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Jalopnik Explains
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Jalopnik Explains

  • A Dodge SRT Hellcat Charger on display at an autoshow.
    5

    What Is The Difference Between The Dodge Charger's 8HP70 And 8HP90 Transmissions?

    You can easily find the automatic 8HP70 and 8HP90 transmissions in Dodge Chargers today, but there are a few differences between them beyond their names.

    By Ron King 24 days ago Read More
  • Subaru N14 rally car with glowing hot front brakes
    2

    What Causes Brakes To Overheat (And What To Do When It Happens)

    Overheating brakes can be a recipe for disaster. Here's what causes this problem and what to do if you ever experience it yourself.

    By Alvin Reyes 24 days ago Read More
  • Driver in a yellow jacket adjusting the car radio volume
    43

    Why Are Car Makers Getting Rid Of AM Radio?

    The humble AM radio has been a permanent fixture in cars for decades, so why are carmakers now trying to remove them from your dashboard?

    By Abigail Longstreth 25 days ago Read More
  • An excavator driver filling up the machine with diesel fuel
    0

    Here's What Contaminated Diesel Fuel Can Do To Your Engine

    Diesel engines are notoriously robust, but if the fuel they run on gets contaminated, the engine can suddenly become much less reliable than usual.

    By Alvin Reyes 25 days ago Read More
  • Aftermath of car wreck on winter road
    12

    Winter Driving Mistakes That Could Get You Into Serious Trouble

    Winter driving can be dangerous, especially if you don't avoid some common mistakes. These are the winter driving errors and habits that could spell doom.

    By B. L. Johnson 25 days ago Read More
  • A Smart ForTwo car parked in gray color
    4

    Long Vs. Short Wheelbase: How Each Changes Vehicle Handling

    It may seem trivial, but a car's wheelbase, or the distance between its front and rear wheels, plays a large role in how it handles. Here's what to know.

    By Shane Schmid 25 days ago Read More
  • Houston Police Ford Explorer patrol vehicle
    25

    Do Police Cars Really Get Better Engines?

    Many people believe that police vehicles have more powerful engines than civilian cars. However, is that actually true? Here's what you need to know.

    By Kiran Menon 25 days ago Read More
  • Two car thermostats on a white background.
    3

    Why Some Engines Have 2 Thermostats

    A thermostat is an essential component of an automotive engine cooling system. While most cars have one, some have two thermostats. Here's why.

    By Eugene Buono 25 days ago Read More
  • A blue European 2024 Ford Focus ST Edition
    18

    Ford Made The Focus For Decades: Here's Why It Disappeared

    The Ford Focus was an immensely popular vehicle for many years, both in the U.S. and abroad. Then, it suddenly disappeared. Here's why Ford discontinued it.

    By Shane Schmid 25 days ago Read More
  • leather car seats
    13

    Stop Using Conditioner On Your Leather Car Seats. Use This Instead

    While older cars with leather seats may benefit from a leather conditioner, using these products can cause damage in newer vehicles. Here's what to use instead.

    By B. L. Johnson 25 days ago Read More
  • Traffic light with red light and green arrow for free right turn
    43

    The Potential Power Savings Of Expensive LED Traffic Lights May Be Worth It

    Many cities are replacing their incandescent traffic lights with LEDs, despite the higher initial cost. Here's why that's actually a good idea.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 25 days ago Read More
  • Driver's panel with three drive mode buttons
    18

    Could Sports Mode Be Your Secret Weapon For Better MPG? It's Complicated

    We all know Sport mode prioritizes performance, but does it always hurt your MPG? Believe it or not, in some situations, it might actually help save gas.

    By B. L. Johnson 25 days ago Read More
  • A person wearing gloves removing a car's battery from the engine bay.
    6

    Parasitic Battery Drain: What It Is And Why It Happens

    If your battery is dying on you, the cause might be what's known as parasitic drain. Here's what it is, how it happens, and what you can do to prevent it.

    By Marko Mikulic 25 days ago Read More
  • A detailed close-up of the hood scoop on a red muscle car.
    9

    Steel Vs. Aluminum Hoods: What Each Material Does Best (And Worst)

    While steel was the traditional material used for car hoods, aluminum is becoming more popular. Here's how both metals compare and the pros and cons of each.

