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 Common Engine in Cars Today The most common engine in cars is the inline four-cylinder (I4) gasoline internal-combustion engine. Despite the rapid rise of electric vehicles and hybrids, the I4 remains the dominant configuration in global passenger-car production and the on-road fleet because it balances cost, efficiency, packaging, and performance for most everyday …
When a Slack Adjuster Goes Bad: What Really Happens on Heavy‑Vehicle Brakes When a slack adjuster fails, brakes go out of adjustment, stopping distances increase, wheel ends can overheat or drag, and the vehicle can be placed out of service—raising the risk of a crash and costly repairs. On modern trucks and buses that use …
How to Solve Power Steering Problems Start by identifying which type of power steering your vehicle uses (hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, or electric), then check fluid level and condition, look for leaks or a slipping belt, scan for diagnostic trouble codes, and address worn components or software faults; if symptoms persist or safety is in doubt, seek …
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Car’s Suspension? Most suspension fixes in 2025 range from about $300 to $1,000 for minor repairs (like sway-bar links or a single ball joint), $600 to $1,800 for common shock/strut work per axle, and $2,500 to $6,000 or more for complex systems like air or adaptive suspensions; …
Why your turn signal isn’t working Your turn signal usually fails due to a burned-out bulb, a blown fuse, a faulty flasher/BCM (body control module), a bad turn-signal switch, or a wiring/ground issue. In many cases, the symptom—fast flash, no flash, or intermittent operation—points directly to the fault. Below is a clear guide to reading …
The Downsides of Fuel-Injected Engines Fuel-injected engines generally cost more to buy and maintain, rely on complex electronics that can fail, require specialized diagnostic tools, and—especially in gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems—can suffer from intake valve carbon buildup and higher particulate emissions. In practice, that means pricier repairs (think high-pressure pumps and injectors), greater sensitivity …
What It Costs to Replace a Transmission in the U.S. Right Now Expect to pay about $3,000–$8,000 to replace a conventional automatic transmission in most passenger vehicles, $3,000–$9,000 for many CVT or dual‑clutch units, and $1,500–$5,000 for manuals. Luxury, European, heavy‑duty, and hybrid applications can run $6,000–$15,000 or more. Final price depends on the vehicle, …
Is an odometer the same as mileage? No. An odometer is the instrument in a vehicle that measures distance traveled, while mileage typically refers to the total distance recorded by that instrument—or, depending on context, to fuel economy or reimbursement rates. Understanding the distinction helps when buying a car, tracking fuel efficiency, or filing expense …
Which Side Is the Turn Signal On? It depends on the vehicle and market: in most left‑hand‑drive countries (like the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe), the turn‑signal stalk is on the left of the steering column; in many right‑hand‑drive markets (such as Japan, India, Malaysia, and parts of Southeast Asia), it’s commonly on the …
How Gas Pumps Know When Your Car Is Full A small sensing port near the nozzle tip and a Venturi-driven vacuum inside the handle detect when rising fuel blocks airflow; that pressure change trips a diaphragm that snaps the valve shut with a click. In other words, the shutoff is a purely mechanical response to …
Power Steering Repair Costs in 2025: What Drivers Can Expect Most drivers can expect to spend between $300 and $1,200 to repair a power steering problem, with minor fixes starting around $80 and major components reaching $2,500 or more. Costs vary widely by vehicle type, whether the system is hydraulic or electric, the part that …
How much can I tow if my GVWR is 7000 lbs? You can’t determine towing capacity from a 7000‑lb GVWR alone. GVWR is the maximum allowed weight of the vehicle itself when loaded; tow capacity depends on your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), your actual loaded vehicle weight, hitch ratings, and tongue/pin-weight limits. In …
What Is a Torque Converter Gearbox? A torque converter gearbox is an automatic transmission that uses a fluid-coupling device—called a torque converter—to transmit and multiply engine torque to a multi-speed gearset without a manual clutch. In everyday terms, it lets a vehicle pull away smoothly from a stop, shift itself, and keep the engine from …
How long does a NOS boost last? A nitrous oxide (often called “NOS”) boost in a car lasts only while the system is engaged—typically a few seconds at wide-open throttle during a pull—and a standard 10‑lb bottle usually supports a few minutes of total spray time depending on jet size. If you meant the NOS …
What an Engine Coil Does—and Why It’s Essential to Spark-Ignition Engines An engine coil, commonly called an ignition coil, converts the car’s 12-volt battery power into tens of thousands of volts to fire the spark plugs, igniting the air‑fuel mixture in gasoline engines. Without that high-voltage spark—timed precisely by the engine computer—combustion wouldn’t occur and …
