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 a Motor in a Car? In 2025, replacing a gasoline or diesel car’s “motor” (engine) typically runs $3,500–$12,000+ installed, while replacing an electric vehicle’s traction motor usually costs $4,000–$12,000 installed; parts-only prices are often $1,000–$9,000 for used/rebuilt engines and $2,000–$8,000 for EV motors, with labor, fluids, and programming adding $1,000–$4,000. The exact …
How Serious Is a Transmission Oil Leak—and What You Should Do Yes, a transmission oil (fluid) leak is serious. Even a small leak can lead to low fluid, overheating, slipping, and rapid internal damage; if you see active dripping or notice shifting problems, stop driving and arrange a tow. Minor seeping without symptoms still needs …
Steering Rack Replacement Costs: What Drivers Should Expect in 2025 Expect to pay roughly $900–$2,200 for a steering rack replacement on most cars in the U.S., with economy models sometimes as low as $600–$1,200 and trucks or luxury vehicles often $1,500–$3,500 or more. Prices vary based on whether the rack is hydraulic or electric, the …
What “105” Means on a Tyre On most car, SUV, and van tyres, “105” is the load index: it means the tyre can carry up to 925 kg (about 2,039 lb) at its rated pressure and speed. You’ll typically see it as part of the service description after the size, for example “255/50 R20 105V.” …
Are there sensors in the road for traffic lights? Yes. Many traffic lights use in-road sensors—most commonly inductive loop detectors and embedded magnetometers—to detect vehicles and adjust signal timing, while others rely on overhead technologies like cameras and radar. These systems help manage traffic flow, reduce delays, and improve safety by adapting to real-time conditions. …
Do you still have to pay for a car if it gets stolen? Yes. If your car is stolen, you generally must keep making loan or lease payments until your lender or lessor is paid off. Comprehensive auto insurance can pay the vehicle’s actual cash value (minus your deductible), and gap insurance can cover any …
Engine Components: The Essential Parts That Make an Internal Combustion Engine Run The main components of a modern four-stroke internal combustion engine include the engine block and cylinders; pistons, piston rings, wrist pins, and connecting rods; the crankshaft and flywheel; the cylinder head with valves, springs, and camshaft(s) driven by a timing belt/chain/gears; intake and …
Automatic vs. Manual: Which Is Better? It depends on what you’re doing and what you value: automatic systems typically win on convenience, consistency, and accessibility, while manual systems excel in control, engagement, and simplicity. The right choice varies by domain—cars, watches, cameras, coffee gear, even toothbrushes—so here’s how to decide based on current technology and …
What Are Mexican Lowrider Trucks Called? They’re commonly called “trocas,” and when they’re lowered in the lowrider style, you’ll often hear “trocas tumbadas” (slammed trucks). In some circles—especially for compact pickups—the term “minitrucks” is also used. These names reflect a cross‑border culture shared by Mexican and Mexican‑American enthusiasts. Names You’ll Hear The following terms are …
Why Are Lowriders Illegal? What the Law Actually Says in 2025 They aren’t—at least not inherently. Lowrider cars and cruising are generally legal in the United States, but specific modifications, behaviors, and local ordinances can make a particular setup or activity unlawful. Notably, California ended local cruising bans and lifted a long-standing ride-height restriction as …
What kind of wrench do I need for an oil change? For most cars, use a 6-point socket wrench on the drain plug (commonly 13–19 mm or 5/8–3/4 in) and an oil-filter wrench matched to your filter (often a cap-style socket; alternatives include strap/band or pliers). Finish the job with a torque wrench to tighten …
What Were Cars Like in the 1960s? Cars of the 1960s were stylish, powerful, and mechanically simple by today’s standards—defined by bold design, booming V8 performance, and a late-decade pivot toward safety and emissions regulation. From American muscle to European sports cars and rising Japanese compacts, the decade delivered variety and verve, even as new …
Can a Dead Alternator Stop a Car from Starting? Yes—an alternator that has failed can absolutely leave you with a no-start, but usually indirectly: it drains or fails to recharge the 12‑volt battery, so there isn’t enough power to crank or run the engine. If the battery is fully charged, most conventional cars will still …
What “Nitro” Means for a Car Nitro, in car talk, most commonly refers to nitrous oxide injection—an add-on system that temporarily increases engine power by feeding nitrous oxide (N2O) into the intake so more fuel can be burned; it can also mean nitromethane race fuel in drag racing or “nitro” fuel for RC cars. Drivers …
Seat Belt Pretensioner Replacement Cost: What to Expect in 2025 Expect to pay about $350 to $850 to replace a single seat belt pretensioner at an independent shop in 2025, and roughly $450 to $1,200 at a dealership. Costs vary by vehicle, part type (buckle vs. retractor), and whether crash-related SRS diagnostics or module resets …
