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.
Were cars expensive in the 1930s? Compared with today’s sticker prices, mainstream American cars in the 1930s were not expensive—many new models sold for roughly $500–$800 (about $10,000–$16,000 in 2025 dollars). But in the context of the Great Depression—falling wages, high unemployment, and tight credit—a new car still represented months of pay for most families, …
How Much Horsepower Do You Gain From a Turbo? On a typical gasoline engine, adding a properly sized and tuned turbocharger often yields about 30–70% more crank horsepower at moderate boost; with robust supporting mods and fuel, gains can reach 100% or more. A quick rule of thumb: each 1 psi of boost can add …
Will Sugar in the Gas Tank Ruin an Engine? No—sugar in a gas tank rarely “ruins” an engine. Because sugar does not dissolve in gasoline or diesel, it doesn’t circulate as a destructive syrup. Instead, it behaves like gritty debris that can clog the fuel filter, strain or damage the fuel pump, and potentially foul …
What Is a Crumple Zone? A crumple zone is a part of a vehicle’s structure intentionally designed to deform and crush in a crash, absorbing impact energy to keep forces lower on occupants inside the cabin. In modern vehicles, these zones are engineered into the front, rear, and sometimes sides, channeling crash energy away from …
Why They’re Called “Freeways” They’re called “freeways” because the “free” refers to freedom from at-grade intersections, traffic signals, and direct property access—allowing traffic to flow freely—not because they are free of tolls. In U.S. highway engineering, a freeway is a fully controlled-access road designed for uninterrupted, high-speed travel, and it may be tolled or untolled …
How Gas Station Pumps Know When to Stop They stop because the nozzle senses when liquid fuel covers a small hole near the tip, creating a vacuum that mechanically trips a shutoff valve. In practice, a venturi inside the nozzle generates suction; as soon as rising fuel blocks the sensing port, the sudden vacuum flexes …
What Is the Best Vintage Motorcycle to Buy? There isn’t a single best vintage motorcycle for everyone, but for most first-time classic buyers seeking dependable riding, strong parts support, and solid resale value, the Honda CB750 SOHC (1969–1976) and BMW R75/5 (1970–1973) are standout choices. If your priority is blue-chip appreciation, look to the Kawasaki …
What Car Was Popular in the 1960s? The Ford Mustang stands out as the most popular and culturally defining car of the 1960s—especially in the United States—while the Volkswagen Beetle and the Mini were widespread global favorites. Popularity varied by region and by how it’s measured (sales, cultural footprint, affordability, or motorsport success), but these …
What Cars Are Used for Lowriders? Most lowriders are classic American, rear‑wheel‑drive, body‑on‑frame cars—especially 1958–64 Chevrolet Impalas—alongside popular platforms like 1978–87 G‑bodies (Buick Regal, Chevy Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Cutlass), 1970s Caprice/Impala, and large luxury models from Cadillac and Lincoln; trucks and some imports are also used, typically with hydraulic or air suspension. Lowriding is a …
What Is Biofuel? Biofuel is a renewable fuel made from recently living biological material—such as plants, organic waste, or algae—used to power vehicles, aircraft, ships, heat systems, and sometimes electricity generation. It differs from fossil fuels because its carbon originally comes from atmospheric CO2 captured by biomass, offering the potential for lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions …
What Is the Ignition System? An ignition system is the set of components that creates and controls the high-voltage spark that ignites the air‑fuel mixture in a gasoline (spark‑ignition) engine; it is not used in diesels or electric vehicles. In modern vehicles, this system converts low-voltage battery power into precisely timed sparks at each cylinder, …
Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Gauge Common symptoms include erratic or stuck readings (pegged full or empty), an inconsistent low-fuel warning light, and an inaccurate range/miles-to-empty display. A fuel gauge relies on a tank sender, wiring, the instrument cluster, and often the body/engine computer; when any link fails, the display can misreport how much fuel …
What “dry sump” means in engines A dry sump is an engine lubrication system that stores oil in a separate external tank and uses scavenge pumps to remove oil from a shallow pan, ensuring consistent oil pressure and preventing starvation during high g-forces. In contrast to a wet sump, which keeps oil in the bottom …
Symptoms of Positive Crankcase Pressure: What Drivers Should Watch For Positive crankcase pressure typically shows up as oil leaks, a dipstick that pops up, visible vapor from the oil filler or dipstick tube, an oil cap that hisses or “dances,” increased oil consumption, and sometimes blue smoke from the exhaust. In simple terms, when the …
How Catalytic Converters Work, Simply Explained Catalytic converters clean a car’s exhaust by using precious-metal catalysts to speed up chemical reactions that turn harmful gases—carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—into safer gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), and nitrogen (N2) as hot exhaust flows through a ceramic honeycomb. In …
