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 causes a catalytic converter to fail A catalytic converter typically fails because of upstream engine or fuel-system problems—most commonly persistent misfires or rich running that overheat the substrate—along with contamination from oil or coolant, physical impact damage, or age-related thermal fatigue. In practice, converters rarely “wear out” on their own; they are usually the …
What happens to cars after crushing After a car is crushed, it is not “recycled” yet: the flattened hulk is typically shipped to an industrial shredder, where it’s torn into fist-sized pieces and separated into steel, aluminum, copper and other recoverable materials; hazardous fluids and components are removed beforehand; valuable items like catalytic converters and …
What “assembly plant” means in the car industry An assembly plant in cars is a factory where vehicles are put together from parts and subassemblies into finished, drivable units ready for shipment. In practice, it’s the final integration point of the auto supply chain, where stamped body panels, powertrains, batteries, interiors, electronics, and software are …
Do street lights have light sensors? Yes—most modern street lights use built‑in light sensors (often called photocells or photocontrols) to turn on at dusk and off at dawn, though some systems use timers, astronomical clocks, or networked controls instead. These control methods help cities manage energy use, reliability, and maintenance for lighting on roads, pathways, …
How Expensive Is It to Fix an Intake Manifold? Expect to pay roughly $300–$1,500 in the U.S. to fix an intake manifold issue, depending on whether you need a gasket replacement or a full manifold, the vehicle’s engine layout, and local labor rates. On luxury or tightly packaged engines, the bill can reach $1,800–$3,000. Below …
Are overhead cam engines good? Yes—overhead cam (OHC) engines are generally very good. They deliver strong performance, efficiency, and emissions control thanks to precise valve timing and multi-valve layouts, though they can be more complex and taller than pushrod (OHV) designs. The best choice depends on how you drive, what you tow or haul, how …
Does the PCV Valve Affect Idle? Yes. A faulty PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve or related plumbing can noticeably affect idle—causing rough or high idle, surging, stalling, or fuel-trim issues—because it changes how much unmetered air enters the intake at the very moment engines are most sensitive to airflow: idle. Below is a clear look …
What cars did Ford make in 1950? Ford’s 1950 U.S. passenger-car lineup consisted of the Deluxe and Custom Deluxe series—offered as Tudor (2‑door) and Fordor (4‑door) sedans, a Business Coupe, a Club Coupe, a Convertible, and the wood-bodied Country Squire station wagon—plus the new Crestliner “sports sedan” special. Power came from either a 226‑cid inline‑six …
What Happens If the Oxygen Sensor Is Bad? A bad oxygen (O2) sensor typically triggers a check engine light, worsens fuel economy, causes rough running or lackluster acceleration, raises emissions, and can eventually damage the catalytic converter; the car will usually still run, but it may fail an emissions test and cost more to operate …
Can you drive a car with a bad cam? Sometimes, but it depends on what “bad cam” means: if it’s a failing camshaft position sensor, the car may limp a short distance with reduced performance; if it’s a damaged camshaft or valvetrain, you should not drive, as doing so can cause severe engine damage. The …
How Moonshine Got Started Moonshine began when the know-how to distill alcohol met laws that taxed or banned it, pushing production into the shadows. Illicit spirits emerged wherever governments levied excise duties on liquor, with the United States’ frontier whiskey culture, the 1790s Whiskey Rebellion, and the Prohibition era giving “moonshine” its iconic identity—clandestine, often …
How to Perform an Emergency Stop in a Car Press the brake pedal as hard as you can with your right foot, keep your eyes up, and steer straight; in vehicles with ABS, maintain firm pressure and steer around hazards, while in cars without ABS, brake to the point just before the wheels lock (release …
Is topping off your gas tank bad for the environment? Yes. Topping off your gas tank after the pump automatically clicks off releases extra gasoline vapors, risks spills that pollute air and water, and can damage your vehicle’s emissions system—so environmental regulators and automakers advise stopping at the first click. Here’s what happens when you …
Can a car run forever? No—no car can run literally forever without energy, maintenance, or part replacements, because physics guarantees wear, loss, and degradation. But with ongoing servicing and component swaps, a vehicle can be kept operational for decades—and, in theory, indefinitely—much like the “Ship of Theseus,” where the system endures even as parts are …
How to Reset a Retractable Seat Belt: What Works, What Doesn’t, and When to Replace You generally can’t “reset” a retractable seat belt beyond clearing a temporary lock or exiting child-seat mode; if a pretensioner has fired in a crash, the belt assembly must be replaced. In most cases, gently removing tension, leveling the retractor, …
