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 Three Wires on a Brake Light Do The three wires on a typical brake light assembly are for ground/earth, tail or running light power, and brake (stop) light power; on vehicles that combine brake and turn signals, the brake wire may also serve as the turn-signal feed. Color codes vary by maker and …
The Anatomy of a Disc Brake: Every Part That Stops a Vehicle A disc brake is built around a rotating metal rotor (disc), a caliper with one or more pistons, and brake pads that clamp the rotor; supporting parts include a caliper bracket and slide pins, hydraulic hose/line and bleeder, seals and dust boots, anti-rattle …
What Is an Engine? Definition, Types, and How It Works An engine is a machine that converts energy—most commonly the chemical energy in fuel—into mechanical work to produce motion or power. In everyday use it refers largely to heat engines such as internal-combustion engines and turbines, though usage varies by industry and region. Below is …
What are the disadvantages of a turbocharged engine? Turbocharged engines can deliver strong power from small displacement, but they come with trade-offs: added complexity and cost, potential turbo lag and less linear throttle response, higher heat and mechanical stress, stricter maintenance needs, real‑world fuel economy that can dip under load, and more challenging emissions and …
What causes side curtain airbags to deploy Side curtain airbags deploy when a vehicle experiences a moderate to severe side impact or an actual/imminent rollover that meets programmed thresholds for lateral acceleration, roll rate, and related crash metrics. In practice, this means they fire during T-bone collisions, pole/guardrail strikes, and rollovers, and sometimes in oblique …
The best used convertible to buy in 2025 For most buyers, the 2016–2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND) is the best used convertible: it’s affordable, exceptionally reliable, cheap to run, and unmatched for open-air driving fun. If you want more luxury or rear seats, standout alternatives include the 2013–2016 Porsche Boxster (981), 2018–2023 Audi A5 Cabriolet, …
The downside of regenerative braking: where energy recovery falls short Regenerative braking’s main disadvantages are that it’s less effective at very low speeds and when the battery is full or cold, it can lead to variable pedal feel and still requires conventional friction brakes for hard stops, it adds system complexity and cost, and it …
What cars did Ford make in 1975? In 1975, Ford’s U.S. passenger-car lineup included the Pinto, Maverick, Mustang II, the new Granada, Torino/Gran Torino, the Elite personal-luxury coupe, full-size LTD (and Custom 500) with Country Squire/LTD wagons, and the Thunderbird. Globally, Ford also sold the Escort Mk2, Cortina Mk3 (and Taunus in continental Europe), Capri …
Are Freeways and Highways the Same? No. A freeway is a specific type of highway with full, controlled access and no cross traffic, while “highway” is a broad term that includes everything from local arterials to interstates. In short, all freeways are highways, but many highways are not freeways. This distinction affects speed, safety, access, …
Supercharger vs. Turbocharger: How They Differ, Why It Matters, and Which One Fits You A supercharger is a mechanically driven air compressor that forces more air into an engine, delivering immediate boost; a turbocharger is driven by exhaust gases to achieve the same goal with better efficiency but potential lag. Both increase power by cramming …
How to Reset a Seatbelt Tensioner: What You Can and Can’t Do You generally cannot reset a deployed seatbelt tensioner; it is a one-time safety device that must be replaced after activation. If your belt is stuck but the tensioner has not fired, you may be able to restore normal operation by re-leveling the retractor …
How Fuel-Injected Engines Get Their Air They breathe through an intake system that routes outside air through a filter, past sensors and (in gasoline engines) a throttle plate, into the intake manifold and cylinders; the engine control unit (ECU) measures or estimates the incoming air and injects fuel to match, with turbos or superchargers compressing …
Is Fuel Injection Good for Your Car? Yes—modern fuel injection is generally good for cars because it improves fuel economy, power, cold starts, drivability, and emissions; the trade-off is greater system complexity and potentially higher repair costs, especially with direct-injection setups, so proper maintenance and fuel quality matter. What Fuel Injection Is and How It …
Were cars common in the 1940s? Yes in the United States—by 1940 cars were already a routine part of daily life and, after World War II, ownership grew quickly again. But between 1942 and 1945 new civilian cars virtually disappeared and driving was restricted. Outside the U.S., especially in war-torn Europe and across much of …
How a Clutch Changes Gears The clutch lets gears be changed by temporarily disconnecting the engine’s rotation from the transmission so internal gear selectors and synchronizers can engage a new ratio without fighting engine torque; pressing the pedal disengages the clutch, selecting a gear sets the ratio, and releasing the pedal re-engages power smoothly. In …
