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 drains gas the most? In cars, the biggest drain on gasoline is sustained high speed combined with aggressive acceleration and braking; in homes that use natural gas, space heating consumes the most. Below is a clear breakdown of the top drivers of fuel use in both contexts, with data-backed rankings and practical ways to …
What is the benefit of a dual cam? In most contexts, “dual cam” means using two cams or two camera modules to improve performance, precision, or versatility. The specific benefits depend on the field: in engines (dual overhead cam, or DOHC) it boosts power potential and valve control; in compound bows it increases speed and …
What Is Drafting in Racing? Drafting—also called slipstreaming—is when a competitor follows closely behind another to sit in the low-pressure wake, cutting aerodynamic drag to save energy, conserve fuel or tires, and sometimes gain a speed boost for an overtake. It’s common in motorsports, cycling, triathlon, speed skating, and even running, and its effectiveness rises …
How to Tell When Your Fuel Injectors Need to Be Replaced If your engine idles roughly, misfires, smells strongly of fuel, shows fuel trims beyond about ±10%, or fails injector circuit/balance tests, your fuel injectors may need replacement. In most vehicles, injectors aren’t a routine-maintenance item; they’re replaced when they’re electrically faulty, mechanically worn, leaking, …
What Is a Power Door Lock in a Car? A power door lock is an electrically controlled mechanism that locks and unlocks a vehicle’s doors at the push of a button or automatically via sensors, a key fob, or the car’s computer. In modern cars, it’s part of a central locking system that coordinates all …
When Your ABS Light Comes On: What It Means and What to Do If your automatic/anti-lock brake system (ABS) light comes on and stays on, it means the ABS has detected a fault and is disabled; your basic brakes still work, but anti-lock, traction control, and stability control features may not. The light warrants prompt …
Who Is the Lowrider in Pixar’s Cars? The lowrider in Cars is Ramone. A flamboyant custom cruiser inspired by a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, Ramone owns Ramone’s House of Body Art in Radiator Springs, sports ever-changing paint jobs, and is voiced by Cheech Marin across the main films. His laid-back motto—“Low and slow”—and his deep ties …
How Much Is a 4‑Wheel‑Drive Differential? For most 4WD vehicles in the U.S., a differential runs about $900–$2,500 for the part alone and roughly $1,500–$4,500 installed; heavy‑duty or late‑model trucks and SUVs can reach $3,000–$6,500 installed. Costs vary by axle (front, rear, or center), vehicle, whether you buy new OEM, remanufactured, aftermarket, or used, and …
Battery or Alternator? How to Tell What’s Failing in Your Car If your car cranks slowly, won’t start, or dies while driving, check voltage: a healthy battery reads about 12.6V with the engine off, while a running engine should show roughly 13.8–14.7V at the battery; under 9.6V during cranking points to a weak battery, and …
What Should I Name My Bike (Male)? Pick a name that matches your bike’s look and your riding vibe—strong options include Atlas, Maverick, Bolt, Titan, Ghost, Blue Steel, Vigo, Finn, Onyx, and Ares. Think about its color, purpose, and personality, then choose a name you enjoy saying before every ride. How to Pick a Name …
Can I convert my car to run on vegetable oil? Yes, but only certain older diesel vehicles can be reliably converted to run on straight or waste vegetable oil, and on-road use is often restricted or illegal in some places due to emissions rules. Gasoline engines cannot run on vegetable oil. For most drivers, legally …
Anti-lock Brakes Theory Tests: What They Are and What You Need to Know Anti-lock brakes theory tests are the knowledge-based questions in driving and motorcycle written exams that assess your understanding of anti-lock braking systems (ABS)—how they work, what the dashboard warning light means, how to brake in an emergency, and the system’s limits. They …
What Do the Numbers on Gas Pumps Mean? The numbers you see on gasoline pumps—typically 87, 89, 91, or 93 in the U.S. and 95 or 98 in many other countries—indicate the fuel’s octane rating, a measure of its resistance to engine knock; for diesel, the number is a cetane rating, which reflects how readily …
What a Car’s Clutch Does—and Why It Matters The clutch in a car temporarily connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission so you can start smoothly, change gears, and stop without stalling. In manuals, your left pedal controls this directly; in automatics and dual-clutch systems, the same job is handled automatically by a torque …
Does a Car Wash Clean the Undercarriage? Yes—if the car wash offers an undercarriage (underbody) spray and you select that option; many basic wash packages do not include it. The availability and effectiveness vary by wash type, but high-pressure jets beneath the vehicle can help remove salt, mud, and grime that accelerate corrosion, especially in …
