Ford's 6.0L Power Stroke Has A Reputation: Here's What's Actually True
Ford introduced the 6.0‑liter Power Stroke diesel in 2003 to replace the reliable 7.3‑liter, but the new engine quickly earned a reputation for costly failures. Core problems stem from a fragile EGR cooler, poorly located oil cooler, and weak head‑bolt design, which together trigger injector, pump, and turbo issues. While later 2005‑2007 models remedied many flaws, owners still face reliability concerns unless the engine received diligent maintenance or aftermarket upgrades. Properly cared‑for units can still deliver solid towing and fuel economy.
The Key Differences Between Chip Tuning And Remapping
The article clarifies the distinction between chip tuning and ECU remapping, two methods used to boost vehicle performance by altering engine control software. Chip tuning involves swapping or reprogramming a physical chip in older ECUs, creating a permanent change, while...
Does The Difference Between 87 And 88 Octane Even Matter?
The article explains that 88‑octane gasoline, often labeled E15, contains 15% ethanol versus 10% in standard 87‑octane fuel. It typically costs about $0.30 per gallon less, offering modest savings for drivers of 2001‑and‑newer vehicles. Ethanol’s oxygen‑rich chemistry cuts greenhouse‑gas emissions...
These Airport Buses Would've Changed The Way We Board Airplanes
Airport boarding methods range from traditional jet bridges to bus‑like mobile lounges. Washington Dulles International has operated its 17‑foot‑high mobile lounges since 1962, while Hungary’s 1980s Ikarus PAL T buses—capable of carrying 150 passengers—never reached production. Boarding buses can lower the...
Here's Why Getting Rid Of Gas Taxes Might Not Lower Prices After All
Georgia has temporarily suspended its gasoline excise tax for 60 days, a move that would shave roughly $0.33 off each gallon. Despite the tax cut, numerous stations are keeping prices unchanged, effectively retaining the saved amount. The state’s Attorney General...
Here's How Much A 2021 Hyundai Veloster Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster has shed roughly 46% of its original MSRP after five years, dropping from $20,905 to just over $11,000. This steep depreciation outpaces most rivals, with the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza losing only about 31‑32% in...
How Speed Cameras Measure Your Speed So Accurately
Speed‑camera technology has evolved from a 1964 Dutch rally‑timing device to modern radar, lidar and ANPR systems that police use worldwide. Radar units exploit the Doppler effect, while lidar emits infrared pulses for precise, long‑range targeting, and average‑speed cameras calculate...
Magnum P.I.'s Ferrari 308 Could Be Yours, Though You'll Still Have To Grow The 'Stache Yourself
Barrett‑Jackson is auctioning the authentic Ferrari 308 GTS featured in the opening credits of “Magnum P.I.”, a car that gained iconic status in the 1980s. The vehicle, verified by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, was only modestly altered for Tom Selleck’s height...
U.S.-Iran War Is Stranding Sailors In The Strait Of Hormuz
The U.S.-Iran conflict has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, stranding roughly 2,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers in the Persian Gulf. The United Nations notes this is unprecedented in modern maritime history, as 19 attacks on civilian ships have already...
Even Illinois State Police Can't Afford New Cars
Illinois State Police face a severe fleet shortfall, with over 1,000 cruisers overdue for replacement. A state‑funded vehicle pool, financed by a $1 license‑plate fee, generated only $7 million last year, far below the $30 million budgeted since 2024. At $120,000 per...
I'm Trading My Jeep For Something With Better Comfort And MPG! What Should I Buy?
Kristin, a 38‑year‑old filmmaker in West Virginia, needs a smaller, more comfortable SUV with AWD and better fuel economy than her 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, all for under $25,000. Automotive experts recommend looking at used plug‑in hybrids, which are depreciating...
These EVs Should Be Next On The Chopping Block, According To Our Readers
Jalopnik surveyed its readers to identify which electric vehicles should be axed next, and the consensus zeroed in on large, pricey models. Commentators singled out the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Tesla Model X, Rolls‑Royce Spectre and even the Tesla...
Why Do Most Cruise Ships Have Diesel Engines?
Diesel engines remain the backbone of cruise ship propulsion because they deliver the high torque needed to overcome water resistance while keeping fuel consumption reasonable. Modern vessels typically employ diesel‑electric hybrid systems, where diesel generators power electric motors that turn...
Why Pistons Have Three Rings To Rule Combustion
Piston assemblies typically use three rings: two compression rings that seal combustion gases and a lower oil‑control ring that scrapes excess oil from the cylinder walls. The rings also transfer the bulk of combustion heat to the cylinder, handling 70‑80%...
2027 Ford Expedition 30th Anniversary Appearance Package Is All Show With A Mustang Dark Horse Paint Job
Ford is marking the Expedition’s 30th anniversary with a special Appearance Package for the 2027 model. The package adds an exclusive Mustang Dark Horse Blue Ember metallic paint, priced at $2,495, on top of the $3,575 Stealth Appearance base. It...
Consumer Reports Says To Avoid Buying These Used Chevy Models From These Years
Consumer Reports added six Chevrolet models to its 2024 "avoid" list, citing poor reliability across a mix of electric, truck and SUV offerings. The 2024 Blazer EV, 2021 Bolt, 2025 Colorado, 2025 Equinox, and the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe all scored...
Man Pays For Mustang Restoration, Gets Car Back In Pieces Five Years Later
Kevin Bickley paid $24,312 for a six‑month restoration of his 1969 Mustang Mach 1, but the vehicle resurfaced five years later stripped of major components. A court order forced the shop, Miller's Performance and Restoration, to return the car in a...
Here's How To Decipher The Different Grades Of Motor Oil
The guide breaks down motor‑oil grades, explaining that the numbers before the “W” denote low‑temperature viscosity while the numbers after indicate high‑temperature viscosity. “W” stands for winter, not weight, and reflects how the oil performs in cold starts. It warns...
Avoid Cheap Amazon Dashcams, Consumer Reports Says These Are Better Options
The dashcam market is expanding, with 36% of non‑owners planning a purchase within a year. Consumer Reports evaluated dozens of units and highlighted five top models for 2026, priced between $99 and $480. All recommended cameras feature GPS, resolutions above...
The 90-Degree Torque Problem: How Engineering Bent Power Around Corners
The article traces the origin of 90‑degree torque transmission back to Roman engineer Vitruvius, who devised a right‑angle gear drive in the 1st century BC. His invention let water‑wheel power shift from a horizontal to a vertical axis, laying the groundwork for...
Traffic Safety Expo Is Like SEMA For Safety Equipment, And It's Filled With Cool Tech That Keep Roads And Workers...
The American Traffic Safety Services Association’s Traffic Safety Expo in Houston showcased a suite of new safety technologies aimed at reducing fatalities in road‑construction zones, which claim 50 to 150 lives annually. Highlights included the Alpha Overwatch LiDAR‑based intrusion alarm,...
The Clever Engineering Of Shipping The Chevy Vega By Train
Chevrolet’s 1971 Vega was marketed as an inexpensive compact, but its reputation suffered due to quality issues. To keep overall costs low, GM partnered with Southern Pacific to create the Vert‑A‑Pac railcar system, which allowed up to 30 cars per...
How To Prevent Engine Block Hot Spots
Engine block hot spots are isolated overheated areas that can damage heads, gaskets, and internal components even when coolant levels appear normal. They typically arise from air pockets, weak radiator caps, improper coolant mix, or detonation caused by low‑octane fuel...
Yes, Size Affects Performance (We're Talking About Spark Plugs)
Spark plug size is critical to engine performance, with each vehicle engineered for a specific thread diameter, reach length, hex size and seat type. The article outlines how to measure these dimensions—thread diameters of 10 mm to 18 mm, reach lengths from...
Why Toyota Ditched The Blue Badges For Its Hybrids
Toyota has phased out its iconic blue‑halo hybrid badge, replacing it with a new HEV logo and a blue‑dot emblem that signals the company’s Beyond Zero electrification strategy. The change coincides with the launch of a more powerful fifth‑generation Camry...
Why This One-Off Steel-Bodied Corvette Looks Suspiciously Ferrari-Esque
The Corvette Rondine is a one‑off 1963 split‑window Corvette restyled by Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, swapping fiberglass for steel and adding European design cues. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, it blends Ferrari‑like rear styling with a refined front while retaining the C2’s...
How Bridgestone Tires Stack Up Against Michelin According To Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports’ 2026 tire rankings placed Michelin at the top, with all eight of its tested models earning the coveted recommendation badge. Bridgestone, once a market leader, slipped to 10th place out of 30 brands, and only six of its...
Chevy Introduced Turbocharging To The Masses With A Car Ralph Nader Hated
In 1962 General Motors took turbocharging mainstream by releasing two distinct models—the Chevrolet Corvair and the Oldsmobile Jetfire—each with its own forced‑induction system. The Corvair employed a straightforward bolt‑on turbo from TRW, while the Jetfire required a special engine additive,...
Here's How Much A 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric has lost 62.5% of its original MSRP after five years, dropping from $34,250 to roughly $12,850. Nearly three‑quarters of that loss (47%) occurred in the last three years, making its depreciation steeper than the 2021...
What's The Difference Between An Idler Pulley And A Tensioner Pulley?
Idler pulleys and tensioner pulleys are essential components of a vehicle's belt system. An idler pulley simply guides the serpentine or timing belt, keeping it aligned and preventing slippage. A tensioner pulley applies the necessary force to keep the belt...
How Bosch's Magneto Ignition Device Made Spark Plugs Possible
Bosch’s 1902 magneto ignition device eliminated the need for bulky car batteries, enabling the company to develop the first practical spark plug. The spark plug’s reliable electric‑arc design, introduced by Gottbog Honold, powered early racing victories and sparked demand for...
The Biggest Pros And Cons Of GM's Vortec Engines
GM’s Vortec engine family, launched in the mid‑1980s, became a staple in Silverado, Sierra, Suburban and Yukon trucks thanks to its vortex‑induced airflow and solid small‑block heritage. Early models delivered respectable horsepower, good fuel economy and long service lives, with...
Was The Ford Explorer Sport Trac Too Early For Its Own Good?
Ford introduced the Explorer Sport Trac in 2001 as a body‑on‑frame midsize pickup that combined the Explorer SUV’s cabin with a small cargo bed. The model captured roughly 20‑25% of Explorer sales but was discontinued after the 2010 model year...
Here's How Dyno Tests Actually Work
The article explains how chassis dynamometers work, converting wheel torque and rpm into wheel horsepower while capturing additional data like air‑fuel ratio and boost pressure. It highlights variables such as sweep time, correction factors, ambient conditions, and tire wear that...
How Dodge Transformed The Viper From Twitchy Beast To Predictable Handler
The first‑generation Dodge Viper (SR‑I) was praised for raw power but plagued by harsh suspension, tramlining and lack of electronic aids, making it difficult to control. In 1995 Dodge introduced the SR‑II, stiffening the chassis, swapping to aluminum suspension parts...
Here's What Happens To All Those IndyCar Tires After A Race
IndyCar teams consume more than 5,000 Firestone tires each month, with up to 1,200 used during the Indy 500 weekend. Firestone does not sell these custom tires; instead, it leases them to teams and retrieves every tire after each session....
Yes, You Can Wrap Your Keys In Aluminum Foil To Prevent Car Theft, But There Are Better Ways
Keyless entry fobs offer convenience but are vulnerable to relay attacks that can extend their range and allow thieves to unlock vehicles remotely. While wrapping a fob in aluminum foil can attenuate the signal, tests show it works inconsistently across...
What's The Difference Between Honda B-Series And K-Series Engines?
Honda’s B‑Series engines, iconic in the 1990s, are lightweight, belt‑driven units ranging from 1.6 L to 2.0 L and prized for plug‑and‑play swaps into older Civics and Integras. The K‑Series, introduced in the early 2000s, features a chain‑driven cam, i‑VTEC variable timing...
McLaren Reveals That A Software Glitch Bricked Lando Norris' Battery
McLaren disclosed that a software glitch irreparably damaged Lando Norris' Mercedes energy store, forcing a withdrawal from the Chinese Grand Prix. The failure consumes one of the three batteries allocated per driver for the season, and a replacement would incur...
Florida Man Crashes Ford Mustang Through Airport Fence, Nearly Hits A Taxiing Plane, Then Tries Entering It
A 58‑year‑old Florida man, Brian J. Parker, drove a Ford Mustang through the locked perimeter gate at Daytona Beach International Airport, entered a secondary runway and came within inches of a taxiing aircraft before exiting his car to attempt boarding...
We Need To Escape Our Family Hauler For Something Bigger! What Car Do We Buy?
A Dayton family is outgrowing its 11‑year‑old Ford Escape and seeks a three‑row SUV with second‑row captain’s chairs, a $40‑$50k budget, and no Ford or minivan. Automotive experts recommend three distinct options: the Honda Pilot Elite trim for reliable practicality,...
Cuban Man Converts Polski Fiat To Run On Charcoal To Get Around U.S. Oil Blockade
The United States reinstated a comprehensive oil embargo on Cuba in early 2026, cutting off the island’s access to refined gasoline and diesel. With fuel stations shuttered, Cuban motorists have turned to a patchwork of improvisations that date back to...
18-Year-Old Metro Detroit Pothole Filler Shows The City How To Do Their Job
An 18‑year‑old Dearborn Heights resident, Ali Chamy, bought asphalt patch from Home Depot and filled a pothole on Cherry Hill Road, posting the effort on TikTok where it went viral. The video caught the attention of newly elected Mayor Mo Baydoun, who...
2026 Hyundai Kona Limited Has Bougie Features For Budget Buyers, But Doesn't Offer Driving Fun
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Limited arrives as a subcompact crossover priced at $36,385 for the top‑trim AWD model, packing upscale amenities such as ventilated front seats, a Bose eight‑speaker system, a 12.3‑inch digital display and full‑speed adaptive cruise control. It...
9 Cool Cars Powered By GM's Legendary 3800 V6
The GM 3.8‑liter 3800 V6, introduced in 1988, became a cornerstone of reliability, powering more than 25 million vehicles until its 2008 discontinuation. Engineers continuously refined the engine, adding balance shafts, fuel injection, and supercharged variants that pushed output from 160 hp...
What's The Most You Can Tow With A Porsche Cayenne?
The 2026 Porsche Cayenne lineup retains a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds across most variants, matching the original 2003 model. While the high‑performance Cayenne Turbo E‑Hybrid drops to 6,614 pounds, it boasts 729 horsepower and a 0‑60 time of...
What To Do If A Dealer Won't Let You Take A Test Drive
Dealerships are increasingly refusing test drives or demanding credit checks before letting a buyer behind the wheel, especially for higher‑priced models. A soft credit inquiry, which many dealers use, does not impact a consumer’s credit score, while a hard inquiry...
Class 6 Vs. Class 8 Semi Trucks: What Are The Differences Between Them?
Class 6 and Class 8 trucks are differentiated primarily by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with Class 6 covering 19,501–26,000 lb and Class 8 covering 33,001 lb and above. The higher GVWR of Class 8 vehicles brings additional axles, tires, and more stringent regulatory requirements. Both classes...
When Did Automakers Start Offering A Smokers Package Instead Of The Lighter And Ashtray?
Automakers began dropping factory ashtrays and cigarette lighters in the mid‑1990s as smoking rates fell. Chrysler led the shift in 1994, replacing the ashtray with a pop‑out cupholder and covering the lighter socket with a removable rubber plug. The change...
ZF 8 Speed Vs. Aisin 8 Speed Transmissions: How Do They Compare?
The article compares ZF’s 8HP and Aisin’s AA80E eight‑speed torque‑converter automatics, tracing their origins to the 2008 Lexus IS F and 2009 BMW M3 respectively. Aisin’s first‑generation unit delivers 100 ms shift times and 406 lb‑ft torque capacity, while ZF’s later design is...