within the vehicle’s payload and axle limits. …
How a Trailer Bearing Works A trailer bearing lets the trailer wheel spin smoothly around a fixed spindle by rolling tapered rollers between two hardened races, carrying both vertical (radial) and side (axial) loads while being kept lubricated and slightly loose (with minimal end play) to prevent overheating. In practice, a pair of tapered roller …
What Is a Clutch‑Based Limited Slip Differential? A clutch‑based limited slip differential (LSD) is a mechanical differential that uses stacks of friction plates and discs to limit the speed difference between left and right drive wheels, automatically biasing torque to the wheel with more grip while still allowing some differential action for turning. It improves …
When Should You Use Brake Cleaner? You should use brake cleaner to quickly remove oil, grease, and brake dust from bare metal brake components—such as rotors, caliper brackets, and hardware—during brake service or preparation. Avoid spraying it on rubber, plastic, painted surfaces, or brake friction material (pads/shoes), and never use it on hot parts. If …
What socket size do you need for an oil change? Most passenger cars use a 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, or 19mm socket for the oil drain plug, but the exact size varies by vehicle; many Asian brands are 14mm or 17mm, many domestic brands are 15mm, and some European models use 19mm or internal hex …
Are “flying cars” real? The 2025 state of play Yes—companies are building and certifying aircraft that take off and land vertically, and a few “roadable” airplanes exist, but mass‑market, drive‑and‑fly personal vehicles are not here yet. Limited, regulator‑approved passenger demonstrations have begun (notably in China), and several firms target initial air‑taxi services in 2025–2026, pending …
Driving Without a Gas Cap: What Really Happens If you drive with no gas cap, your car will usually run normally, but you’ll likely trigger a Check Engine Light due to an EVAP system “gross leak,” release more fuel vapors, risk fuel smells and minor evaporation losses, and you could fail an emissions/inspection test; replace …
How Flying Cars Handle Emergencies They rely on layered safety: redundant propulsion and controls, automation that detects faults and suggests or executes an immediate landing, defined emergency routes and pads on the ground, and—depending on the model—tools like autorotation, gliding, or ballistic parachutes. In practice, today’s “flying cars” (a mix of roadable aircraft and electric …
Throttle Control Sensor Repair Costs in 2025: What Drivers Should Expect Expect to pay about $75–$450 to replace a standalone throttle position sensor (TPS) and roughly $300–$900 if your vehicle requires replacing the entire electronic throttle body (ETB) assembly that includes the sensor; luxury or high-performance models can run $500–$1,200+. Prices vary by vehicle, parts …
How to Tell if Your Carburetor Is Working Properly If your carburetor is working properly, the engine should start reliably hot and cold, idle steadily at the specified RPM, accelerate without hesitation, deliver normal fuel economy, run without strong fuel smells, and show no black smoke from the exhaust or fuel leaks. In practical terms, …
Can You Put a Supercharger on Any Car? You can’t put a supercharger on every car, but many gasoline engines can be supercharged if space, engine strength, fueling, cooling, tuning access, and legal compliance line up; the most reliable path is using a vehicle-specific kit. In practical terms, success depends on whether the engine and …
How Much Does a Pinion Cost? Price Ranges, Drivers, and Buying Tips for 2025 For most buyers, a pinion gear costs anywhere from $10 to $300, with small hobby pinions at $5–$25, automotive ring-and-pinion sets at $200–$600, and heavy industrial pinions ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Actual pricing varies by size, …