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Jalopnik Explains
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Jalopnik Explains

  • Car air conditioning and air vents in dashboard
    1

    How Your Car's A/C Does More Than Just Cool The Air

    Air conditioning is a feature of the summer months, but the system does more than just cool the air in your car. Here's how it works all year round.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 2 months ago Read More
  • A six-speed manual shifter knob from a Lotus Emira.
    9

    These Are The Brands That Are Still Selling Manuals In 2026

    For better or for worse, manual transmissions are becoming a niche, enthusiast-only choice. Here's a look at the automakers still offering stick shifts.

    By Max Larsen 2 months ago Read More
  • Porsche 911 GT3RS with Weissach package and magnesium wheels at the rear
    4

    Why Magnesium Wheels For Your Daily Driver Just Don't Make Sense

    If you're tempted by the idea of swapping to lightweight magnesium wheels for your car, you might want to stop and read this before blowing your budget.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • A close-up shot of a flex plate being held by a person with gloves on
    6

    Why Automatic Transmissions Have Flex Plates Instead Of Flywheels

    Manual transmissions make use of a clutch alongside a flywheel to actually deliver power from the engine to the wheels. Automatics use flex plates instead.

    By Monday Goma 2 months ago Read More
  • Colorful microfiber towels inside the drum of a washing machine
    8

    Why This Microfiber Towel Shortcut Could Derail Your Detailing

    Microfiber towels are essential for cleaning your ride. But if you try to take advantage of a certain shortcut, you won't get much cleaning done.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • A white Rivian charging at a charging station.
    5

    How To Avoid Headaches Trying To Charge Your Rivian At A Tesla Supercharger

    Although Tesla's Superchargers can technically be used with other EVs, their compatibility with EVs from other brands (like Rivian) comes with some caveats.

    By Chad Kirchner 2 months ago Read More
  • A big batch of silver metric bolts.
    32

    When Did US Automakers Switch To Metric Bolts?

    Metric fasteners are standard on modern vehicles. However, that wasn't always the case. Here's when manufacturers first began to make the switch from SAE.

    By Peter Nelson 2 months ago Read More
  • Driver Alexander Rossi points holds part of the cooling tube system on a helmet
    1

    Helmet Tubes Are Just The Goofy Part Of IndyCar Cooling Systems You Can See

    IndyCar drivers must reckon with in-car temperatures that often soar well over 100 degrees. Elaborate cooling systems seek to tamp down those temps.

    By Shane Schmid 2 months ago Read More
  • An example of a boat engine alternator
    12

    Here's How Marine Alternators Are Different From The One In Your Car

    An engine is an engine and an alternator is an alternator, right? But not when they're operating in completely different environments like a boat and a car.

    By Shane Schmid 2 months ago Read More
  • Damaged cars in a parking lot.
    26

    What Is A Salvage Title Car And Why Is Buying One Essentially Gambling?

    Salvage title cars seem like a bargain, but are they really? A vehicle with salvage status comes with a questionable history — and serious risks to consider.

    By Dave Goldberg 2 months ago Read More
  • A vehicle's disc brake with a blue caliper
    6

    These Were The Only Two American Cars That Offered Four-Wheel Disc Brakes In The 1960s

    Disc brakes were invented in 1902, but didn’t become common until decades later. And only two American cars offered them on all four wheels in the 1960s.

    By Charles Krome 2 months ago Read More
  • A whipple Supercharger on LS engine in a car
    23

    The Difference Between LS And Vortec Engines (And Why Fans Love Them)

    Although Vortec engines fall under the "LS" branding, they aren't actually the exact same as more traditional LS engines made by General Motors.

    By Rohaan Sakrani 2 months ago Read More
  • Detailed view of a cylinder head showcasing its components, in automotive mechanics in a workshop.
    5

    Why Aluminum Heads Are More Likely To Warp Than Cast Iron

    Aluminum cylinder heads sometimes get a bad reputation for warping issues. Here's the truth behind these rumors and why aluminum can be more prone to warping.

