No, Premium Gas Doesn't Automatically Make Your Car Faster Higher octane doesn't always mean better performance. Here's what happens under the hood when you choose premium over regular gasoline. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 9 -
Why Some Automatics Have More Gears Than Others More ratios promise better efficiency and smoother acceleration, but is adding extra gears always worth the cost and complexity? By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 9 -
Your Brakes Don't Always Need A Mechanical Connection Cars are ditching traditional brake connections for electronics, but can drivers really trust a computer to stop their vehicles? By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 8 -
Why America Is Obsessed With Building Giant Roadside Attractions From giant fiberglass dinosaurs to enormous rocking chairs, these quirky roadside landmarks have a surprising history. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 8 -
Why Some Cars Have Two Clutches Instead Of One Two clutches, one gearbox, lightning-fast shifts. Here's why dual-clutch transmissions need both to work their magic. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 8 -
That Annoying Whistle In Your Car Could Be Coming From The Door That annoying high-speed whistle could be caused by worn seals, loose trim, or a misaligned window. Here's how to track it down. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 7 -
Electric Cars Have A Weight Problem. This Battery Design Could Help Structural batteries make EVs lighter, cheaper, and stronger, but there's a catch when it comes to repairs. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 7 -
Why Modern Cars Are Designed To Fall Apart In A Crash The damage you see after a crash could be the very thing that saves your life. Here's the clever engineering that makes it possible. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 7 -
Do Traffic Lights Actually Know When You're Coming? Some traffic lights detect approaching cars, adjust their timing, and even predict your arrival. Here's the clever tech behind it. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 7 -
Forget Wings. These Supercars Use Giant Fans To Create Downforce Some supercars use powerful fans to create incredible grip at any speed. Here's how they literally suck themselves onto the road. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 6 -
One Engine, Two Boosters: Why Some Automakers Opt For Twin-Charging Why settle for one when you can have both? Some engines combine two boost systems to deliver instant response and serious top-end power. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 6 -
From Detroit To Tokyo: Where Every Major Automaker Calls Home BMW, Ford, Toyota, and more—here’s where the world's biggest car companies are located. By Jeff Perez Lists - Nov 6 -
Is Body-On-Frame Really Better For Off-Roading? From the Toyota Land Cruiser to the Ford Bronco, here's why traditional truck-based construction remains popular with serious off-roaders. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 6 -
More Automakers Are Letting Cars Steer With Their Rear Wheels A clever steering trick lets luxury sedans park like compacts and sports cars carve corners with greater confidence. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 5 -
Automakers Have A Clever Way To Make Cars More Fuel Efficient Those moving shutters in your car's grille help it cheat the wind, save fuel, and keep the engine running at the right temperature. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 5 -
CVTs Have Been Around Way Longer Than Economy Cars Leonardo da Vinci imagined the CVT centuries ago, but it took several inventors and Dutch automaker DAF to bring it to the road. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 5 -
The Simple Technology That Keeps Off-Road Trucks From Getting Stuck Locking differentials keep two wheels pulling on uneven ground, helping trucks like the Ford F-150 Tremor keep moving when one tire lifts. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 5 -
Why Replacing A Modern Headlight Can Cost Thousands Of Dollars A simple headlight replacement can turn into a $5,000 nightmare. Here's why modern headlights are so shockingly expensive to fix. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 4 -
Honda And Toyota Found A Clever Way To Make Hybrid Engines More Efficient Why do hybrid engines sacrifice power for efficiency? The Atkinson cycle makes every drop of fuel go further. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 4 -
Mid-Size Trucks Are Booming. Now Everyone Wants In Rising prices are pushing buyers toward smaller pickups, and automakers from Hyundai to Ram are eager to capitalize. By Anthony Alaniz State of Motion - Nov 4 -
Subaru STI: What Those Three Letters Actually Stand For Subaru Tecnica International started as a 1988 motorsport arm, and its STI badge still shapes modern Subaru performance cars. By Jeff Perez Motor101 - Nov 3 -
Flat Tire? Here's Why Run-Flats Let You Keep Driving Run-flats can keep you moving after a blowout, but are they worth the extra money, harsher ride and potential repair headaches? By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 3 -
No, You Don't Actually Need To Warm Up Your Car That morning warm-up ritual is outdated. Modern engines are designed to get moving quickly, even when temperatures drop below freezing. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 3 -
When (And When Not) To Use Your Hazard Lights A simple dashboard button can make the difference between warning other drivers and putting them at risk. By Dan Mihalascu Motor101 - Nov 3 -
