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Jalopnik Explains
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Jalopnik Explains

  • Cars parked in a row at a dealership
    0

    Here's How The Depreciation Curve Works For Cars

    With a few exceptions, car depreciation is unavoidable. Fortunately, value doesn't just drop like a rock. Here's how the depreciation curve actually works.

    By Monday Goma 2 hours ago Read More
  • A bridge expansion joint that enables the two concrete slabs to deal with thermal expansion.
    3

    What Those Gaps Along Highway Bridges Are Really Designed To Do

    If you see a gap in a concrete highway bridge, don't fret. It's probably not a sign of a defect; more likely, it's there to help the bridge survive.

    By Alvin Reyes 6 hours ago Read More
  • An old red Mercedes 280SL convertible parked in front of a stately home.
    12

    What Million-Mile Club Engines Have In Common (Aside From, Y'know, The Mileage)

    Want to make an engine last a million miles? Drivers control only a few of the factors that make these engines more durable than their flimsier counterparts.

    By Marko Mikulic 7 hours ago Read More
  • A pair of front control arms on display
    10

    How To Tell When Your Control Arms Need To Be Replaced

    Control arms are vital for keeping certain models of cars steady and safe on the road. Watch for warning signs that will tell you when they're failing.

    By Alvin Reyes 18 hours ago Read More
  • A stretch of the Frederiksborgvej in Denmark at night.
    33

    How Denmark's Red Streetlights Do A Lot More Than Save Energy

    Denmark's red LED streetlights save electricity, but that's not all they're trying to accomplish. They may make life better for a valuable animal species.

    By Aakash Badree 1 day ago Read More
  • A driver holding their thumb up out of the window.
    7

    How Different Countries Tackled Hand Signals Before Mechanical Turn Signals Were Invented

    Before the blinkers we know today, drivers needed to use hand signals to show which way they were turning. This was the case across countries around the world.

    By Nico DeMattia 1 day ago Read More
  • Jay Leno driving his 1907 White Steam Car
    5

    Cars Tried External Combustion Engines And There Are Good Reasons It Didn't Stick

    Although internal combustion engines quickly became the standard for modern vehicles, some models experimented with external combustion engines.

    By Charles Krome 1 day ago Read More
  • Shot of a white camper van parked with a windmill in the background
    5

    Van Life Isn't Cheap Anymore: Here's What It Can Cost Today

    Gone are the days when living in a van down by the river meant you were down and out. Today, the possible price tag means many can only dream of it.

    By Chloe Clougher 1 day ago Read More
  • Mechanic's hand holding new spark plugs over an engine bay
    18

    Can You Bring Your Own Car Parts To A Mechanic?

    Buying parts and bringing them to a mechanic has probably crossed your mind at some point. But is that even a realistic idea and do mechanics go along with it?

    By Chloe Clougher 1 day ago Read More
  • Front view of a modified black XJ Jeep Cherokee
    102

    How The 'Non-Passenger Work Vehicle' Became The Family Car

    It all goes back to the early 1970s.

    By Justin Hughes 2 days ago Read More
  • A blackout license plate on a motorcycle
    9

    How To Get A Blackout License Plate (If You're Allowed To)

    Blackout license plates offer a sleek design for any vehicle. It's not available everywhere, but you can get one for yourself in a few certain states.

    By Chloe Clougher 2 days ago Read More
  • Maserati's prototype V6 engine head featuring six valves per cylinder
    8

    Maserati Once Built A Six-Valve-Per-Cylinder Engine (And Quickly Learned Why Nobody Else Did)

    During the 1980s, Maserati experimented with a clever, 36-valve V6 gasoline engine, but for various reasons, the idea never really caught on.

    By Kiran Menon 2 days ago Read More
  • A mechanic holding three used spark plugs and a new one for comparison
    3

    Why Buy Expensive Platinum Spark Plugs When Cheaper Copper Ones Exist?

    Considering the price differences between different spark plug types, you may be tempted to switch from platinum to copper plugs. Here's why that's a bad idea.

    By Alvin Reyes 2 days ago Read More
  • Vehicles driving through a blizzard
    0

    Here's Where Automakers Freeze Their Lugnuts Off For Cold Weather Testing

    Modern cars need to be tested for their resistance to cold weather. Since not everywhere in the world can account for this, automakers go to specific areas.

