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 country switched from left to right driving? Sweden is the most famous example, moving from left- to right-hand traffic on September 3, 1967, in a meticulously planned national changeover known as “Dagen H.” Several other countries have made the same switch in the 20th century—often to align with neighbors, standardize vehicle imports, or improve …
Can a Bad Throttle Body Cause the EPC Light? Yes. A faulty, dirty, misadapted, or electrically compromised throttle body can trigger the EPC (Electronic Power Control) light—especially on Volkswagen, Audi, and other drive-by-wire vehicles. The EPC system monitors the electronic throttle and related inputs; when it detects a fault in the throttle plate control, internal …
Can you drive with the ABS brake light on? Yes—if only the amber ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can usually continue driving cautiously to a safe location or repair shop. However, if the red brake warning light is also on, the pedal feels soft, or you notice leaks or severe …
What Is the Simple Definition of an Engine? An engine is a machine that converts energy—most often from fuel—into mechanical power or motion. In everyday use, it describes devices that power cars, planes, ships, and many machines by transforming stored energy into useful work such as turning wheels, spinning a shaft, or generating thrust. Core …
Is It Safe to Drive With a Bad Ignition Coil? You generally should not drive with a bad ignition coil. A brief, gentle drive to a nearby repair shop may be possible, but continuing to drive risks sudden loss of power, catalytic converter damage, poor fuel economy, and safety hazards. Below, we explain how ignition …
What Is the Most Common Repair on a Car? The most common repair on a car is brake pad replacement—often paired with rotor resurfacing or replacement—because brakes are designed to wear as part of normal operation. In engine-related fixes specifically, replacing a failed oxygen (O2) sensor is frequently the top check-engine-light repair reported by industry …
Does a Thermostat Control Heat? Yes. A thermostat controls heat by turning heating equipment on or off—or modulating it—to keep indoor temperature near a set point. It doesn’t create heat; it regulates your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or electric heaters and may also manage cooling and fan settings. How a Thermostat Controls Heat At its …
What “chop shop” is slang for “Chop shop” is slang for an illegal garage or workshop where stolen vehicles are dismantled (“chopped”) so their parts can be sold or used to disguise other stolen cars; the term is sometimes used figuratively for any shady operation that “butchers” goods or identities for profit. In everyday usage, …
Is Your Fuel Injection System Failing? Here’s How to Tell If your engine is hard to start, idles roughly, hesitates under acceleration, smells like raw fuel, or shows a Check Engine light with fuel-trim or misfire codes, your fuel injection system may be bad. In practice, drivers notice loss of power, poor fuel economy, or …
Clutch Problems: The Symptoms Drivers Should Watch For The telltale symptoms of clutch trouble include engine revs rising without matching acceleration (slipping), difficulty engaging gears or grinding when shifting, a clutch pedal that feels spongy, stiff, or has a changed engagement point, shudder or vibration on takeoff, burning smells, and noises when the pedal is …
Why Some Drivers Avoid CVT Transmissions Many drivers avoid CVT (continuously variable) transmissions because of concerns about driving feel, heat-related durability under heavy load, expensive repairs, and mixed reliability histories in certain brands and model years. While CVTs can deliver smoothness and fuel efficiency, they’re not always the best match for towing, spirited driving, or …
What Is an Odometer in a Car? An odometer is the instrument in a car that records and displays the total distance the vehicle has traveled, usually shown in miles or kilometers. It’s essential for scheduling maintenance, verifying warranty limits, valuing used cars, and complying with legal disclosure rules. In modern vehicles, odometers are typically …
Torque Converter vs. CVT: Which Is Better? It depends on how and where you drive: a modern torque-converter automatic (the stepped multi‑gear transmissions in most trucks and many cars) is usually better for durability, towing, and performance, while a belt/chain CVT is typically better for smoothness and fuel economy in smaller cars and many hybrids. …
The Least Expensive Car to Operate: What Really Costs the Least per Mile In most U.S. scenarios today, the least expensive car to operate is a small battery-electric vehicle (BEV) charged at home—think models like the Chevrolet Bolt (new or used), Nissan Leaf, or Tesla Model 3 RWD—which typically run around 5–7 cents per mile …
Are there two-stroke diesel engines? Yes. Two-stroke diesel engines not only exist, they remain the dominant choice for propelling the world’s largest cargo ships and are still used in certain locomotives, naval and industrial power applications; however, they have largely disappeared from on‑highway vehicles. Modern two-stroke diesels leverage advanced turbocharging, emissions controls, and even alternative …
