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.
Why the “Check Battery” Light Comes On — Causes, What to Do, and How to Fix It The check battery light typically illuminates when your vehicle’s charging system isn’t maintaining proper voltage—most often due to a failing alternator, a loose or broken serpentine belt, corroded or loose battery connections, a weak or dead battery, a …
Is the UK a left- or right-hand drive? The United Kingdom drives on the left side of the road, and most vehicles are right-hand drive (steering wheel on the right). In everyday terms, that means traffic keeps left, drivers sit on the right, and overtaking is typically done on the right. What the terms actually …
How Much Does a Front-End Alignment Cost in 2025? Expect to pay about $80–$130 for a standard front-end (two-wheel) alignment at independent shops in 2025, $120–$160 at many dealerships, and $110–$180 if you opt for a full four-wheel alignment instead. Prices can rise with vehicle type, seized hardware, or added calibrations, while lifetime packages typically …
Is HHO Gas Toxic? HHO (also called oxyhydrogen or Brown’s gas) is not toxic in the conventional sense, but it is extremely hazardous: it is a powerful fire and explosion risk, can displace breathable air and cause asphyxiation in confined spaces, and is often produced using caustic electrolytes that can burn skin and eyes. In …
What Is a Mechanical Issue in Writing? A mechanical issue in writing is an error in the surface conventions of text—such as punctuation, spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, numerals, abbreviations, and formatting—that distracts readers or obscures meaning. Unlike grammar (how words function together) or style (tone and voice), mechanics governs how writing is presented on the page …
What “Dead Weight” Means, Across Contexts Dead weight refers to weight that must be carried or supported but does not actively help in lifting, movement, or propulsion; in technical fields, it has specific definitions such as maritime deadweight tonnage and the economic concept of deadweight loss. Beyond the everyday sense of something or someone being …
Is driving a stick shift easy? It’s learnable but not instantly easy: most people can get a manual car moving and shifting in a couple of hours of focused practice, while becoming smooth and confident typically takes days to a few weeks, depending on the car, the conditions, and the learner. Although manuals are less …
Who is the richest NASCAR driver? Dale Earnhardt Jr. is widely considered the richest NASCAR driver as of 2025, with industry estimates placing his net worth at roughly $300 million. While exact figures are private and vary by source, Earnhardt Jr.’s wealth stems from a rare blend of on-track success, long-running endorsements, team ownership, and …
What Part of a Car Do You Fill With Water? You generally do not fill any modern car component with plain water. The engine’s cooling system is topped up at the coolant expansion tank (or radiator on older cars) using the correct antifreeze/coolant mixture, while the windshield washer reservoir can be filled with water in …
Who is the best racecar driver ever? There isn’t a single, universally accepted “best” racecar driver ever. On pure statistics in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has the strongest case; adjusted for era and team-hopping dominance, Juan Manuel Fangio is often historians’ pick; for raw speed and mystique, Ayrton Senna remains a touchstone; and in the …
A Common Ignition System Problem: Worn or Fouled Spark Plugs Worn or fouled spark plugs are one of the most common ignition system problems, often causing misfires, rough idling, hard starts, reduced power, and poor fuel economy. In many vehicles—especially those with high mileage or irregular maintenance—plug wear or contamination disrupts the spark needed to …
Can I Just Add Coolant to My Car Without Flushing? Yes—if the system is otherwise healthy, you can top off coolant with the correct type in the short term, but you shouldn’t rely on topping up as a substitute for maintenance. Adding coolant won’t fix contamination, wrong chemistry, or underlying leaks, and most vehicles still …
What size socket is the oil drain plug? It depends on the vehicle: most passenger cars use a 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, or 17 mm hex socket, while some trucks/SUVs run 15–19 mm, and several European models use internal hex (6–8 mm) or Torx-style plugs. Because sizes vary by make, model, engine, and …
Do HHO generators really work? In brief: No—on-board “HHO” or hydrogen-on-demand generators have not been shown to deliver net fuel savings or reliable emissions benefits in modern vehicles; in most cases they increase engine load and can reduce overall efficiency. Below, we explain why the physics, independent testing, and regulatory findings align against the claims, …
What “Mechanical Problem” Means—and Why the Context Matters A mechanical problem generally means a malfunction or fault in the physical, moving, or structural parts of a machine or system—think gears, bearings, linkages, housings—rather than an electrical, electronic, or software issue. In everyday use it often describes vehicle or equipment trouble; in education, a mechanics problem …
