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.
Symptoms of a Failing Power Steering Pump Typical symptoms include a high-pitched whine or groan when turning, heavier or slower steering at low speeds, intermittent or jerky assist, shudder through the steering wheel, foamy or discolored fluid in the reservoir, visible fluid leaks, and sometimes a burning smell or belt squeal near the pump. These …
Does a Cold Air Intake Add Horsepower? Yes—often a small amount. On most modern, naturally aspirated cars, a quality cold air intake may add roughly 0–5% at the top end (think 0–10 horsepower on a 200 hp car), while turbocharged engines can see larger gains, especially with a tune. The real-world impact varies widely by …
How Often Should Tires Be Replaced? Most drivers should plan to replace tires when tread reaches 2/32 inch (1.6 mm), or earlier for safety in rain and snow, and replace by age at roughly 6–10 years regardless of tread. In practice, many tires last 25,000–60,000 miles depending on tire type, vehicle weight, driving style, and …
What size socket do I need to remove an oil pan plug? There isn’t one universal size. Most passenger cars use a metric socket between 13 mm and 19 mm—14 mm and 17 mm are especially common—while many domestic vehicles use 13 mm or 15 mm. Some engines require an internal hex (Allen) bit, a …
The Most Sought-After Vintage Cars in 2025 Enthusiasts and collectors consistently chase a familiar cadre of blue-chip classics: Ferrari 250-series icons (especially the 250 GTO and California Spider), Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing,” Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, Lamborghini Miura, Jaguar E-Type Series 1, Aston Martin DB5, Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40, Porsche 356 Speedster, BMW 507, …
Are Disc Brakes Better Than “Regular” Brakes? In most modern contexts, yes—disc brakes outperform “regular” brakes in critical areas like heat management, consistency, and wet-weather performance. On cars and motorcycles, discs are generally superior to drums; on bicycles, discs are typically better than rim brakes, especially off-road, in rain, and on long descents. That said, …
How long should your engine oil last? For most modern cars running full-synthetic oil and a quality filter, expect 7,500–10,000 miles (12,000–16,000 km) or about 12 months between changes under normal driving, while older engines or severe use may need 3,000–5,000 miles (5,000–8,000 km) or 6 months; always follow your owner’s manual or the vehicle’s …
Faulty Vacuum Brake Booster: The Tell-Tale Symptoms Drivers Shouldn’t Ignore A failing vacuum brake booster typically shows up as a very hard brake pedal that requires much more effort, longer stopping distances, a noticeable hissing sound when pressing the pedal, and engine idle changes or stalling during braking; the pedal usually won’t sink slightly when …
What Does a Seized Caliper Pin Sound Like? A seized caliper pin most often sounds like a constant high-pitched squeal or a rhythmic metallic scraping that follows wheel speed even when you’re not pressing the brake, sometimes joined by a dull clunk on the first brake apply or release and a low-speed groan as you …
How a Seatbelt Knows When to Tighten A seatbelt tightens when its internal safety systems detect rapid deceleration or an impending crash: the retractor locks instantly via inertial sensors during a sudden stop or tug, and a pretensioner (pyrotechnic or motorized) pulls in slack within milliseconds when the vehicle’s safety controller senses a collision or …
Is Driving a Stick Shift Better for People with ADHD? There is no strong scientific evidence that manual (“stick shift”) cars are broadly better or safer for people with ADHD. Some drivers report feeling more engaged and less distractible with a stick shift, but others find the extra tasks increase cognitive load and stress, especially …
Is the UK 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). This applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, shaping road design, vehicle layout, and everyday driving practices for residents and visitors alike. What “hand drive” …
What Size Bolt Is the Oil Drain Plug? It depends on the vehicle: most modern passenger cars use an M14 x 1.5 drain plug, but other common sizes include M12 x 1.25, M12 x 1.75, M16 x 1.5, and M20 x 1.5, with hex-head sizes typically between 13 mm and 19 mm. Because sizes vary …
Can Car Wiring Be Repaired? Yes—most car wiring can be repaired, especially for localized faults like broken conductors, corroded connectors, and rodent damage; however, high-voltage electric-vehicle circuits, airbag/SRS lines, and extensively damaged harnesses typically require professional service or full harness replacement. The correct approach depends on the circuit type, the extent and location of the …
What Is a Dry Sump Oil System? A dry sump oil system is an engine lubrication design that stores oil in a separate tank and uses multiple pumps—one to pressurize oil and others to “scavenge” it from the engine—ensuring consistent oil pressure, improved reliability under high g-forces, and better packaging than a conventional wet sump …
