Cars 101
Everything you need to know about cars and how they work.
Latest Cars 101 Stories
Here’s Why Your Car Heater Isn’t Working
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Feb 21, 2023
White Smoke From Your Exhaust: How To Diagnose and Fix It
By Tony Markovich / Updated Feb 21, 2023
Here’s Why We Call It a ‘Dashboard’
By Aaron Cole / Updated Feb 17, 2023
What Are Torsion Bars and Where Are They?
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Feb 16, 2023
How to Rotate Tires
By Peter Nelson / Updated Feb 15, 2023
What Is A Catalytic Converter?
By Chris Rosales / Updated Feb 14, 2023
Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Feb 13, 2023
Can a Leaf Blower Work as DIY Forced Induction?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Feb 10, 2023
How to Jump-Start a Car
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Feb 6, 2023
What is Wheel Balancing?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Feb 6, 2023
Here’s Why Your Windshield Has Those Little Black Dots Around It
By Rob Stumpf / Updated Feb 3, 2023
What is the SFI Foundation?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Feb 3, 2023
What is a Brake Booster?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 27, 2023
Best Pressure Washers for Cars: More Capable Cleaning Power
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Jan 26, 2023
How Do Tire Pressure Sensors Work?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 26, 2023
What is the Zipper Maneuver?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 23, 2023
What is Powder Coating?
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Jan 20, 2023
How Does ABS Work?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 16, 2023
Here’s How I Dealt With My Favorite Manifold’s Imperfections
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Jan 10, 2023
How To Clean Flat-Tappet Hydraulic Lifters
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Jan 6, 2023
My Wrenching Paid Off In Faster Lap Times With My 2011 BMW 128i
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 5, 2023
What is Shock Rebound?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Jan 3, 2023
How to Change Your Air Filter
By Peter Nelson / Updated Dec 29, 2022
Milwaukee M12 Right-Angle Die Grinder: A Mechanic’s Red Right Hand
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Dec 28, 2022
What Tools Do You Need to Work on Cars?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Dec 27, 2022
Here’s How To Measure Pushrod Length in a Fixed Rocker Engine
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Dec 26, 2022
What is an EGR System?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Dec 23, 2022
My 1969 Dodge Charger Stopped Breaking Down Long Enough for Me To Think About Paint
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Dec 21, 2022
Here’s How I Installed a Factory-Sourced Brake Upgrade on My BMW 128i
By Peter Nelson / Updated Dec 20, 2022
How To Transport a Christmas Tree on Your Car
By Robert Bacon / Updated Dec 15, 2022
Is it Better to Leave Thread Repairs to the Professionals?
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Dec 14, 2022
How To Change Fog Lamp Bulbs
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Dec 12, 2022
How To Remove and Install Car Bushings and Bearings
By Peter Nelson / Updated Dec 5, 2022
Can You Change a Tire at Home?
By Hank O'Hop / Updated Dec 1, 2022
A Limited Slip Differential Makes My BMW 128i As God Intended
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 30, 2022
Which Engine Oil Weight Is Best For My Car
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 24, 2022
Help, I Got Stuck In a Snowbank At My In-Laws
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Nov 24, 2022
How Does a Turbo Wastegate Work?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 22, 2022
RealTruck is Currently Having Epic Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 22, 2022
How to Use a Fluid Transfer Pump
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 21, 2022
What Is An Intercooler?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Nov 14, 2022
13 Essential Tools and Gear for Your Winter Car Kit
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Nov 4, 2022
How To Transport Gasoline Safely
By Peter Nelson / Updated Oct 31, 2022
How Autumn Weather Contributes to Your Car’s Downfall
By Peter Nelson / Updated Oct 26, 2022
Want To Put a Racing Harness in Your Car? Read This First
By Peter Nelson / Updated Oct 26, 2022
Five Examples of Easy Car Maintenance That’s Annoyingly Complex on Modern Cars
By Peter Nelson / Updated Oct 20, 2022
What Is GVWR? (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Oct 20, 2022
What Exactly Is Your Truck or SUV’s Towing Capacity?
By Jonathon Klein / Updated Oct 20, 2022
What Is Diesel Exhaust Fluid: Explained
By Chris Rosales / Updated Oct 18, 2022
Car Wax Types Explained
By Kevin Williams / Updated Oct 17, 2022
Understanding The Differences Between A Sway Bar and A Strut Bar
By Chris Rosales / Updated Sep 29, 2022
Here’s What Oil Weight Means and Why It Matters
By Peter Nelson / Updated Sep 27, 2022
How To Remove Tree Sap From Your Car
By Tony Markovich / Updated Sep 22, 2022
How and Where To Use Lithium Grease on Your Car
By Tony Markovich / Updated Sep 21, 2022
How To Keep Your EV Charging Costs Down
By Kevin Williams / Updated Sep 15, 2022
What Is One-Pedal Driving?
By Kevin Williams / Updated Sep 14, 2022
PSA: RTV Expires
By Chris Rosales / Updated Sep 8, 2022
‘VIP Style’ Cars: Explained
By Chris Rosales / Updated Sep 6, 2022
What is Turbo Lag?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Sep 6, 2022
What Is Bondo?
By Kevin Williams / Updated Sep 5, 2022
When Is a Car Too Rusty?
By Kevin Williams / Updated Sep 1, 2022
How Does a Dual-Clutch Transmission Work?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Aug 31, 2022
What Is Overboost?
By Peter Nelson / Updated Aug 30, 2022