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.
How to Tell Which Gas Cap Your Vehicle Needs You need a gas cap that matches your vehicle’s original equipment specifications—use your VIN to look up the exact OEM part number, confirm whether your vehicle is capless or uses a traditional threaded cap, and choose the correct type (non-vented EVAP vs. vented, gasoline vs. diesel, …
How much was a cheap car in 1950? A budget-friendly new car in the United States in 1950 typically cost about $900–$1,000 at the absolute low end (from small economy makers like Crosley) and roughly $1,300–$1,500 for entry-level models from major brands such as Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth—equivalent to about $12,000–$20,000 in 2024–2025 dollars. Cheaper …
Who Is Considered the Best NASCAR Racer? Many experts consider Jimmie Johnson the best NASCAR Cup Series driver overall, with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt standing alongside him as the sport’s defining legends. The debate hinges on whether you value modern-era dominance, all-time totals from earlier eras, or cultural impact, and reasonable cases can be …
Three Common Causes of O2 Sensor Failure The three most common causes of oxygen (O2) sensor failure are contamination and fouling (from oil, coolant, silicone, or fuel additives), electrical and heater-circuit/wiring faults, and age-related wear combined with heat or mechanical damage. These issues degrade the sensor’s ability to measure exhaust oxygen accurately, leading to poor …
Is the UK left or right-hand drive? The United Kingdom drives on the left side of the road, and most vehicles are right-hand drive (steering wheel on the right). In practice, that means you keep left, overtake on the right, and sit on the right side of the car to drive. Clarifying the terms “Left-hand …
What Do You Call a Car Racer? The standard term is “racing driver” globally and “race car driver” in the United States; you may also hear “auto racing driver” or “motor racing driver.” The choice often depends on regional preference and the specific motorsport discipline, but “driver” is the professional norm across series like Formula …
What classifies a truck as a half-ton? A “half-ton” truck is generally a full-size light-duty pickup in the 150/1500 series (e.g., Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500). The term stems from an old nominal payload of about 1,000 pounds, but today it’s mostly a marketing shorthand; most half-tons have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) …
How to Make a CO2 Dragster Go Faster Focus on reducing aerodynamic drag and rolling friction, keep the car light but stiff, align everything perfectly, and ensure a clean, consistent launch—then test and iterate within your competition’s rules. CO2 dragsters, powered by a punctured CO2 cartridge, can reach high speeds over short tracks; small improvements …
How Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) Actually Work ABS prevents wheels from locking by rapidly modulating brake pressure so each tire slips just enough to maximize grip while preserving steering control. It does this by monitoring wheel speeds, detecting impending lockup, and cycling hydraulic valves and pumps many times per second to keep slip in the …
Can You Put Water in a Car’s Coolant Reservoir? Generally, no—you should use the correct engine coolant (antifreeze) or a proper 50/50 coolant–distilled water mix. In an emergency, adding plain water to the coolant reservoir can get you safely to a shop, but it isn’t a long-term solution and can damage the engine if left …
How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add to a 5.0 V8? On a modern 5.0 V8, a cold air intake typically adds about 0–10 horsepower at the wheels on a stock tune and roughly 10–20 horsepower with a proper tune; results vary by vehicle, intake design, and conditions. In practical terms, expect modest …
How the odometer is used today Today, odometers are used to record a vehicle’s total distance traveled for maintenance scheduling, legal documentation, resale valuation, fleet operations, insurance pricing, and emerging road-usage charging programs; most modern vehicles employ digital odometers integrated with onboard electronics and, increasingly, telematics systems. Beyond cars, odometers also guide upkeep and utilization …
What Is a Rack and Pinion? A rack and pinion is a gear mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear motion (and vice versa) by meshing a round gear (the pinion) with a straight, toothed bar (the rack). Common in vehicle steering and industrial automation, it provides precise, efficient, and reliable linear movement from a …
Will a Bad Wheel Bearing Make Noise in Reverse? Yes—an ailing wheel bearing can make noise in reverse, typically a humming, growling, or rumbling sound that rises with wheel speed. The character and loudness may change slightly when backing up because the load direction on the bearing flips, but a faulty bearing usually makes noise …
Does the United States have left-hand traffic? No. The United States uses right-hand traffic in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; the notable exception within U.S. jurisdiction is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where vehicles drive on the left. Most other inhabited U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American …
