Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

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Why do Harley Davidson engines suffer from such poor performance?

The modern Harley Davidson engine has very poor power output. Even when highly modified a 130HP engine can cost tens of thousands of US Dollars. Here are specs on one of the modern engines. Harley-Davidson Twin Cam (1800cc / 110” 45 degree single…
DucatiKiller
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What does a flywheel do and what is it connected to?

I understand roughly how an engine works and that there is a crankshaft which is able to turn the flywheel using internal combustion. I have just realised that I have got absolutely no idea how the kinetic (movement) energy of the crankshaft is able…
Max Goodridge
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What is regenerative braking and why don't we use it?

I know that many electric cars use regenerative braking to enable the car to become more efficient by converting what would otherwise be lost heat energy in to a more useful, reusable form of energy. Surely, there must be some way of engineering a…
Max Goodridge
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Can I jumpstart a non-hybrid car from a hybrid or full electric car?

This morning I had starter battery troubles with my 2001 VW Eurovan. As it happened, my father-in-law arrived just at the right time in his fancy new Toyota Camry hybrid. So we opened the hoods, dug out the jumpstart cables and then got…
Digital Trauma
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Does resting your foot on the clutch wear it out?

Does driving with your foot always resting on the clutch (not pushing) generally wear it down?
George
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How is engine load determined?

I'm struggling to find information on how engine load is defined. Is it really just a fancy word for torque demand? There are three parts to this question: Is there a theoretical equation that is used to define engine load? If so, what is it? I…
Zaid
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What does Honda's 'Econ' button do? Does it truly improve fuel efficiency?

I recently bought a Honda Civic that had this in the car: I have no idea what it does, and how it's supposed to help. Even Honda's website is ambiguous, just using a lot of fuzzy words to describe what it does. From the website: Econ Button and…
yuritsuki
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Engine oil change and getting rid of old oil completely

After running the vehicle for a certain distance usually we will change the engine oil. This will not only give engine new life with the brand new oil but will also get sludge and other sediments out of the engine. So while changing the engine oil,…
BraveNinja
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Lugging the Engine (Manual Transmission)

So...lugging the engine obviously isn't something that is good. But why? For example when you feather a clutch to get the car moving, it lugs for a quick moment when you hit the catch point (When giving it no gas). Or at least it does in my car…
user4822
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Engine power specification at different rpm?

Car companies advertise the power of an engine at different rpms. Car 1: 80 PS at 6000 rpm Car 2: 85 PS at 6500 rpm What does the power at different rpm mean? Does it mean Car 1 has better power than Car 2 because it's at lower rpm? Or does the rpm…
user3041058
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What is happening when a two-stroke engine is said to be "four-stroking"?

Many years ago, I was involved in a hobby of building and flying model aircraft. The aircraft used alcohol-fueled 2-stroke engines with glow plug ignitions. When these engines ran rich (and always at idle), they produced a distinctively different…
Anthony X
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Have I damaged my car by attempting to reverse with hand/park brake up?

Earlier today, I stopped a little too far from an entrance I meant to use. I had to reverse to get back to it. I unconsciously pulled the handbrake up when I stopped (I think it is habit) so when I put the car in reverse, it refused to move. The…
MoKa
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Why do cars have plastic shrouds over the engine?

My 2005 Subaru Outback (3.0 flat 6) has a plastic cover under the hood which covers the engine. Or it had -- I had some work done and the mechanic has given the car back to me without the shroud. What is the point of these shrouds? Should I ask for…
tgdavies
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2000 Jetta runs rough, shudders on cold start only on wet days.

This is an issue I've had off and on for, embarrassingly, at least a year: On misty or wet mornings, everything starts out fine but, a few minutes into the drive (like clockwork. I even know the lights it will happen at), the Check Engine light…
LadyGuardian
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Adding a additional battery to car

I have purchased a brand new Toyota Innova. I need to install a a mac mini, 2 laptops and make this car a mobile office. I need to know if I can install another car battery in parallel, and will there be any negative side effects ? I know that a…
Siddharth
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