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 Much Are Dead Cars Worth? In most of the United States, a non‑running “dead” car is typically worth $200–$1,500, depending on weight, scrap and parts value, towing, title status, and current metal prices; repairable late‑model vehicles can fetch $1,000–$5,000, while stripped or very light hulks may bring only $100–$400. That range reflects 2025 market …
What Is an ABS Braking System? An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a safety feature that prevents a vehicle’s wheels from locking during hard braking, helping the driver or rider maintain steering control and stability. By rapidly modulating brake pressure through sensors, valves, and a control unit, ABS keeps tires at the edge of traction, …
How Much Does Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) Cost? PDR for a typical small dent in the United States generally costs about $100–$300 per dent, while more complex dents can run $200–$600, and full-vehicle hail repair commonly ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on severity. Prices vary by dent size and location, vehicle material (steel vs. …
Types of Odometers: Mechanical, Electronic, and GPS-Based Explained Odometers generally fall into four main types: mechanical (analog), electromechanical, fully electronic/digital, and GPS-based. Most modern cars use electronic/digital odometers driven by wheel-speed sensors, while older vehicles relied on cable-driven mechanical units; specialized forms like hub odometers (for trailers), bicycle computers, and rally tripmeters serve niche needs. …
Who was at fault for the 1955 Le Mans disaster? No single driver was found legally at fault for the 1955 Le Mans disaster; official inquiries in France ruled it a racing accident caused by a chain of factors including a hazardous track layout, inadequate crowd protection, and split-second maneuvers by Mike Hawthorn, Lance Macklin, …
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Lowrider? In the U.S. in 2025, building a custom lowrider typically costs $35,000 to $150,000, depending on the base car, level of customization, and how much work you do yourself; entry-level driver builds can be done from about $15,000 to $30,000 if you start with a …
Regaining Power Steering: What to Do and How to Fix the Cause If your steering suddenly feels heavy, safely pull over, keep the engine running, and determine whether you have hydraulic or electric power steering; top up fluid and look for leaks on hydraulic systems, or check battery/charging health, fuses, and try an ignition cycle …
How Much Does a Rack and Pinion Replacement Cost? Expect to pay roughly $1,100 to $2,900 in the U.S. for a rack-and-pinion (steering rack) replacement, including parts, labor, and a wheel alignment. Many mainstream cars land closer to $900 to $1,800 with a remanufactured rack, while luxury, performance, AWD, or vehicles with electronic power steering …
How Much Will My Oil Change Cost? For most cars in the U.S. in 2025, expect to pay about $70–$130 for a full-synthetic oil change at a national chain, $50–$85 for conventional (where applicable), and $90–$160 at dealerships; specialty European models and diesel pickups commonly run $120–$250. Actual price depends on oil type, engine oil …
Biofuels: Key Disadvantages (GCSE) Biofuels can drive deforestation and habitat loss, compete with food crops, are not fully carbon neutral once farming and land-use change are considered, can pollute water and air, use lots of land and water, have lower energy density than fossil fuels, and may require engine or infrastructure changes. This article explains …
How to Use Jumper Cables Step by Step Attach the red clamp to the dead battery’s positive (+), the other red clamp to the donor battery’s positive (+), the black clamp to the donor battery’s negative (−), and the final black clamp to an unpainted metal ground on the dead car; start the donor, then …
Automotive Engines Explained Automotive engines are machines that convert stored energy into mechanical power to propel vehicles; today that includes internal combustion engines burning fuels like gasoline or diesel, and electric motors powered by batteries or fuel cells. In industry language, “engine” traditionally means a fuel-burning machine, while “motor” refers to an electrically driven unit, …
Can You Drive a Car If the Transmission Is Out? Generally, no—you can’t safely drive a car if the transmission is “out.” If the unit has failed completely, the engine’s power will not reach the wheels. In a few edge cases, a vehicle may limp along briefly in one gear or “limp mode,” but doing …
CVT vs. Automatic Transmission: Which Is Better? For most everyday commuters and many hybrids, a well-executed CVT (continuously variable transmission) is better for fuel efficiency and smooth, stop‑and‑go driving; for performance, towing, high-load use, and long-term durability under stress, a modern torque‑converter automatic is usually the better choice. The “best” option depends on how you …
Does a taxi meter go up in traffic? Yes—most taxi meters continue to rise in traffic because fares are typically calculated using a mix of distance and time. When a cab is moving slowly or stopped, the meter switches from charging per mile/kilometer to charging for “waiting time,” so the fare increases even if you …
