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.
Odometer and Speedometer: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Matter An odometer records a vehicle’s cumulative distance traveled, while a speedometer shows the vehicle’s current speed. Together, they help drivers track mileage for maintenance and resale, obey speed limits for safety, and meet legal documentation requirements. Modern versions range from mechanical dials …
Who is the greatest race car driver of all time? There is no universally accepted greatest, but if forced to choose one name across global motorsport, Lewis Hamilton has the strongest overall case thanks to his record haul of wins, pole positions, and podiums in Formula 1—the sport’s deepest and most scrutinized arena—while Juan Manuel …
Why Japan Drives on the Left Japan drives on the left largely because British engineers introduced left-running railways in the 1870s, reinforcing an older local habit of keeping left, and the government later codified the rule nationwide in the early 20th century; an exception in Okinawa during U.S. occupation ended with a return to left-side …
How to Tell If Your Car’s Suspension Has Gone You’ll usually know your suspension is going or has gone when the car bounces excessively, nosedives under braking, leans more in corners, makes clunks or rattles over bumps, shows uneven or “cupped” tire wear, leaks fluid from shocks/struts, sags at one corner, or triggers a suspension/ride …
Ford’s 1970s Car Lineup: What Ford Made Around the World Ford’s 1970s cars included, in the U.S., models such as the Mustang (including Mustang II), Pinto, Maverick, Torino/Gran Torino, LTD/LTD II, Thunderbird, Granada, Fairmont, Fiesta (U.S.-market), Galaxie 500, Custom 500, and Country Squire wagons; in Europe, the Escort, Capri, Cortina, Taunus, Granada/Consul, and Fiesta; in …
Is Your Distributor Cap and Rotor Bad? How to Spot Symptoms, Test, and Fix the Problem If your engine misfires, idles rough, hesitates under acceleration, or struggles to start—especially in wet weather—your distributor cap and rotor may be failing. On vehicles that still use a distributor, these parts route high-voltage spark to each cylinder; wear, …
What Happens When You Press the Clutch? Pressing the clutch pedal in a manual-transmission vehicle disconnects the engine from the transmission, momentarily stopping power flow to the wheels so you can change gears or come to a halt without stalling. In that moment, engine braking is removed, the engine can rev freely if you press …
What Is the “Only 7 Car in the World”? Decoding a Confusing Phrase There isn’t a single, universally recognized “only 7 car in the world.” The phrase is ambiguous. People usually mean one of three things: a car built in a run of seven examples (such as the Koenigsegg One:1 or the W Motors Lykan …
Will a Master Cylinder Eventually Bleed Itself? Usually no. A brake master cylinder will not reliably “bleed itself,” and air trapped anywhere in the hydraulic system will not safely purge without proper bleeding. While tiny bubbles inside the master cylinder may migrate to the reservoir over time, significant air in the master bore, lines, calipers/wheel …
What to do if someone put sugar in your gas tank If you suspect sugar was put in your fuel tank, do not start the vehicle. Document the scene, file a police report, contact your insurer, and have the car towed to a qualified shop to drain and clean the fuel system. Sugar does not …
Can You Drive With a Broken Power Steering Rack? Generally, no—driving with a broken power steering rack is unsafe and can quickly lead to loss of steering control. If the steering still works but assist is gone, you may be able to creep a very short distance at low speed to a safe spot, but …
What Triggers an Airbag to Deploy Airbags deploy when crash sensors detect a rapid change in velocity consistent with a moderate-to-severe impact, the control unit’s algorithm confirms the crash type, and occupant/seatbelt data allow deployment; the module then ignites an inflator to fill the bag within milliseconds. In practice, this decision blends measurements from accelerometers …
How to Tell if Your Transmission Is Failing If your vehicle slips between gears, hesitates to engage Drive or Reverse, shifts harshly, shudders, makes grinding or whining noises, leaks reddish fluid, smells burnt, or triggers a warning light or limp mode, your transmission may be failing. Confirm by checking fluid level/condition, scanning for diagnostic trouble …
Is a DOHC Engine Powerful? Understanding Dual Overhead Cams and Performance Yes—DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) engines can be very powerful, but the cam layout itself doesn’t guarantee high output. DOHC mainly enables better airflow, more precise valve control, and higher engine speeds, which together allow strong peak horsepower and high specific output. Actual power depends …
What Is the Main Function of the Carburetor? The main function of a carburetor is to mix and meter fuel with incoming air in the correct proportion, then deliver that combustible mixture to an internal combustion engine according to its speed, load, and temperature. In practice, the carburetor regulates engine power and responsiveness by controlling …