    By Chad Kirchner 2 days ago Read More
  • Several tractors lined up next to one another
    6

    What Is Off Road Diesel And Why Is It Illegal To Use On Road?

    Drivers, particularly in rural areas, might have heard they can save money with off-road diesel, but what is it, and why can't you use it on the road?

    By Shane Schmid 2 days ago Read More
  • A traffic signal with camera sensors mounted nearby
    8

    How Traffic Light Sensors Detect Your Car

    Traffic lights might seem like they let cars stop or go randomly, but that's not always the case. Many of them use special sensors that detect vehicles.

    By Shane Schmid 2 days ago Read More
  • A spilled talcum powder container
    1

    It's Not Just Dust – Why There's White Powder Covering Your New Car Parts

    You might have noticed brand-new car parts covered in some sort of white powder. Luckily, there's no reason for you to be too concerned over it.

    By Charles Krome 3 days ago Read More
  • BMW's auto stop-start function, next to the main ignition button in the center console.
    133

    How Automakers Tackle Auto Start-Stop Without Adding Wear And Tear

    Most modern cars have auto start-stop systems to reduce fuel consumption, but while some might worry about wear and tear, car makers have it covered.

    By Kiran Menon 3 days ago Read More
  • Side profile of a 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring in red.
    6

    Why Bugatti's Veyron And Honda's Odyssey Used The Same Michelin Tire System

    At one time, both the Bugatti Veyron and the Honda Odyssey Touring used the same tire tech. Here's why a supercar and a minivan shared similar parts.

    By Nico DeMattia 4 days ago Read More
  • A cut-away turbocharger showing its turbine fans
    13

    What Causes Turbo Flutter And Can It Damage Your Engine?

    Some drivers might enjoy the sound of turbo flutter, but it's not something you should want to keep around. There are few good things that can come from it.

    By Charles Krome 4 days ago Read More
  • A piston with three piston rings and new rings in the background
    2

    Here's What Driving With Bad Piston Rings Can Do To Your Engine

    Piston rings are the seals in your cylinders, giving you better compression and power, but what happens if they wear or break? And how can you spot the signs?

    By Alvin Reyes 4 days ago Read More
  • An old differential next to a new one, with both open showing their gears
    6

    Here's What Your Car's Final Drive Ratio Actually Means

    Now you'll be able to at least know a bit about final drive ratios next time it comes up in conversation with your car friends.

    By Logan K. Carter 5 days ago Read More
  • An old purge valve from a car on display
    8

    Purge Valve: What It Is, How It Works, And Why Proper Maintenance Matters

    The emissions system of your car does a lot to help make its exhaust more bearable to deal with. But it wouldn't be nearly as effective without the purge valve.

    By Alvin Reyes 6 days ago Read More
  • A car owner wiping the interior of a vehicle using a blue microfiber towel
    6

    The Signs Your Microfiber Towel Is Too Gross To Keep Using

    Microfiber towels are amazing for car detailing and general cleaning, but they don't last forever. Here's how to tell when it's time to replace yours.

    By Alvin Reyes 6 days ago Read More
  • A small Zundapp single-cylinder engine mounted up to a rusty old motorcycle chassis.
    22

    What's The Purpose Of A Carburetor Vacuum Line?

    Carburetors with vacuum lines are still found on classic vehicles and small-displacement engines — but what is the vacuum actually used for? Let's take a look.

    By Peter Nelson 6 days ago Read More
  • A mechanic is curiously examining car radiator inside of a garage.
    4

    3 Weird Ways Radiators Were Destroyed (And What's More Likely To Give You A Headache)

    Car radiators are generally robust, but they can fail, and, sometimes, they fail in some strange ways. Here are some of the weirdest ways radiators can die.

    By Chloe Clougher 6 days ago Read More
  • An example of helical and straight cut gear designs sitting on a golden-yellow background
    8

    If Straight Cut Gears Are So Great, Why Don't Street Cars Use Them?

    Straight cut gears can provide some exciting benefits, but despite those benefits, regular passenger cars don't use them. Here's why.

    By Shane Schmid 7 days ago Read More
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