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 many calories are in 12 oz of gasoline? About 2,700 to 2,900 dietary Calories (kcal) are contained in 12 U.S. fluid ounces of gasoline—roughly 2,800 kcal. That estimate comes from standard energy-density figures for gasoline (about 32–34 megajoules per liter) and the fact that 12 fl oz is approximately 0.355 liters. While the number …
Cool Biker Names for Guys: Road-Tested Ideas and How to Make Your Own Try punchy, road-ready monikers like Roadwolf, Iron Jack, or Gravel Ghost—short, gritty, and easy to shout across a lot. A cool biker name should fit your attitude, bike, and crew culture, so think in terms of metal, speed, weather, animals, or myth. …
How fast can a manual shift? In a typical road car with a synchronized H‑pattern gearbox, a skilled driver can complete a clean upshift in about 0.3–0.5 seconds, with best cases around 0.25–0.35 seconds; downshifts usually take longer (roughly 0.4–0.7 seconds) due to rev‑matching. With specialized hardware—dog‑ring or sequential race gearboxes and ignition‑cut systems—shifts can …
What are signs of a bad computer in a car Common signs include a persistent check engine light with multiple unrelated codes, rough running or no-start, sudden “limp mode” or erratic shifting, widespread electrical glitches across different systems, and a scan tool that can’t communicate with the vehicle. These issues can stem from the engine/powertrain …
Ayrton Senna’s 1994 Imola crash is widely regarded as the most famous race car death Ayrton Senna, a three-time Formula One world champion and global sporting icon, died after a high-speed crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on May 1, 1994. His death—coming one day after Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was …
What is a cam-in-block? A cam-in-block is an engine design where the camshaft sits inside the engine block and operates the valves via lifters, pushrods, and rocker arms, a layout commonly called OHV (overhead valve) or “pushrod.” It’s compact, durable, and still widely used in modern V8s and many truck and racing engines, though it …
The 10 Essential Parts of a Car Engine The 10 core parts of a modern car engine are: engine block (cylinder block), pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, cylinder head, valves, camshaft(s), timing drive (belt or chain), fuel injectors, and spark plugs (gasoline) or glow plugs (diesel). These components work together to draw in air and fuel, …
What Can Make a Parked Car Explode? A parked car can explode, but it’s uncommon and typically requires a buildup of flammable gases or pressurized contents plus an ignition source. The most frequent triggers include fuel-vapor leaks ignited by electrical faults, lithium‑ion battery thermal runaway (in vehicles or devices left inside), rupturing aerosol or gas …
What Is a Brake Pad on a Car? A brake pad is a replaceable friction component in a disc brake system that presses against a spinning rotor to slow or stop a vehicle by converting kinetic energy into heat. Found on most modern cars (including hybrids and EVs), brake pads sit inside the caliper, wear …
Which car catches fire the most? There isn’t a single car model that consistently “catches fire the most.” Most vehicle fires involve older gasoline vehicles, not any one make or model, and—on a rate basis—gasoline cars catch fire far more often than battery‑electric cars. In recent U.S. years, Hyundai and Kia have led fire‑related recalls …
When Gas Pumps Got Automatic Shut-Off: A Brief History and How It Became Standard Automatic shut-off at gas pumps emerged in commercial nozzles in the 1940s, became common at service stations by the 1950s, and was effectively standard—and required by safety codes across much of the United States—by the 1970s. The feature prevents overfilling by …
Is Recirculating Ball Steering Better Than Rack-and-Pinion? For most modern passenger cars, rack-and-pinion is better thanks to lighter weight, sharper steering feel, and easier integration with electric power assist and driver-assistance systems. Recirculating ball is better in heavy-duty trucks and rugged off-road applications where strength, durability, and impact isolation matter more than ultimate precision. In …
Is turbocharging a car illegal? In most places, turbocharging a car is not inherently illegal; it becomes unlawful only if the modification causes the vehicle to violate emissions, noise, or safety regulations, or if it bypasses required approvals and inspections. As of 2025, adding a turbo is generally allowed on public-road vehicles so long as …
How much does a coil pack cost to replace? Expect to pay about $150–$450 to replace a single ignition coil or coil pack in the U.S. in 2025, including parts and labor; replacing all coils on a V6 or V8 can run $400–$1,300+ depending on vehicle, shop rates, and whether you use OEM or aftermarket …
Why Cars Catch Fire in an Accident Cars typically catch fire in a crash when fuel, battery energy, or flammable materials are suddenly exposed to heat, sparks, or damaged electrical systems; the impact can rupture tanks or lines, short wires, or compromise a lithium-ion battery, allowing ignition. In most collisions, modern safety designs prevent this …
