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How It Works

What is VTEC and how does it work?

Valve Timing Electronic Control, better known to enthusiasts as VTEC. We hear a lot about the system, but what is it exactly and how does it work? Jason Fenske, engineering mastermind behind YouTube's Engineering Explained, has tackled the system in one of his latest episodes. As usual, he breaks... read more

November 18, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

Are expensive tires worth the price?

What's the performance difference between new and used tires?

Wonder why carbon-ceramic brakes are so expensive? Watch how they’re made

How does a V-8 engine work?

V-8 engines are one of the most common styles of engine across the entire automotive industry, especially when the goal is to produce a lot of power with a smooth delivery... read more August 19, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

BMW M explains how to use its dual-clutch transmission

Do you remember when BMW was self-described as the Ultimate Driving Machine? Those days are long gone but BMW still cranks out a few hits. It's nevertheless clear that BMW's... read more August 7, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

5 reasons why pushrod engines still exist

The pushrod engine is a rather archaic piece of engineering, but automakers have stuck by it to this day. Notably, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors still shove... read more July 4, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

The RCCI engine uses both diesel and gasoline

The RCCI engine uses both gasoline and diesel fuel

When most of us pull up to the pump, we are in vehicles that require gasoline. A portion of us sidle up to diesel pumps. In the future, maybe we'll we'll drive vehicles with... read more July 3, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

What's the difference between lead-acid and AGM car batteries?

What are the differences between flooded and AGM lead-acid batteries?

While the engine of your car might be its heart, it's the battery that provides the juice to get that engine moving. By now, you probably know plenty about how your engine... read more June 19, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

Why do diesel engines make more torque than gasoline engines?

5 reasons why diesel engines make more torque than gasoline engines

Horsepower is fun in its own way, but torque can be just as entertaining. If you want to rip stumps out of the ground, you'll want a whole lot of torque. That also means... read more June 18, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

How much does it cost to use your turn signals?

We'll state it upfront: it doesn't cost a lot to use turn signals, so drivers should absolutely take advantage of them. With that out of the way, the video above goes through... read more May 25, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

Here's why expensive cars aren't always reliable

When you think about expensive automobiles, there's one data point that doesn't often enter into the discussion. That would be reliability. It seems the more you spend on a... read more May 23, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

Here's how Mazda goes about reducing turbo lag

Mazda hasn't been shy about its dedication to the internal combustion engine. After all, the Japanese company will likely arrive first to market with a homogeneous charge... read more May 18, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

Why don't pushrod engines have high redlines?

Pushrod engines may not be high-tech by today's standards, but they soldier on and have benefits of their own. One downfall, however, is their ability to rev. Pushrod engines... read more May 15, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

What is an octane rating and what does it mean?

You pull up to the pump and you are presented with a few choices, and we're not talking about different fuel types here. We're talking, of course, about octane ratings. Those... read more May 12, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

Why Ford's flathead V-8 engine died

Ford's famed flathead V-8 was revolutionary when the automaker put the engine into production in 1932. It brought the V-8 to the mass market and ready power to hot rodders... read more May 11, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

Audi is eliminating turbo lag with electric superchargers

Here's how Audi uses electric compressors to eliminate turbo lag

Automakers have started using electric compressors to help eliminate lag in their turbocharged engines. The first with the technology was Audi, which introduced it in its SQ7... read more May 1, 2018 by Jeff Glucker

AMMO detailing tips to rid a car of salt

Spring cleaning: how to remove winter salt from your car

After an interminable winter, spring has sprung...finally. For many car buffs across the country, it's time for spring cleaning. As part of its "Drive + Protect" series, AMMO... read more April 27, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski

How dynamic skip fire tech can cut V-8 fuel use up to 20 percent

The dynamic skip fire system developed by Silicon Valley startup Tula Technology is set to make its debut in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra, promising big... read more April 21, 2018 by Sean Szymkowski