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 Parts of a Disc Brake Caliper? A disc brake caliper typically includes a caliper body, piston(s), a square-cut hydraulic seal, a dust boot, a fluid inlet and bleeder screw, and pad-retention hardware; depending on design, it may also have guide pins and a bracket (floating calipers) or opposing pistons and crossover passages …
Can I replace a door mechanism myself? Yes—most homeowners can replace a standard door mechanism like a cylindrical knob/lever, deadbolt, or Euro cylinder with basic tools in under an hour. The job becomes more complex for mortise locks, multipoint mechanisms, commercial panic hardware, or fire-rated doors, where professional help is often safer and faster. Knowing …
Can people still roll back odometers? Yes. Despite advances in digital dashboards, people can still roll back or manipulate odometers in 2025—often with software, electronic “mileage blockers,” or instrument-cluster swaps. Laws, inspection records, and onboard data have made fraud harder to hide, but it remains common enough that buyers should verify mileage claims and check …
What Happens When a Torque Converter Goes Bad A failing torque converter typically causes shuddering at cruising speeds, sluggish or slipping acceleration, rising transmission temperatures, and sometimes engine stalling when coming to a stop; left unchecked, metal debris and heat can quickly damage the entire automatic transmission. In practical terms, drivers may notice a vibration …
What kind of engines do cars use? Most cars still use internal combustion engines—primarily gasoline (spark‑ignition) and diesel (compression‑ignition)—while a fast‑growing share use electric motors, and many combine both in hybrid systems. As electrification accelerates worldwide, buyers now encounter a spectrum of powertrains ranging from traditional engines to fully electric drivetrains and niche alternatives. The …
How Many Times Should You Pump the Brakes When Bleeding? For the common two-person “pump-and-hold” method, use 3–5 slow, steady pedal pumps, then hold the pedal down while the bleeder screw is opened; repeat this cycle until you see clear, bubble-free fluid. Some methods require no pumping at all (pressure, vacuum, or gravity bleeding), and …
Which electric cars have 1,000 horsepower? Several production EVs deliver roughly 1,000 horsepower, most notably the Tesla Model S Plaid (about 1,020 hp) and the GMC Hummer EV (about 1,000 hp). Others exceed that mark, including the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (over 1,000 hp in boost), Lucid Air Sapphire (about 1,234 hp), and hypercars such …
The Top 10 Cars Right Now: A 2025 Buyer’s Snapshot There isn’t a single “top” car for everyone, but based on reliability, safety, efficiency, driving dynamics, technology, and value, the following ten models stand out in 2025: Honda Accord (esp. Hybrid), Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Mazda3, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Porsche 911, Tesla Model 3, …
When Does a Turbo “Kick In”? There isn’t a fixed vehicle speed at which a turbo “kicks in.” Boost builds with engine load and RPM, not road speed. In most modern small turbocharged gasoline engines you’ll feel meaningful boost around 1,500–2,500 rpm, diesels often a bit earlier, and larger performance turbos later—roughly 2,500–4,500+ rpm—depending on …
What the alternator does — and why it matters in modern vehicles The alternator generates electricity to power a vehicle’s electrical systems and keeps the battery charged while the engine runs. In practical terms, it converts the engine’s mechanical energy into electrical energy, stabilizes system voltage, and supplies current for everything from headlights and fuel …
What Do 4‑Cycle Engines Mix With Gasoline? Nothing. Standard 4‑cycle (four-stroke) engines run on straight gasoline; they do not mix oil with the fuel. Lubrication comes from a separate oil supply in the crankcase, while the engine’s intake system mixes the gasoline with air for combustion. Why It Matters: The 4‑Cycle Fueling Rule From lawn …
What is the crappiest car ever made? Most auto historians and mechanics point to the Yugo GV (sold in the United States from 1985 to 1992) as the crappiest car ever made, citing chronic breakdowns, flimsy build quality, poor safety performance, and threadbare dealer support; close contenders often named include the Renault Dauphine and Chevrolet …
What 1950s Cars Are Worth Today Most 1950s cars trade anywhere from under $15,000 for ordinary sedans to well over $1 million for blue‑chip exotics, with mainstream American icons typically $30,000–$150,000, premium fin‑era convertibles $150,000–$400,000+, desirable European sports cars $80,000–$300,000+ (Speedsters higher), and Mercedes‑Benz 300SLs commonly $1.3–$2.0 million. Values in 2024–2025 have generally stabilized after …
What Is the Main Cause of Hydroplaning? The main cause of hydroplaning is driving too fast over standing water, which prevents tire treads from channeling water away and lifts the tires onto a thin film of water, breaking traction. In practice, speed interacting with water depth and tire condition is what triggers the slide, but …