What Is the Distributor in a Car? A distributor is a camshaft-driven device in many older gasoline engines that routes high-voltage current from the ignition coil to each spark plug in the correct firing order and at precisely timed intervals; most modern cars no longer use distributors, relying instead on electronic, distributorless ignition systems. Understanding …
Can I Drive a Car With a Coolant Leak? Generally, no—driving with a coolant leak is risky and can quickly cause severe engine damage. If you absolutely must move the car a short distance, do so only if the temperature gauge stays normal, the leak is minor, and you can top up coolant first; otherwise, …
What cars should not use ethanol gas Cars that should not use ethanol gas include any non–flex-fuel vehicle for E85, most vehicles built before 2001 for E15, and many classic or vintage cars that are best kept on ethanol-free gasoline; by contrast, E10 (up to 10% ethanol) is generally safe for most modern gasoline cars …
Is It Safer to Not Wear a Seatbelt? No—wearing a seatbelt is overwhelmingly safer than not wearing one. Decades of crash data from safety agencies worldwide show seatbelts dramatically reduce the risk of death and serious injury for drivers and passengers in nearly every type of crash, at both low and high speeds, and regardless …
Which cars have rotary engines? The most recognizable rotary-powered cars are Mazda’s RX-7 and RX-8, and today the Mazda MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV keeps the technology alive by using a compact rotary as a range-extending generator in select markets. Earlier standouts include the NSU Ro 80 and Citroën GS Birotor, which helped popularize the Wankel rotary …
What Triggers a Gas Pump to Shut Off A gas pump nozzle shuts off when a small sensing port near the tip becomes covered by liquid fuel (or blocked by foam or splashback), changing the vacuum in a Venturi-driven tube that trips a diaphragm and closes the valve. In practice, this automatic shutoff can also …
What Happens If You Unplug Your Downstream O2 Sensor? If you unplug the downstream oxygen (O2) sensor, your check engine light will turn on, fault codes will set, key emissions “readiness” monitors will go incomplete (causing an inspection failure), and emissions will increase; most vehicles will still run without obvious drivability issues, but fuel economy …
Manual vs. Automatic Transmission: What’s the Difference? Manual transmissions require the driver to press a clutch pedal and select gears, while automatic transmissions change gears on their own using hydraulic or electronic control. In practice, manuals offer more driver control and simplicity, whereas automatics prioritize convenience, consistency, and increasingly, fuel efficiency and performance. Below, we …
What happened to the AirCar on Shark Tank It never appeared: there is no record of a company or product called “AirCar” pitching on ABC’s Shark Tank, so no segment aired and no deal was made. Many viewers conflate viral headlines about the Slovak-made flying car “AirCar” with the TV show, but the aircraft has …
How to Tell if Your Differential Is Going Bad Watch for telltale signs like a speed-dependent whine or howl, clunks on acceleration or deceleration, vibration through the seat or floor, gear oil leaks or a burnt-gear smell, binding or chatter in tight turns, and glittery metal in the differential fluid. These symptoms often point to …
What Is a Good Odometer Reading for a Used Car? A good odometer reading is one that roughly matches or is below the vehicle’s age-adjusted average—about 12,000–15,000 miles per year (19,000–24,000 km)—and is backed by solid maintenance records. For example, a five-year-old car with around 60,000–75,000 miles can be a strong candidate if it has …
What Happens If You Pour Coke Into a Car’s Gas Tank? Putting Coca‑Cola (or any cola) into a gas tank usually won’t “blow up” an engine, but it can quickly disable a vehicle: the soda’s water and sugar separate from gasoline, causing fuel starvation, clogged filters and injectors, corrosion, and potentially a no‑start condition. In …
Finding a Good Racing Name: Ideas, Frameworks, and Fast-Track Tips A good racing name is short, high-impact, and evocative—try “Apex Viper,” “Thunderline,” or “Nitro Nova.” In general, aim for a name that sounds fast, is easy to shout over engine noise, and hints at your style or machine. Below, we break down what makes a …
What Is the Purpose of a Crumple Zone on a Vehicle Frame? A crumple zone is engineered to deform in a collision so it absorbs and dissipates crash energy, lengthens the time of deceleration, reduces the forces transmitted to occupants, and protects the rigid passenger compartment—while also improving the timing and effectiveness of airbags and …
CVT Transmission Life Expectancy: What Owners Can Realistically Expect in 2025 Most modern continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) last around 100,000–150,000 miles (160,000–240,000 km), with well-engineered, well-maintained units increasingly reaching 180,000–220,000 miles; earlier-generation CVTs, however, sometimes failed closer to 60,000–100,000 miles. This article explains why lifespans vary so widely, how newer designs have improved durability, what …