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Your car’s engine size is hidden in plain sight—characters 4 through 8 of the 17-character VIN. Stick that number into the free NHTSA decoder.

You can find your car’s empty weight, called curb weight, by checking the driver’s side door jamb GVWR label, your owner’s manual.

Pressing the Econ button activates a fuel-saving mode that softens throttle response and shifts the transmission earlier.

A drive shaft is a rotating metal tube that transmits power from the engine and transmission to the wheels, allowing your car to move.

Hybrids offer excellent city fuel economy, but the trade-offs include a higher upfront price, added weight that hurts handling.

A dome light is the main interior light mounted on a car’s ceiling, designed to light the cabin for entry, exit, and general visibility.

Sports cars and supercars both go fast, while hypercars represent the extreme peak — each category sits on a distinct rung of performance, price.

F1 cars are lighter and faster through corners, while Indy cars have a higher top speed and are built for high-speed ovals and road courses.

Collision insurance covers damage from accidents with another car or object; comprehensive covers non-collision damage like theft, weather.

Financing a car uses a loan to buy it, leading to full ownership once repaid; leasing pays for a car’s depreciation during a fixed term.