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.
How Much Is AAA Roadside Assistance in 2025? AAA roadside assistance is typically included with an annual AAA membership that ranges about $60–$200 per year in the U.S., depending on your region and plan (Classic, Plus, or Premier). Some areas also offer pay-per-use or “same-day” service options for non-members or new members, which can run …
How Much Is a Daytona 500 Car? A fully prepared NASCAR Cup Series “Next Gen” car capable of racing in the Daytona 500 typically costs about $400,000 to $650,000 to field, depending on specification and spares. Teams also bring a backup car and consume tires, fuel, and parts across Speedweeks, pushing the total spend for …
What Happens If Air Gets in Your Power Steering Pump Air in a power steering pump aerates the fluid, causing whining or groaning noises, foamy fluid, jerky or heavy steering, and reduced assist; left unresolved, it can overheat the fluid and damage the pump and steering rack. This article explains why air is harmful, how …
AT vs. DSG: What’s the Difference, and Which One Suits You? AT (automatic transmission with a torque converter) uses fluid coupling and planetary gears to shift automatically, while DSG (dual‑clutch gearbox) is essentially an automated manual with two clutches that pre-select gears for ultra-quick changes. ATs are typically smoother in stop‑and‑go traffic and better for …
What Is the Electronic Brake Distribution System? Electronic Brake Distribution—more commonly called Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)—is a safety feature that automatically adjusts braking force at each wheel based on load, grip, speed, and driver input, helping keep the vehicle stable and shorten stopping distances under a wide range of conditions. In modern cars, EBD works …
How to tell if your clutch or gearbox has failed In brief, a failing clutch typically shows as rising engine revs without matching road speed (slip), a burning smell, and changes in pedal feel or bite point; a failing gearbox (manual or automatic) more often causes grinding/whining noises, difficulty selecting gears, harsh or delayed shifts, …
What Is a Three-Function Combination Valve? A three-function combination valve is a single hydraulic block used primarily in automotive brake systems that integrates three key controls: a metering (hold-off) valve, a proportioning valve, and a pressure-differential switch. In practical terms, it balances brake pressure between front and rear circuits, delays front-disc engagement on disc/drum setups …
Is an ABS Warning Light Expensive to Fix? Usually, no—but it depends on the cause. Diagnosing an ABS light typically costs $80–$150, and common fixes like a wheel-speed sensor run $150–$400. Bigger repairs, such as an ABS control module or hydraulic unit, can reach $700–$1,500+. You can still brake with the light on, but anti-lock, …
Can a half-ton truck carry 2,000 lbs? Yes—some modern half-ton pickups can legally carry 2,000 lbs, but many common trims cannot. Whether yours can depends on its exact payload rating (on the door-jamb sticker), and the 2,000 lbs must include all passengers, cargo, accessories, and any trailer tongue weight. In practice, only certain configurations—often base …
How to Reset Power Steering There is no single universal reset for power steering: electric systems (EPS) can often be recalibrated with a lock-to-lock steering and ignition cycle or via a scan tool, while hydraulic systems are “reset” by bleeding air from the fluid circuit. If a power steering warning light remains on or steering …
How Much Tongue Weight Should a Boat Trailer Carry? Put 5–10% of the boat trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW) on the tongue; many experienced riggers aim toward 7–10% for better stability. This range balances sway control with proper steering and braking without overloading the hitch. Why Tongue Weight Matters Tongue weight is the downward force …
Which Brake Shoe Goes in Front on Drum Brakes? The front position takes the primary shoe—the one with the shorter friction lining—while the rear position takes the secondary shoe with the longer lining. This orientation is critical on most automotive duo-servo drum brakes, ensuring proper self-energizing action, balanced braking, and correct parking brake function. What …
Do I Need a New Fuse Box in My Car? How to Tell, What to Check, and What It Might Cost You likely need a new fuse box (also called a fuse/relay panel, power distribution center, TIPM, IPDM, or junction box) only if you see heat damage or melting, corrosion, a burnt smell, loose or …
Do car speedometers show actual speed? Generally, no. Most modern car speedometers are designed to read slightly higher than your true road speed. In many regions (including the EU/UK, Australia, Japan, and other UNECE signatories), regulations require that the indicated speed must never be lower than actual speed and may legally over-read by up to …
Symptoms of a Bad Crankshaft Bearing Typical symptoms of a failing crankshaft bearing include a deep engine knock under load (often called “rod knock”), low hot-idle oil pressure or an oil-pressure warning light, metallic glitter in the oil or filter, a low-frequency rumble at idle (main bearing wear), excessive crankshaft end play causing clutch-related noises …
