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80 votes
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Are classic cars safe?

Physical safety Modern cars are amazingly more safe than classic cars. Guys that are into classic cars frequently throw around phrases like "They don't make them like they used to!" or "This is ...
JPhi1618's user avatar
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46 votes
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If I am just replacing the car engine, do I need to replace the odometer as well?

I wouldn't touch the odometer. The rule I always subscribe to is that the odometer measures how far the chassis has rolled. Otherwise a person could go mad trying to figure out which repairs/...
smitelli's user avatar
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35 votes

Are car batteries meant to be disposable or are they re-chargeable?

Car batteries are not only rechargeable but are constantly being recharged by the alternator. Simply starting the car takes a lot of power reserves from the battery, then electrical systems such as ...
Steve Matthews's user avatar
33 votes

What is the small metal square attached to the wheel or tire?

Those appear to be wheel weights. When mounted on the rims, tires are often not totally and absolutely balanced. When you drive, it may cause all sorts of shaking issues if it is badly out of balance....
Blackbeagle's user avatar
30 votes

Are classic cars safe?

No, they are not safe Safety standards dating back to before now were not as stringent as they are now. The further in time you go back the less safe they become. Safety has been driven by ...
DucatiKiller's user avatar
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30 votes

Why do car starter motors draw so much current?

All electric motors consume more current at startup compared to steady state. Check out the label on your fridge for example (or look at this one): the max current on the label is 2-3 times higher ...
Dmitry Grigoryev's user avatar
27 votes

What is the small metal square attached to the wheel or tire?

This is a wheel balancing weight. This type is held onto the inner side of the wheel with double-backed foam type adhesive tape. The the "1/4" stands for one quarter of an ounce. The "FE" denotes ...
Fred Wilson's user avatar
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25 votes

How slow ( not zero) can a car engine run without hurting engine and saving on fuel

You are right in the thinking of using less gas and that's exactly what the purpose was to have the start/stop feature. The main goal of doing it (at least here in the States) is for zero fuel ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
24 votes
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Are trims (Hubcaps) on a car tires necessary?

No, hubcaps are purely cosmetic and do not need to be fitted. Some designs improve fuel economy and reduce wind noise by having a fairly flat surface but a car with one or more missing hubcaps is ...
Steve Matthews's user avatar
24 votes

If I am just replacing the car engine, do I need to replace the odometer as well?

I've never replaced an odometer when replacing an engine. What I will do, however, is make a note in the cars documentation that the engine was replaced at xxx,000 miles with a new/refurbished engine ...
PeteCon's user avatar
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23 votes

Are classic cars safe?

You've already seen the safety comparisons. With that being said, classic cars are for fun. If you're looking for safety, a classic car isn't for you. If you're looking to have fun, go for it. ...
Tim Biden's user avatar
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21 votes
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How slow ( not zero) can a car engine run without hurting engine and saving on fuel

The oil problem You can run any engine speed you want as long as you keep the oil pressure up. Because of the impossibility of getting a roller bearing down a crankshaft, engine bearings are "...
Harper - Reinstate Monica's user avatar
19 votes
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How exactly does a differential work?

What is a Differential ? A differential’s job is to compensate for differences. Specifically the differences in wheel speed when turning. For instance, imagine taking a corner. Your inside wheel has ...
Shobin P's user avatar
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18 votes
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Should I fill my tire?

Yes, you should fill your tire. The fact the other tires all are nominally correct means you should trust your gauge. Modern tires often have reinforced sidewalls that mask the appearance of low ...
kmarsh's user avatar
  • 2,159
18 votes

Are classic cars safe?

Classic cars are significantly less safe than modern cars. In a classic car, it is both harder to avoid a crash and more likely that you will sustain serious or fatal injuries in the event of a crash. ...
bwDraco's user avatar
  • 335
18 votes

Driving on full tank

No. Vehicle weight is only one factor of fuel economy. The most important factor is air resistance. Vehicle weight comes as the second most important factor. My ~1700 kg (car + driver) Toyota RAV4 ...
juhist's user avatar
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18 votes

Why don't I get shocked constantly?

Unless you touch both battery posts, your body isn't completing the circuit from - to + The voltage is not high enough to overcome the resistance of your body (under most circumstances) The most ...
raydowe's user avatar
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17 votes
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How does the tachometer on my dashboard actually work?

While i'm not sure if there are mechanical tachometers like speedometers electronic tachometers are quite simple. An electronic tachometer works like an old analog volt meter. The speed of the engine ...
vini_i's user avatar
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16 votes

Are classic cars safe?

You're asking two different questions - are they safe, and are they as safe as a modern car. For the second question - No. An older car without all the modern safety features will not protect you, ...
Nick C's user avatar
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16 votes

Are classic cars safe?

Given the assertion that most car accidents occur at speeds of 12MPH or less, most classic cars should be considered safe. Your odds of surviving a crash at parking-lot speeds are very good. However, ...
TMN's user avatar
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15 votes
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Why do car starter motors draw so much current?

It takes a LOT of power to get the rotating assembly - crank, pistons (or rotors), etc. - moving. For reference, try turning your engine over with a breaker bar on the crank. It's not super-easy (...
3Dave's user avatar
  • 3,149
14 votes

How do I put my automatic car into neutral while moving in drive?

You can put your car into neutral by moving the gear selector into the position marked "N".
WeakMech's user avatar
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14 votes

Why do you use the "park" gear to park a car and not only the handbrake?

Putting the transmission into "Park" engages the "parking pawl" - essentially a metal pin that locks the output shaft of transmission (and thus the driven wheels) in place. As to why it exists - it ...
motosubatsu's user avatar
13 votes
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How much does a driver weigh?

Looking at this page, it shows the curb weight of a Volkswagen Passat B5.5 1.9 TDI 130 6sp to be 1342 kg. Subtracting this from your number, it comes up with 83 kg for your driver weight, or about 183 ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
13 votes

Are classic cars safe?

In the event of an accident, how does a classic vehicle compare to a modern machine? Badly. Are safety features on new vehicles really a life saver? Yes. Can anything be done to improve the ...
Peter Green's user avatar
13 votes
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Brake have failed. Alternative means of braking

No. For (at least) three reasons: It's not safe. You're using the transmission/clutch to slow the vehicle down in a manner it wasn't designed to do. You're destroying your clutch. You state you ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
13 votes

If I am just replacing the car engine, do I need to replace the odometer as well?

You're probably better off not replacing the odometer. You will need to keep accurate track of how far the car has been driven in total, so if you were to later sell your car without disclosing that ...
Nuclear Hoagie's user avatar
12 votes

Anyone know what car this is?

Judging from the lights and body shapes I would say it looks like a 2015 Volkswagen Touareg.
I have no idea what I'm doing's user avatar
12 votes

Are classic cars safe?

As others have said, you're asking different questions so I will address them separately. Classic cars are safe to drive Classic cars are simply older cars. They were driven successful by people of ...
Jack Aidley's user avatar
12 votes

Can cats leave scratch marks on cars?

It's hard to be sure, but that looks like single-stage paint (without a hard-wearing clearcoat). If so, it is relatively soft paint that could easily be scratched. Judging by the angle of attack (and ...
Zaid's user avatar
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