How much does it cost to replace a brake light? Expect to pay about $5–$20 to DIY a basic bulb replacement, $40–$100 at an independent shop, $80–$150 at a dealership, and $150–$900+ if your vehicle uses an integrated LED tail-lamp assembly. Costs vary with bulb type (incandescent vs. LED), vehicle design, and whether a full …
What Kind of Engine Do NASCARs Have? NASCAR Cup Series cars run naturally aspirated, pushrod V8 engines with a maximum displacement of 358 cubic inches (5.86 liters). Built by Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, these iron-block, aluminum-head engines use electronic fuel injection and Sunoco Green E15 fuel, producing roughly 650–700 horsepower at most tracks and about …
What the Engine Coil Does The engine (ignition) coil transforms the car’s 12-volt battery power into tens of thousands of volts to jump the spark plug gap and ignite the air-fuel mixture; without it, a gasoline engine won’t run. In practical terms, the coil is the heart of the spark-ignition system, controlled by the engine …
How much does it cost to put a car alarm? Expect to pay about $250–$450 for a basic professionally installed car alarm in the U.S. as of 2025, and $500–$1,200 for advanced systems with two-way remotes, remote start, smartphone control, or GPS tracking; DIY parts can run $60–$300. The final price varies by vehicle, features, …
How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add Without a Tune? On most stock cars, a cold air intake adds roughly 0–5 horsepower at the wheels on naturally aspirated engines and about 3–10 horsepower on many turbocharged engines—often near the top of the rev range. The most noticeable changes without a tune are intake …
Crossover vs. SUV: What’s the Difference? A crossover is typically built on a unibody, car-derived platform aimed at comfort and efficiency, while a traditional SUV uses a body-on-frame, truck-style chassis optimized for heavy towing and rugged off-road use; in today’s market, most vehicles marketed as “SUVs” are actually crossovers. The distinction comes down to how …
How to Tell If Your Coolant Thermostat Is Bad A bad thermostat usually shows up as either chronic underheating (engine takes too long to warm up, weak cabin heat, code P0128) or overheating (rapid temperature rise, boiling coolant, hot smell) with abnormal radiator-hose temperatures. Watch the dash gauge, feel the hoses as the engine warms, …
What a 105 Load Rating Means on a Tire A 105 load rating (load index) on a tire means it can carry up to 2,039 pounds (925 kilograms) per tire when properly inflated in single-tire fitment. This number is standardized and indicates the tire’s maximum load-carrying capacity; it is not the same as load range …
Which side of the road is left and right? The left side of the road is the half to your left when you face forward in the direction you’re traveling; the right side is the half to your right. Most countries (about two-thirds) drive on the right-hand side, while a significant minority drive on the …
What It Means When a Tire Is Underinflated An underinflated tire has less air pressure than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure, which reduces load capacity, increases heat buildup and tread wear, worsens fuel economy and handling, and raises the risk of a blowout. In practice, it means the tire’s internal air pressure (measured …
Catalytic converter theft: the car most likely to be targeted The Toyota Prius—especially older second-generation models from 2004 to 2009—is the car most likely to have its catalytic converter stolen in the United States. Hybrids like the Prius carry converters with higher precious‑metal content, and the car’s underbody design makes the part relatively quick to …
The best used convertible to buy right now The Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND generation, 2019–2024) is the best used convertible for most buyers thanks to its outstanding reliability, low running costs, engaging drive, and strong resale value. If you need four seats, regularly cruise long distances, or want more power or luxury, several excellent alternatives …
Leaf Springs Explained: What They Are and How They Work A leaf spring is a curved, layered beam—traditionally steel, increasingly composite—used in vehicle suspensions to support weight, locate the axle, and absorb road shocks. It works by flexing under load: as the spring bends, it stores and releases energy, while shackles accommodate the spring’s changing …
What It Costs to Fix a Front Suspension in 2025 For most cars in the U.S., fixing a front suspension issue typically ranges from $300 to $1,500; replacing both front struts with an alignment commonly lands between $600 and $1,800. Premium brands, trucks, and vehicles with adaptive or air suspension can run $1,800 to $4,500+ …
The best shape for a dragster The best all-around shape for a dragster is a long, slender, teardrop-like body with a sharp nose, minimal frontal area, and a gradual “boat-tail” taper at the rear; when rules allow, fully enclosing the wheels dramatically cuts drag. In practice, “best” depends on purpose: land-speed streamliners favor near-perfect streamlining, …