Could a car run on compressed air?

The short answer is: yes. You could compress the air at your house using an air compressor fill a compressed-air tank in the car and the car could run off of it. But it's not quite that easy. Find out why.

How Alternative Fuel Pricing Works

As gas prices rise and dire warnings about global warming take over the news, consumers are considering alternatives to gasoline. How much could fuels from corn and vegetable oil run you? And who's setting the price?

How Fuel Gauges Work

Has your fuel gauge ever read "empty" when you know there are gallons left in your auto's tank? Learn all about how fuel gauges work and how to know when "Empty" means "No seriously get gas."

How Fuel Injection Systems Work

As concerns about vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency have grown, fuel injection systems have risen to the forefront of auto technology. Trying to keep up with new environmental laws, carmakers began installing these systems in all new models.

How Fuel Processors Work

Hydrogen gas is hard to store, so fuel processors are crucial to most commercial fuel cells. Learn how fuel processors supply the hydrogen and how efficient they really are.

How Gas Prices Work

Gasoline is the bloodline that keeps America moving, but tracking gas prices can feel like a roller coaster ride. They're down a little one month, up the next, before shooting up more than 50 percent in a year.

What if I put sugar in someone's gas tank?

Putting sugar in someone gas tank has long been rumored to ruin someone's car. But does it really work? What could really disable a car?

Do race cars use gasoline like normal cars do or do they use something else?

Ever wonder what kind of fuel race cars run on? Find out what kind of gasoline race cars from different motorsports run on.

How does a gasoline pump at a filling station know when the tank is full?

This mechanism has been around for a long time, so it is safe to say there is not a miniature camera inside the nozzle hooked to a microprocessor. It's purely mechanical -- and ingenious.

What does octane mean?

Adding a chemical called tetraethyl to gasoline can significantly improve the gasoline's octane rating. So what does octane mean? Read on to find out.

What does the weight mean on a can of motor oil?

Planning to change your own oil? You're probably wondering what the numbers on the can of motor oil mean. Find out what they mean and what oil is best for your car.

What is the problem with MTBE in gasoline?

If you have ever pumped gas that claimed to "oxygenated" -- something that is common in most urban areas in the winter -- then you have used gasoline containing MTBE.

Why do some engines use a dry sump oil system?

I have heard that both race cars and some motorcycles (like Harley-Davidsons) use a dry sump oil system. What is the advantage of a dry sump?

Why doesn't gasoline burn cleanly

I have read the question about crude oil and the different types of fuel. I was wondering: if gasoline is an aliphatic hydrocarbon why doesn't it burn cleanly forming just CO2 and H2O?