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.
Can a Brake Caliper Unstick Itself? Yes—sometimes a sticking brake caliper will temporarily free itself as temperatures change, vibrations occur, or hydraulic pressure relaxes. But that relief is usually short-lived and signals an underlying problem that can quickly return and compromise safety. Here’s what that means for your car, how to recognize the warning signs, …
How a School Suspension Works A school suspension temporarily removes a student from regular classes—either at home (out-of-school) or in a supervised setting on campus (in-school)—after a rule violation; administrators investigate, notify parents or guardians, assign a length (often 1–10 school days), provide due-process opportunities to respond, and set conditions for return. In practice, the …
How to Know When to Change Your Car’s Engine Oil Most drivers should change oil according to the owner’s manual or the car’s oil-life monitor, typically every 5,000–7,500 miles or every 6–12 months, whichever comes first; change sooner if you tow, make frequent short trips, or drive in extreme conditions. In practice, the most reliable …
Flatbed Towing vs. Normal Towing: What’s the Difference? Flatbed towing lifts the entire vehicle onto a truck’s flat platform so no wheels touch the road, while “normal” towing typically means wheel-lift or dolly towing, where two wheels remain on the ground. Flatbeds are generally safer and better for all-wheel drive, luxury, damaged, low-clearance, and electric …
What Salt in a Gas Tank Actually Does Salt does not dissolve in gasoline, so it usually settles at the bottom of the tank and can clog the fuel pickup, filters, and pump; if water is present, salt dissolves into that water and accelerates corrosion throughout the fuel system, potentially causing stalling, no-start conditions, and …
Which tire is taller: 70 or 75? A 75-series tire is taller than a 70-series tire—if the section width and wheel diameter are the same—because the “75” denotes a higher aspect ratio (taller sidewall) than “70.” In tire sizing, that second number represents sidewall height as a percentage of the tire’s width, so all else …
What Is a Recirculating Ball Steering System? A recirculating ball steering system is a type of steering gearbox that uses a worm gear and a ball-nut filled with recirculating steel balls to convert steering wheel rotation into the back-and-forth motion that turns a vehicle’s wheels; it is prized for strength and durability and remains common …
What Were Cop Cars in the 1980s? In the 1980s, police cars were predominantly full-size, rear-wheel-drive American sedans—especially the Chevrolet Caprice, Ford LTD Crown Victoria, and Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury—supplemented by mid-size fleet favorites like the Chevrolet Malibu, specialty high-speed units such as the Ford Mustang SSP, and a growing number of SUVs for rural …
Why Japan Drives on the Left (and What “Left-Hand Drive” Really Means) Japan drives on the left side of the road, a practice shaped by Edo-period customs, reinforced by British-built railways in the 19th century, and formalized by nationwide regulations in the early 20th century; vehicles in Japan are typically right-hand-drive (steering wheel on the …
Can I Refill Coolant Myself? Yes—most drivers can safely top up engine coolant at home if the engine is completely cool, the correct coolant type is used, and basic safety steps are followed. However, if you’re losing coolant frequently, see warning lights, or suspect a leak, professional diagnosis is essential to prevent engine damage. Why …
Is 5,000 horsepower possible in a car? Yes—5,000 horsepower is achievable in specialized cars built for drag racing and land-speed records, and some turbine and nitromethane racers exceed it by a wide margin. However, no road-legal production car currently offers 5,000 hp, and making such output usable and reliable on public roads faces major hurdles …
How fast can an electric car go from 0 to 60? The quickest street-legal electric cars can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 1.7–2.0 seconds under ideal conditions (often with a “1-foot rollout” used in timing), while track-only EVs with extreme downforce systems have demonstrated launches approaching 1.4 seconds. Most performance EVs fall …
How Much Do Superchargers Increase Horsepower? Adding a supercharger typically increases a stock engine’s horsepower by about 30–50% at 6–8 psi of boost, while well-supported builds running 10–14 psi can see 50–100% gains. The exact increase depends on boost level, supercharger type, engine strength, fuel quality, intercooling, and tuning. Below, we explain how those variables …
Where Car Fires Usually Start Most car fires begin in the engine compartment or around the running gear and wheel area, typically triggered by mechanical or electrical failures; passenger compartments are less common points of origin, and while crash-related fires are a small share of incidents, they account for a disproportionate number of fatalities. Analyses …
What Car Bodies Are Made Of Most modern car bodies are primarily made of steel, increasingly mixed with aluminum, and complemented by plastics and composites; some niche models use stainless steel or carbon fiber. In detail, automakers combine materials to balance safety, weight, cost, manufacturability, durability, and sustainability, with the “body-in-white” structure often steel-dominant and …
