The front differential allows your car’s front wheels to spin at different speeds during turns, and early signs of trouble include whining noises.

The front cover of a car is called the hood in American English and the bonnet in British.

Car seats expire 6 to 10 years from the manufacture date because materials degrade, which can reduce crash protection.

The ESC light on a car typically indicates either a system fault or that stability control is actively working to prevent a skid.

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.