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Jalopnik Explains
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Jalopnik Explains

  • Brake rotor with blue caliper
    8

    Should You Replace Brake Calipers When You Replace Rotors?

    It's critical that you replace your disc brake pads and rotors regularly. But what about the calipers? Here's how to know if you should replace them or not.

    By Nishant Jayaram 2 months ago Read More
  • A set of plastic valve covers next to aluminum valve covers
    33

    Metal Valve Covers Can Last Longer, But Modern Cars Use Plastic: Here's Why

    It might seem like a bad move, but there are two major reasons why automakers are fitting their cars with plastic valve covers instead of metal ones.

    By Shane Schmid 2 months ago Read More
  • A crankshaft held by a technician next to pistons on a table
    6

    The Difference Between Cross-Plane And Flat-Plane Cranks

    Cross-plane and flat-plane ranks have some major differences beyond their names. These impact not just their design, but their performance as well.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • Engine oil dipstick showing slightly fresh, golden oil
    2

    Here's What The Color Of Your Engine Oil Can Tell You

    The color of your car's engine oil can tell you a lot about its overall health, including alerting you to potentially dangerous problems.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • A pile of used tires outside
    3

    Do Tire Shops Reuse Or Recycle Old Tires?

    Disposing of old tires properly can be tricky. Fortunately, you may be able to drop them off at your local tire shop for recycling. Here's what to know.

    By Shane Schmid 2 months ago Read More
  • An image of a Cummins diesel engine in an open engine bay
    6

    Why Diesel Engines Have Higher Compression Ratios Than Gas Engines

    Diesel engines are different from gas engines in numerous ways, including their use of high compression ratios. Here's why that is and what it means.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • 2019 Toyota Prius Limited driving on a paved road next to a body of water
    13

    Every Toyota Prius Generation, Ranked By Reliability

    The Prius launched in 1997 as the first mass-market hybrid, setting a new benchmark for efficiency. But which Prius generation offers the strongest reliability?

    By Monday Goma 2 months ago Read More
  • Traffic light on yellow with sky and trees in background.
    8

    Who Really Invented The Yellow Traffic Light?

    Early traffic lights had only red and green, which unsurprisingly made intersections rather chaotic. Who invented the yellow light, and when was it introduced?

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • BMW S58 in M3 CS Touring
    4

    What Makes BMW's S58 Straight-6 Powertrain So Popular?

    BMW is known for its excellent straight-six engines, including the relatively new S58. Here's what makes the S58, in particular, so popular and powerful.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • Sunload sensor on dash of car
    15

    Here's What That Little Sphere On The Top Of Your Dashboard Is For

    If you've ever noticed a strange sphere on your car's dash and wondered what it's for, you're not alone. Here's what that odd little object actually does.

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • A close-up view of one side of a car's suspension assembly.
    2

    4 Telltale Signs Your Suspension Might Be Failing

    Recognizing the telltale signs of suspension trouble can help you avoid greater damage. These are the top four signs of suspension problems you should know.

    By Marko Mikulic 2 months ago Read More
  • Several piston rings on a table
    6

    Piston Ring Endgaps Matter More Than You Think: Here's Why

    You might overlook the end gaps of piston rings in your car. They shouldn't be taken so lightly, though, as they actually play a vital role in your engine.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 2 months ago Read More
  • A person checking a car's transmission fluid level with a dipstick
    190

    Why Are Car Makers Removing The Transmission Dipstick?

    The transmission dipstick can be exceptionally valuable when it comes to maintaining your car. Recently, though, newer models have been released without it.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • A tire being professionally balanced with a digital balancer
    2

    5 Warning Signs That It's Time To Get Your Tires Balanced

    Everyone knows tires need balancing, but how do you know when it's time? Here are the key warning signs to watch for before the problem gets much worse.

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • BMW M5's twin-turbo V8
    15

    Do Twin Turbos Help Or Hurt Your Gas Mileage?

    Twin-turbocharged cars can make impressive power, even with relatively tiny engines. But are they fuel efficient? Here's what you need to know.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • A tire technician rotating tires in a service center.
    7

    Why You Should Re-Torque Your Wheels 100 Miles After A Tire Rotation

    Many experts recommend retorquing your car's wheels within 100 miles of a tire rotation. Here's why they recommend doing so and why it's important.

    By Ron King 2 months ago Read More
  • 2020 BMW M2 CS in blue parked in an auto show
    13

    Here's How Much A 2020 BMW M2 Has Depreciated In 5 Years

    BMWs don't have the best reputation when it comes to retaining value, but is the 2020 BMW M2 an exception? We looked at data from CarEdge and KBB to find out.

    By Nishant Jayaram 2 months ago Read More
  • An old car battery with severe corrosion on the terminals
    30

    Don't Use Soda To Remove Corrosion From Your Battery Terminals – Do This Instead

    You may have heard that Coca-Cola will clean corrosion from battery terminals. It will ... but it's still a bad idea. Here's why, and what to do instead.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • Mechanic placing car battery inside vehicle
    20

    5 Tips To Extend Your Car Battery's Lifespan

    The average car battery has a lifespan of about three to five years. Proper maintenance and care can make a big difference if you know what you’re doing.

    By Nishant Jayaram 2 months ago Read More
  • Digital vehicle odometer that reads 100000
    4

    5 Smart Maintenance Moves To Make After Your Car Hits 100K Miles

    So your car just hit 100,000 miles — congratulations! Here are five smart maintenance moves you can make to keep your ride on the road for years to come.

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • Closeup of a flat tire.
    4

    5 Telltale Signs Your Car Tires Need Replacing ASAP

    Worn out tires are a major safety hazard, so it’s important to pay attention before performance is compromised. Some signs are obvious, but others not so much.

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • Mechanic pouring fresh oil into a motorcycle engine
    3

    Automotive Vs. Motorcycle Oil: The Differences Explained

    What could possibly go wrong if you use automotive oil in a motorcycle engine? These are the key differences between automotive and motorcycle oil, explained.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • A red Shelby Mustang and a blue 1967 Plymouth GTX in a car show
    26

    What's The Difference Between A Muscle Car And A Pony Car?

    Historically, pony cars and muscle cars offered sharp contrasts in their size, power, and handling. Today, those differences have largely blurred.

    By Chino Ortiz 2 months ago Read More
  • A 1953 Chevrolet Corvette presented by the GM Heritage Collection.
    4

    Do Corvette Bodies Still Use Fiberglass? It's Complicated

    Its low weight and durability led Chevrolet to choose fiberglass for the body of the first Corvette, in 1953. Does Chevy still choose fiberglass today?

    By Ron King 2 months ago Read More
  • A driver handing documents to two police officers through the window of a car.
    8

    Is It Legal To Have Two Insurance Policies For A Single Car?

    Two insurance policies on one car sounds like it could give you a bigger payoff if you're in an accident. But would that be legal? And would it pay doubly?

    By Greg Poggiali 2 months ago Read More
  • A person siphoning fuel from a car
    3

    Why You Can't Easily Siphon Gas Out Of Modern Cars

    Once upon a time, gas was cheap and plentiful, and nobody worried about it being stolen out of their car. Now cars are built to prevent siphoning. Here's how.

    By Nishant Jayaram 2 months ago Read More
  • A mechanic pointing to the clamp of a vibration sensing clamp, used to diagnose the noises of a vehicle.
    0

    What Are Chassis Ears, And How Can They Help Diagnose Your Car?

    Chassis Ears aren't built into a car, and they don't stick out like Jughead's in the "Archie" comics. But they can help you fix elusive automotive problems.

    By Greg Poggiali 2 months ago Read More
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