How Much Does a Clutch Cost to Replace? Expect to pay about $900–$2,000 for a typical clutch replacement in the U.S., though the real-world range spans roughly $600 to over $3,000 depending on the vehicle, labor rates, and whether the flywheel or hydraulics also need replacement. Below, we break down what drives the price, regional …
What Are Power Windows in a Car? Power windows are electrically operated side windows controlled by switches instead of manual cranks. In modern vehicles, a small electric motor and regulator raise or lower the glass when you press a button, with onboard electronics handling direction, speed, and safety functions like pinch protection. Beyond convenience, the …
Can You Drive a Car That Needs a Torque Converter? Generally, no—you should not drive an automatic car that needs a torque converter. The vehicle may still move if the failure is partial, but doing so risks rapid transmission damage and unsafe behavior. If the problem is limited to the torque converter’s lock-up function, short, …
What cars Ford made in 1969 Ford’s 1969 lineup included, in the U.S., the Falcon; Fairlane/Torino series (including Torino GT, Cobra and the NASCAR-homologated Talladega); Mustang (with Mach 1, Boss 302 and Boss 429, plus Shelby GT350/500); full-size Custom/Custom 500, Galaxie 500, XL and LTD; the Thunderbird; family wagons (Country Squire/Country Sedan/Ranch Wagon); and the …
What Are Old-Fashioned Cars Called? They’re most commonly called classic, vintage, or antique cars, but the precise term depends on age, region, and context. In the UK, “vintage” has a specific 1919–1930 meaning; in the U.S., “classic” and “antique” are broader and often tied to club definitions or vehicle registration rules. Enthusiasts and regulators also …
Which car is the most futuristic? Among vehicles you can actually buy today, the Tesla Cybertruck stands out as the most futuristic thanks to its 48‑volt electrical architecture, stainless‑steel body panels, four‑wheel steering, bi‑directional home power, and software‑centric design; in concept form, Mercedes‑Benz’s Vision EQXX pushes efficiency to the extreme, while Mercedes’ Level 3 Drive …
What Happens When the Thermostat in a Car Goes Bad When a car’s thermostat fails, the engine may either overheat quickly (stuck closed) or run too cool and never reach proper operating temperature (stuck open). Drivers often see an erratic temperature gauge, reduced cabin heat, a check-engine light (commonly code P0128), poor fuel economy, and—in …
What Is the Normal PSI for a Tire? For most passenger cars, a normal tire pressure is 30–35 PSI when measured cold; many modern sedans and EVs specify 35–42 PSI. However, the only correct number for your vehicle is the manufacturer’s “cold” inflation pressure on the tire information placard (driver’s door jamb), which may list …
How a 3‑Point Seatbelt Works A 3-point seatbelt restrains your torso and hips with a single continuous webbing that crosses the shoulder and lap, automatically retracts slack during normal driving, then locks and tightens in a crash to keep you in position while limiting peak forces. It uses a retractor that senses rapid deceleration or …
Radiator or Reservoir: Where to Add Coolant—and When Plain Water Is Okay In most modern cars, you add coolant to the reservoir (expansion tank), not directly to the radiator; only fill the radiator if your vehicle has a radiator cap and the engine is completely cold, typically after a drain or when the system has …
Does a clutch spin all the time? Not exactly: some clutch parts spin any time the engine is running, while others only spin when the clutch is engaged or when the vehicle’s motion drives them. In a typical manual car, the flywheel and pressure plate rotate whenever the engine runs; the clutch disc and transmission …
Cool Car Names: Fresh Ideas, Trends, and How to Craft Your Own Cool car names are short, punchy, and evocative—think Vortex, Nightfall, ArcLight, Peregrine, Ironclad, Nova GT, Seraph, Fluxwave, Timberwolf, and Onyx. They’re easy to say, memorable, and suggest speed, style, or capability. Below are curated name ideas by vibe, plus a practical checklist to …
Can a car drive without a rack and pinion? In almost all modern cars that were built with rack-and-pinion steering, the vehicle cannot be safely or legally driven without it; you would lose directional control. A car can only operate without a rack-and-pinion if it was designed with a different steering system (such as a …
Can I sell my flooded car? Yes—but you must clearly disclose the flood damage, follow your state’s title-branding rules, and expect a steep discount in price. Depending on condition and title status, you can sell to a private buyer, a dealer, a salvage yard, or through a salvage auction; failing to disclose can be illegal …
How Serious Is Leaking Coolant? A coolant leak is serious because it can lead to rapid engine overheating and costly damage within minutes; if you see active dripping, steam, a low-coolant warning, or a rising temperature gauge, stop driving and arrange a tow. Minor seeps may allow short trips, but the system should be inspected …