The Best Used Convertible Cars to Buy in 2025 For most buyers, the Mazda MX-5 Miata (2019–2024, ND generation) is the best used convertible to buy thanks to outstanding reliability, low running costs, exceptional driving fun, and strong resale value; for more luxury and space, look at a 2018–2022 Audi A5 Cabriolet or a 2017–2020 …
The classic cop car, explained The classic cop car is widely known as the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI), commonly called the “Crown Vic.” It earned that status through decades of dominance in U.S. policing, thanks to its durability, rear-wheel-drive handling, and low-cost upkeep, even though it was discontinued in 2011. What people mean …
Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Fire? Yes—engine fires are typically covered if you carry comprehensive coverage, and they can also be covered under collision if the fire directly results from a crash. Liability insurance alone won’t pay to repair your car after an engine fire. Coverage, deductibles, and exclusions vary by policy and state, so …
Is “Fair” Condition Good? Understanding What You’re Really Getting Fair condition is generally not “good”; it usually means an item is usable but shows significant wear or has notable flaws. Whether that’s acceptable depends on what you’re buying, the price, and your tolerance for imperfections. This article explains how “fair” is defined across categories—electronics, cars, …
What to Use as a Temporary Gas Cap The safest temporary solution is a correctly fitting replacement fuel cap—OEM or an auto-parts “universal” cap matched to your vehicle; if your car has a capless filler system, you can drive a short distance to buy one. Avoid makeshift substitutes like rags, plastic bags, tape, or foil, …
What kind of engines do NASCARs have? NASCAR race cars use naturally aspirated 5.86-liter (358 cubic-inch) pushrod V8 engines; in the Cup Series they’re fuel-injected, rev to roughly 9,000 rpm, and make about 670 horsepower at most tracks (reduced to roughly 510 hp at superspeedways), with purpose-built engines from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. Below is …
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Differential? Expect to pay anywhere from about $80–$200 for a simple differential fluid service, $250–$900 for seals or bearings, $1,000–$2,500 for a ring-and-pinion or limited-slip rebuild, and $1,500–$4,500+ to replace the entire differential assembly. Costs vary by vehicle type (FWD/RWD/AWD), damage severity, and labor rates, which in …
What Makes a CO2 Car Go Faster A CO2 car goes faster when aerodynamic drag is minimized, rolling resistance is reduced, mass is optimized, the CO2 cartridge releases thrust cleanly and squarely, and the car tracks straight with precise alignment. In practice, that means shaping the body to cut through air, ensuring ultra-low-friction wheels and …
Does nitrous oxide actually make cars faster? Yes—when installed and tuned correctly, nitrous oxide can make cars accelerate faster and achieve higher top-end speeds by increasing the oxygen available for combustion and cooling the intake charge. It enables the engine to burn more fuel safely for a short burst of extra power, which translates into …
Who Is the Original Inventor of the Car? Karl Benz is widely credited as the inventor of the modern car, thanks to his 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen—commonly recognized as the first practical, purpose-built automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. While many pioneers contributed steam, electric, and gasoline vehicles before and after him, Benz’s design, patent, …
How much does it usually cost to fix a power steering leak Most power steering leaks on hydraulic systems cost about $150 to $650 to repair when the culprit is a hose, clamp, reservoir, or pump seal; if the steering rack is leaking, the job typically runs $900 to $2,200 or more, often plus $100 …
How a Car Knows Your Tire Pressure Cars determine tire pressure using a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), either by reading it directly from pressure sensors inside each wheel (direct TPMS) or by inferring it from wheel-speed data via the ABS system (indirect TPMS). Most modern vehicles use direct sensors that transmit pressure and temperature to …
What Is the 80/20 Rule for Charging? The 80/20 rule for charging advises keeping lithium‑ion batteries—like those in electric vehicles, phones, and laptops—between roughly 20% and 80% state of charge during everyday use to slow long‑term degradation and save time, reserving 100% charges (and deep discharges) for when you truly need maximum range or runtime. …
Are there any 100% self-driving cars? No—there are currently no cars available to the public that can drive themselves everywhere, in all conditions, without human oversight. What does exist are limited, geo-fenced robotaxi services that operate without a human driver in specific areas and conditions, plus consumer vehicles with advanced driver-assistance that still require active …
How to Make a CO2 Car More Aerodynamic Streamline the body into a teardrop-like shape, minimize frontal area, smooth every surface, carefully manage wheel and axle exposure, and gently taper the tail to delay flow separation. In practice, that means a rounded nose, a long, gradual rear taper (about 7–12 degrees), tight wheel clearances, and …