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.
Do All New Cars Have Front Crumple Zones? Yes—virtually all new road‑legal passenger cars and light SUVs/pickups sold in major markets today include engineered front crumple zones. While no law usually mandates the phrase “crumple zone” itself, modern crash standards and consumer safety tests make energy‑absorbing front structures effectively universal. Limited exceptions exist for low‑speed …
How much it costs to replace a catalytic converter in a car In the United States, replacing a catalytic converter typically costs $900–$3,500 total (parts and labor), but the bill can range from about $700 on the low end to more than $6,000 for certain vehicles, especially luxury models, trucks with multiple converters, hybrids like …
How to Tell if a Torque Converter Is Bad A failing torque converter usually reveals itself through shuddering at steady speeds (often 35–50 mph), rising RPM with little acceleration (slip), delayed or harsh gear engagement, overheating or a burnt-fluid odor, and transmission trouble codes tied to the converter clutch (commonly P0740–P0744, P0741, P0742). You can …
What Are the Components of a CVT? A modern automotive CVT typically consists of two variable-diameter pulleys (primary/drive and secondary/driven), a steel push belt or chain between them, a hydraulic/mechatronic control system (pump, valve body, solenoids and actuators), a launch device (torque converter, start clutch, or launch gear), electronic controls and sensors, dedicated CVT fluid, …
Why Drum Brakes Aren’t Common Anymore—and Where They Still Make Sense They haven’t disappeared, but drum brakes are no longer the default because disc brakes manage heat better, deliver more consistent stopping power, and are easier to control under repeated or hard braking. Today, drums persist mainly on rear axles of budget cars, some electric …
Signs of Clutch Failure: How to Recognize and Respond Typical signs of clutch failure include engine revs rising without matching acceleration (slipping), a high or suddenly changing engagement (“bite”) point, difficulty selecting gears or grinding when shifting, a soft or spongy pedal, burning smell, vibration or shudder on takeoff, and noises when pressing or releasing …
What is the meaning of “pretensioner”? A pretensioner is a safety mechanism—most commonly found in automotive seat belts—that instantly tightens the belt to remove slack at the onset of a crash; more broadly, it is any device that applies tension to a component before it is subjected to service loads. Primary meaning: the automotive seat-belt …
How Long Does a Car’s Suspension Last? Most car suspension components last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles (80,000–160,000 km), with coil springs often lasting the life of the vehicle, while air or adaptive systems typically need work in 6–10 years. Actual lifespan depends heavily on road conditions, driving style, load, climate, and maintenance. What “suspension …
How to Tell if Your Car Needs “Water” — and Which Kind Your car may need “water” in one of three places: the engine’s coolant reservoir, the windshield washer tank, or (less commonly) a serviceable 12‑volt battery. To check, look at the coolant reservoir’s MIN/MAX marks, heed temperature or washer warnings on the dash, and …
Signs Your Car’s Transmission Is Failing Typical symptoms of a bad transmission include gear slipping (engine revs rise without speed), delayed or harsh shifts, grinding or shuddering during acceleration, whining or clunking noises, a burning smell, red/brown fluid leaks, warning lights or “limp mode,” and in severe cases, no movement in Drive or Reverse. These …
Why is the UK the only country to drive on the left? It isn’t. Roughly a third of the world’s population—in about 75 countries and territories—drives on the left. Britain’s left-side rule stems from centuries-old practice (keeping to the left so right-handed travelers kept their sword arm toward oncoming traffic), later formalized in law, while …
What Are the 10 Components of the Engine? For a modern four-stroke internal combustion car engine, ten core components are: engine block, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, cylinder head, camshaft and timing drive, valvetrain, intake and exhaust manifolds, fuel injectors and fuel rail, and the oil pump/lubrication system. These parts form the mechanical heart that converts …
What a “Drop-Top” Car Is Called A “drop-top” car is most commonly called a convertible; in many regions—especially Europe—the term cabriolet is equally used. The phrase “drop-top” is informal slang referring to any car with a roof that can be lowered or removed, letting the cabin open to the sky. What “Drop-Top” Means and Where …
What to Do If Your Brake Lights Are Out If your brake lights are out, pull over safely, avoid driving except to reach the nearest repair location in daylight and low traffic, use hand signals if you must move, and fix the issue immediately by checking bulbs, fuses, and the brake light switch; driving without …
How Much Does an AirCar Cost? As of 2025, there is no official retail price for Klein Vision’s AirCar. Industry expectations and comments from the company suggest a likely price in the upper six to seven figures—roughly in the $500,000 to $1,000,000 range—once full certification and series production are in place. The AirCar is not …
