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.
Which Lasts Longer: CVT or Traditional Automatic? In general, a well-designed torque-converter automatic tends to last longer than most belt- or chain-driven CVTs, especially under heavy loads or harsh use; however, modern CVTs from brands like Toyota, Subaru, and Honda often run 150,000–200,000+ miles with proper maintenance, narrowing the gap. Longevity ultimately hinges on design, …
How common were cars in 1940? Cars were common in the United States by 1940—roughly one passenger car for every four to five people—but they were far less common in most other countries; globally, the majority of the world’s automobiles were concentrated in the U.S., while much of Europe and the rest of the world …
Why Stirling Engines Faded From the Mainstream They aren’t “gone,” but Stirling engines are rarely used in mainstream power or transport because they have low power density, slow start-up and throttle response, and expensive heat exchangers and seals—making them less practical and cost-effective than internal combustion engines and turbines. Today they survive in niches such …
Ignition Coil Replacement Cost: What to Expect for a Single Coil Replacing one engine (ignition) coil typically costs $150–$350 in the U.S., including $60–$180 for the part and $70–$200 for labor. On some vehicles with difficult access or luxury-brand parts, the total can range from $300 to $600+, while simple jobs can be as low …
What does it cost to replace a car transmission? In 2025, most U.S. drivers can expect to pay about $3,000 to $7,000 to replace a transmission, with a broad range from roughly $1,800 for a basic manual to $10,000 or more for luxury, high-performance, or specialty vehicles. Costs vary by transmission type (manual, automatic, CVT, …
What a 30,000-Mile Service Typically Includes—and What to Expect A 30,000-mile service usually covers an engine oil and filter change, tire rotation, brake inspection, replacement of the cabin and engine air filters (if needed), fluid checks and top-offs, battery testing, and a comprehensive multi-point inspection; many vehicles also call for a brake fluid exchange around …
Where Is the Red Light Sensor? It depends on what you mean by “red light sensor.” In traffic systems, the sensor is usually in the road or mounted on the signal mast; red‑light enforcement cameras sit on poles at intersection corners. On phones and tablets, the light/proximity sensor sits near the top bezel or is …
Old American Car Brands: A Guide to the Names That Built the U.S. Auto Industry Old American car brands include enduring names like Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Dodge, Jeep, and Lincoln, as well as many defunct marques such as Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Mercury, Plymouth, American Motors (AMC), Studebaker, Packard, DeSoto, Nash, Hudson, Kaiser, Willys, Auburn, Cord, …
Do carbureted engines still exist? Yes—carbureted engines are still around, but mostly in older vehicles, small equipment, some motorcycles in certain markets, many piston aircraft, and various marine and powersports applications; new passenger cars in major markets have been fuel-injected for decades due to emissions and efficiency standards. This article explains where carburetors persist, where …
Which members of The Cars have passed away? Benjamin Orr (2000) and Ric Ocasek (2019) are the two members of The Cars who have died; the band’s other original members—Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson—are alive as of 2025. The new-wave pioneers left an enduring legacy, and the deaths of their bassist/co-lead vocalist Orr …
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 …