Jalopnik
  • Latest
  • News
  • Reviews
    • First Drive
  • Brands
    • Audi
    • BMW
    • Chevrolet
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Porsche
    • Subaru
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
    • Volkswagen
  • Car Types
    • SUVs and Crossovers
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Trucks
    • Hatchbacks, Minivans and Vans
    • EVs and Hybrids
  • Buying
    • Advice
    • Found For Sale
  • Culture
    • Car Design
    • Concept Cars
    • Crashes and Safety
    • Crime
    • Jalopnik Explains
    • Jalopnik Investigates
    • Nice Price or No Dice
    • Nostalgia You Can Taste
    • The Morning Shift
    • Year In Review
    • Entertainment
    • Wrenching
    • Unpaved
  • Tech
  • Beyond Cars
    • Motorcycles
    • Spacelopnik
    • Transportation
  • Racing
  • Events
    • CES
    • SEMA
    • Detroit Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • LA Auto Show
    • New York Auto Show
    • Tokyo Auto Show
    • Rebelle Rally
  • QOTD
  • Features
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Reviews Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 2025 Static Media. All Rights Reserved
Jalopnik
Jalopnik
Jalopnik Explains
LatestNews Reviews Brands Car Types Buying Culture Tech Beyond Cars Racing QOTD Features
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise

Jalopnik Explains

  • close up of a clean engine oil cap

    Why There Might Be White Sludge Under Your Oil Cap

    Take a look under your oil cap. Do you see an unexpected and gross off-white substance? If so, your car is trying to tell you something. Here's what it is.

    By Brittany Crow 20 hours ago Read More
  • A car's lead acid battery placed outside the engine bay.

    Can A Car Battery Be Charged Without Disconnecting It First?

    Charging your car's battery needn't be complicated, but it's worth checking the details first.

    By Abhik Das 1 day ago Read More
  • A Subaru N14's disk brakes glow red hot on the 2010 Ypres rally in Belgium. The tarmac round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge is a tough rally for brakes due its long straights and tight 90 degree bends

    What Is Brake Fade And How Does It Happen?

    Whether you've been pushing hard, or going down steep inclines, most drivers know the feeling of stepping on the brakes but not slowing as much as expected.

    By Logan K. Carter 5 days ago Read More
  • Formula 1 car being reversed with assistance from marshals.

    Why Is It So Hard To Reverse An F1 Car?

    Yes, F1 cars have reverse gears, but you'll rarely see drivers use them.

    By Abhik Das 5 days ago Read More
  • The AVH button on the center console of a Subaru.

    Subaru's AVH Feature Explained: What It Does And How To Disable It

    AVH is a feature on some Subarus, but what, exactly, does it do? Why do some drivers dislike it? And if you dislike it, how would you go about disabling it?

    By Abhik Das 7 days ago Read More
  • Drivers sit in traffic as a motorcyclist splits lanes on southbound Interstate 5 during the afternoon commute heading into downtown San Diego

    The Difference Between Lane Splitting And Lane Filtering, Explained

    There's a big difference between lane splitting and lane filtering, and it shows up in some states' motorcycle laws. Here's what we're talking about.

    By Amber DaSilva 7 days ago Read More
  • A hand holding Marvel Mystery Oil

    What Is Marvel Mystery Oil Made Of?

    Despite the name, Marvel Mystery Oil isn't such a mystery. Here are all the chemicals that are in it, what they do, and what it adds up to for your car.

    By Charles Krome 7 days ago Read More
  • Person placing a car battery in an engine compartment

    What Can Happen If You Put The Wrong Battery In Your Car?

    Car parts are made in specific ways to suit specific kinds of cars. That includes batteries, so what can happen if you put the wrong battery in your car?

    By Richard Sachek 7 days ago Read More
  • Lucid Gravity

    How Much Copper Is In The Average New Car? More Than You Probably Think

    It's not just EVs that use lots of copper, but internal combustion vehicles as well.

    By Collin Woodard 7 days ago Read More
  • A rider off the road wearing a motocross helmet

    Why Dirt Bike Helmets Look Different From Motorcycle Helmets

    It's not your imagination. Dirt bike helmets look quite diferent from motorcycle helmets, and for lots of good reasons. Here's what sets them apart.

    By Benjamin Gracias 7 days ago Read More
  • Close up of dusty engine air filter cover

    The Most Common Oil Contaminants And What They Do To Your Engine

    Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and it needs to remain clean to ensure proper lubrication. However, these contaminants can change that.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 7 days ago Read More
  • A person rolling back an analog odometer. It's out of the car and on a workbench with the casing off.

    How To Tell If An Odometer Has Been Rolled Back

    Don't expect the seller to tell you if they've rolled back a car's odometer. But there are ways to tell if this has happened. Here they are.

    By Benjamin Gracias 7 days ago Read More
  • A black 2025 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Laramie towing a red front-end loader.

