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 Are the Four Engine Systems? The four primary engine systems in a typical gasoline internal-combustion engine are the fuel system, ignition system, lubrication system, and cooling system. Together, they deliver and burn the air–fuel mixture, initiate combustion at the right moment, reduce internal friction, and manage heat, enabling reliable power and efficiency. Why These …
Why We Don’t Use Biofuels Everywhere We don’t rely on biofuels more widely because truly sustainable supply is limited, climate benefits vary by feedstock and farming practices, costs remain high in many cases, engines and fuel infrastructure impose blend limits, and electrification often delivers more energy and emissions savings per hectare and per dollar. Biofuels …
What Is an Automated Production Line? An automated production line is a coordinated sequence of machines, robots, sensors, and software that manufacture or assemble products with minimal human intervention. In practice, it uses programmable controls, material handling systems, and in-line inspection to move parts through each step—cutting, forming, assembling, testing, and packaging—while tracking data and …
What Is the Most Iconic American Car? The Ford Mustang is the most iconic American car. It blends mass appeal with cultural cachet, a six-decade production run, and global recognition—edges that, taken together, place it ahead of storied rivals like the Ford Model T, Chevrolet Corvette, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford F-150. Why the Mustang Stands …
What Is the Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Warning Light? The electronic brakeforce distribution warning light is a dashboard indicator that signals a fault in the Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) system—the feature that automatically balances braking force between the front and rear wheels (and sometimes left to right) to maintain stability and shorten stopping distances. If …
Which Brand of Car Is Most Unreliable? There isn’t a single brand that is universally the “most unreliable,” but across the latest widely cited owner surveys, Land Rover is most often ranked at or near the bottom by Consumer Reports, while J.D. Power’s 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study places Chrysler among the least dependable. Results vary …
Is replacing a camshaft a big job? Yes—on most modern vehicles, replacing a camshaft is a major repair that typically takes 6 to 20+ labor hours and can cost $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the engine design, access, and parts replaced at the same time. The job ranges from challenging to very complex …
The Disadvantages of ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) ABS can increase stopping distances on loose or bumpy surfaces, introduce pedal/lever pulsation and noise, add cost and complexity, and suffer from sensor or module faults; it also has limitations off-road and on motorcycles without cornering ABS. While ABS is a major safety technology that helps drivers and …
Do All Cars Have Side Curtain Airbags? No. Not all cars have side curtain airbags. In the United States, nearly all new 2025 passenger vehicles include them—often as standard equipment across all rows—to meet stringent side-impact and ejection-mitigation targets. However, many older vehicles, some base trims in certain markets, specific convertibles, and some commercial or …
Is it “race car” or “racecar”? Both are used, but “race car” (two words) is the standard choice in most formal and journalistic writing, while “racecar” (one word) is widely accepted in American English and common in informal contexts; in British English, “racing car” is typical. Here’s how to choose the right form based on …
What Causes the Throttle Control Warning Light The throttle control warning light typically signals a problem in the electronic throttle control system—most often a dirty or failing throttle body, a faulty throttle or accelerator pedal sensor, wiring/connector faults, or low system voltage—leading the vehicle to reduce power or enter “limp” mode for safety. In modern …
Is $1,000 a Good Down Payment for a Motorcycle? Yes, $1,000 can be a workable down payment for a lower-priced used motorcycle or if you have strong credit, but for most buyers it’s on the low side. In 2025, lenders and dealers generally view 10–20% of the purchase price as a healthier target to secure …
What was the most popular car in 1934? In the United States, the most popular car in 1934—measured by passenger-car sales leadership—was Chevrolet, specifically its mainstream six-cylinder models sold as the Chevrolet Master and Standard. In other major markets that year, the top model varied: the Ford Model Y typically led in the United Kingdom, …
What Is a Brake Adjuster? A brake adjuster is a small threaded mechanism—most commonly found in drum and parking brake systems—that keeps the brake shoes at the correct distance from the drum as the lining wears, ensuring consistent braking performance and pedal or lever travel. In practice, it can be manual (you set it) or …