Who Is the Most Famous Car Guy? Jay Leno is widely regarded as the most famous “car guy” alive, thanks to decades of mainstream visibility, a world‑class vehicle collection, and a long-running, accessible media presence that introduced car culture to millions. The label is subjective and depends on how you define fame—global name recognition, cultural …
The Six Basic Parts of a Brake System The six basic parts of a typical hydraulic automotive brake system are the brake pedal, master cylinder, brake lines and hoses, calipers (or wheel cylinders), brake pads (or shoes), and rotors (or drums). Together, these components convert your foot’s force into clamping friction that slows and stops …
The Cheapest Month to Buy a Car December—especially the final week of the month and New Year’s Eve—is typically the cheapest time to buy a car in the United States. Dealers and automakers stack year-end incentives, clear out outgoing model-year inventory, and push hard to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets, creating unusually strong …
What Is Testing in Automotive? Testing in automotive is the structured process of verifying and validating vehicles, components, and software—across labs, proving grounds, and simulations—to ensure safety, legal compliance, performance, durability, cybersecurity, and customer satisfaction throughout the product lifecycle. In practice, it spans everything from crash tests and emissions checks to hardware-in-the-loop simulations for driver-assistance …
Can a Car Run Without a Clutch? Yes—many cars operate without a driver-operated clutch pedal (automatics, CVTs, hybrids, and EVs), and even a manual car with a failed clutch can sometimes be moved in an emergency using clutchless techniques. However, driving a manual without a functioning clutch is risky, can damage the transmission, and is …
Why Automakers Rarely Build “Suicide Doors” Anymore They’re uncommon today mainly because modern safety rules, crashworthiness demands, and cost-complexity trade-offs make rear-hinged passenger doors harder to engineer and sell at scale. While not extinct—luxury brands like Rolls‑Royce and a handful of pickups still use them—most mainstream makers avoid the design due to structural, regulatory, and …
How to Know Your Car’s ABS Is Working It’s working if the ABS light turns on at startup and then goes out, and during a hard stop on a slippery surface you feel rapid pulsation in the brake pedal, hear a buzzing or clicking, and can steer while braking; there should be no ABS warning …
What the 30-60-90 Rule for Cars Really Means in 2025 The 30-60-90 rule for cars refers to planning major maintenance at roughly 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles—about 48,000, 96,000, and 144,000 kilometers, or around 2, 4, and 6 years—when key fluids, filters, and wear items typically need inspection, service, or replacement. It’s a convenient shorthand …
How to Tell if Your Car’s Door Lock Actuator Is Broken If one door won’t reliably lock or unlock with the key fob or interior switch—but works manually—with either no sound or a weak click/whir from inside the door, the actuator for that door is likely failing; confirm by comparing how that door behaves versus …
What Disables the Regenerative Brake System? Regenerative braking is typically disabled or sharply reduced when the battery is full or outside its safe temperature range, when anti-lock brakes or stability control intervene, when the vehicle is in Neutral (or the driveline is disengaged), at very low speeds, or if there’s a system fault; drive modes …
What Happens When Your Brake Booster Goes Bad When a brake booster goes bad, the brake pedal becomes very hard to press and stopping distances increase, making the car unsafe to drive; you may also hear a hissing sound, notice rough idling when braking, or see warning lights. The booster’s job is to multiply your …
Which is the best biofuel? There’s no single “best” biofuel for every situation. In 2025, the top choices depend on where and how the fuel is used: renewable diesel (HVO) from waste oils and animal fats is the strongest all-around drop-in for road and marine diesel; sustainable aviation fuel made from wastes and residues is …
What Qualifies as a Vintage Motorcycle A motorcycle is generally considered “vintage” when it is at least 25–30 years old and is preserved or maintained in period-correct form rather than used as everyday transportation; however, the exact cutoff and criteria vary by country, club, insurer, and racing organization. In some enthusiast circles—especially in the UK—“vintage” …
What Is the Work of a Vehicle Suspension? The suspension’s work is to support the vehicle’s weight, keep the tires firmly in contact with the road, absorb bumps and vibrations, and stabilize handling and braking; in short, it balances comfort, control, and safety. Beyond this core role, modern suspension systems also manage body motion, ride …
How Long Does Nitrous Last on a Car? For most street/strip setups, a standard 10-pound nitrous oxide (N2O) bottle delivers roughly 45–120 seconds of total spray time, depending on the horsepower “shot” and tuning; in real terms, that’s usually about 4–12 quarter‑mile passes on a 75–150 shot. The exact duration varies with bottle size, jetting …