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 Is the Car Computer Called? The car computer is most commonly called the ECU (Engine Control Unit) or ECM (Engine Control Module); in many North American vehicles, it’s integrated as the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). In practice, modern cars use a network of computers—BCM for body systems, TCM for transmission, and more—so the correct …
What Are the 5 “C” Components of an Engine? The five “C” components most commonly taught are the cylinder block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft, and connecting rod. In some curricula or older engine contexts, the carburetor or the combustion chamber is listed instead of one of those items, reflecting differences in engine design and terminology. …
GVWR vs. GAWR: The Crucial Difference Every Driver Should Know GVWR is the maximum total weight a fully loaded vehicle is allowed to weigh, while GAWR is the maximum weight permitted on a single axle (front or rear). Both limits are set by the manufacturer, both are legally binding in many jurisdictions, and you must …
How Car Engines Work, Step by Step Car engines convert the chemical energy in fuel into motion through a repeating four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, power (combustion), and exhaust. A starter motor spins the engine to begin, sensors and the engine control unit meter air and fuel and time ignition, and the crankshaft’s rotation is transmitted …
Can You Jump-Start a Car With a Bad Alternator? Yes—often you can jump-start a car with a failing or dead alternator, but it will usually run only for a short time on battery power and may stall without warning. The jump gets the engine started; it does not fix charging. If the alternator has failed …
What Size Socket Do I Need for an Oil Sending Unit? Most oil pressure sending units use a deep 1-1/16-inch (27 mm) thin-wall socket, but sizes vary by vehicle and sensor design; other common sizes include 24 mm and 22 mm. Because of this variation, it’s best to confirm your vehicle’s specification or measure the …
How to Tell If Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment If your car pulls to one side, the steering wheel sits off-center when driving straight, or your tires show uneven wear (especially feathering or rapid inner/outer-edge wear), you likely need a wheel alignment. These symptoms suggest the suspension geometry has drifted out of specification—often after …
The Right Tool for Loosening an Oil Pan Drain Plug Use a 6‑point socket on a ratchet (socket wrench) sized to the plug, or a matching box‑end wrench; for plugs with an internal drive, use the correct hex (Allen) or Torx bit. This approach grips firmly, reduces the risk of rounding the plug, and fits …
Which car is most likely to catch fire? What the records show in 2025 There isn’t a single model that is universally “the most common car to catch fire.” Most vehicle fires involve older gasoline-powered cars and SUVs due to age, wear, and maintenance factors. In the U.S., Hyundai and Kia models from the 2010s …
The Downsides of Cruise Control: What Drivers Should Know Cruise control can reduce driver engagement, slow reaction times, struggle in bad weather or hilly terrain, misbehave in dense traffic, and add repair costs—especially with adaptive systems—if sensors need calibration. While it eases fatigue on long, steady drives, safety agencies and researchers caution that overreliance can …
Can You Fix a Rack and Pinion Without Replacing It? Yes—some rack-and-pinion steering issues can be repaired without replacing the entire unit, such as torn boots, worn inner tie rods, leaking hoses, and, in some cases, resealing a hydraulic rack. However, if the rack has internal wear, binding, bent components, heavy corrosion, or electronic failures …
2.4 L vs 3.0 L: What’s the Difference? A 3.0-liter is larger than a 2.4-liter by 0.6 liters (about 25% more). In engines, that typically means more torque and power—and often higher fuel use and cost—though exact outcomes depend on design (turbocharging, tuning, hybridization). If you mean container size, 3.0 L simply holds 600 milliliters …
Why Japan Drives on the Left Japan drives on the left primarily due to a blend of historical custom and British engineering influence: Edo-period “keep-left” habits met British-built railways in the 1870s, establishing left-side movement that was later formalized in national traffic regulations. The rule has held nationwide since, with one notable postwar exception in …
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution: How it works and why it matters Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) continuously adjusts hydraulic braking pressure at each wheel using data from wheel-speed sensors and a brake controller, helping prevent wheel lockup, improving stability, and shortening stopping distances across varying loads and road conditions. In practice, it augments conventional anti-lock braking (ABS) …
What Is a “Crossover”? Meanings Across Cars, Audio, Science, and Culture A “crossover” generally refers to something that blends, bridges, or transitions between categories. In cars, it’s a car-based SUV; in audio, a filter that splits sound into frequency bands; in genetics, the exchange of DNA during meiosis; and in media, a collaboration or story …
