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.
The most successful racer of all time: how the answer depends on what you measure The most defensible all-time choice across global motorsport is Giacomo Agostini—his 15 motorcycle Grand Prix world championships remain unmatched—while in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton stands as the most successful driver by career wins and pole positions and is tied with …
Is It the Battery or the Alternator? How to Tell The fastest way to tell is with a multimeter: a healthy, fully charged battery reads about 12.6 V with the engine off; with the engine running, system voltage should rise to roughly 13.8–14.7 V (up to ~15.0 V in cold weather). Low resting voltage points …
What Is a Seatbelt Retractor? A seatbelt retractor is the spring-loaded mechanism that stores the seatbelt webbing, keeps it comfortably taut during driving, and locks the belt in place during sudden stops or a crash to restrain occupants. Housed typically in a pillar or seat frame, the retractor automatically winds and releases the belt as …
Are all NASCARs the same speed? No. NASCAR cars are built to strict rules that keep performance within a narrow window, but their actual speeds vary by series (Cup, Xfinity, Truck), by track type, and by the specific rules package used at each venue. Even within the same race, differences in setup, drafting, tire wear, …
Can a car still run without a catalytic converter? Yes—most gasoline cars will still start and drive without a catalytic converter, but doing so is illegal on public roads in many places, will trigger warning lights and emissions-test failures, increases pollution, and can affect drivability and safety; modern diesels often enter reduced-power “limp” modes if …
How to tell if your car’s suspension has gone If your car’s suspension is failing, you’ll typically notice excessive bouncing, clunks or rattles over bumps, uneven tire wear, nose-diving under braking, fluid leaking from shocks/struts, a sagging corner, or wandering steering. If several of these symptoms appear—especially with visible leaks or a leaning stance—have the …
Is a 2.4 L Engine Good? Yes—if matched to the right vehicle and well maintained, a 2.4‑liter engine can be an excellent choice, offering a solid blend of usable torque, reasonable fuel economy, and long-term durability. Today’s 2.4 L engines range from simple, naturally aspirated four-cylinders to modern turbocharged units that replace older V6s; the …
How to Fix a Coolant Leak: Diagnosis, Repairs, and When to Call a Professional The quickest path to fixing a coolant leak is to identify the source, stop driving if the engine is overheating, repair or replace the failed part (often a hose, clamp, radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, reservoir, or cap), then refill and …
How a Turbocharger Works Step by Step A turbocharger uses energy in the exhaust to spin a turbine that drives a compressor, forcing more air into the engine so it can burn more fuel and make more power; an engine control unit (ECU), wastegate/variable geometry, intercooling, and oil/coolant circuits keep that boost controlled and reliable. …
Why Your Battery Light Is On but the Car Still Runs If your battery light is on yet the car drives normally, it usually means the charging system isn’t working correctly—often an alternator, belt, wiring, or sensor issue—while the battery still has enough charge to keep things running for now. The light indicates a problem …
Can I still drive with a bad rack and pinion? Generally, you should not drive with a bad rack and pinion; it can lead to sudden steering loss and a crash. If symptoms are mild and you must move the vehicle, limit it to a short, slow trip directly to a repair shop—preferably during off-peak …
What Is Horsepower in a Car? Horsepower is a unit of power that expresses how quickly an engine can do work; in cars, it indicates the engine’s rate of producing energy. One mechanical horsepower equals about 745.7 watts, while the “metric” horsepower (often labeled PS or CV) equals about 735.5 watts. Carmakers use standardized methods …
How to Tell if Car Wiring Is Bad Signs of bad car wiring include intermittent electrical behavior, repeatedly blown fuses, dim or flickering lights, burning smells, and parasitic battery drain; you can confirm by visually inspecting harnesses and connectors, scanning for diagnostic codes, and performing tests such as voltage drop, continuity, and current draw. In …
Is Electronic Throttle Control Expensive to Fix? It can be, but not always: many electronic throttle control (ETC) fixes run $150–$350 for cleaning, calibration, or a pedal sensor, while full throttle body replacements commonly land between $400 and $1,200 including parts and labor, with premium or rare models sometimes higher. Costs hinge on what failed—sensor, …
Air Suspension: The Key Disadvantages Drivers Should Know Air suspension systems can improve comfort and maintain a level ride, but they come with notable drawbacks: higher upfront and repair costs, greater complexity and more failure points (leaks, compressors, valve blocks), sensitivity to temperature and moisture, added weight and energy use, potential ride/handling compromises and compressor …