What Is the Oldest License Plate Design Still in Use? Delaware’s black-and-gold “THE FIRST STATE” license plate, introduced in 1959, is widely recognized as the oldest continuing license plate design still being issued in the United States—and among the longest-running anywhere. While many jurisdictions refresh their plates every decade or two, Delaware has kept its …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Torque Converter in a Transmission? Expect to pay roughly $1,000–$2,500 for most mainstream cars and crossovers, and $1,800–$4,000 for trucks, 4x4s, and many luxury or performance models in 2025. That total typically includes a $200–$1,200 torque converter, 5–12 hours of labor at $120–$200+ per hour, fresh transmission …
What Is an Engine Called? An engine is commonly called a “motor,” and in more technical or industrial contexts it may be referred to as a “prime mover.” In everyday use—especially in vehicles—”engine” usually means an internal combustion engine (ICE), while in software, “engine” denotes a core module that drives a function (e.g., a search …
The Best Convertible Car of All Time The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the best convertible car of all time, thanks to its unmatched blend of driving joy, reliability, accessibility, and cultural impact. While “best” depends on priorities—performance, design, collectability, or everyday usability—the Miata stands alone for democratizing open-top sports-car fun for more than three decades …
How Much Does a Car Engine Cost in 2025? For most gasoline cars in the U.S., expect an engine to cost roughly $2,500–$10,000 for parts and $1,500–$5,000 for labor, putting a typical installed total around $4,500–$15,000; luxury, performance, and diesel applications can exceed $20,000, while used or remanufactured engines can lower parts costs to $1,500–$6,500. …
How a Car Works in Simple Words A car takes stored energy—either fuel or electricity—and turns it into wheel movement so you can go where you want. An engine or electric motor makes power, gears make it usable, the steering and brakes control it, and safety computers help keep you stable. This article breaks down …
What brand are old police cars? In the United States, the brand most people associate with old police cars is Ford—especially the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor—though Chevrolet and Dodge were also staples; internationally, the answer varies by country, with notable appearances from Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall, Toyota, Nissan, Holden, and others. The …
What “blinker” Means in Slang In contemporary slang, “blinker” most commonly refers to taking a vape hit until the device’s light flashes to signal a cutoff; in North America, it also colloquially means a car’s turn signal. The intended meaning depends on context—social media and vape discussions usually point to the former, while driving conversations …
What Happens When Your Steering Goes Out If your steering “goes out,” you’ll either lose power assist—making the wheel very heavy but still steerable—or suffer a mechanical failure that can prevent you from directing the vehicle. In either case, the immediate priority is to slow down, signal, and move off the road safely. Here’s what …
Can Power Steering Be Fixed? Yes—power steering can usually be fixed, but the solution depends on the type of system (hydraulic, electric, or electro-hydraulic) and the specific fault, ranging from a simple fluid top-up or fuse replacement to a full steering rack or column swap. The question often arises after a warning light, heavy steering, …
The 40 Basic Parts of an Internal Combustion Engine A typical modern four-stroke internal combustion engine is built around 40 foundational components that handle structure, motion, sealing, combustion, lubrication, cooling, air/fuel management, and exhaust. Below is a concise, practical list of those core parts, followed by context on how they work together and how designs …
What Size Is a Standard Oil Drain Plug? There isn’t a single “standard” size for oil drain plugs. Most modern passenger cars use a metric M14 × 1.5 thread, but other common sizes include M12 × 1.5 (or 1.25), M16 × 1.5, and, less often, SAE threads like 1/2-20. The correct size varies by make, …
How to Drive a Car with Regenerative Braking Drive smoothly, look far ahead, and use the accelerator to control deceleration: in most EVs and hybrids, easing off the accelerator engages regenerative braking to slow the car and recapture energy; use higher regen or “one‑pedal” modes when available, and apply the brake pedal to finish stops …
How to Get Air Out of a Brake Booster You don’t “bleed” a vacuum brake booster; if your brake pedal feels soft or spongy, the air you’re feeling is almost always in the hydraulic brake lines, not the booster. The fix is to bleed the brake hydraulics. If you suspect the booster itself, look for …
How Seatbelts Lock in Place: The Mechanics Behind a Life-Saving Snap Seatbelts lock using an inertia-reel retractor that engages when the webbing is pulled suddenly or when the vehicle decelerates or tilts; many systems combine webbing-sensitive and vehicle-sensitive triggers, while child-seat installations often use a ratcheting mode called ALR, and crash-time pretensioners tighten the belt …