    By Marko Mikulic 26 days ago Read More
  • Check engine light illuminated
    19

    Limp Mode: What It Is, Why It Happens, And What You Can Do About It

    You might have heard of cars going into "limp mode," but what exactly is it? And how do you get a car in limp mode functioning normally again?

    By Nishant Jayaram 26 days ago Read More
  • A workbench display of automatic transmission parts.
    5

    What's The Difference Between The 700R4 And 4L60E Transmissions?

    The General Motors 700R4 and 4L60E transmissions have some key differences in their design. You can use those differences to tell which transmission you have.

    By Ron King 26 days ago Read More
  • 1954 Chevrolet 210 2-Door Coupe at the Spring 2018 Daytona Turkey Run
    8

    How The Chevy Stovebolt Got Its Name And What Made It So Special

    Gear-heads might be familiar with the "Stovebolt" engine's name, but how did it get that moniker? And what made the engine so special to enthusiasts?

    By Rohaan Sakrani 26 days ago Read More
  • Tachometer of a Honda Civic Si while in use
    1

    6 Reasons Why A Car's RPM Aren't Steady

    Normally, a car's rpm increase steadily and predictably as you step on the gas pedal. But there are several reasons why this might stop happening.

    By Danillo Almeida 26 days ago Read More
  • Tow bar and ball on the back of a four wheel drive vehicle
    20

    What're The Differences Between American And European Hitches?

    We might not think too much about tow hitches, but the fact of the matter is not all hitches are equal. Over in Europe, they do things a bit differently.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 27 days ago Read More
  • A calculator, car key, and white toy car on a desk.
    22

    How Realistic Is The 20/4/10 Rule For Buying A New Car In 2026?

    The 20/4/10 Rule suggests you make a 20% down payment, take a four-year loan, and keep total car costs under 10% of your income. But does it even apply in 2026?

    By Dave Goldberg 27 days ago Read More
  • A four-cylinder engine with blue aftermarket spark plug wires
    8

    Are Spark Plug Wires Universal?

    You have to be careful about swapping spark plugs around, but some wrenching enthusiasts might wonder if spark plug wires are important keep track of, too.

    By Alvin Reyes 27 days ago Read More
  • Pouring fresh oil into a high-performance Ferrari engine.
    3

    Can An Oil Change Improve Engine Horsepower?

    Automakers recommend oil changes at specific intervals, and there are lots of reasons for that. But is improving engine horsepower one of them?

    By Alvin Reyes 27 days ago Read More
  • Close-up of an engine cylinder head
    1

    5 Signs Your Cylinder Heads Could Be Failing (And What To Do About It)

    Cylinder head failures are very dangerous and very expensive, so it's important to recognize the key signs early. Here's what you should watch out for.

    By Chloe Clougher 27 days ago Read More
  • Audi Q4 E-Tron rear three-quarter view, showing drum brakes
    12

    Why Do Some Cars Still Have Rear Drum Brakes?

    Most modern cars no longer use rear drum brakes, so how come some still rely on them? There are trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance.

    By Kiran Menon 27 days ago Read More
  • A woman behind the wheel of a car holding her nose.
    21

    Open The Windows All You Want, These Smells Can Still Make Your Car Hard To Sell

    Your car is shiny, drives like a dream, and doesn't have a scratch, but you're still having trouble selling it. How it smells could cost you hundreds.

    By Shane Schmid 27 days ago Read More
  • A person holding a manifold absolute pressure sensor above a vehicle's engine bay.
    5

    What Is A MAP Sensor And How Can You Tell If It's Bad?

    The MAP sensor is an important part of a car's operating system. But lots of things can make it go bad. Here's how you'll know when it's going.

    By Marko Mikulic 27 days ago Read More
  • a driver fills a diesel additive into a car's diesel fuel tank to increase the cetane number and lower the sulfur content of biodiesel
    2

    What Cetane Booster Really Does For Diesel (And The Right Amount To Add)

    Diesel engines use compression to ignite the fuel, which needs to have an even burn, and cetane boosters have an important role to play in this process.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 27 days ago Read More
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