Symptoms of a Bad Power Steering Pump A failing power steering pump typically causes a whining or groaning noise that gets louder as you turn the wheel, heavier or inconsistent steering assist (especially at low speeds), shudder or pulsation in the steering wheel, and power steering fluid that’s low, foamy, dark, or smells burnt. You …
What Is the Most Accurate Tire Pressure Gauge? A 2025 Buyer’s Guide The most accurate tire pressure gauges are laboratory-grade, NIST-traceable digital test gauges—such as the Additel 681 series, Fluke 700G (100 psi range), and WIKA/CPG1500—which offer accuracy on the order of ±0.02–0.10% of full-scale (about ±0.02–0.10 psi on a 100 psi gauge). For practical …
What “steering” means in fair lending Steering in fair lending is the unlawful practice of directing borrowers toward different loan products, pricing, terms, or channels based on a prohibited characteristic (such as race, national origin, sex, age, or receipt of public assistance), rather than on their credit qualifications and needs. In practice, it occurs when …
Hitch Dry Weight, Explained: What It Means and Why It Matters Hitch dry weight is the vertical load a trailer places on the tow vehicle’s hitch when the trailer is empty at its factory “dry” (unloaded) weight. In other words, it’s the baseline tongue weight (for conventional/bumper-pull trailers) or pin weight (for fifth-wheels) before you …
Does Higher Horsepower Mean Faster? Not necessarily. Higher horsepower increases a vehicle’s potential for speed—especially at sustained high velocities—but whether a vehicle is actually faster in the real world depends on power-to-weight ratio, aerodynamics, gearing, traction, torque delivery, drivetrain losses, and conditions. In many cases, a lower-horsepower car can accelerate quicker or lap a track …
How Stop Lights Know When to Change Traffic lights change using a mix of timers, sensors that detect vehicles and pedestrians, and—at many intersections—centralized coordination or adaptive software that responds to real-time traffic. In practice, a signal turns green, stays on for a minimum time, and then looks for gaps in traffic or competing demands …
Is it worth fixing a rack and pinion? Usually, yes—if the vehicle is otherwise sound and the repair costs less than roughly 25–40% of the car’s market value. Because the rack-and-pinion steering unit is safety-critical, ignoring faults isn’t advisable; the decision typically comes down to cost, vehicle condition, and the type of rack involved (hydraulic …
What happens if a PCV valve is stuck open If a PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve is stuck open, it effectively creates a vacuum leak, often causing a rough or high idle, lean fuel mixtures, misfires, increased oil consumption, and a check-engine light; on turbocharged engines it can also allow boost to pressurize the crankcase, …
ABS Warning Light: What It Means and What To Do When the ABS light is on, it means your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system has detected a fault and has been disabled. Your regular brakes will still work, but the car may lose anti-lock function, and traction/stability control features often switch off as well. You can …
How to Tell If Your Car Needs Coolant The quickest way to tell is to check the translucent coolant reservoir when the engine is cold: if the level sits below the “MIN” line, the system needs coolant. Other urgent clues include a temperature warning light, a gauge creeping toward “H,” poor heater performance, or a …
Can Any Gas Cap Fit Any Car? No—gas caps are not universal. The correct cap depends on the filler-neck design, emissions system, and even the fuel type your vehicle uses. While some aftermarket caps are marketed as “universal,” they only fit a subset of vehicles with matching dimensions and sealing requirements, and they are generally …
How to Tell if Someone Put Something in Your Gas Tank If your car suddenly runs poorly, struggles to start, or you notice a tampered fuel cap, unusual smells, or residue near the fuel door, someone may have put something in your gas tank; stop driving, document what you see, and have the fuel professionally …
What Is a Car’s Crumple Zone? A crumple zone is the part of a vehicle designed to deform in a crash, absorbing and dissipating impact energy so the passenger compartment experiences lower forces and less intrusion. Built into the front, rear, and sometimes sides of modern cars, crumple zones work with seat belts, airbags, and …
How to Fix a Battery Warning Light in Your Car If your battery warning light comes on, reduce electrical loads, pull over safely, and check the serpentine belt and battery connections; then test charging voltage with a multimeter—if it reads below about 13.5 V while running, you likely have a charging-system fault (often the alternator …
Who Is the Most Popular NASCAR Driver Ever? Bill Elliott is widely regarded as the most popular NASCAR driver ever by the sport’s official measure: he holds a record 16 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver awards. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who captured the honor a remarkable 15 consecutive times, is often cited as the most …