Under the Hood

The Under the Hood Channel explores the systems that make your car function correctly. Learn about car parts and systems and how to do routine maintenance.

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Synthetic vs. Conventional motor oil: Which is best for you needs and environment's? Learn more in this article.

By Eric J. Leech, Planet Green

Are there worrisome sounds coming from under the hood? Whether it's an annoying ping, a persistent knock, or a dramatic detonation, there are many ways to soothe a noisy engine.

By Cherise Threewitt

As engines have evolved over the years, so have the pistons within them. In fact, the shape of a piston has a dramatic effect on the combustion process.

By Patrick E. George

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Reducing your vehicles carbon footprint is as easy as 1...2...recycle. Learn more about the 6 automotive parts you can easily recycle.

By Eric J. Leech, Planet Green

As a long time automotive writer and enthusiast I am often amazed at the prices mechanics charge for simple repair work that most anybody could do themselves. Learn more about the 6 DIY automotive repairs anyone can do.

By Eric J. Leech, Planet Green

Owning jumper cables is like owning a truck. When you own a truck, people seem to cozy up to you when they are moving. Learn more about the 6 great car battery maintenance tips.

By Josh Peterson, Planet Green

Did you know that many insurance companies figure most vehicles on the road have only 10 years of useful life before being carted off to the junkyard? Learn more about the 7 ways to make your whole vehicle last longer, from wheels to wipers.

By Eric J. Leech, Planet Green

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Lasers have an illumination power that's about 1,000 times more powerful than LEDs. So, will laser-powered headlamps be too intense for other motorists? Are they a traffic incident waiting to happen?

By Akweli Parker

Did you know that if your car didn't come from the factory with refrigerated seats, there are several manufacturers that would be happy to sell you air-conditioned seat cushions?

By Christopher Lampton

At one time, gadgets designed to keep us informed and entertained while on the move came from the automotive aftermarket. Now automakers are providing complex, digitally connected gizmos as factory equipment.

By Akweli Parker

In a world that seems hyperconnected already, are cars the next things to go wired with Internet access?

By Jeff Harder

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These days, the majority of the music we listen to is streamed from the Internet and stored on our computers and smartphones. But is there a way we can access online music in our cars and trucks?

By Christopher Neiger

Filling up the tank still hurts, especially while on a road trip. So how can you do it without breaking the bank?

By John Perritano

If you've got the right gadgets, you can already use voice commands to control things like your GPS and phone from the driver's seat. How close are we to voice activation as an affordable car option -- and what we will we say when we have it?

By Christopher Lampton

The main purpose of a tire sidewall is to provide lateral stability. You can learn more about the functions of a tire sidewall by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Manual transmission synchronizers are devices that eliminate the need for double clutching when changing gears. Learn how manual transmission synchronizers work in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Once a tire has all its components assembled, it's still only a green tire, without any tread patterns or markings. You can learn more about a tire's vulcanization process from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Car engines that run on gasoline aren't the only kind of internal combustion engines. Learn about the types of internal combustion engines in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Tires do have their limits when it comes to weight capacity. Learn about tire load ratings from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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To reduce your cars emissions, you can help its catalytic converter work more efficiently by preheating it, or you can inject a urea solution into your exhaust pipe. Learn what you can do to reduce your car's emissions in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Distributor caps and rotors help transfer the spark from the coil to the cylinder. Learn how distributor caps and rotors function in ignition systems in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Before embarking on a project like replacing your car's engine oil, you need to decide which size socket wrench you should use. Learn more about what size socket wrench you need for an oil drain plug from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The noise you hear is not from gears grinding against each other, it's from the dog teeth on the gears. Learn why cars make noise when you shift gears poorly in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Do you have to remove your intake manifold because your internal combustion engine isn't getting enough airflow? Learn about how to remove your car's intake manifold in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Every time you park your car under a tree you find tree sap on the hood. We'll give you a few solutions to removing tree sap from your car.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors