Here's a Great Demo of How Different Drivetrains Handle the Snow
No matter what kind of car you’re driving, power likes to go to whichever drive wheels have the least traction. That’s…
Why People Are Suddenly Freaking Out Over California's Exhaust Laws: Explained
On Jan. 1, 2019, a new rule went into effect changing the way California cops can bust you for exhaust noise violations…
Why Now Is a Great Time to Get Into Supercross
The frenetic dirtbike races taking over baseball and football stadiums known as Supercross are a blast to watch on…
The Most Fascinating Things Jalopnik Explained in 2018
Automobiles and the infrastructure around them are complicated, which is why Jalopnik takes pride in writing explainers…
Why Some Trucks Have Five Little Lights On The Roof
If you’re like me, you’ve been staring agape at the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD’s ominously vengeful face since last week.…
What Is Stance? An Explainer And Rant
The rowdiest car show of the year is going down this weekend in airy Ocean City, Maryland. Or rather, it isn’t. H2Oi…
How Honda's VTEC Engines Work and How VTEC Can Kick In, Yo
Honda’s Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control system, known as VTEC instead of the more accurate VVTLEC, is…
Here's What Those Secret Rubber Flaps Behind Your Rear Bumper Are For
I recently strolled through a junkyard with my friend Taylor when he asked: “What are these flaps on the rear corners…
Here's What 'Compression Ratio' Actually Means And Why It Matters
You’ve heard the term compression ratio before, but have you ever wondered exactly what it means? Well, it’s time to…
Here Are The Pros And Cons Of Direct Injection
Direct injection motors are the new cool kids on the block and it’s becoming more an more common on newer cars. What is…
This Is Why People In Southern California Say 'The' In Front Of Freeway Names
I don’t know if you have noticed this but I certainly did when I first moved to Southern California: People insist on…
Sometimes You Just Need To See A Good Explainer Of The CAN Bus
Most of us know that the CAN Bus is the nervous system of a modern car. It’s the network that all of a modern car’s…
This Simple Animation Answers Everything About How A Clutch Works
Many of us have a basic idea of what our car’s clutch does, but still find all the teeth and springs confusing when we…
Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Endurance Racing Pit Stops Explained
What’s with the clamp on the wing? Why do racing fuel hoses have two lines? Why am I asking you all these things when…
The Numbers We Use To Weigh Cars, Explained In One Big Chart
Much like Olympic wrestlers or supermodels, talking about cars can get pretty weight-obsessive. How much a car or truck…
Take Four Minutes Out Of Your Day To Brush Up On The Difference Between Diesel And Gas Engines
In the U.S., diesel engines are often only associated with huge work trucks, whereas elsewhere around the globe, you’ll…
How The Indianapolis 500's Complicated Two-Day Qualifying System Works
If you’re just now following the Indianapolis 500 thanks to the appearance of a two-time Formula One champ on the grid,…
The Idiot's Guide To Oversteer Vs. Understeer And How To Beat Both
“Understeer” and “oversteer” and terms we hear and use a lot in the automotive community, and sometimes actually…
Why Do Oval Tracks Have Painted-On Lane Lines?
The freshly repaved Texas Motor Speedway is a little slippery thus far, but man, does it look sharp. What’s more…
What The 2017 Ford Raptor's Off-Road Modes Really Do: An Explainer
We’ve heard a lot about the 2017 Ford Raptor “optimizing itself” for different driving situations. This week between can…