Can crumple zones be repaired? Yes, but only to a limited extent: most crumple-zone parts are designed to be replaced rather than reshaped, and any structural repair must follow the vehicle maker’s procedures. Minor, bolt-on components in the crumple zone can often be replaced, but once the energy-absorbing structure has yielded, “pulling it back” or …
What Georgia Considers an Oversized Load In Georgia, a load is considered oversized when it exceeds 8 feet 6 inches (102 inches) in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, or the state’s legal length limits for the vehicle type and route; anything beyond those dimensions requires a Georgia DOT oversize permit. In practice, “oversized” …
What Size Socket Is an Oil Drain Plug? Most oil drain plugs aren’t one-size-fits-all; the most common socket sizes you’ll encounter are 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, and 19 mm (metric), or 1/2″, 5/8″, and 3/4″ (SAE). Many Japanese cars use 14 mm or 17 mm, U.S. makes often use 13 mm …
What D and L Mean on an Automatic Car’s Gear Selector In an automatic car, “D” is Drive for normal forward travel, and “L” is Low, which locks or limits the transmission to lower gears for more torque and stronger engine braking. Drivers use D for everyday cruising and L for steep hills, towing, slippery …
Do All Automatic Transmissions Use a Torque Converter? No. While many traditional “automatic” transmissions do use a torque converter, several major types of self-shifting transmissions—such as dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs), automated manuals (AMTs), many continuously variable transmissions (CVTs with launch clutches), power‑split hybrid e‑CVTs, and virtually all battery‑electric drivetrains—do not. Understanding which systems use a torque …
What an Overhead Cam Does in an Engine An overhead cam (OHC) is a camshaft positioned in the cylinder head that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves with precise timing, improving high‑RPM capability, power, efficiency, and emissions control. By placing the cam above the valves, the system reduces valvetrain mass and complexity compared …
How a Car Thermostat Knows When to Open A car thermostat opens when a temperature-sensitive wax capsule inside it melts and expands at a calibrated temperature, pushing a valve open against a spring; some modern versions add an electric heating element so the engine computer can nudge it to open sooner under certain conditions. In …
How 1 horsepower is calculated One mechanical horsepower is defined as 550 foot-pounds per second, which equals about 745.7 watts; in metric usage, one metric horsepower is 75 kilogram-force meters per second, or about 735.5 watts. In rotating machinery, horsepower is typically calculated from torque and speed using hp = (torque in lb-ft × rpm) …
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Brake Booster? Expect to pay about $350–$900 for a typical vacuum brake booster replacement in the U.S. in 2025, including parts and labor. Trucks and SUVs often run $500–$1,100, hydroboost systems $700–$1,500, and modern electronic boosters in hybrids/EVs can reach $1,200–$3,000. Prices vary by vehicle, part type …
Are Road Trains Legal in the United States? Yes, but only in limited forms and on restricted routes. Full-length, Australian-style “road trains” with three or more full-size trailers are generally not legal on U.S. public roads. The United States permits certain long combination vehicles (LCVs)—notably twin 28.5‑foot “STAA doubles” nationwide on designated highways, and in …
Countries that use right-hand-drive vehicles (drive on the left) Many countries use right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles and keep left on the road, including the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Kenya, and Jamaica. In total, roughly 75 countries and territories follow left-hand traffic (LHT), where RHD cars are standard. …
What Is a Speedometer and an Odometer? A speedometer is the instrument in a vehicle that shows your current speed, while an odometer records the total distance the vehicle has traveled. Together, they help drivers control speed, plan maintenance, and document a vehicle’s history—functions that matter for safety, legal compliance, and resale value across cars, …
What Is the Most Common Failure in a Power Steering System? The most common failure in a power steering system is fluid leakage in hydraulic setups—typically from hoses, O-rings, pump shaft seals, or rack-and-pinion seals—leading to low fluid, noisy operation, and heavy steering. In vehicles with electric power steering (EPS), the most frequent issues involve …
What Happens When an Engine Coil Fails? When an engine ignition coil fails, the affected cylinder loses spark or gets a weak spark, causing a misfire that leads to rough running, reduced power, poor fuel economy, and a check-engine light (often flashing under load). Continued driving can overheat and damage the catalytic converter as unburned …
Can you insure a salvage title in South Carolina? Yes—but not while it’s a straight “salvage” title. In South Carolina, insurers generally will not cover a vehicle that still holds a salvage title for on-road use. After the vehicle is repaired, passes a state inspection, and is retitled as “rebuilt” (often shown as “Salvage Rebuilt”), …