Who Is the Most Famous F1 Driver? Lewis Hamilton is widely considered the most famous Formula 1 driver in the world today, driven by record-breaking achievements, global media presence, and a broad cultural footprint beyond motorsport. Historically, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are the other two names most often cited as the sport’s most iconic …
Are ABS Brakes Expensive to Fix? What Drivers Should Expect in 2025 Generally, ABS repairs range from modest to pricey: a simple wheel speed sensor often costs $150–$350 per wheel, while an ABS control module or hydraulic unit can run $900–$2,500 or more depending on the vehicle. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety-critical …
What Is a “Train on the Road” Called? It’s usually called a tram (or streetcar) if it runs on rails embedded in the roadway; a road train if you mean a heavy truck pulling multiple trailers on highways; and a land train if you’re referring to a trackless, tourist-style train that drives on roads. Which …
What Happens If the Rack and Pinion Go Out While Driving? If the rack-and-pinion steering fails while you’re driving, the most likely outcome is a sudden loss of power assist, making the steering wheel very heavy but still steerable; in rare mechanical failures, the steering can bind or even disconnect, causing severe loss of control. …
What Is Considered a Lowrider Car? A lowrider car is a vehicle—often a classic American sedan or coupe—intentionally modified to ride very close to the ground, typically using adjustable hydraulic or air suspension, and customized with distinctive wheels, paint, and interiors to cruise “low and slow.” Beyond stance, it’s a rolling art form rooted in …
What “215/60R16” Means on a Tire It denotes the tire’s size and construction: 215 is the section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio (sidewall height equals 60% of the width), R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches the tire fits. This code determines fitment, ride characteristics, and performance, …
How to Tell If a Belt Tensioner Is Bad You’ll usually know a belt tensioner is failing if you hear squealing or rattling from the front of the engine, see belt wobble or frayed edges, notice the tensioner arm bouncing, or experience weak power steering, dim lights, or engine overheating. The tensioner keeps your serpentine …
What Is the Most Reliable Second‑Hand Car? Across independent dependability studies through 2024, the most consistently reliable second‑hand choices are the Toyota Corolla (especially 2014–2019 and 2020–2022), the Lexus RX (2016–2019) if you want a midsize luxury SUV, and the Toyota Prius (2016–2022) for hybrid efficiency. The best pick for you depends on body style, …
How to Tell if a Car Has Been in a Flood The fastest way to spot a flood-damaged car is to trust your senses and verify the history: sniff for musty or chemical cover-up odors, look for silt or a waterline in hidden crevices, check for rust in odd places like seat tracks and under-dash …
Can You Just Add Coolant to Your Car? Yes—with the engine completely cool, you can top up the coolant in the overflow reservoir using the correct type and mixture, filling only to the “MAX” line. However, persistent low coolant points to a leak that needs repair, and opening a hot cooling system is dangerous. Here’s …
What’s a Good Nickname for a Bike? A good nickname for a bike is personal, punchy, and easy to say—think names like Silver Comet, Gravel Goblin, Thunderwhip, City Swift, Midnight Sparrow, or Wattson for an e‑bike. The best pick reflects your bike’s look, your riding style, and the personality you project on the road or …
What police cars were used in the 1970s Across the 1970s, police forces worldwide relied on sturdy, rear-wheel-drive sedans tailored with heavy-duty brakes, cooling, and electrics. In the United States that meant Plymouth Fury, Dodge Monaco/Polara/Coronet, Chevrolet Impala/Caprice and Ford LTD/Torino, plus the AMC Matador; the United Kingdom leaned on Ford Cortina/Granada, Rover P6/SD1 and …
How Fuel Injection Works, Step by Step Fuel injection meters and delivers the exact amount of fuel an engine needs by using sensors, a computer (ECU), high-pressure pumps, and electronically controlled injectors. In practice, the ECU reads airflow and engine position, calculates fuel quantity and timing, pressurizes fuel, opens injectors for a precise duration so …
What Car Was Popular in the 1960s? The most widely popular cars of the 1960s included the Ford Mustang, the Volkswagen Beetle, and the Mini. These models defined the decade globally by combining affordability, distinctive design, and cultural impact, though many other regional favorites also rose to prominence during the same period. The Global Best-Known …
What Counts as an Expensive Fix on a Car? Repairs that commonly qualify as “expensive” include engine or transmission replacement, EV battery pack replacement, major emissions components, air suspension, and advanced safety system work—often ranging from $1,500 to well over $10,000 depending on the vehicle and market. In today’s vehicles, costs are driven by complex …