How much does a turbo increase horsepower? A typical, well-matched turbocharger can increase horsepower by roughly 30–70% on pump gas with conservative tuning. In practical terms, 5–7 psi of boost often yields 20–40% more power, around 10 psi can deliver 40–60%, and about 15 psi may produce 60–100% gains on engines and fuel systems designed …
Are Engine Coils Easy to Replace? Generally, yes: on many modern cars with coil-on-plug ignition, replacing an engine (ignition) coil is a straightforward DIY job that takes 15–60 minutes with basic tools; however, difficulty varies widely by vehicle—some engines hide coils under intake manifolds or cowlings, turning a simple swap into a multi-hour procedure. Understanding …
How an Internal Combustion Engine Works An internal combustion engine (ICE) turns the chemical energy of fuel into mechanical work by burning a fuel–air mixture inside cylinders; the expanding hot gases push pistons that rotate a crankshaft, producing power. Most road engines follow a four-stroke cycle—intake, compression, power, exhaust—coordinated by valves and, in gasoline engines, …
How to Tell If Synthetic Oil Needs Changing You should change synthetic oil when your vehicle’s oil-life monitor calls for service or when you reach the time/mileage in your owner’s manual—commonly 7,500–10,000 miles or about 12 months for many modern cars, sooner under severe driving conditions. Change it earlier if you see urgent signs such …
Why the ABS Light Comes On: The Most Common Culprit and How to Respond The most common cause of an ABS warning light is a faulty wheel speed sensor—or its wiring and connector—at one of the wheels. These sensors sit in a harsh environment and can fail due to dirt, corrosion, damaged wiring, or a …
How Car Brakes Slow a Vehicle Brakes slow a car by converting its motion into heat through friction: pressing the pedal builds pressure that forces pads to clamp a spinning disc (or shoes to press a drum), while anti-lock and stability systems modulate that force so the tires keep gripping the road. In practice, it’s …
Are “Suicide Doors” Illegal? The Myth Versus the Law They are not inherently illegal. Reverse-hinged, or “suicide,” doors are permitted in most markets as long as a vehicle meets modern safety standards for latches, hinges, side-impact protection, and occupant ejection mitigation. The misconception that they are banned stems from early 20th-century safety problems and the …
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Car’s Cooling System? Most common cooling-system fixes in the U.S. cost $150–$1,200, while major repairs like a head gasket can run $1,500–$5,000. A diagnostic check typically costs $50–$150, a coolant flush $100–$200, a radiator $400–$1,200, and a water pump $350–$900 (more if tied to a timing-belt service). …
Which car has a Wankel engine? Today, the only new car on sale with a Wankel (rotary) engine is the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, where the rotary serves as a compact range-extender generator. Historically, the most famous Wankel-powered cars include the Mazda RX-7 and RX-8, along with earlier pioneers such as the NSU Ro 80 …
How Often Do You Really Need an Oil Change? For most modern gasoline cars using synthetic oil, plan on every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or about once a year, unless your vehicle’s oil-life monitor calls for it sooner; under “severe service” (frequent short trips, towing, extreme heat/cold, dusty roads), aim for 5,000 to 7,500 miles …
When to Use 3rd and 4th Gear in a Manual Transmission Use 3rd gear when you’re moving through low-to-mid speeds and need strong pull—typically around 20–35 mph (30–55 km/h)—such as in city traffic, on hills, or when accelerating out of slower corners. Shift to 4th gear for moderate, steadier speeds—roughly 30–45 mph (50–70 km/h)—to cruise …
What Is the Scrap Value of a Catalytic Converter? Expect most catalytic converters to sell for roughly $75–$400 as scrap, with higher-value original equipment (OEM) units commonly fetching $600–$1,200+ depending on make/model and precious-metal prices. Actual payout varies widely by part number, whether the unit is OEM or aftermarket, and current market prices for platinum, …
How to Know When Your Tires Need to Be Replaced You likely need new tires if tread depth is at or below 2/32 inch (1.6 mm), you see cracks, bulges, cords, or uneven wear, the tires are 6–10 years old, you experience persistent pressure loss or vibration, or a puncture is in the sidewall or …
What kind of cars did Ford make in the 1960s? Ford’s 1960s lineup spanned compact economy cars (Falcon), mid-size family sedans (Fairlane, later Torino), full-size cruisers (Galaxie and the new LTD), the personal-luxury Thunderbird, and the trend-defining Mustang with high-performance offshoots (GT, Shelby, Boss). In Europe and other markets, Ford built staples like the Anglia, …
What “Excellent Condition” Means for a Car An “excellent condition” car is one that is mechanically flawless, cosmetically near-new, fully documented, and needs no reconditioning. In practical terms, it drives as intended with no warning lights, has minimal wear inside and out, shows a clean history and up-to-date maintenance, and passes independent inspection without recommended …