What wrench is needed to change a car battery? For most cars, a 10 mm wrench or socket is what you’ll use to loosen and tighten battery terminal clamps; many hold-down brackets also use 10–13 mm fasteners, and GM-style side-post batteries typically need an 8 mm (5/16-inch) wrench. In practice, a 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive …
How to Start Your Car If the Starter Goes Out If your starter fails, a manual-transmission car can often be push-started, while an automatic generally cannot be started without repair; you can try stopgap moves like tapping the starter, reseating battery cables, checking fuses/relays, and attempting a jump pack, but if those fail you’ll likely …
Why some people call engines “motors” People often call engines “motors” because everyday language, law, and industry branding have long treated the words as interchangeable, even though a technical distinction exists: an engine typically converts fuel’s thermal energy into motion, while a motor usually converts non-thermal energy (most commonly electricity) into motion. In practice—thanks to …
When Electronic Throttle Control Fails: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, and Fixes When electronic throttle control goes bad, the vehicle often loses power, hesitates, or becomes unresponsive to the accelerator, and warning lights illuminate as the engine computer may force a “limp-home” mode to prevent unintended acceleration. In practical terms, drivers may experience erratic idle, surging, stalling, …
Can You Get 200,000 Miles Out of a Clutch? Yes—200,000 miles on a clutch is possible, but it’s uncommon; most factory clutches last roughly 60,000 to 120,000 miles, and reaching 150,000 to 200,000 miles typically requires gentle driving, mostly highway mileage, a well-matched powertrain, and vigilant maintenance. Here’s how the variables stack up, what’s realistic …
The Disadvantages of Leaf Springs Leaf springs, while durable and simple, have notable drawbacks: higher unsprung weight, harsher ride quality, limited tuning precision, axle wrap and wheel hop under torque, interleaf friction and noise, susceptibility to sagging and corrosion, and packaging constraints that affect ground clearance and travel. These issues make leaf springs less favorable …
What the Battery Warning Light Means in Your Car The battery sign on your dashboard means the vehicle’s 12‑volt charging system isn’t maintaining proper voltage—most often due to an alternator, drive belt, wiring, voltage regulator, or (in EVs/hybrids) DC‑DC converter problem. You can usually drive a short distance, but once the battery’s energy is depleted …
What Is the Most Common Problem in a Suspension System? The most common problem in a suspension system is worn shock absorbers or struts (the dampers). As these components lose their damping ability over time, the vehicle becomes bouncy, dives under braking, feels unstable in corners, and wears tires unevenly—often accompanied by fluid seepage from …
What a 5.3-Liter Engine Means A 5.3-liter engine refers to the engine’s displacement—the total volume swept by all pistons as they move from the top to the bottom of their cylinders—equal to about 5,328 cubic centimeters (cc) or roughly 325 cubic inches. In practice, it’s a sizing label, not a direct measure of power, efficiency, …
How Much Horsepower Do Daytona 500 Cars Have? Daytona 500 cars run at approximately 510 horsepower, as mandated by NASCAR’s superspeedway rules for Daytona International Speedway. This reduced-output package, enforced via a tapered spacer on the 5.86L V8 “Next Gen” Cup engines, is designed to limit top speeds, maintain pack racing, and enhance safety; by …
Finding “Ignition Coil D”: What It Means and Where to Look In most vehicles, “Ignition Coil D” refers to the coil for cylinder 4, located directly on or above that spark plug; however, the exact physical spot depends on your engine layout and manufacturer’s cylinder numbering. This means Coil D could be at the far …
How to Know About Car Engines: What Matters, What to Read, and What to Check You learn about car engines by mastering the basics (engine types and key specs), reading authoritative sources (owner’s manual, service data, technical bulletins), and evaluating real vehicles with simple tools (OBD-II scanner, visual inspection, test drive). From there, consistent maintenance …
What is the function of the camshaft? The camshaft’s function is to open and close an engine’s intake and exhaust valves at precisely timed intervals relative to the crankshaft, controlling how air enters and exhaust leaves the combustion chamber. In a four-stroke engine, the camshaft typically rotates at half the crankshaft’s speed, and its lobe …
Is it okay to top off your gas? No. It’s not recommended to top off your gas tank after the pump clicks off the first time. Modern vehicles and fuel pumps are designed to stop at the safe fill level; adding more can damage your car’s evaporative emissions system, waste money through spills and splashback, …
What size socket fits the oil drain plug on a Ram 1500? For most Ram 1500 models, a 13 mm, 6‑point socket fits the oil drain plug. That covers the majority of late-model gas trucks (3.6L Pentastar and 5.7L HEMI) and the 3.0L EcoDiesel. However, older generations and some engines may use a 14 mm …