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.
Which Car Has the Most Complaints? The 2002 Ford Explorer has the most owner complaints of any single model-year vehicle in the United States, based on consumer reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and aggregated by sites such as CarComplaints.com. In broader, all-years totals by model, the Ford Explorer also ranks …
Why the UK Drives on the Left — And Who Else Does No — the UK is not alone. Roughly a third of the world’s population, spread across about 75 countries and territories, drives on the left, including Ireland, Japan, Australia, India, much of Southern and East Africa, and several Caribbean and Pacific nations. The …
Do You Need a New Car Thermostat? Here’s How to Tell You probably need a new thermostat if your engine takes unusually long to warm up, runs too cool on the highway, overheats quickly in traffic, shows erratic temperature gauge swings, or triggers a P0128 “coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature” code. Watching the temperature …
How much should it cost to replace ignition coils Expect to pay about $150–$400 at an independent shop or $250–$600 at a dealer to replace a single ignition coil in 2025; replacing all coils typically runs $300–$900 on a 4‑cylinder, $450–$1,400 on a V6, and $600–$1,700 on a V8, depending on parts quality and how …
Where to Put “Water” Fluid in a Car: Washer Reservoir vs. Coolant Tank You add “water” to two different places depending on what you mean: windshield washer fluid goes into the washer reservoir marked with a windshield/spray icon; engine cooling water (antifreeze mix) goes into the coolant reservoir (expansion tank) marked with a temperature or …
What Size Socket Do You Need to Remove a Drain Plug? Most engine oil drain plugs take a 13 mm to 19 mm six-point metric socket, with 14 mm and 17 mm being the most common; some use internal hex (6 mm, 8 mm, or 10 mm) or, less often, SAE sizes like 1/2 inch …
What the Brake Booster Does—and Why Your Car Needs It The brake booster multiplies the force you apply to the brake pedal so you can stop the vehicle with far less effort, improving braking response, control, and safety. In most cars it uses engine vacuum (or a pump/electric assist in modern and diesel/EV/hybrid vehicles) to …
How a Car Works for Beginners A car converts stored energy (fuel or electricity) into motion using an engine or electric motor, then routes that power through a drivetrain to the wheels, while steering, suspension, brakes, and electronics keep it controllable and safe. In simple terms, energy goes in, the power unit turns it into …
What Is the Proper Tongue Weight? The proper tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer’s fully loaded weight for conventional bumper‑pull trailers, about 5–10% for many boat trailers, and 15–25% (often 20%+) for gooseneck and fifth‑wheel trailers. Always confirm the figure with your trailer manufacturer and ensure it does not exceed your tow vehicle’s …
Main Parts of an Alternator The main parts of an alternator are the rotor (field assembly), stator (three-phase windings), rectifier/diode bridge, voltage regulator, slip rings and brushes (or a brushless exciter in some designs), bearings, pulley and cooling fan(s), and the housing/end frames. These components work together to convert mechanical energy from the engine into …
Which Pedal Is the Clutch? How to Read Pedal Diagrams and Identify Controls The clutch pedal is the far-left pedal in a manual-transmission car; in standard pedal diagrams, the order from left to right is clutch, brake, accelerator. This convention holds in both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive vehicles. Below, we explain how to read common pedal …
Can You Run an Engine Without an Intake Manifold? Practically, no: an internal-combustion engine needs an intake manifold—or an equivalent set of sealed runners and throttle(s)—to meter, distribute, and condition the air entering the cylinders. While you might briefly fire an engine by spraying fuel into open ports, it will not run properly or safely, …
Is the Penny Test for Tires Accurate? The penny test is a quick, rough check that can tell you when your tires are at or below the U.S. legal minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch, but it is not a reliable measure of tire safety. Modern testing shows braking and hydroplaning performance degrades well before …
The Benefits of Recirculating Ball Steering Recirculating ball steering is prized for its durability, high load capacity, reduced kickback on rough surfaces, straight-line stability, and serviceability—advantages that make it the preferred choice in heavy-duty trucks, off-road vehicles, and many classic cars. While newer passenger cars overwhelmingly use rack-and-pinion systems, recirculating ball gear remains relevant wherever …
How much is a 1930 Ford Model A worth? Most 1930 Ford Model A cars trade between $12,000 and $35,000 for solid drivers, with desirable open-body styles in excellent condition bringing roughly $40,000 to $80,000, and a few rare or concours-level examples stretching higher. Actual value depends primarily on body style, condition, originality, and recent …