    Why Dodge & Ram Still Use Iron Engine Blocks In Some Vehicles

    The cast-iron engine block may seem like a relic of the past, but that's not so. Dodge and Ram still use it in some of their vehicles. Here's why.

    By Charles Krome 8 days ago Read More
  • A driver's foot pressing a brake pedal.

    What Is Engine Braking (And Are You Doing It Wrong)?

    Using your engine to brake isn't complicated, but that doesn't mean you're not doing it wrong. Here's how to do it and make sure it's the right way.

    By Charles Krome 8 days ago Read More
  • Mechanic adjusting a tire on a lifted car

    Can You Align Your Car's Tires Yourself, Or Is Going To A Shop Better?

    Is it possible to align your car tires yourself, or do you always have to go to a professional mechanic? Here's what you'd need and the steps involved.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 8 days ago Read More
  • The gears in a rebuilt Muncie M22 transmission

    Why Was The Muncie M22 Nicknamed The Rock Crusher, And What Were Its Weak Points?

    A manual transmission known as The Rock Crusher? What's up with that? And what were the Muncie M22's weak points ... and, lest we forget, its strengths?

    By Paul Stadden 8 days ago Read More
  • A pair of feet in women's flats perform a heel-toe technique on a car's pedals.

    What Is Heel-Toe Shifting (And Should You Even Bother)?

    Shifting your manual-transmisison car is as much an art as it is a science. Heel-toe shifting is part of that art. Here's what it's all about.

    By Paul Stadden 8 days ago Read More
  • Dirty tires with large tread block pattern

    Mud Terrain Vs. All-Terrain Tires: What's The Difference?

    If you want to do more off-roading, it's important to know the key differences between mud terrain and all-terrain tires. Here's what you need to know.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 9 days ago Read More
  • Automatic transmission with

    What The 'L' On Your Gear Shifter Actually Does

    If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, then you probably have noticed the 'L' on the gear shift. Here's what it means and when to use it.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 10 days ago Read More
  • Close up of a tire with prominent sipes

    Tire Siping Explained: What It's Meant To Do, And Why Not Everyone Recommends It

    Depending on the terrain you drive in, you might want to consider having your tires siped. However, it's not always recommended. Here's what you need to know.

    By Abhik Das 12 days ago Read More
  • A blue Toyota FJ Cruiser driving on a dirt road.

    Here's Where The FJ Cruiser Gets Its Name From

    Toyota's FJ Cruiser was a short-lived retro vehicle that has had a surprising afterlife in the hearts of car lovers. But where did its name come from?

    By Richard Sachek 12 days ago Read More
  • Toyota Hybrid CVT shift selector

    What Is An E-CVT And How Is It Different From A CVT?

    The Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT for short, has been around for some time. So, what is an e-CVT? Here are the differences between the two.

    By Abhik Das 13 days ago Read More
  • A diesel engine in a Dodge Ram 2500.

    Spark Ignition Vs. Compression Ignition: How Do These Two Engines Differ?

    Some engines use a spark to ignite their fuel, and others rely on compression. What does all of that mean? And how do the two kinds of engines differ?

    By Benjamin Gracias 13 days ago Read More
  • Disconnected lead acid car battery

    Changing Your Car's Battery: Which Terminal To Disconnect First (And Why)

    Changing your vehicle's car battery, yourself, is a simple task that will save you money. However, ensure you disconnect this battery terminal first.

    By Abhik Das 13 days ago Read More
  • Transmission oil being added by a mechanic

    Should You Leave Your Car Running When Adding Transmission Fluid?

    If your vehicle needs a transmission change, you have two choices: go to a pro or do it yourself. If you choose the latter, here's what you need to know.

    By Abhik Das 14 days ago Read More
  • Close up of jumper cables attached to car battery.

    Here's How To Know If You Need A New Car Battery Or Just A Jump Start

    Like the other parts on your vehicle, your battery won't last forever. Here's how to know if you need to a new battery or just a jump start.

    By Jordan A. Rodriguez 14 days ago Read More
  • The Tesla Model X tows a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the first EV to tow a commercial aircraft.

    Why Tesla's Model X Towing A Boeing 787 Wasn't Such A Big Deal

    An electric car towing a huge airplane for almost 1,000 feet! What a coup for Tesla! Except that this wasn't such a big deal at all. Here's why.

    By Paul Stadden 14 days ago Read More
Back
Next
About Privacy Policy
© 2025 Static Media® Jalopnik.com All Rights Reserved
More From Static Media
ChowhoundCutenessExploreFoodieFood RepublicGarden GuidesGlamGrungeHealth DigestHouse DigestHunkerIslandsLooperMashedMoney DigestNicki SwiftOutdoor GuideSciencingSlashFilmSlashGearSVGTasting TableThe Daily MealThe ListThe TakeoutWomenWrestling Inc.
Jalopnik