9 and 3 vs. 10 and 2: What Today’s Safety Guidance Says About Steering Wheel Grip The recommended hand position for most modern cars is 9 and 3 on the steering wheel; 10 and 2 is considered outdated because of airbag-related injury risks and reduced control. Driving instructors, safety agencies, and many state DMVs now …
How common were cars in the 1940s? Cars were fairly common in the United States by the 1940s—roughly one passenger car for every five people in 1940 and about one for every 3.8 people by 1950—but they were far less common in most of the world. Wartime production bans and rationing depressed availability everywhere between …
What Was the First Hybrid Car? The first hybrid car is widely credited to the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, introduced in 1901, following Ferdinand Porsche’s 1900 “Semper Vivus” prototype that combined an internal combustion engine with electric motors. Decades before the Toyota Prius defined the modern hybrid era, these early vehicles pioneered the series-hybrid architecture—using a …
Who Is the Best Car Racer? There is no single, universally accepted “best” car racer, but if one name must be chosen on global, modern metrics in top-tier circuit racing, Lewis Hamilton is the strongest all-around answer; across disciplines, Sébastien Loeb is the benchmark in rally, Tom Kristensen in endurance, and Jimmie Johnson the modern …
What Size Is an Oil Bolt? There isn’t one universal “oil bolt” size. For most passenger cars, the engine oil drain bolt is commonly M14×1.5, but many engines use M12×1.5, M12×1.75, M16×1.5, or even SAE threads like 1/2″-20. If you mean an oil-line banjo bolt, sizes often include M10×1.0 or M12×1.25. The exact size depends …
What Is a Crumple Zone in Physics? A crumple zone is a region of a structure intentionally designed to deform in a collision, absorbing kinetic energy and lengthening the time over which momentum changes so that peak forces and decelerations are reduced. Most familiar in automobiles, crumple zones apply basic physics—impulse-momentum and work-energy—to protect occupants …
What Are Old Motorcycles Called? They’re most commonly referred to as vintage, classic, or antique motorcycles; in the UK you’ll also see veteran and post‑vintage, and across much of Europe the catch‑all term oldtimer is widespread. Exact cutoffs vary by country, club, and registration law, and “retro” or “modern classic” describes new bikes styled like …
What Is the Left-Side Rule for Driving? The left-side rule means vehicles drive on the left side of the road, typically with the driver seated on the right side of the car; you keep left in normal travel, overtake on the right, and circulate roundabouts clockwise while giving way to traffic from your right. This …
The Two Most Common Causes of Manual Transmission Failure The two most common causes are lubrication failure (low, incorrect, or degraded gear oil) and driver-induced shock or misuse (abusive or incorrect clutch and shifting technique). Together, these issues accelerate wear on bearings, gears, and synchronizers, often culminating in costly transmission failure. Cause No. 1: Lubrication …
How Tire Pressure Sensors Stay Powered Most tire pressure sensors are not “charged” at all: in the vast majority of passenger vehicles, direct TPMS sensors are powered by a sealed, non‑rechargeable lithium coin-cell battery designed to last about 5–10 years, extending life through ultra-low-power electronics and intermittent radio transmissions; some cars use indirect TPMS with …
How to Test If Your Fuel Pump Is Going Out The quickest way to tell if a fuel pump is failing is to verify fuel pressure and flow: listen for a 2–3 second “prime” at key-on, check fuel pressure with a gauge or scan tool against factory specs, watch it under load, and confirm proper …
Yes, AirCar Is Real — But It’s Not a Mass‑Market “Flying Car” Yet Yes. The AirCar, developed by Slovakia’s Klein Vision, is a real, transforming roadable aircraft that has completed multiple public flights and drives, including an intercity flight in 2021, and received a certificate of airworthiness from Slovakia’s aviation authority in 2022. However, it …
Why Your Car Is Showing a Battery Warning Light The battery icon usually means your car’s charging system isn’t working properly—most often an alternator, drive-belt, wiring, or battery sensor issue—so the engine is running off the battery and could die once it’s depleted. If the light stays on while driving, reduce electrical loads and seek …
How a Tire Pressure Gauge Works, Simply Explained A tire pressure gauge measures how hard air is pushing inside a tire by comparing it to the surrounding air; when you press the gauge onto the valve, tire air pushes against a calibrated mechanism (mechanical spring/tube or an electronic sensor), and the device converts that force …
Do you have to pay a camera ticket in Tennessee? Yes—Tennessee treats most red-light and speed-camera tickets as enforceable civil penalties issued to the vehicle’s owner. They don’t add points to your license or raise insurance rates under state law, but ignoring a valid notice can lead to increased fines and civil collections by the …
How Traffic Lights Work, Simply Explained Traffic lights use a controller to switch red, yellow, and green signals in timed phases, often guided by sensors that detect vehicles and pedestrians to keep people moving safely and efficiently. In everyday terms, they follow a plan, listen for traffic, and adjust the timing so fewer people have …