How to Tell If a Traffic Light Has a Camera The quickest way to tell is to look for “Photo Enforced” signs and a dedicated camera unit aimed at the stop line—often paired with a visible flash strobe—then confirm the location on your city or state’s official list or traffic map. In practice, you’re looking …
Can You Drive With a Transmission Fluid Leak? You generally should not drive with a transmission fluid leak; at most, you may cautiously drive a short distance to a repair facility only if the fluid level is maintained and there are no slipping, overheating, or warning-light symptoms. Transmission fluid provides lubrication, cooling, and hydraulic pressure—running …
Does regenerative braking wear out brake pads? In most cases, no—regenerative braking substantially reduces brake pad wear because it slows the vehicle by turning the motor into a generator rather than using friction. However, brake pads still wear in specific situations where conventional friction braking is needed, such as the final moments before stopping, hard …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Torque Converter? Expect to pay roughly $800 to $3,000 in the U.S. to replace a torque converter in 2025, with most mainstream vehicles landing between $1,200 and $2,200. Parts generally run $200 to $700 for a quality remanufactured unit (up to $1,500+ for OEM/performance), and labor typically …
Is $100 for an oil change normal? Yes—$100 is a normal price in 2025 for a full-synthetic oil change at many dealerships and name-brand quick-service centers, especially for vehicles that require more oil, European-spec fluids, or premium filters; conventional or blend services at independent shops often run less, typically $45–90 depending on location and what’s …
Ford Models of the 1970s: A Global Lineup Shaped by a Turbulent Decade Across the 1970s, Ford’s lineup spanned everything from compacts like the Pinto, Fiesta, and Maverick to muscle and personal-luxury staples such as the Mustang, Torino, Elite, Thunderbird, and LTD—alongside workhorses like the F-Series, Bronco, and Econoline. The exact models varied by region: …
How Much Does a Brake Light Cost in 2025? A brake light can cost anywhere from about $5 for a basic bulb to well over $1,000 for a full LED tail-lamp assembly on premium vehicles. For most cars, replacing a standard bulb runs roughly $15–$50 DIY or $40–$120 at a shop, while a full tail-light …
What a Car Muffler Does and Why It Matters A car’s muffler reduces exhaust noise by canceling and absorbing sound waves, shapes the exhaust note, and helps manage exhaust flow; it does not clean emissions. Positioned toward the rear of the exhaust system, the muffler uses chambers, baffles, and perforated tubes to quiet combustion noise …
What Is Octane Made Of? Octane is a hydrocarbon made solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with the molecular formula C8H18; it consists of eight carbon atoms and eighteen hydrogen atoms arranged as a saturated alkane. In everyday fuel talk, “octane” often refers to the octane rating of gasoline, which measures knock resistance rather than …
Do taxis charge by mileage or time? Most taxis charge by both mileage and time. A taximeter combines distance and time, switching between the two depending on how fast the vehicle is moving, and adds a base “flag drop” plus any regulated surcharges. In practice, you pay for distance when the cab is moving at …
Which car year to avoid There isn’t a single “worst year” for all cars, but many experts advise extra caution with vehicles built during the pandemic-disrupted years of 2020–2022 and with the first model year after a major redesign. The most reliable choice often depends on the specific model and powertrain, not just the calendar …
What “Clutch” Means in Gaming In gaming, “clutch” describes a high-pressure play where a player or team secures a critical outcome—often a win—against the odds, typically in the final moments or while outnumbered. It’s used to recognize exceptional composure and execution when the stakes are highest, and it has become a staple term in esports, …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Power Steering Rack? Expect to pay about $900 to $2,500 total in the U.S. for power steering rack replacement in 2025, with economy cars often near the low end and trucks, SUVs, and luxury models running higher. That total typically includes $450 to $1,400 for parts, $300 …
What Is a Turn Signal Called? It’s most commonly called a “turn signal” in North America, widely called an “indicator” in the UK and many other regions, and also known colloquially as a “blinker” or “signal light.” In formal standards, you’ll see “turn signal lamp” (U.S.) or “direction indicator” (UN ECE). This article explains the …
What cars came out in 1935 Several landmark cars debuted in 1935 across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including the Chevrolet Carryall Suburban, Ford’s 1935 V8 lineup (Model 48), Chrysler and DeSoto Airstreams, Packard One-Twenty, Auburn 851 Speedster, Opel Olympia and P4, Peugeot 402, Delahaye 135, Fiat 1500, BMW 319, Horch 853, Škoda Rapid, …