What Size Socket Is an Oil Pan Drain Plug? There isn’t a single universal size for oil drain plugs. Most passenger cars use a 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, or 17 mm hex socket; some trucks and European models may require 19 mm–24 mm, while a minority use an internal hex (Allen, commonly 6 …
What Happens to Cars After a Crash: From Tow Truck to Final Fate After a crash, cars are either repaired and returned to the road, declared a total loss and sold for salvage, or dismantled and recycled; the path depends on damage severity, the vehicle’s value, safety considerations, and local laws. In between, vehicles are …
Tire Noise vs. Wheel Bearing: How to Tell the Difference on the Road If the sound changes with steering input (louder when turning to load one side) and rises with speed, it’s usually a wheel bearing; if it tracks with road surface, tread type, or moves after a tire rotation, it’s likely tire noise. Below …
Who is the top NASCAR driver? There isn’t a single, definitive “top” NASCAR driver—historically, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson are widely regarded as the sport’s greatest, while among active competitors, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch are often cited at the front based on recent form and career résumés. The answer depends on whether …
GVWR vs. CCC: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of a fully loaded vehicle as set by the manufacturer, while CCC is how much cargo weight you can add before you reach that limit. In other words, GVWR is the ceiling; CCC is the remaining “room” under that …
How to Know If an Alternator Is Failing While You’re Driving If your battery light comes on, your headlights dim or flicker, accessories begin shutting off, and the car runs rough or dies at low speeds, your alternator likely isn’t charging. Pull power-hungry accessories off, head for a safe place to stop, and avoid shutting …
Are Headers Really Worth It? Yes—headers are worth it when they serve a clear goal such as security, performance, accessibility, compliance, or power delivery. In web protocols and HTML, the right headers are foundational; in codebases and email, they can reduce risk and improve workflow; in automotive tuning, they can boost output under the right …
Is a flatbed better for towing? For most modern vehicles—especially AWD/4WD, EVs, hybrids, and low-clearance performance cars—a flatbed is generally the better and sometimes the only safe towing option; however, wheel-lift or dolly towing can be appropriate for certain vehicles, distances, and recovery situations. The right choice hinges on your car’s drivetrain, ground clearance, the …
Why Seatbelts Lock After an Accident They lock because the seatbelt retractor’s emergency mechanisms—and often a pyrotechnic pretensioner—activate during a crash to stop the belt from feeding out, keeping you firmly restrained through the primary impact and any secondary hits. In practice, this means the belt can feel “stuck” after a collision, which is by …
How the Clutch Works in a Manual Transmission In a manual transmission, the clutch is a friction-based coupling that temporarily disconnects the engine from the gearbox so you can start, stop, and change gears; pressing the pedal releases a spring-loaded pressure plate to interrupt power flow, and releasing the pedal re-engages the disc to transmit …
Can you buy ex cop cars? Yes. In many countries—especially across the United States—you can legally buy retired police vehicles through public auctions, government surplus sales, and specialty dealers. These cars can be bargains with heavy-duty components, but they often have high miles and idling hours, decommissioning quirks, and legal restrictions on emergency equipment you …
Does Leaving Your Car Dirty Ruin the Paint? Yes—letting grime sit on your car can dull, stain, or etch the clear coat and, over time, accelerate paint failure. The risk depends on what the contamination is (bird droppings, road salt, bugs, tree sap, hard water spots), how long it stays, the climate, and how well …
What Are the Parts of a Brake Booster? A conventional vacuum brake booster contains a two-piece shell, a flexible diaphragm (or dual diaphragms), an input pushrod, an output pushrod to the master cylinder, a reaction disc, a control/spool valve with air and vacuum poppets, a vacuum port with a one-way check valve, return springs, an …
What Is an Open Differential? An open differential is the simplest and most common type of automotive differential: it splits engine torque equally between the two wheels on an axle while allowing them to rotate at different speeds, which is essential for smooth turning; its major trade-off is that overall torque is limited by the …
Is Jann Mardenborough still racing? Yes. After a period away from a full-time seat, Jann Mardenborough returned to professional competition in 2024, racing in Japan’s Super GT Championship in the GT300 class, and he remains active, with additional appearances in endurance events and ongoing plans to continue competing. Where he is racing now Mardenborough re-established …
Can You Drive in 4-Wheel Drive All the Time? Yes—if your vehicle has full-time 4WD or AWD; no—if it’s a part-time 4WD system. Full-time 4WD and most AWD systems are designed for continuous use on all surfaces, while part-time 4WD should only be engaged on loose or slippery terrain to avoid drivetrain damage. Understanding which …