    By Eugene Buono 2 months ago Read More
  • A silver Suzuki Samurai at a car show
    24

    Why Suzuki Took Consumer Reports To Court Over Its Testing

    The Suzuki Samurai was a hot-selling SUV in 1988, but a Consumer Reports article led to its sales plummeting. So Suzuki challenged the magazine in court.

    By Chloe Clougher 2 months ago Read More
  • A close-up of a white car being filled with fuel at a gas station.
    11

    What Causes Gas Prices To Be So Different Around The Country?

    If you've ever been on a multi-state road trip, you probably noticed some discrepancy between fuel prices from state to state. Here's why that happens.

    By Marko Mikulic 2 months ago Read More
  • An automatic transmission shifter set to drive
    11

    Why Are Automatic Transmissions Called Slushboxes?

    Even if you're a fan of automatic transmissions, you've likely heard them be referred to as "slushboxes" before. Here's why that nickname stuck.

    By Charles Krome 2 months ago Read More
  • Damaged brake rotor with grooves
    21

    When To Resurface Brake Rotors – And When You Should Just Replace Them

    Are you hearing that dreaded squeal or feeling a vibration when braking? Here's how to know whether your rotors need replacing or can just be resurfaced.

    By B. L. Johnson 2 months ago Read More
  • A worried man looking at the engine of a dark car with the hood raised
    3

    The First Things To Check When Your Engine Is Hemorrhaging Horsepower

    If your car feels down on power, a trip to the garage might be in order, but checking these things before you go could save you a pile of cash.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • Black Rolls-Royce with a UK personalized license plate
    21

    Why Are European License Plates So Long And Skinny Compared To American Ones?

    Ever wondered why European license plates -- particularly in the U.K. and E.U. -- are long and skinny, when U.S. plates are much more square? Wonder no more.

    By Chloe Clougher 2 months ago Read More
  • A black F1 monochrome car driving on a track before the 2026 season
    3

    Why F1 Teams Can't Just Race Bare Carbon Cars

    Formula 1 cars tend to be colorful, packed with team names and sponsors. They'd be lighter if they stripped it all away, but there's a reason why they don't.

    By Ryan Erik King 2 months ago Read More
  • An electric car connected to a recharger showing an 82% state of charge
    27

    Does The 80% Rule Still Apply To EVs Today?

    Owners of electric vehicles have been following a certain rule: Only charge their vehicles to 80%, not 100%. But how important is it to follow that rule today?

    By Alvin Reyes 2 months ago Read More
  • A Ford Super Duty work truck in a parking lot
    10

    6.7L Cummins Vs. 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel Engines: What Are The Differences?

    Both Cummins and Ford offer 6.7-liter diesel engines. They share a few similarities, but those don't go much further than their displacements.

    By Benjamin Gracias 2 months ago Read More
  • A blue 2021 Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition
    12

    Here's How Much A 2021 Toyota Tacoma Has Depreciated In 5 Years

    Kelley Blue Book says the Toyota Tacoma is the new car that holds its value the best after five years. But Tacomas still depreciate. Here's how much.

    By Monday Goma 2 months ago Read More
  • A Corvette LS7 engine inside of a vehicle
    16

    What Do The Letters LS Actually Mean In Chevy Engines?

    You've likely heard of plenty of Chevrolet engines known as "LS" in one form or another. But is there actually any deeper meaning to those letters?

    By Chloe Clougher 2 months ago Read More
  • 3D render of an internal combustion engine
    6

    What's The Difference Between Even Firing And Odd Firing Engines?

    It might sound surprising, but the order in which your engine's cylinders fire can have a profound effect on the motor's character. Here's how.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
  • An RV camper in the wilderness
    13

    RVers Are Ditching Generators For Portable Power Stations, But Are They Worth It?

    If you're into your off-grid getaways, you might be considering a portable power station to replace your trusty gas generator, but should you spring for one?

    By Benjamin Gracias 2 months ago Read More
  • Shell Helix 0W-40 and 0W-30 engine oils
    41

    No, European Cars Can't Use American Car Oil: Here's Why

    Oils are not all the same, and owners of European cars have to make sure they're using oil that meets European standards -- which differ from those in the U.S.

    By Kiran Menon 2 months ago Read More
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