The four main types of automotive suspension systems The four commonly recognized types of automotive suspension systems—categorized by the spring medium that carries the vehicle’s weight—are: coil spring suspension, leaf spring suspension, torsion bar suspension, and air (including hydropneumatic) suspension. These categories describe how the vehicle is supported and how bumps are absorbed; in practice, …
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Car’s Suspension System? For most vehicles, common suspension repairs cost roughly $300–$1,500, while more extensive work runs $1,500–$5,000+. Luxury, air, or active/hydraulic systems can reach $2,000–$8,000+ depending on what fails. Prices vary by vehicle, parts quality, and local labor rates. Below is a clear breakdown of what …
What order should you jump‑start a car? Connect the cables in this order: red to the dead battery’s positive (+), red to the donor battery’s positive (+), black to the donor battery’s negative (−), and black to an unpainted metal ground on the dead car. Start the donor, wait a minute or two, then start …
The Advantage of a Two‑Stroke Diesel Engine The principal advantage of a two-stroke diesel engine is its higher power density—each cylinder produces a power stroke every crankshaft revolution—delivering more power and stronger low‑speed torque from a given size. In large, slow‑speed marine applications, two‑stroke diesels also achieve world‑leading fuel efficiency and can drive propellers directly …
Are Cars Still Made Out of Steel? Yes. Most cars are still largely made of steel—especially the structural “safety cage,” frames, and crash components—but modern vehicles are now multi‑material, combining high‑strength steels with aluminum, plastics, and composites to balance strength, weight, cost, efficiency, and repairability. The mix varies by model and segment, with electric vehicles …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Power Steering Rack? Replacing a power steering rack typically costs $1,000–$2,500 in the U.S., including parts, labor, alignment, and fluids. Mainstream sedans often fall around $900–$1,600, trucks and SUVs around $1,200–$2,500, and luxury or European models $1,800–$3,500. Prices vary based on whether the system is hydraulic or …
Identifying the Lowrider in Pixar’s Cars The lowrider in Cars is Ramone, and he’s modeled on a customized 1959 Chevrolet Impala—famous in real-life car culture as a quintessential platform for lowrider builds with hydraulics and bold paintwork. Ramone runs the body shop in Radiator Springs and embodies classic lowrider aesthetics throughout the franchise. Who Is …
How to Get Air Out of an Engine Cooling System The most reliable way to remove air from a cooling system is to vacuum-fill it with a cooling system vacuum tool; if that’s not available, bleed it by parking nose-up, setting the heater to hot, filling with the correct coolant using a spill-free funnel, and …
What Usually Fails on a CVT The parts that most often fail in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) are the steel belt or chain and the pulleys (variators), followed by hydraulic control components (valve body/solenoids), bearings, seals and pump, the launch device (torque converter or start clutch), fluid coolers and lines, and—less commonly—speed/temperature sensors or …
How to Fix a Car That Has Sugar in the Gas Tank If you suspect sugar was put in your gas tank, do not start the car; have it towed, drain and remove the tank, flush the fuel system, replace filters, and inspect or replace the fuel pump and injectors before refilling with fresh gasoline. …
What Is a Mechanical Issue? A mechanical issue is a problem arising from the physical components of a machine—such as moving parts, fasteners, bearings, seals, or structures—that prevents it from operating as designed. In practical terms, it covers failures caused by wear, misalignment, breakage, deformation, poor lubrication, corrosion, or contamination, distinguishing it from purely electrical, …
How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your Oil? For most modern gasoline cars using synthetic oil, plan an oil change every 7,500–10,000 miles or about once a year (whichever comes first), or simply follow your vehicle’s oil-life monitor; if you drive in “severe” conditions—lots of short trips, extreme heat/cold, towing, dusty roads—shorten that …
How Much Does a Car Ignition Coil Cost in 2025? For most cars in 2025, a single ignition coil typically costs $30–$180 for quality aftermarket parts or $120–$300 for OEM/dealer parts; coil packs are usually $100–$400. Installed, the total job commonly runs $150–$900 depending on access and labor rates, and more if multiple coils and …
What “Check Injection System” Means on Your Car It’s a dashboard warning that the engine control unit has detected a fault in the fuel/air injection and emissions system—often related to injectors, fuel pressure, sensors, EGR/DPF components, or wiring. While the car may still run, continued driving can cause damage or trigger limp mode; read fault …
How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge a Car Battery? For a typical 12‑volt car battery, a smart charger takes about 4–8 hours at 10 A, 8–12 hours at 6 A, and 24–48 hours or more on a 1–2 A trickle/maintainer; an alternator can recover a partial discharge with 30–120 minutes of driving but …