Under the Hood

The idea an airtight car might initially seem appealing. After all, it would likely be very quiet inside and water tight, too. But is an airtight car really a good (or safe) idea?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

It seems that most modern cars -- with a few high-performance exceptions -- are designed to be somewhat silent inside the passenger cabin. But will your car's quiet interior get noisier over time?

By Patrick E. George

One thing is certain: If your car is vibrating, you know you've got a problem. But determining the root cause of that wobble or shake might not be as difficult (or expensive) as you may think.

By Akweli Parker & Cherise Threewitt

The metal cutting tools and techniques used by automakers require both precision and speed. But how do auto manufacturers maintain that balance? And what are the tools (and tricks) of the trade?

By Akweli Parker

Man's ability to form metal into useful shapes dates back thousands of years; however, over the last century our metal-forming technologies have dramatically improved. Modern cars are proof of that.

By Christopher Lampton

Automotive paint finishes do more than boost aesthetics; they also protect the rest of the car. What goes into applying a vehicle's finish before it gets to you?

By Jamie Page Deaton

You're probably aware that modern auto manufacturers use lots of plastic in the production process. But do you know the reasons why they use plastics? Or how they do it?

By Akweli Parker

Designing a car is tougher than it looks -- pencil and paper just won't cut it these days. Computer-aided design (CAD) software makes the job easier, but will it eventually replace human automotive designers?

By Marie Willsey

If you've ever driven a brand new car, then you may have noticed how smoothly it runs and how everything is in working order. But how are vehicles fine-tuned to give you that new car experience?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Nobody wants a car that looks (or feels) like it was hastily put together at the factory. But are automakers really paying more attention to the details now than they were in the past?

By Christopher Lampton

Interior car panels cover wiring and motors, protect windows and keep you safe during impact. How are these panels constructed and installed?

By Christopher Neiger

Several materials have long been used to create some common and unexpected automobile parts, but a few new substances are gaining ground in the industry. Which materials are used the most in auto manufacturing?

By Patrick E. George

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler satisfied American automotive lust for decades -- until Japanese automakers began to dominate the market. What do companies like Toyota, Subaru and Hyundai do differently?

By Tom Scheve

In the auto industry, the quality control process starts long before the first cars ever roll off the assembly line. In fact, by that point, most of the kinks have already been worked out.

By Jamie Page Deaton

Unless you own a rare or classic model car, there's a good chance that your vehicle is going to be worth considerably less next year. But why do most cars depreciate so quickly?

By John Fuller

As engines and their electronics become more complex, spark plugs remain accessible and easy to understand. It doesn't take long to figure out the inner workings of a spark plug.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

When most people are ready for a new car, the process typically involves a local car dealer or a few hours of online auto shopping. For others, it's the start of a project that may take years to finish.

By Eric Baxter

There was a time when all cars were entirely hand-built -- assembled one at a time until each one was complete and then it was on to the next one. Automotive production lines changed that forever.

By Jamie Page Deaton

It's possible that someday there may be no need for a lot of the components that you currently find under the hood of a car or truck. That is, if the vehicle is equipped with in-wheel electric motors.

By Christopher Neiger

If you own a luxury or performance vehicle, then you know how expensive it can be to fill the fuel tank with premium gasoline. But is this high-octane fuel really necessary in most cases?

By Christopher Lampton

Synthetic motor oils have evolved rapidly in recent years to improve gas mileage, increase time between oil changes, clean out harmful engine deposits and more.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Most people know that tires are designed to wear with use. Wouldn't it be great if you could buy tires that regenerate the tread as they wear down?

By Patrick E. George

Lifetime fluids are developed to require little or no maintenance for the life of your vehicle. But, is anyone developing lifetime engine oil?

By Josh Briggs

You might not know that eLSD stands for electronic limited slip differential, but when one wheel of your car is sliding on ice and another isn't moving at all, you'll wish you had paid attention to this technology.

By Robert Lamb

Have you ever wondered how cars get from the production plant to your local dealership? Believe it or not, there's an entire industry devoted to getting them there.

By Mike Magda