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1500 questions
14
votes
6 answers
Can I jump start one car with two other cars in parallel?
If I'm in a pinch, and I have a small car that can't put out enough cranking amps to start a bigger one, could I connect two cars in parallel to start the bigger one?
Will it mess up the alternators or something?
Jason C
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14
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4 answers
Winter tires and summer tires
I bought a new car back in June this year and the car comes with summer performance tires.
I live in Minnesota and now it's December, so I really want to get snow tires installed instead of driving in summer tires (since I've read that this may…
user6332430
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5 answers
Why is a 12V outlet that provides 120W protected by a 20A fuse in my 2015 Forester?
In my 2015 Subaru Forester, the 12V power outlet in the center console says that it is designed to supply loads that draw a max of 120W. To me, this would mean that there should be a max of 10 amps flowing through the outlet (120W/12V=10A). However,…
scuba
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2 answers
Discovered disconnected part when removing wheels
I have a 2006 Honda Civic and was changing my summer tires for winter tires. When removing the wheels I noticed behind 2 of the 4 wheels that what is shown in the middle of this picture was disconnected (in both of the passenger side wheel wells).…
Gilles
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14
votes
7 answers
Is it possible for a diesel engine computer to detect (and prevent) a runaway condition?
Although diesel runaway is not so common...
... the consequences are spectacularly catastrophic.
On old-school engines, I can understand that there isn't much you can do about it except try to cut off the air supply.
But what about modern…
Zaid
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14
votes
8 answers
What causes a 20% difference in fuel economy between winter and summer?
I've been keeping track of the fuel my car, a Ford Fiesta Ecoboost 100 hp, uses since the day I got it. In the last three years I've owned it, I've noticed a large (>20%) difference in fuel consumption between driving in winter and driving in…
Ives
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14
votes
4 answers
What are the differences between a dual mass flywheel and a standard flywheel?
Recently in chat, a discussion arose about a dual mass flywheel. I am blissfully ignorant regarding how a dual mass flywheel actually functions and what the delta is between a dual mass flywheel and a standard flywheel.
I understand the basics of a…
DucatiKiller
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14
votes
8 answers
Why smaller engines on newer vehicles
I've been searching for some cars on the internet and I've observed that newer cars get smaller engines.
For instances, I've found a Ford Focus diesel 1.6, or even a Mercedess A Klass 2015 diesel has a 1.6 engine, which seem to be both good.
Could…
SnuKies
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14
votes
8 answers
Timing chain jumped. Probably bent a piston. Is my engine worth fixing?
I have a 2007 Mazda 3 2.3L with about 155k km on it.
I was attempting to replace the AC pulley bearing, and had to manually turn the crank pulley to get the belt back on the AC pulley. After making sure the AC pulley was tightened, I started the…
Pedram
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14
votes
4 answers
How over-square can you go?
I'm wondering what the limiting factor(s) for bore/stroke ratios are, and how over-square an engine can go in the search for higher rpm and hp (motorcycles specifically)...
I know that rpm is limited by an average piston speed of roughly 25 m/s, and…
Guest
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14
votes
7 answers
RPM and duration to recharge a battery?
My car had been sitting for a while without being driven. The battery now has a weak charge but it can get the engine started (barely). I would like to charge the battery by running the engine, but because my brakes are currently not working, I…
logicalscope
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14
votes
6 answers
Why nitrogen and not carbon dioxide is used in critical tire applications?
In critical applications tires are inflated using pure nitrogen (link).
But carbon dioxide (CO2) is a larger molecule (will leak slower from the tire), as well as inert (will not oxidize rim and will not combust in case of an accident). (link)
Also,…
Sparkler
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14
votes
2 answers
How to determine exactly what's wrong with my alternator?
My 98 Mazda 626 GF 2L uses an 80 amp fp34 A2TB0191 alternator with an internal voltage regulator.
I did a little test where it I turned on the bright lights, AC, radio, rear defogger and opened the trunk so the light came on.
At idle, my idle…
Robert S. Barnes
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14
votes
2 answers
Is there a difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?
The sunroof tag here states:
The opening in the roof of a car. Usually a glass panel that opens by sliding down and back.
However, the owner's manual of my 2006 Mazda 6 refers to the opening only as a moonroof, and never mentions a sunroof. I've…
Tas
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14
votes
8 answers
How to Remove Stripped Hex Bolts
While trying to remove a rotor from my Suzuki DL 1000 ,
I'm finding that some of the hex bolts are stripped. Attempting to use SpeedOut does not appear to be producing the desired result. Any tips on what I might be doing wrong?
I am using the…
Tommie C.
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