What Needs to Be Done Every 30,000 Miles At roughly every 30,000 miles, most vehicles benefit from replacing the engine air filter and cabin air filter, rotating the tires and checking alignment, thoroughly inspecting the brake system, checking or servicing transmission fluid as specified, inspecting coolant, and performing a comprehensive look-over of belts, hoses, suspension, …
Why the UK Drives on the Left The United Kingdom drives on the left because historical customs dating back to horseback travel favored passing on the left to keep the right (often dominant) hand free—originally for swords, later for reins and brakes—then laws in the late 18th and early 19th centuries formalized the practice nationwide. …
Is a 2.4 a 4-cylinder? Often—but not always. A “2.4” typically refers to a 2.4‑liter engine, which in many modern cars is a four‑cylinder. However, 2.4 liters is a measure of displacement, not cylinder count, so there are also 2.4‑liter five‑cylinders and six‑cylinders on the market and in the used/classic car world. Here’s how to …
What Size Wrench Do You Need for a Car Battery? Most car battery terminal clamp nuts use a 10 mm wrench; some vehicles use 8 mm or 12–13 mm. GM-style side-post batteries typically take an 8 mm (5/16 inch) wrench on the terminal bolt. Battery hold-down brackets are commonly 10 mm or 13 mm (or …
Who is the world’s best car racer? There isn’t a single definitive “world’s best,” but the most defensible all-time pick across global motorsport is Lewis Hamilton for his record-setting Formula 1 career; on current form over the last few seasons, Max Verstappen has been the benchmark. In rallying, Sébastien Loeb is the career standout, and …
Where to put water in your car The only place most drivers should add “water” themselves is the windshield washer reservoir; for the engine, use premixed coolant in the overflow tank and only add plain water in an emergency when you can’t get the right coolant. Modern vehicles have specific fluid systems, so knowing what …
Where Is the Brake Light Switch Typically Located? In most cars and light trucks, the brake light switch is mounted on the brake pedal assembly under the dashboard, where a plunger or sensor contacts the pedal arm; some vehicles instead use a pressure switch on the master cylinder or brake hydraulic line. Motorcycles typically have …
Are lowrider cars illegal? No—lowrider cars are not inherently illegal. In most places, it’s legal to own and drive a lowrider, but specific modifications and behaviors can violate local vehicle equipment and traffic laws. In California, lowriding and cruising are legal statewide as of 2024 after lawmakers repealed anti-cruising rules and a decades-old restriction on …
What “Condition” Means for a Car Condition refers to a car’s overall state—mechanical, cosmetic, structural, and legal—which signals how well it runs, how it looks, whether it’s been damaged or repaired, and how it’s been maintained. In practice, a vehicle’s condition summarizes wear and tear, service history, accident/flood exposure, and title status, and it is …
What Is the Main Function of the Camshaft? The camshaft’s main function is to open and close an engine’s intake and exhaust valves at precisely timed intervals relative to the crankshaft, controlling how the engine breathes and, therefore, how it produces power, efficiency, and emissions. In modern engines, the camshaft’s role is coordinated electronically and …
How Traffic Lights Get Programmed Traffic lights are programmed by traffic engineers who define timing plans—sets of parameters for green, yellow, and red phases—inside dedicated signal controllers that use sensors, schedules, and sometimes adaptive algorithms to respond to real-time conditions. In practice, signals run predesigned plans for different times of day, coordinate with nearby intersections …
Who are the most popular NASCAR drivers right now Chase Elliott remains the sport’s most popular active driver, with Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney close behind; other widely followed and frequently searched names include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, William Byron, and Christopher Bell. Popularity is reflected by the multi-year …
Do Any Cars Still Use a Rotary Engine? Yes—but only in a supporting role. Mazda’s MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, sold in select markets, uses a compact rotary engine as a generator to extend driving range. No current mass‑production car uses a rotary engine as the primary drive unit; the last mainstream rotary-driven sports car, Mazda’s RX‑8, …
How a Differential System Works A vehicle’s differential lets the left and right wheels rotate at different speeds while still receiving engine torque; it uses a set of gears (or clutches) to split power, enabling smooth turns, reducing tire scrub, and maintaining control. In practice, the differential transmits torque from the driveshaft to the axle …
How Much Are Dead Cars Worth? In most of the United States, a non‑running “dead” car is typically worth $200–$1,500, depending on weight, scrap and parts value, towing, title status, and current metal prices; repairable late‑model vehicles can fetch $1,000–$5,000, while stripped or very light hulks may bring only $100–$400. That range reflects 2025 market …