Decades ago, alternators were known as generators, but both do the same basic job: they power other components. If it goes bad, your car will continue to work, for awhile (I\'ll explain how below). But, it plays an important role in the operation of your vehicle and if it fails, you should still have a mechanic replace it. In this article, I\'ll describe what this component does, the things...
There are a number of reasons why your braking warning light may be on. Some of the reasons are normal while others imply that there may be a problem. For example, if you typically put your parking brake on before turning your engine off, the light will be on the next time you start your engine. It\'s just a reminder. On the other hand, if you notice it coming on when you\'re pressing the pedal...
Your vehicle\'s spark plugs play a key role in starting your car. They produce the spark necessary to crank the engine. The problem is that they wear down over time. After hundreds of thousands of sparks, the electrodes deteriorate, widening the chasm that the spark needs to jump. Eventually, you\'ll begin to have problems starting your car. Oddly, millions of drivers never think to replace...
Whether you\'re a camping enthusiast or you simply enjoy the freedom of the open road, recreational vehicles (RVs) can be an ideal way to experience both. But, it\'s important to realize that RVs are designed in different ways and some will require a towing vehicle (i.e. another car, truck, or SUV with a powerful engine). When that\'s the case, you\'ll need to invest in a good RV hitch. Today,...
Whether your car has an automatic or manual transmission, clutches are used to control the operation of the engine and its impact on the wheels. Your engine spins continuously. When the wheels aren\'t moving, they can\'t be connected to it. The clutch is used to control the amount of slippage between the wheels and the engine, essentially severing the connection between them when necessary.
...
Experts estimate that thieves break into cars every 20 seconds. It\'s no wonder that most vehicles that are sold today come equipped with car alarms. When these alarm systems were first introduced, they were primitive. Early models only used a few wires, a couple of door sensors, and a horn to make a loud noise when the wires were \"tripped.\" Today, they\'ve evolved to help ward off would-be...
The purpose of your car\'s ignition system is to time a spark that ignites gas at the precise moment needed to power your engine. Several different parts work together to make this happen. Your car\'s engine is basically a huge pump. Air and gas are pumped in, producing energy that turns the tires and moves the vehicle. That\'s an oversimplification, but sufficient for learning how the...
You may be surprised to learn that HEMIs were first designed in 1951. It\'s only within the past decade that they\'ve enjoyed a new surge of popularity (drivers today associate them with raw power). The name was derived by the shape of the cylinder heads, which are hemispherical (a departure from the flat-shaped heads commonly used at the time). In this article, I\'ll describe the basics behind...
You may have heard car enthusiasts mention the term twinned cars, yet not have completely understood what the phrase refers to. Simply put, they are vehicles that have a twin. These cars are typically built in the exact same way on the same platform. They also use many of the same car parts. At first, the concept might sound silly. However, car manufacturers have a good reason for producing...
If you\'ve been following my columns, you already have a good idea regarding how power is generated in your car and the course along which it travels. Eventually, the power reaches your car\'s differential before it\'s finally delivered to the wheels. Besides sending power to the wheels, your differential also reduces their speed and allows them to turn at different speeds. Today, we\'ll take a...
