Engineering Explained

There's concern among many enthusiasts that the manual transmission is on its way out. This coincides with the notion that electric cars are the future and internal combustion engines will continue to fall out of favor as electric car charging infrastructure and technology exits infancy. If there's...

You've heard the term before, but do you really know what powder coating is all about? It's not simply an airgun spraying a powdery substance that magically turns into a bonded surface on your wheels. There's a whole lot of science going on, which means we need to turn to our favorite engineer...

For those who daily drive a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, it's likely a common practice. Rather than rowing through all five or six gears, drivers will skip from third to fifth, fourth to sixth and so on. But is this practice safe to do? Engineering Explained tackled the common...

Mazda took the industry by storm when earlier this month it announced plans to introduce gasoline-powered Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines in 2019. HCCI engines are typically referred to as the holy grail of internal-combustion engine technology since they're extremely...

The 4-cylinder engine has become a standard across the automotive industry thanks to its compact size and efficiency. But, one variant of 4-cylinder engine doesn't rule. There are two popular variations of the 4-cylinder engine: inline-4 and flat-4. Each comes with benefits and downfalls, which is...

While it may seem like blasphemy that an air conditioning unit can be used to actually increase horsepower, it's true. Dodge has implemented such a process to help the 2018 Challenger Demon create its immense 840 horsepower, but how exactly does it work? Thankfully, we can always count on Jason...

No matter if you buy a new car, a pre-owned car, or lease a vehicle, maintenance is unavoidable. And at some point, the brakes will need to be replaced. Although many will let a mechanic take care of the work, it's not a terribly difficult process. Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained is here to...

Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained is once again joined by his friend Charles from Humble Mechanic in this latest informative video which looks at forced induction. Specifically, the topic at hand is about what it takes to add a turbocharger to a non-turbocharged vehicle. Obviously, you'll...

Most electric cars aren't normally associated with performance, but they are able to achieve something gasoline-powered cars can't: peak torque at zero rpm. It's thrown around often, and many will comment on how quick an electric car feels around town thanks to maximum torque delivered instantly...

Subaru has carved a niche in the vast automotive industry by doing one thing: equip every single car it sells with an all-wheel-drive system. That's minus the BRZ, of course, which features rear-wheel drive. How does Subaru's system actually work? Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained is here to...

The upgrades continue for the Engineering Explained Honda S2000. The YouTube channel's host, Jason Fenske, is using his yellow sports car for more than just whipping around his local backroads, as it's also serving as a bit of a teaching tool. As he upgrades the car, we're all going to learn...

The Volkswagen Group loves its EA888 engine, found in popular models such as the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3. This is the turbocharged inline-4 available as a 1.8-liter or a 2.0-liter and with power outputs ranging from about 170 to a bit over 300 horsepower. It also has a unique exhaust manifold...

A modern vehicle can do a number of things for its driver. It can regulate traction, keep your braking pressure from locking your stoppers up, and make sure your engine doesn't exceed a given rev limit. Heck, a modern car can keep you in your lane and stop you from hitting the car in front of you...

The Volkswagen VR6 has been an incredible addition to the vast timeline of automotive engines. It saves space like an inline 4-cylinder, yet allows for increased power and torque production like the V-6 that it always has been. It made its debut before the days of mass-market turbocharging, and, at...

Tires are an absolutely essential part of any car, truck, or SUV. Compounds can create unique handling experiences suited for any type of vehicle, and they can even make a car much more fun to drive. It's also a common saying that wider tires provide more grip. In the interest of science, Jason...

The Lamborghini Huracán Performante is the king of the Nürburgring. It currently holds the track's quickest lap time of 6:52.01, and it ousted the Porsche 918 Spyder in the process from the top spot. How did it get there? We're glad you asked. So is Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained...

By this point, as we enter the middle of May, most drivers who use soft-compound winter tires have likely switched them out for a set of all-season rubber, or even some higher-performance summer-only tires. However, what happens if you keep those winter tires on your car and run them in warm...

It's a problem many may not know they're experiencing until flashing lights in the rearview mirror tell them otherwise. How do you know if your vehicle is reading an accurate speed? And if it isn't accurate, how do you go about fixing the problem? Have no fear, because Jason Fenske from Engineering...

You off-roaders out there know all about disconnecting your own sway bars. You crave articulation, and you'll disconnect parts of your vehicle to get it. For those who don't seek out tough trails and mud-covered body panels, the idea of a disconnecting sway bar might be an odd concept. It's less...

If you change your car's gearing, can you make it quicker? The simple answer is yes. More aggressive gearing creates a quicker car but not a faster car. A gearing change will have a noticeable affect on your car. If you swap in taller rear gears, you can gain some top-end speed, making your car...