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 the Battery Symbol Means on Your Car’s Dashboard The battery symbol on a car’s dashboard is a charging-system warning light. If it illuminates and stays on after the engine starts—or comes on while driving—it signals that the alternator or charging circuit is not supplying enough voltage to keep the vehicle powered, and the car …
What Is a Pinion on a Car? A pinion on a car is a small gear that meshes with a larger gear or a linear rack to transmit motion or torque; most commonly, it refers to the steering pinion in rack-and-pinion steering and the drive pinion inside the differential, though the starter motor also uses …
What is an engine and what are its types? An engine is a system that converts an input (such as fuel, heat, electricity, or data) into useful output (mechanical power or computed results). In the physical world, engines primarily produce motion or torque; in computing, “engines” are core software components that perform specialized tasks like …
Is a higher gear ratio faster or slower? It depends on what “higher” means: a higher numerical gear ratio (more reduction, like 4.10:1 vs 3.55:1) makes the wheels turn slower at a given engine/cadence but increases torque; a higher/taller gear (like 6th vs 3rd), which is a numerically lower ratio, lets you go faster at …
Do all African countries drive on the left? No. Only 14 African countries drive on the left; the vast majority—roughly three-quarters—use right-hand traffic. Left-driving nations are clustered in Southern and Eastern Africa, plus two island states, reflecting colonial and regional influences. Most of North, West, and Central Africa drive on the right, aligning with continental …
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Electronic Throttle Control? Most electronic throttle control repairs cost $100–$300 for cleaning or a relearn/calibration, while replacing the throttle body typically runs about $350–$900 on mainstream vehicles and $800–$1,500+ on larger trucks and luxury models, including parts and labor; diagnostics usually add $120–$200 if not applied toward the …
What are the components of the brake system on a truck? In brief: a truck’s brake system is built around an air supply (compressor, dryer, reservoirs), control valves and pedals, foundation brakes at each wheel (drum or disc with chambers and actuators), parking/emergency spring brakes, electronic controls like ABS/EBS, trailer brake interfaces, and driver monitoring …
The Different Windshield Wiper Settings, Explained Most modern vehicles offer these primary windshield wiper settings: Off, Mist/Single Wipe, Intermittent (INT) or Automatic (AUTO) rain‑sensing, Low (LO), High (HI), and Wash/Wipe; many also include separate rear wiper modes. These settings control how often and how fast the blades sweep to match conditions from light drizzle to …
What Happens if You Remove the Thermostat from Your Car Removing the thermostat is not recommended: your engine will typically run too cool during light driving, can still overheat under load, fuel economy and emissions will worsen, the cabin heater will be weak, and a check-engine light is likely. In modern vehicles, this can also …
What Is Special About Rotary Engines? Rotary engines are distinct because they replace conventional pistons with a triangular rotor spinning inside an oval-like housing, delivering smooth, high-revving power from a compact, lightweight package with very few moving parts—yet they come with trade‑offs in sealing, fuel economy, and emissions. They stand apart for their mechanical simplicity …
Modern Vehicles: What They Are and Why They’re Redefining Mobility Modern vehicles are transportation machines designed and built with contemporary technologies—combining advanced powertrains (from efficient combustion to full battery-electric), networked electronics, software, automation, and safer, lighter materials across cars, trucks, buses, two- and three-wheelers, ships, aircraft, and even drones. Beyond getting people and goods from …
The world’s biggest haul truck The biggest haul truck in operation today is the BelAZ 75710, a Belarusian-built ultra-class mining truck with a rated payload of 450 metric tons. Unveiled in 2013 and still unmatched in payload capacity as of 2025, it holds the benchmark for moving the largest single loads in open-pit mining, particularly …
What Is the Odometer on My Car? The odometer is the instrument on your car’s dashboard that records and displays the total distance the vehicle has traveled, typically in miles or kilometers. It’s usually part of the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and may be analog (with rotating number wheels) or digital, often alongside …
What Size Wrench Do You Need for a 2008 Honda CR‑V Oil Drain Plug? You’ll need a 17 mm wrench or 17 mm socket to remove the oil drain plug on a 2008 Honda CR‑V. The factory (OEM) drain bolt uses a 17 mm hex head; torque it to 29 lb‑ft (39 N·m) and replace …
What are the three types of steering systems? The three primary types of modern automotive steering systems, categorized by how steering assist is provided, are hydraulic power steering (HPS), electric power steering (EPS), and electro‑hydraulic power steering (EHPS). These systems perform the same job—turning the wheels in response to driver input—but differ in how they …
