A PCM is the control unit that reads sensor signals and commands engine and transmission actions so the vehicle starts, runs, shifts, and passes emissions self-checks. The Powertrain Control Module, or PCM, is the computer that runs the powertrain. You don’t see it, yet you feel it in throttle response, idle quality, and shift behavior. […]

A “65 plate” is a UK registration mark showing the car was first registered from 1 September 2015 to 29 February 2016. If you’re shopping for a used car in the UK, the number in the middle of the plate can save you time. A 65 plate gives you a tight registration window, which helps

Most car noises can be traced by noting when they happen, where they seem to come from, and what makes them change. A new noise can put you on edge. Still, you can usually narrow it down with a few clean clues, even if you don’t know car parts by name. Below you’ll learn a

A car emissions test is a required check that reads exhaust output or onboard system data to confirm the vehicle meets local air-quality limits. Seeing “emissions test” on a registration notice can feel like a pop quiz. You just want a pass, not a lecture. Still, a little clarity saves money and repeat trips. This

A healthy 12-volt car battery rests near 12.6V with the engine off, and reads 13.7–14.7V once the engine is running. A battery voltage check is one of the fastest ways to catch a starting problem before you’re stranded. A basic multimeter can tell you if the battery is charged, if the alternator is charging, and

A theft report triggers police paperwork and rental-company claims steps, so move fast: call the branch, file a report, and gather proof you had the car legally. You’re on a trip, you walk back to where you parked, and the car’s gone. Or you still have the car, yet you get a call saying it’s

Pre-approved financing is a lender’s conditional offer that sets your loan limit, estimated APR, and term range before you step onto a dealer lot. Car shopping feels a lot calmer when you already know what you can borrow and what it may cost. That’s the point of pre-approved financing. You apply with a bank, credit

Mazda’s MX-5 is a lightweight, two-seat, rear-drive sports roadster built for crisp handling and open-top fun. People say “Miata” the way they say “Jeep” or “Coke.” It’s a model name that turned into shorthand. If you’re asking what car a Miata is, the straight answer is: it’s the Mazda MX-5, sold as the Miata nameplate

The battered green convertible is a 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country, tweaked for filming and driven into chaos. You’ve seen the movie. You’ve laughed at the rental counter meltdown. You’ve winced when the door gets torn off. Then you reach the part where the two of them are finally rolling on four wheels and

Most passenger tires should be replaced at 2/32 in (1.6 mm), and sooner if wet grip fades, wear bars show, or winter traction drops. Tread depth sounds like a shop-only topic until the road turns slick. Then it’s the difference between a calm stop and a slide. This page gives you the legal floor, the