Michelin's Longest Lasting Tire Has Its Fans, But There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
Michelin’s Defender 2 tire claims the longest tread life in the brand’s lineup, backed by an 80,000‑mile limited warranty. Consumer Reports and Tire Rack cite an estimated 94,400‑mile lifespan, roughly two years longer than top competitors. Independent testing shows the tire excels in dry braking and overall comfort, but struggles with wet‑weather traction and winter handling. Despite these compromises, consumer sentiment remains strongly positive, keeping the Defender 2 among the preferred all‑season touring options.
The Science Behind Voorhees Law
Assistant professor Conor Boland of Dublin City University has formalized the "Voorhees law of traffic," a statistical model showing that a fast car’s time lead erodes as the number of stoplights increases. The model identifies four possible outcomes at each...
Why F1 Engines Have Better Thermal Efficiency Than Regular Car Engines
Formula 1 power units now achieve over 50% thermal efficiency, dwarfing the roughly 30% average of conventional production cars. The advantage stems from three core innovations: pre‑chamber ignition, unusually high compression ratios (up to 16:1), and the Motor‑Generator Unit‑Heat (MGU‑H) that...
Four Turbocharged Production Cars Existed In 1978, And Two Of Them Were Buicks
In 1978 only four turbocharged production cars were on the market, and two of them were Buicks—the Regal Sport Coupe and the LeSabre Sport Coupe. Buick equipped its 231‑ci V6 with an AiResearch TB03 turbo, delivering 150‑175 hp and up to...
Spark Plug Recycling Is A Thing, Because Iridium Is Too Expensive
Spark plug manufacturers are turning to recycling as iridium prices soar to about $7,900 per ounce, making iridium‑based plugs nearly twice as expensive as platinum versions. Global demand for iridium in spark plugs hits 1.7 tons annually, representing roughly $430 million in...
If We Net Export Oil, Why Are Gas Prices Going Up?
Although the United States now exports more oil than it imports, gasoline prices have surged because a sizable share of the crude fed to U.S. refineries still comes from abroad. Roughly 40% of the feedstock is imported, and many refineries...
The Pros And Cons Of Tubed Vs. Tubeless Motorcycle Tires
Motorcycle tires fall into two architectures: tubed and tubeless. Tubeless tires, introduced after alloy wheels became airtight, provide slower puncture leaks, easier plug repairs, lower unsprung weight, and better heat management, making them ideal for street and track riding. Tubed...
This $4,000 Honda Accord Build Shows You Don't Need To Blow A Ton Of Money To Have A Cool Car
A UK enthusiast bought a 1980 Honda Accord for £1,495 (≈$1,800) and rebuilt it for under $4,000, proving a cool car doesn’t require a six‑figure budget. The project focused on a basic mechanical tune‑up, inexpensive coilovers, and eye‑catching vintage wheels....
Kid Rock Fans Furious After He Cut Small-Town Tour Prices By 50% Because Gas Is So Expensive Now (Definitely Not...
Kid Rock announced a 50% price cut for tickets on his upcoming small‑town Rock the Country tour, citing soaring gasoline costs as the primary driver. The discount sparked a wave of fan outrage on social media, with many accusing the...
Acura Might Be Done With Racing In IMSA Because The Economy Sucks
Acura is still undecided about its 2027 IMSA GTP program, with the decision window closing as teams lock in contracts. The brand’s hesitation stems from a weak global auto market and Honda’s recent write‑off of most of its EV program,...
Gordie Howe Bridge Officials Are Trying To Avoid Riling Up 'The Kooks And Crackpots' With Opening Date
The $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, fully financed by Canada, is nearing completion but officials are deliberately vague about its opening date to avoid provoking President Donald Trump, who has threatened to block the launch unless the U.S. receives compensation....
Škoda's Brilliant New Bicycle Bell Penetrates The Noise Cancelling Headphones Of Ignorant Pedestrians
Škoda, a Volkswagen Group automaker, unveiled the DuoBell, the first mechanical bicycle bell engineered to cut through active‑noise‑cancelling (ANC) headphones. The bell emits a 750‑780 Hz tone, a frequency range that current ANC algorithms cannot suppress, without using electronics. Tests in...
Pilots Meow And Bark At Air Traffic Controllers Below 10,000 Feet, Prompting FAA Investigation
Pilots from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines regional jets were caught meowing and barking over the emergency frequency below 10,000 feet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident, recorded and shared by CBS News, prompted an immediate reprimand from an...
Ford Is Recalling 1.4 Million F-150s Over Unexpected Downshifts
Ford announced a recall of roughly 1.4 million 2015‑2017 F‑150 pickups after the NHTSA flagged unexpected downshifts from sixth to second gear in the 6R80 six‑speed automatic transmission. The issue stems from degraded electrical connections in the Output Shaft Speed sensor...
What Will You Learn At A Defensive Driving Course (That Could Also Save Money On Your Insurance)?
Defensive driving courses teach techniques like the five‑step Scan‑Identify‑Predict‑Decide‑Execute process and the three‑second following‑distance rule, improving situational awareness for everyday motorists. The National Safety Council and state‑approved programs offer both online and in‑person classes, with typical online fees around $25...
Toyota Knows Few Japanese Buyers Want A LHD Made-In-America Tundra Pickup, But It's Selling It There Anyway
Toyota announced it will sell its U.S.-built full‑size Tundra in Japan, alongside the Highlander and eventually the Camry, despite minimal local demand for left‑hand‑drive pickups. The automaker projects sales of about 80 Tundras a month—under 1,500 units annually—compared with nearly...
Engineering Explained Breaks Down The Oil Change Most Drivers Haven't Heard About
Engineering Explained’s Jason Fenske breaks down the ILSAC’s new GF‑7 motor‑oil specification, which replaces the older GF‑6 standard. GF‑7 imposes tougher performance criteria, targeting better fuel economy, lower chain wear, reduced piston deposits, and mitigation of low‑speed pre‑ignition (LSPI). The...
The Pros And Cons Of Turbocharging Vs. Supercharging
Turbochargers now dominate the new‑car market because they capture exhaust energy, delivering higher thermal efficiency and lower per‑horsepower cost. Superchargers provide immediate boost without lag but impose a mechanical “crankshaft tax,” reducing overall efficiency and increasing component stress. Modern engineering—variable‑geometry...
Why Can't Spark Plugs Fire When Completely Soaked?
Spark plugs fail to fire when they become fully soaked with water, gasoline, oil, or coolant because the fluid creates a low‑resistance path that diverts electricity away from the intended spark gap. The plug’s ceramic insulator normally forces current through...
Southwest Airlines Teases First Class Seats, Burying Its No-Frills Tradition
Southwest Airlines announced plans to introduce a first‑class cabin and to develop airport lounges, signaling a shift from its historic low‑cost, all‑economy model. CEO Bob Jordan hinted at the changes during the Semafor World Economy Summit, noting that recent product...
IndyCar Is Rushing To Replace Its 14-Year-Old Dallara Chassis
IndyCar announced that Dallara will begin summer testing of its next‑generation IR28 chassis, marking the first step toward a 2028 debut. The new car will initially run on the existing 2.2‑liter turbo V6 and a 100‑horsepower Mahle hybrid system while...
Trump Expects The High Gas Prices He Caused To Stick Around Even If He Ends The War He Started
President Trump told Fox News that gasoline and diesel prices are likely to remain elevated through the upcoming midterm elections, even if the Iran conflict he helped ignite ends. The war has already added roughly $17 billion to U.S. drivers’ fuel...
Volvo V70 Test Drive Ruined By Car Bursting Into Flames
A mother and her daughter test‑driving a white Volvo V70 from M&R Motors in Rossville, Georgia, experienced a fire that erupted from the dashboard less than a half‑mile from the lot. The vehicle burst into flames, trapping the daughter as...
Tesla Gamifies The Advanced Driver-Assistance Software It Wrongly Calls 'Full Self-Driving'
Tesla introduced a dedicated Full Self‑Driving (FSD) app for vehicles equipped with the A14 chip, offering streamlined subscription management and usage statistics. The app adds a streak‑tracking feature that gamifies the activation of Tesla’s Level 2+ driver‑assistance system, encouraging more frequent...
Can You Reuse Automotive Gaskets And How Long Do They Last?
The article debunks the DIY myth of reusing automotive gaskets, citing manufacturers like MTI Gasket, Garlock, and Gallagher Seals that universally advise against it. It outlines typical service lives—head gaskets around 200,000 mi, valve‑cover gaskets 60‑100 k mi, oil‑pan seals 10‑15 years—and explains how...
Delivery Drivers Are More Likely To Speed If You Tip Them More, Study Finds
A recent study published in Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives examined Reddit posts from food‑delivery gig workers and found that higher tips increase the likelihood that drivers will exceed speed limits. Drivers said large advance tips create a financial obligation to...
Here's How Expensive Gas Would Have To Get Before Our Readers Would Buy An EV
A recent poll of the publication's readers asked how high gasoline prices must rise before they would consider buying an electric vehicle (EV). Responses varied widely: some owners say they would stay electric even if gas were free, while others...
What Dead Car Should Stay Dead?
Jalopnik columnist argues the early‑2000s Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe belongs dead and should stay that way. The author cites its sluggish V6, clunky five‑speed manual, and dismal sales as evidence it never earned a market niche. While the Volkswagen ID Buzz...
At $900, Is This 1974 Volvo 145 Wagon A Down And Dirty Deal?
A 1974 Volvo 145 wagon is listed on Craigslist for $900, but the ad is riddled with oddities. The car sits under a thick layer of dust, missing a title, registration, and has a rear end that was removed and...
2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle Just Cucked Your Police Department's Ford Explorers
Stellantis unveiled the 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle, a heavy‑duty pickup equipped with a 6.4‑liter Hemi V8 delivering 405 hp and 429 lb‑ft of torque. The model adds a durability package—including a skid plate, steel wheels and dual 400‑amp alternators—and a specialized...
The AstroVettes: Why So Many NASA Astronauts Drove Corvettes In The '60s
In the 1960s NASA astronauts became synonymous with Chevrolet Corvettes after a series of promotions. Alan Shepard bought a used ’53 Corvette, later received a brand‑new 1962 model from GM, and a dealership run by Indy 500 champion Jim Rathmann...
This Might Be Why Your Car Is Eating Through Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are essential engine components that wear out over time, with lifespan varying by material—copper lasts about 20,000 miles, while platinum and iridium can reach 60,000‑100,000 miles. Premature failure often stems from using the wrong plug type, low‑quality fuel,...
Here's How Much A 2021 Audi E-Tron Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Audi e‑tron, Audi’s first mass‑market electric SUV, debuted at over $80,000 but now trades between $20,700 and $25,200, a drop of roughly 63% in just three years. Kelly Blue Book reports a current resale value of $19,450 and a trade‑in...
This Test Shows How Bullet Resistant Tires Can Be
Yee Yee Life YouTuber Parker Smith conducted a live‑fire test on five brand‑new 37‑inch Nitto Mud Grappler tires to see how ordinary consumer tires stand up to bullets. The experiment showed that small‑caliber rounds such as .22 and 9 mm can...
Can A Depreciated Fleet Vehicle Be A Wise Purchase?
Fleet vehicles account for over 16% of new‑car sales and flood the used market once they finish service. Because they are heavily depreciated, they can be bought for a fraction of the original price, often with a documented maintenance history....
2 Things To Know Before Removing The Badges From Your Car
Debadging—removing factory badges—offers a low‑cost way to give a vehicle a higher‑end look and simplify detailing, but it requires careful technique to avoid paint damage. There are no federal or state bans on badge removal, though tampering with VIN or...
Automakers Adopted Rack-And-Pinion Steering Because It Was Better Than Alternatives
Rack‑and‑pinion steering, introduced in the 1930s, overtook older systems to become the industry standard by the 1950s due to its low cost, compact packaging, and superior feel. Alternative designs like cam‑and‑lever and recirculating‑ball persist only in niche applications, primarily heavy...
Why Porsche Maintenance Tends To Be Pricey
Porsche ranks among the most expensive brands to maintain because its high‑performance parts and luxury materials carry premium price tags. Even routine components, such as a 2021 Boxster brake rotor, cost around $300, while carbon‑fiber rotors can top $10,000. The...
Oldsmobile Almost Became Muscle Car Tyrants With A 32-Valve 455 V8
Oldsmobile’s experimental W‑43 was a 455‑cubic‑inch V8 that featured four valves per cylinder and dual‑overhead cams, delivering a dyno‑verified 560 horsepower and 540 lb‑ft of torque. The engine was built on the Rocket 455 platform and was tested in a classic 442,...
Let Carlos Sainz And Lando Norris Show You How Far Go-Karts Have Come Since The 1950s
Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz filmed a side‑by‑side test of go‑karts from the 1950s through today, racing the same track on the same day. The 1950s kart posted a 59.6‑second lap, while the 2026 model cut the time roughly in half,...
Here's How (And How Often) To Inspect Your Vehicle's Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises drivers to inspect all tires at least once a month and to check tire pressure weekly. Proper inflation not only extends tire life but can also improve fuel efficiency, especially when temperatures drop....
Why Car And Driver Hated The Now Legendary (And Valuable) Ford GT40 Mk III
In 1967 Ford introduced the street‑legal GT40 Mk III, a limited‑run version of its Le Mans‑winning race car, and Car and Driver promptly highlighted a litany of quality issues—from a shocking horn to a faulty clutch linkage. Despite the criticism, the magazine...
What Does A Compensator Do On A Harley-Davidson?
Harley‑Davidson’s compensator is a spring‑loaded sprocket that absorbs engine pulses, shielding the primary chain, clutch basket, and transmission from shock loads. It is standard on Big Twin engines, including modern Milwaukee‑Eight and older Twin Cam models, and even appears on...
What's The Difference Between Fuel Stabilizer And Fuel Treatment?
Fuel stabilizer and fuel treatment serve distinct roles in vehicle fuel‑system care. Stabilizers add chemicals that halt oxidation, moisture absorption, and gum formation, making them essential for cars that sit idle, especially during winter or when using ethanol‑rich blends. Fuel...
You've Seen That Seatbelt Loop, But Do You Know What It Does?
Modern three‑point seatbelts include a small stitched loop, known as an energy‑management (EM) loop, that can release extra slack during a high‑impact crash. The loop’s stitching is designed to rip, adding inches of give to absorb forces and potentially lessen...
The Mythical Cheap Tesla Could Hurt Already Ailing Margins At The Company
Tesla is rumored to be developing a sub‑$30,000 entry‑level EV that would sit below the Model 3 and Model Y. The car would be smaller, use a reduced‑capacity battery and a single motor, and could be produced first in China to counter...
These Car Brands Have The Longest Warranties In America
S&P Global Mobility reports the average age of U.S. vehicles rose to 12.8 years in 2025, intensifying owners’ need for robust warranty protection. A survey of automakers shows luxury marques Acura, Lexus, Lincoln and Infiniti provide 4‑year/50‑60k‑mile basic coverage, while mainstream...
A Comprehensive And Terrifying List Of Parts That Can Break If You Flat Tow An AWD Vehicle
Flat towing an all‑wheel‑drive (AWD) vehicle forces the drivetrain to spin without engine‑driven lubrication, leading to rapid overheating. Key components such as the automatic transmission, center differential, driveshafts, and electronic parking brakes can seize or fail. While a few AWD...
Did Toyota Capture The Camry's Magic In These SUVs?
Toyota positions its RAV4 and Highlander as the SUV equivalents of the long‑running Camry, leveraging the sedan’s record‑breaking 24‑year sales streak and top‑ranked reliability. The compact RAV4, America’s best‑selling SUV for nine straight years, mirrors the Camry’s fuel efficiency, safety...
Why Even The Corvette Had Such Pitiful Horsepower In 1975
The 1975 Chevrolet Corvette, once an icon, was reduced to a modest 165 hp V8, a stark drop driven by the Clean Air Act, mandatory catalytic converters, and a lower compression ratio. The 1973‑74 oil crisis forced GM to prioritize fuel...