How to Know If Your Carburetor Is Bad If your engine is hard to start, idles roughly, stumbles on acceleration, runs only with the choke on, or emits black smoke and a strong fuel smell, the carburetor is likely dirty, misadjusted, or worn. Quick checks—like partially closing the choke to see if performance improves, spraying …
Signs of a Bad Transmission: What to Watch For If your car’s transmission is failing, you’ll often notice slipping or delayed shifts, harsh or grinding gear changes, shuddering on acceleration, whining or clunking noises, a burning smell, warning lights, and red or brown fluid leaks. These symptoms indicate the gearbox isn’t transmitting power correctly and …
Where Seatbelt Pretensioners Are Located Seatbelt pretensioners are typically located in one or more of three places: inside the belt retractor (usually in the B‑pillar or within the seat), inside the buckle assembly at the seat base, and sometimes at the outboard lap-belt anchor near the vehicle’s floor or sill. Exact placement varies by vehicle …
Brake Lights Not Working: Can You Be Pulled Over? Yes. In most jurisdictions, driving with one or more inoperative brake lights is an equipment violation that gives police lawful grounds to stop your vehicle. Officers can issue a warning or a citation because traffic codes typically require working stop lamps for safety; the exact requirements—how …
Can I still drive if my power steering goes out? Yes, most cars remain steerable without power assist, but the wheel becomes very heavy—especially at low speeds—making quick maneuvers difficult and increasing crash risk. The safest move is to slow down, signal, and pull over as soon as it’s safe, then arrange a tow. If …
How Occupant Detection Systems Work Occupant detection systems use a mix of sensors—such as weight and pressure pads, seat-buckle switches, cameras, infrared, and millimeter-wave radar—combined with algorithms that fuse data to determine whether someone is present, where they are, and in some cases who they are and what they’re doing; the results trigger safety features …
What Are the Key Parts of an Engine? The essential parts of a modern internal-combustion engine include the engine block and cylinders; pistons, piston rings, and connecting rods; the crankshaft and flywheel; the cylinder head with valves and camshaft(s); the timing system; intake and exhaust systems; fuel delivery and ignition; lubrication and cooling circuits; and, …
Pretensioner Seat Belts: How They Work and Why They Matter A pretensioner seat belt is a vehicle safety device that instantly tightens the seat belt at the very start of a crash, removing slack so the occupant is held firmly in the optimal position. Typically activated by sensors through the airbag control module, pretensioners use …
What’s the cheapest good car you can buy right now? It depends on where you live, but as of 2025 the standouts are: United States—Nissan Versa (lowest-priced mainstream new car with decent safety and space); Europe—Dacia Sandero (the value benchmark); India—Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 for the lowest price, with the Tata Tiago as a stronger …
Are manual gearboxes being phased out? Yes—manual gearboxes are steadily being phased out in most new cars worldwide, though they remain in a shrinking niche of enthusiast models and in some cost-sensitive markets. Automatics, dual-clutch units, and electric powertrains have overtaken manuals due to efficiency, emissions rules, performance, and consumer demand, and that shift is …
How Long Can a Timing Belt Last? Most manufacturers cap the maximum service life of a timing belt at 90,000–120,000 miles (145,000–193,000 km) or 7–10 years, whichever comes first; a few engines allow up to about 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 10 years, but this is uncommon and not a guarantee. In practice, the “maximum” …
Which side of the road does Russia drive on? Russia drives on the right-hand side of the road, with most vehicles featuring left-hand steering. This aligns Russia with the majority of continental Europe and means visitors should expect right-lane traffic nationwide, with no regional exceptions. The basics of driving orientation in Russia Throughout the Russian …
Which countries have left-hand traffic? Several countries drive on the left, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and many others across the Caribbean and Pacific. In total, about a quarter of the world’s countries and territories—and roughly a third of the global population—use left-hand …
What Happens When a Turbocharger Fails When a turbocharger fails, you’ll typically notice a sharp loss of power, unusual noises (whine, siren, or rattle), smoke from the exhaust, and a check-engine light—continuing to drive risks major engine damage from oil starvation, debris ingestion, or, in rare diesel cases, a runaway event. Below, we explain what’s …
What “octane” means in slang In slang, octane refers to energy, intensity, or potency—most often heard in the phrase “high-octane” to mean high-energy or adrenaline-fueled. The term borrows from gasoline’s octane rating and is used to describe people, events, music, workouts, coffee, or content that feels powerful and amped up; “low-octane” means the opposite, suggesting …