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.
What countries drive on the left People drive on the left in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa, Kenya, and dozens of other nations and territories across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean—roughly a quarter of the world’s countries, home to about a third of the …
Are ignition coils the same as spark plugs? No—ignition coils and spark plugs are different components that perform complementary roles in a gasoline engine’s ignition system. The ignition coil generates high voltage from the vehicle’s 12-volt system, while the spark plug uses that voltage to create a spark across its gap inside the combustion chamber. …
ABS vs. Normal Brakes: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) automatically prevent wheel lockup and preserve steering control during hard braking by rapidly modulating brake pressure; normal (non-ABS) brakes apply pressure directly and can lock the wheels if you press too hard, reducing control and, in many cases, lengthening stopping …
Can a car distributor be repaired? Yes—on vehicles that have them, most distributors can be repaired by replacing wear items like the cap, rotor, points/igniter, pickup coil, vacuum advance, bushings, and seals. However, if the housing is cracked or the shaft is badly worn, replacement or professional rebuilding is usually the better choice. Many modern …
Clutch vs. Brake: What’s the Difference, and Why It Matters A clutch connects or disconnects power between rotating parts, while a brake slows or stops rotation by dissipating energy as heat. In other words, a clutch transmits or interrupts torque to control motion, whereas a brake resists motion to decelerate or hold a position. Understanding …
Which countries have right-hand drive? Countries that drive on the left side of the road generally use right-hand drive vehicles; prominent examples include the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, South Africa, and many others across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean. In practice, “right-hand drive” refers to the steering wheel being on the right side …
Manual vs. Automatic Cars: Which Is Better in 2025? The better choice depends on how and where you drive: for most people in 2025, an automatic is the more practical, efficient, and future-proof option, while a manual still appeals for lower purchase cost (in select models), mechanical simplicity, and driver engagement. Below, we explain how …
What CO2 Is Used For in Cars CO2 is mostly a regulated exhaust emission from combustion engines, but it also has deliberate roles: it is used as an automotive refrigerant (R-744) in some air-conditioning and heat-pump systems, appears in cabin air-quality sensing on select models, serves as a fire-extinguishing agent and tire-inflation source in certain …
The 3% Rule for Tires: What It Is and Why It Matters The 3% rule for tires is a widely used fitment guideline stating that any replacement tire’s overall diameter (rolling circumference) should stay within about ±3% of the vehicle’s original tire size. Drivers and shops use this threshold to keep speedometer/odometer accuracy, ABS/traction control …
How fast do Australian road trains go Australian road trains generally travel at up to 100 km/h on open highways where conditions and signage allow, because heavy trucks are required to be speed‑limited to 100 km/h. In some regions and on specific permits or road networks, multi‑trailer combinations may be restricted to around 90 km/h, …
What a “5.2-liter engine” means A 5.2-liter engine is an internal-combustion engine with a total displacement of 5.2 liters (5,200 cubic centimeters), roughly 317–318 cubic inches. In practical terms, that figure represents the combined volume swept by all the pistons as they move from the top to the bottom of their cylinders. It signals engine …
How Many Miles Can You Drive Past Your Oil Change? In most modern cars running full synthetic oil, driving about 500–1,000 miles past the scheduled oil change is usually low risk if the oil level is correct and no warning lights are on; however, it’s best to follow your owner’s manual or the oil-life monitor …
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad ECM (Engine Control Module)? A failing ECM often shows up as a persistent check-engine light with multiple unrelated trouble codes, rough running or stalling, hard starting or no start, erratic transmission shifting or limp mode, poor fuel economy, and sometimes a scan tool that can’t communicate with the …
DOHC vs. OHC: What Sets Them Apart in Modern Engines DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) places two camshafts over each cylinder bank, typically one for intake valves and one for exhaust, enabling finer valve control and often more valves per cylinder; OHC (Overhead Camshaft) is the broader category where at least one camshaft sits above the …
Can You Drive With a Messed-Up Master Cylinder? No—driving with a compromised brake master cylinder is unsafe and often illegal. If your brake pedal goes soft, sinks to the floor, or a brake warning light appears, pull over safely and have the vehicle towed. If failure happens while you’re already moving, use engine braking and …