Are all oil pan plugs the same size? No. Oil drain (oil pan) plugs are not standardized: their thread diameter, pitch, length, head type, and sealing washer design vary by automaker, engine family, and oil pan material. To avoid leaks or damage, you must match the plug and washer to your specific vehicle and follow …
The science behind spark plugs Spark plugs ignite a gasoline engine’s air-fuel mixture by creating a high-voltage electrical discharge that ionizes the gas between their electrodes, forming a hot plasma arc that seeds a flame. In essence, they convert electrical energy from the ignition coil into a precisely timed, high-temperature spark; their geometry, materials, and …
Can I Clean an Idle Air Control Valve Myself? Yes—on vehicles that actually have a separate idle air control (IAC) valve, you can usually clean it yourself in about 30–60 minutes with basic tools and a throttle-body-safe cleaner. However, many newer cars use an electronic throttle body with no separate IAC, and some IACs are …
What Is Engine Function? Engine function is the set of processes an engine uses to convert stored energy—typically chemical energy in fuel, sometimes electrical or pressurized air—into mechanical power that creates motion or drives equipment. In cars and many machines, internal combustion engines do this through intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust; turbines compress air and …
Can You Skid With an Open Differential? Yes—you can skid with an open differential, but it’s harder, less consistent, and usually limited to low-grip surfaces or momentum-based techniques. On dry tarmac, an open diff tends to spin just one driven wheel (“one-tire fire”), making sustained drifts and tidy donuts difficult without aiding techniques like the …
What Is the 20/4/10 Rule for Buying a Car? The 20/4/10 rule is a budgeting guideline that recommends putting at least 20% down, financing the car for no more than 4 years (48 months), and keeping your total car costs at or below 10% of your gross monthly income. If you’ve seen it written as …
What Is Flatbed Towing? Definition, Uses, and How It Works Flatbed towing means transporting a vehicle on the bed of a tow truck so that all four wheels are completely off the road. In practice, the tow truck’s hydraulic deck tilts to create a ramp, the vehicle is winched or driven onto the platform, secured …
How much does it cost to replace a water pump? For most cars, replacing a water pump typically costs $350 to $1,500+ in the United States, depending on the vehicle, pump type, and labor. If the pump is driven by the timing belt, expect $700 to $1,500+ because the job is more involved. Electric pumps …
Speed Control vs. Cruise Control: What Drivers Should Know Cruise control maintains a set speed automatically, while speed control typically refers to a speed limiter that prevents you from exceeding a chosen maximum but still requires pedal input. Some automakers use “speed control” as a synonym for cruise control, but in most modern usage they …
Why driving with no muffler is illegal in most places Because vehicle codes in most jurisdictions require an “effective” muffler to control exhaust noise, operating a car or motorcycle without one is typically illegal; it creates excessive noise, violates public health standards, and can fail inspections or trigger fines. While exact rules vary, laws generally …
How much does it cost to replace a transmission in your car? In the U.S. as of 2025, a full transmission replacement typically costs $3,000–$6,000 for most automatic cars, $1,800–$3,500 for manuals, $3,500–$7,500 for CVTs, and $5,000–$10,000 or more for heavy-duty trucks and luxury models. Labor is often $600–$1,800 of the total, with parts making …
What Does a Car’s Suspension Do? The suspension’s job is to keep the tires firmly in contact with the road while controlling body motion, absorbing bumps, and stabilizing the vehicle—directly shaping comfort, handling, braking, safety, and tire wear. In everyday driving and extreme maneuvers alike, the suspension manages how the car rides, steers, transfers weight, …
Does a cold air intake help your engine? Yes, a cold air intake can help, but the benefits are usually modest on modern naturally aspirated engines and more noticeable on turbocharged vehicles when the stock intake is restrictive. Expect small gains in peak horsepower at wide-open throttle, a louder intake sound, and potential improvements in …
What Are Auto Body Parts? Auto body parts are the exterior and structural components that form a vehicle’s body, shaping its appearance, protecting occupants and mechanical systems, and providing mounting points for doors, glass, lights, and sensors. They include bumper covers, fenders, hoods, doors, quarter panels, trunk or liftgates, grilles, mirrors, glass, lighting assemblies, trim, …
What Is a Muffler in an Automobile? A muffler is the component in a car’s exhaust system that quiets engine noise by canceling and absorbing sound waves as exhaust gases exit the vehicle; it can also influence exhaust flow and perceived performance. Located near the rear of the exhaust path, the muffler uses chambers, baffles, …