What’s the Proper Name for Old Cars? The most widely used name is “classic cars,” but the right term depends on age, region, and condition; other accurate labels include “antique,” “vintage,” and “historic vehicle,” while informal names like “jalopy” or “clunker” describe worn condition rather than heritage. Below, we explain how enthusiasts, clubs, and governments …
What “Differential” Means—and How Its Definition Changes by Field It generally means “relating to a difference or a small change.” In everyday use, differential describes a distinction or gap; in mathematics, it refers to an infinitesimal change (dx) or a linear approximation (df); in medicine, it’s a ranked list of possible diagnoses; and in engineering—especially …
When MTBE Was Eliminated from Gasoline In the United States, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was effectively eliminated from most gasoline by mid-2006, particularly after May 2006, when refiners rapidly switched to ethanol; earlier state bans—most notably in California and New York in 2004—accelerated the phaseout. There was no single nationwide ban, but a combination of …
Can You Drive a Car With a Faulty Ignition Coil? You can technically drive a short distance with a faulty ignition coil, but it’s unsafe and risks expensive damage—especially to the catalytic converter—so it’s best to stop and arrange repairs or a tow if the check-engine light is flashing, the engine is shaking, or there’s …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Blinker? For most cars, replacing a standard turn-signal “blinker” bulb costs about $35–$75 at an independent shop (parts and labor) or $5–$20 if you do it yourself. Vehicles with LED or integrated lamp assemblies often run $150–$400+, and some luxury or sealed headlamp units can exceed $1,000. …
What Size Is a Standard Car Battery Terminal Nut? Most passenger vehicles use a 10 mm wrench or socket for the battery’s top‑post terminal clamp nut; on GM-style side‑post batteries, the terminal bolt typically takes an 8 mm (5/16″) wrench. While 10 mm is the most common “standard,” some vehicles and aftermarket parts may vary …
Is it illegal to ride in a fifth wheel while driving? Often yes—riding in a fifth-wheel trailer is illegal or tightly restricted in many places. In the United States, rules vary by state: some ban passengers in any towed trailer, while others allow riding in a fifth wheel only if strict safety conditions are met …
What Counts as Hydroplaning Hydroplaning (also called aquaplaning) counts as any situation where a vehicle’s tires ride up on a film of water (or slush), partially or completely losing direct contact with the road so that steering, braking, and acceleration inputs no longer translate normally. In practice, that means even a brief, partial loss of …
At What Speed Do Airbags Open? Airbags don’t deploy at a specific vehicle speed; they deploy when sensors detect a crash force (deceleration/“delta‑V”) consistent with a moderate to severe impact—roughly equivalent to hitting a rigid wall at about 10–16 mph (16–26 km/h) for unbelted occupants and around 16–28 mph (26–45 km/h) for belted occupants. Side …
How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add? Expect a modest bump: on most stock, modern engines, a cold air intake typically adds about 0–5 horsepower at the wheels; in best‑case scenarios with a restrictive factory system or supportive tuning, gains can reach 5–15 hp. Turbocharged engines often see 0–5 hp on stock tunes …
How to Test if Your O2 Sensor Is Working Use a scan tool to read live data: a healthy upstream narrowband O2 sensor rapidly switches between roughly 0.1–0.9V at hot idle (about 1–3 times per second), while a wideband/air-fuel (A/F) sensor reports lambda near 1.00 and reacts quickly to induced rich/lean changes; verify the heater …
Why Gas Prices End in 9/10: What the “Extra 9” Really Means It represents nine-tenths of a cent. When a sign shows, for example, $3.29 with a small “9/10,” the actual price is $3.299 per gallon (or per liter in some countries). This fractional-cent pricing dates back to early fuel taxes and Depression-era price wars, …
What Is Horizontal and Vertical Acceleration? Horizontal acceleration is the rate of change of velocity along the x-axis, and vertical acceleration is the rate of change of velocity along the y-axis; in ideal projectile motion near Earth (neglecting air resistance), horizontal acceleration is zero while vertical acceleration equals −g ≈ −9.81 m/s² downward. These components …
How to get your vehicle title from the State of Kansas To get a Kansas vehicle title, apply through your county treasurer’s motor vehicle office with proof of ownership, a completed title application, proof of insurance, and payment of taxes and fees. Do this within 60 days of purchase (or after receiving the necessary documents), …
What a Weight Distribution Hitch Does—and Why It Matters for Safer Towing A distribution hitch—more precisely, a weight distribution (WD) hitch—uses spring bars to transfer some of a trailer’s tongue weight from the tow vehicle’s rear axle to its front axle and back to the trailer axles, leveling the rig and improving steering, braking, and …