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 “dry sump” means in engines A dry sump is an engine lubrication system that stores oil in a separate external tank and uses scavenge pumps to remove oil from a shallow pan, ensuring consistent oil pressure and preventing starvation during high g-forces. In contrast to a wet sump, which keeps oil in the bottom …
Symptoms of Positive Crankcase Pressure: What Drivers Should Watch For Positive crankcase pressure typically shows up as oil leaks, a dipstick that pops up, visible vapor from the oil filler or dipstick tube, an oil cap that hisses or “dances,” increased oil consumption, and sometimes blue smoke from the exhaust. In simple terms, when the …
How Catalytic Converters Work, Simply Explained Catalytic converters clean a car’s exhaust by using precious-metal catalysts to speed up chemical reactions that turn harmful gases—carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—into safer gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), and nitrogen (N2) as hot exhaust flows through a ceramic honeycomb. In …
What Needs to Be Done Every 30,000 Miles At roughly every 30,000 miles, most vehicles benefit from replacing the engine air filter and cabin air filter, rotating the tires and checking alignment, thoroughly inspecting the brake system, checking or servicing transmission fluid as specified, inspecting coolant, and performing a comprehensive look-over of belts, hoses, suspension, …
Why the UK Drives on the Left The United Kingdom drives on the left because historical customs dating back to horseback travel favored passing on the left to keep the right (often dominant) hand free—originally for swords, later for reins and brakes—then laws in the late 18th and early 19th centuries formalized the practice nationwide. …
Is a 2.4 a 4-cylinder? Often—but not always. A “2.4” typically refers to a 2.4‑liter engine, which in many modern cars is a four‑cylinder. However, 2.4 liters is a measure of displacement, not cylinder count, so there are also 2.4‑liter five‑cylinders and six‑cylinders on the market and in the used/classic car world. Here’s how to …
What Size Wrench Do You Need for a Car Battery? Most car battery terminal clamp nuts use a 10 mm wrench; some vehicles use 8 mm or 12–13 mm. GM-style side-post batteries typically take an 8 mm (5/16 inch) wrench on the terminal bolt. Battery hold-down brackets are commonly 10 mm or 13 mm (or …
Who is the world’s best car racer? There isn’t a single definitive “world’s best,” but the most defensible all-time pick across global motorsport is Lewis Hamilton for his record-setting Formula 1 career; on current form over the last few seasons, Max Verstappen has been the benchmark. In rallying, Sébastien Loeb is the career standout, and …
Where to put water in your car The only place most drivers should add “water” themselves is the windshield washer reservoir; for the engine, use premixed coolant in the overflow tank and only add plain water in an emergency when you can’t get the right coolant. Modern vehicles have specific fluid systems, so knowing what …
Where Is the Brake Light Switch Typically Located? In most cars and light trucks, the brake light switch is mounted on the brake pedal assembly under the dashboard, where a plunger or sensor contacts the pedal arm; some vehicles instead use a pressure switch on the master cylinder or brake hydraulic line. Motorcycles typically have …
Are lowrider cars illegal? No—lowrider cars are not inherently illegal. In most places, it’s legal to own and drive a lowrider, but specific modifications and behaviors can violate local vehicle equipment and traffic laws. In California, lowriding and cruising are legal statewide as of 2024 after lawmakers repealed anti-cruising rules and a decades-old restriction on …
What “Condition” Means for a Car Condition refers to a car’s overall state—mechanical, cosmetic, structural, and legal—which signals how well it runs, how it looks, whether it’s been damaged or repaired, and how it’s been maintained. In practice, a vehicle’s condition summarizes wear and tear, service history, accident/flood exposure, and title status, and it is …
What Is the Main Function of the Camshaft? The camshaft’s main function is to open and close an engine’s intake and exhaust valves at precisely timed intervals relative to the crankshaft, controlling how the engine breathes and, therefore, how it produces power, efficiency, and emissions. In modern engines, the camshaft’s role is coordinated electronically and …
How Traffic Lights Get Programmed Traffic lights are programmed by traffic engineers who define timing plans—sets of parameters for green, yellow, and red phases—inside dedicated signal controllers that use sensors, schedules, and sometimes adaptive algorithms to respond to real-time conditions. In practice, signals run predesigned plans for different times of day, coordinate with nearby intersections …
Who are the most popular NASCAR drivers right now Chase Elliott remains the sport’s most popular active driver, with Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney close behind; other widely followed and frequently searched names include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, William Byron, and Christopher Bell. Popularity is reflected by the multi-year …
Do Any Cars Still Use a Rotary Engine? Yes—but only in a supporting role. Mazda’s MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, sold in select markets, uses a compact rotary engine as a generator to extend driving range. No current mass‑production car uses a rotary engine as the primary drive unit; the last mainstream rotary-driven sports car, Mazda’s RX‑8, …
How a Differential System Works A vehicle’s differential lets the left and right wheels rotate at different speeds while still receiving engine torque; it uses a set of gears (or clutches) to split power, enabling smooth turns, reducing tire scrub, and maintaining control. In practice, the differential transmits torque from the driveshaft to the axle …
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 …