Is it easy to adapt to left-hand drive? For most experienced drivers, adapting to left-hand drive is manageable and often feels natural within a few hours to a week, especially if you choose an automatic car and ease in with low-stress routes. The key adjustments are lane positioning, mirror use, roundabout direction, and gear shifting …
What Are the Three “Jaws of Life”? The three tools commonly referred to as the “Jaws of Life” are hydraulic spreaders, hydraulic cutters, and hydraulic rams. Used by firefighters and rescue teams, these devices rapidly pry open, cut through, or push apart wreckage to free trapped people, most often after vehicle collisions but also in …
The Main Types of Internal Combustion Engines The main types of internal combustion (IC) engines are spark-ignition (gasoline) and compression-ignition (diesel), each commonly built as four-stroke or two-stroke designs; additional major forms include rotary (Wankel) engines and continuous-combustion gas turbines/jet engines. These categories are further distinguished by ignition method, thermodynamic cycle, mechanical architecture, fuel, and …
What Is a Door Lock in a Car? A car door lock is the mechanism that secures a vehicle’s door and controls who can open it, typically combining a mechanical latch with manual or electronic controls; in modern cars, it’s integrated with central locking, remote keyless entry, and alarm systems. Beyond simply locking and unlocking, …
How much does it cost to replace an automatic gearbox? In most cases, replacing an automatic gearbox (transmission) costs $3,000–$7,500 in the United States, £2,200–£6,500 in the UK, €2,500–€8,000 in the EU, and AU$4,500–AU$12,000 in Australia, with luxury and heavy-duty vehicles often exceeding those ranges. Prices vary widely based on vehicle make, gearbox type (torque-converter, …
How Long Does an Alternator Usually Last? An alternator typically lasts 7–10 years or about 80,000–150,000 miles, though life can be shorter in hot climates, on vehicles with heavy electrical demands, or when driven mostly on short trips. Longevity varies by vehicle design, maintenance, and operating conditions, so monitoring symptoms and keeping the charging system …
Can Internal Engine Damage Be Fixed? Yes—many kinds of internal engine damage can be repaired, from head-gasket failures and bent valves to spun bearings and scored cylinders. Whether it makes sense to fix depends on the severity and cause of the damage, the availability and cost of parts and machine work, and the vehicle’s value. …
Which motorcycle brand is the best? There isn’t a single “best” motorcycle brand for every rider; the right choice depends on your priorities. Broadly, Honda and Yamaha lead for reliability and value, BMW and KTM for adventure and performance tech, Ducati for premium sport and high-spec road bikes, Harley‑Davidson and Indian for cruisers and touring, …
What Is a Speedometer? Class 7 Science Explainer A speedometer is the instrument in a vehicle that shows how fast the vehicle is moving at that moment, usually in kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). In Class 7 science, it’s introduced to help students connect the idea of speed—distance covered per unit …
How the Automobile Transformed American Life in the 1950s The automobile remade American life in the 1950s by powering suburban growth, spurring the Interstate Highway System, reshaping retail and leisure, fueling a booming consumer economy, and creating a youth-driven car culture—while also deepening racial inequities, worsening urban decline, and raising safety and pollution costs. In …
Who got pole for Sunday’s NASCAR race? I don’t have enough context to name the pole winner yet—please tell me which Sunday and which race (series, track, and date), and I’ll provide the exact pole sitter immediately. NASCAR runs multiple events across different series, and the pole winner changes by event and week. What I …
What a Car’s Distributor Does—and Why Most Modern Cars Don’t Have One A distributor in a gasoline car routes high voltage from the ignition coil to each spark plug in the correct firing order and at precisely the right moment, while also managing ignition timing via mechanical/vacuum advance or electronic pickups. In older and classic …
What a Bad Rack and Pinion Will Do: Symptoms, Risks, and What to Do Next A bad rack and pinion commonly causes loose, wandering, or stiff steering; clunks or knocks; fluid leaks; uneven tire wear; and, in severe cases, intermittent or total loss of power assist. Left unchecked, it can lead to unsafe handling and …
How many miles should you do a full service? Most cars benefit from a full service every 10,000–12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first, though some models stretch to 15,000–20,000 miles under manufacturer “flexible” schedules. The right interval depends on your vehicle, how you drive, and what the automaker’s maintenance system or owner’s …
Is It Safe or Legal to Drive With a Broken Brake? No—do not drive with a broken brake. If your braking system is compromised, the only acceptable “driving” is the minimum necessary to steer to a safe stop and call for a tow. Continuing to drive is dangerous, typically illegal, and can expose you to …