How to Make Your Car Last Forever: Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money

Cylinder heads vary in design based on engine output and design. They are cast out of iron or aluminum ...

On engines with a chain drive, a timing chain connects the crank to the cam via two gears called a cam ...

The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the valves. Camshafts are made of steel and ride on smooth s ...

On overhead cam engines, the camshaft is mounted directly above the valves. As the camshaft turns, the valv ...

A supercharger is driven by a pulley driven by the engine. It also draws fresh air from outside and like ...

A turbocharger is nothing more than a small turbine driven by the flow of exhaust gas from the engine. ...

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR ENGINE ISN’T LUBRICATED Your car’s engine will operate efficiently and last longer ...

MAINTENANCE TIP Always follow the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. If you’re not sure, err on the aggre ...

USING THE WRONG ENGINE OIL OR FILTER Engine Oil A few years ago, a frantic woman called me during my nation ...

MAINTENANCE TIP When changing the oil, always use oil and oil filters as recommended by OEM specs to ensure your ...

TIMING BELT BREAKAGE On engines equipped with a timing belt, it must be inspected regularly and replace ...

MAINTENANCE TIP Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for timing belt inspection and replacement. And always replace ...

DIESEL ENGINES When Rudolph Diesel applied for the patent on his revolutionary new engine, he was granted Patent No. 6 ...

spontaneously, generating the downward power stroke of the piston. A gasoline engine compresses air and fuel ...

MAINTENANCE TIP Follow the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule for your diesel vehicle. Always use sugge ...

HYBRID POWERTRAINS A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines the use of a low-emission internal combustion eng ...

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A typical HEV system consists of: Electric traction motors and controllers, which drive the wheels when t ...

TIP Always be extremely careful when jump-starting a hybrid vehicle. Typically, the electrical system is high ...