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The Auto Basics Channel offers detailed, accurate articles about cars and educates you on auto terminology. For fun, get to know how car crushers and car washes work or which 33 cars are named after animals.

Why did cars become the dominant form of transportation in the United States?

Featured Article: Why did cars become the dominant form of transportation in the United States?

Cars are a relatively recent phenomenon. They've only been around for a little over a century, yet they've made a huge impact on U.S. culture. How did the car become so important in American life? See more »

Did da Vinci really sketch a primitive version of the car?

Did da Vinci really sketch a primitive version of the car?

Most consider Leonardo da Vinci the ultimate Renaissance man. But did this 13th-century genius have the foresight to sketch the basic principle for our modern era's most influential mode of transportation?

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How Auto Transport Works

How Auto Transport Works

Have you ever wondered how cars get from the production plant to your local dealership? Believe it or not, there's an entire industry devoted to getting them there.

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How Automobiles Work

How Automobiles Work

An automobile contains dozens of different technologies -- everything from the engine to the tires is its own special universe of design and engineering. Here are some of the highlights.

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How Car Crushers Work

How Car Crushers Work

Ever wonder what happens to junked cars? Car crushers flatten them into tiny cubes or slabs after the vehicle has been stripped of its recyclable parts. How do car crushers work? And is this a lucrative business?

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How Car Washes Work

How Car Washes Work

Drive in. Soap up. Scrub. Blast. Rinse. Wax. Dry, then touch up. These are the processes of a car wash. But what can't you see from behind the soapy windows?

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How Cars Work

How Cars Work

A car contains dozens of different technologies -- everything from the engine to the tires has its own special universe of design and engineering.

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Understanding Auto Parts

Understanding Auto Parts

As illustrated by the hundreds of individual parts for sale at your local Pep Boys Autozone or Napa Auto Parts it takes a lot of machinery to make cars work. Learn about the key parts.

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What are precision drivers?

What are precision drivers?

What do Bo and Luke Duke have in common with James Bond? Superb driving skills. When these characters engage in a high-speed chase, who's really behind the wheel?

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What happens to a truck if it tows more than its capacity?

What happens to a truck if it tows more than its capacity?

You must make sure that your cargo is light enough to tow it safely. You risk transmission damage and traffic accidents when you exceed your vehicle's towing capacity.

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What is base curb weight?

What is base curb weight?

You can spend money, time and energy making your car as fast as it can possibly go. But if you ever get into a race with a motorcycle, it's a guarantee that you'll lose. Your car has a lot of components that weigh it down, so what should you really know about your car's base curb weight?

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Why did cars become the dominant form of transportation in the United States?

Why did cars become the dominant form of transportation in the United States?

Cars are a relatively recent phenomenon. They've only been around for a little over a century, yet they've made a huge impact on U.S. culture. How did the car become so important in American life?

See more »
13 Land and Water Speed Records

13 Land and Water Speed Records

World speed records are kept for just about everything that goes. Here are records for some of the world's fastest vehicles on land and sea.

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33 Cars Named After Animals

33 Cars Named After Animals

Whether channeling the speed of a stallion or the sting of an insect, automakers have often named vehicles after animals. How many of these do you recognize?

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8 Automotive Lemons

8 Automotive Lemons

Sometimes a great idea just doesn't pan out when the rubber hits the road. Check out our list of 8 automotive lemons and learn why they flopped.

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Glossary of Automotive Terms

Glossary of Automotive Terms

The experts at Consumer Guide know shopping for a vehicle can be daunting. To help you simplify shopping for a new car, here is a glossary of common automotive innovations.

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How Sports Cars Work

How Sports Cars Work

Trace the exciting history of sports cars, from their postwar boom to the present day. Along the way, you will also find links to individual sports car profiles that offer history, specs, and photos. Here is your chance to climb behind the wheels of some the fastest and most innovative sports cars ever built.

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