What Is the Cooling System of a Car? The cooling system of a car is the network of components and fluids that regulates engine temperature by carrying heat away from the engine and releasing it to the air. In most modern vehicles, it’s a sealed, pressurized liquid-cooling loop that uses a water pump, thermostat, radiator, …
How Red Light Cameras Catch You They detect a vehicle crossing the stop line after the signal turns red using embedded sensors or radar, then capture high‑resolution images and short video clips with timestamps and signal‑phase data; a trained reviewer verifies the evidence and, if it meets legal standards, a citation is mailed to the …
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Car’s Computer Issue? Expect to pay roughly $150–$300 for diagnostics or a software update, $300–$1,500 for most computer-module repairs or replacements, and $800–$2,500+ for complex cases such as ADAS (driver-assistance) sensors or infotainment units. Actual cost depends on the module involved, the vehicle make, required calibrations, and …
Can You Still Drive a Car With a Bad Catalytic Converter? Usually, yes—but only for short, necessary trips and only if the car still runs normally. Depending on how the catalytic converter has failed, driving can be illegal in some jurisdictions, harm the engine, increase fire risk, and leave you stranded. Get the vehicle diagnosed …
What was the most popular car in 1965? In the United States, the 1965 Chevrolet Impala was the year’s best‑selling car by a wide margin; globally, the Volkswagen Beetle was the most popular model. The answer depends on whether “most popular” is defined by U.S. sales or worldwide reach, and whether you look at model-year …
What Is a Fuel Injection System? A fuel injection system precisely meters and delivers fuel into an internal combustion engine—replacing carburetors in nearly all modern cars, motorcycles, and many small engines—to improve power, efficiency, drivability, and emissions. In practice, it’s a computer-controlled network of sensors, pumps, rails, and injectors that atomize fuel into either the …
What Is the Tongue Weight of a 3,000‑Pound Trailer? For a typical bumper‑pull trailer weighing 3,000 pounds loaded, the recommended tongue weight is about 300 to 450 pounds (10–15% of total trailer weight). The precise figure depends on how the trailer is loaded, the trailer type, and your tow vehicle’s ratings. Below, we explain why …
What are the S and L terminals on an alternator? The S terminal is the “Sense” input that lets the voltage regulator monitor system/battery voltage, while the L terminal is the “Lamp” control that drives the charge warning light and often provides initial field excitation. In practice, S should see battery positive (ideally at the …
How a Simple Carburettor Works A simple carburettor meters and mixes fuel with air by using a venturi to create a low-pressure region that draws fuel from a float-fed bowl through a jet, atomizes it into the airstream, and delivers the combustible mixture to the engine; the throttle controls airflow (thus engine speed), the choke …
The Advantage of Dual Cam In most fields, a dual-cam design improves performance and control by splitting work across two coordinated cams: in practice, that can mean higher speed or power (archery bows and engines), better precision and consistency (mechanical locks), or greater versatility (smartphone cameras). The term “dual cam” is used in multiple industries, …
Why Your Car Says “Brake Failure” If your dashboard flashes “Brake Failure” or “Brake System Problem,” the car is detecting a serious issue that could impair stopping—pull over safely and arrange a tow. While the message doesn’t always mean total loss of brakes, it signals a fault in the hydraulic, electronic, or assist systems that …
Do all Rolls-Royce have suicide doors? No. While most modern Rolls-Royce models feature rear-hinged “coach doors,” not every Rolls-Royce ever built has them. The company’s current lineup uses the design as a brand signature, but many earlier postwar models—and some coachbuilt exceptions—use conventional front-hinged doors. What Rolls-Royce models use coach doors today Since the 2003 …
How long does it take to become a small engine mechanic? Most people can become employable as a small engine mechanic in about 6–12 months through a vocational certificate or on-the-job training; an associate degree typically takes 18–24 months, and reaching full, independent proficiency commonly takes 2–4 years of hands-on experience. The exact timeline varies …
Which cable do you connect first: black or red? Connect red first, then black. When disconnecting, remove black first, then red. This applies to both jump-starting a vehicle and installing a battery; for jump-starts, make the final black connection to a clean, unpainted metal ground on the disabled vehicle—never directly to its negative battery terminal. …
How Your Car’s Cruise Control Works Cruise control maintains a set speed by automatically adjusting the throttle—and in many newer cars, the brakes—using sensors and a control computer; adaptive systems add radar or cameras to keep distance from traffic. Put simply, you set a speed, the car monitors how fast you’re going, and the system …