Under the Hood

The fact that driving a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car is no news flash. What is newsworthy is that, increasingly, motorcyclists can do something about the dangers they face. How can body armor help keep them safe?

By Garth Sundem

If your car's gas tank is full, but the engine isn't getting any gas, it may be time for you to learn how to replace the fuel pump in your gas tank. This article shows you how to replace the fuel pump in a gas tank.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You have a voltmeter, and would like to learn how to use it. Learn how to use a voltmeter in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you suddenly hear a grinding or whining noise coming from under your hood, it may be time to learn how to remove air from the power steering pump.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Your car keeps stalling at traffic lights and you think the idle air sensor control motor needs to be cleaned. Learn here how to clean the idle air sensor control motor.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Electrical contact cleaner can be used in an ignition. Find out if it's okay to spray electrical contact cleaner in an ignition from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Knowing how to pack your bearings with grease is an important skill. Learn about how to pack wheel bearings in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

It's very difficult to steer your car, you think your power steering pump may need replacing, but you don't know how to do this. This article will make replacing a power steering pump just a little bit easier.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You think your oil pain is leaking, and would like to learn how to fix an oil pan leak. Learn how to fix an oil pan leak in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Lots of people like to keep their car clean. It's a good feeling to drive around town in a shiny car. But do you ever think about what your car looks like under the hood? Not just on the surface, but inside?

By Cherise Threewitt

With all the hype about hybrid, electric and alternative fuels, it's easy to think the age of the gasoline engine is over. But the fact remains that the vast majority of cars are still powered by gasoline.

By Jamie Page Deaton

One of the services an oil change technician might suggest is an engine flush to clean the gunk out of your engine. While this procedure has the potential to harm an engine, there are some benefits, too.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

When used correctly, oil provides a number of benefits for the way your engine functions. Wouldn't it be nice to know exactly how much oil your car's engine needs to be filled to its capacity?

By Christopher Lampton

In a typical auto supply store, you'll find bottles of aftermarket engine oil additives that claim to improve performance and make your engine run cleaner. But are these additives really worth buying?

By Christopher Lampton

Did you know that the condition of your car's engine oil can actually provide clues to its health? It helps if you think of it like a blood test for humans.

By Akweli Parker

It's unfortunate that the same thing that makes an internal combustion engine work so well (combustion) can eventually hurt the engine. Over time, engine deposits build up and cause your engine to lose power and efficiency. Do you know your options?

By Christopher Neiger

Despite a bewildering array of oils on the market -- with various additive packages and performance standards -- finding the right oil for your car is relatively easy. But finding the best oil out of the array is a little more difficult.

By Eric Baxter

Most drivers know that an engine needs a check-up every now and then. In fact, all engines require regular maintenance to remain in good condition. But do you know how to proactively protect your engine?

By Christopher Neiger

Poor diet and lack of exercise cause sticky deposits called cholesterol to block our arteries. But what's the culprit behind oil gumming up our engine? What are the clues an engine is harboring oil deposits?

By Akweli Parker

Heat is your engine's worst enemy. In fact, internal heat can cause a chemical reaction in motor oil that causes its viscosity to change. Do you know the steps you can take to prevent thermal breakdown?

By Cherise Threewitt

The same basic principles of early car engines still apply today -- combustion of air and fuel create rotational force to move a car. But how have modern car engines evolved to meet the needs of today's drivers?

By Jamie Page Deaton

Most drivers know their engine needs oil just like it needs gasoline, but how much, what kind and how often to add it can seem like a mystery. Could you benefit from learning the basics of engine oil?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Internal combustion engines are notoriously inefficient to begin with; and friction is one of the factors that further reduce that already low efficiency. But does friction really affect gas mileage?

By Patrick E. George

Soot buildup is common in diesel engines; however, it's a frequent misconception that soot doesn't occur in gasoline engines. It does. Excessive soot could simply signal the need for an oil change, or it could indicate other underlying problems.

By Cherise Threewitt

Everyone knows that cars and trucks need engine oil in order to operate smoothly. But most people also know a few "facts" about engine oil that aren't necessarily true. Can you separate fact from fiction?

By Christopher Lampton