Will an engine run hot without a thermostat? Generally, no—most engines without a thermostat run too cool, especially in mild or cold weather. However, depending on the cooling-system design and driving conditions, an engine can run hot or even overheat without a thermostat. Because the thermostat also manages coolant routing and system pressure, removing it …
Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes: What’s the Difference? Drum brakes use internal shoes that press outward against a rotating drum, while disc brakes use external pads that clamp a flat rotor; discs generally stop more consistently and resist heat and water better, whereas drums cost less and integrate parking brakes easily. Understanding how each design …
What “CVTs” Means Across Different Fields CVTs most commonly refers to “continuously variable transmissions” used in automobiles, but the same letters can also denote “capacitive voltage transformers” and “constant voltage transformers” in electrical engineering, and “cerebral venous thrombosis” in medicine; the intended meaning depends on context. Below, we outline the primary uses of the acronym …
What Is the Purpose of a Car Motor? A car motor’s purpose is to convert stored energy into mechanical power (torque) to turn the wheels and move the vehicle, while also supporting onboard systems. In gasoline and diesel vehicles this device is typically called an engine; in electric and hybrid vehicles it’s an electric motor. …
What the Hooks on Tow Hitches Are For The hooks or loops on a tow hitch are primarily there to attach a trailer’s safety chains, ensuring the trailer remains connected to the tow vehicle if the coupler fails; they can also serve as rated recovery or tie-down points when designed for that purpose. In most …
Does an Intake Manifold Add Horsepower? Yes—an aftermarket or modified intake manifold can add horsepower, but the gain depends heavily on the engine, supporting mods, and tuning. On naturally aspirated street engines, realistic improvements typically range from 5 to 20 horsepower at higher RPM, with larger gains possible on well-built or forced-induction setups. However, a …
How Much HP Does a Cold Air Intake Add? On most modern, naturally aspirated engines, a cold air intake typically adds about 0–5 horsepower; larger NA engines may see around 5–10 hp, while turbocharged engines can gain roughly 5–20 hp—especially when paired with a proper tune. Actual gains depend on intake air temperature reduction, airflow …
How to obtain your Texas car title In most cases, you’ll obtain a Texas car title by submitting Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration), proof of ownership, ID, and applicable fees at your county tax assessor-collector’s office; if you lost a Texas title, request a certified copy using Form VTR-34 online, by mail, …
Outsmarting Car Salespeople in 2025: A Practical, No-Nonsense Playbook The fastest way to outsmart car salespeople is to control the information and the sequence: research real pricing, get a credit-union preapproval, request competing out-the-door (OTD) quotes by email from multiple dealers, negotiate price before financing or trade-in, refuse to talk “monthly payment,” and be ready …
What Combustion Means Inside a Car Engine Combustion in a car is the rapid, controlled burning of a fuel–air mixture inside the engine’s cylinders, releasing heat and pressure that push pistons and create mechanical power. In practical terms, it’s how chemical energy in gasoline or diesel becomes motion at the wheels. This article explains how …
Do all vehicles have an odometer? No. Most road‑legal cars, trucks, and motorcycles are equipped with odometers, but many off‑road machines, specialized vehicles, older classics, and micromobility devices do not. In practice, odometers are standard on modern passenger vehicles worldwide, yet exceptions exist depending on the vehicle’s purpose, age, and local regulations. What we mean …
What Percentage of Air Pollution Is Caused by Cars? There is no single universal percentage, because the share from cars varies by pollutant and location. Globally, passenger cars are responsible for about 8–10% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, while in cities they commonly account for roughly 10–25% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and about 5–10% of …
How to Remove Sugar from Gas: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Fix It If sugar gets into gasoline, you can’t dissolve it out or “neutralize” it—sugar doesn’t mix with gas. The only reliable fix is to stop driving, drain and clean the tank, replace filters, and flush the fuel system. This article explains …
The Hidden Downsides of Buying a Salvage Title Car Buying a salvage title car can save 20–40% off the price of a comparable clean-title vehicle, but the trade-offs are significant: higher safety and reliability risks, limited insurance and financing options, lower resale value, more complex paperwork, and potentially steep repair and technology-calibration costs. These factors …
What an electronic differential does An electronic differential dynamically controls the torque sent to each driven wheel so they can rotate at different speeds during cornering, maximizing traction, stability, and efficiency; it replaces or augments a mechanical differential in modern EVs and performance cars. In practice, it uses sensors and software to meter motor output …