What Is the Computer in a Car Called? The computer in a car is most commonly called the Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Engine Control Module (ECM); in many models, the primary “brain” is the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which manages both engine and transmission. However, modern vehicles actually contain dozens of networked computers—often all …
Do any U.S. territories drive on the left? Yes. The U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left; all other populated U.S. territories drive on the right. This distinction is a historical holdover in the Caribbean, while territories in the Pacific and Puerto Rico follow the same right-hand driving pattern as the 50 states. Where each …
Can You Really Get a Car for $100 a Month in 2025? In 2025, a $100-per-month car payment is generally not realistic for a new vehicle and only barely achievable for an older used car—typically with a sizable down payment, a long loan term, and solid credit; occasional sub-$100 lease ads exist, but they usually …
How Much HP Does a Supercharger Add? Most street supercharger setups add roughly 30–50% more horsepower over a stock naturally aspirated engine, translating to about 50–150 hp on small four-cylinder builds and 100–250+ hp on typical V8s; well-engineered, higher-boost systems with supporting mods can add 300–600+ hp. Actual gains depend on boost pressure, supercharger type, …
What Is Wiper Control? Wiper control is the system and user interface that operate a vehicle’s windshield and rear wipers, regulating speed, interval, and sometimes automatic rain-sensing behavior; in electronics, the term can also refer to controlling the “wiper” terminal of a potentiometer. In modern cars, wiper control ranges from a simple stalk switch with …
Is Replacing a Brake Booster Easy? Generally, no: replacing a brake booster is a moderate-to-advanced job for most DIYers. On many older or conventional vehicles with a vacuum booster, it’s doable with patience, the right tools, and a clear procedure. On newer vehicles—especially hybrids, EVs, and models with integrated electronic brake boosters—replacement can be complex, …
When Is It Time to Replace Your Car? Replace your car when safety is compromised, a single essential repair approaches or exceeds roughly 50% of the car’s current market value, annual repair/maintenance keeps topping the savings from keeping it, or when upcoming ownership costs (repairs, fuel, insurance, taxes/fees) over the next 12–24 months exceed the …
Why superchargers aren’t common anymore They haven’t disappeared, but mechanical superchargers are far less common in new production cars because modern turbocharging and hybrid systems deliver similar or better performance with higher efficiency, lower emissions, and better packaging and cost. Today, superchargers are mostly confined to niche high-performance models and the aftermarket, while many automakers …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Rack and Pinion? Expect to pay about $1,200–$2,700 in the U.S. to replace a rack-and-pinion steering rack on most mainstream vehicles, including parts, labor, and alignment. Electric power steering (EPS) racks and many luxury or European models typically run higher at $2,000–$4,000+, with some cases reaching $5,000 …
Why Hydrogen Cars Haven’t Taken Off Because hydrogen fuel-cell cars face high fuel costs, a sparse and unreliable refueling network, lower overall energy efficiency than battery-electric vehicles, limited model availability, and unresolved supply-chain emissions, the market has largely favored battery-electric cars instead. These constraints persist despite niche successes and strong government support in a few …
Why thieves steal catalytic converters They steal them because catalytic converters contain valuable precious metals that can be resold for quick cash, they’re accessible and fast to remove from parked cars, and historically they’ve been hard to trace. The mix of high scrap value, low barriers to theft, and patchy oversight created a lucrative black …
How to Reset Electronic Throttle Control: What Works, What Doesn’t, and When You Need a Scan Tool Most vehicles don’t have a single “reset” button for the electronic throttle control. Depending on the make and model, the throttle can relearn automatically after key cycles or a short idle/drive, while many late‑model cars require an OE‑level …
How Much Does a Header Cost? Depending on the context, a “header” can cost anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand. In the U.S. in 2025, expect automotive exhaust headers to run about $400–$3,000 installed, structural headers (beams/lintels) for homes about $400–$5,000+ installed for typical openings, and website/app header design from $0–$1,500+ (or far …
Do all seat belts have pretensioners? No. Most modern cars have pretensioners on the front outboard seat belts, but they are not universal across every seat or every vehicle—especially in older models and on some rear seats. Pretensioners are now common thanks to safety ratings and automaker practice, yet regulations generally do not mandate them, …
What dents cannot be removed Most dents can be repaired, but some cannot be fully removed—especially those with cracked or missing paint, torn or punctured metal, severely stretched or sharply creased areas, dents on panel edges or over double-metal/bracing, and damage that’s inaccessible from behind. In practice, “non-removable” usually means not feasible with paintless dent …