%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
You Can Now See How Many One-Star Uber Ratings You’ve Received—If You Dare
No, Uber still won’t tell you which driver awarded you a one-star rating (or what you did to deserve it).
CARS
Why Do Truck Drivers Attach Stuffed Animals to the Front of Their Vehicles?
The next time you see a garbage truck with a stuffed penguin strapped to its grille, know the driver has a good reason—one that may or may not involve warding off ghosts.
Fuel's Errand: Louis Enricht and the Great Gasoline Hoax of 1916
With one drop of his mysterious green liquid, Louis Enricht claimed he could turn water into nearly-free fuel. He was a dirty liar.
What Do the Numbers on Gas Pump Buttons Mean?
Whether you automatically press the 87 button at the gas pump or opt for a higher grade, this is what your fuel's octane rating measures.
The Windshield Phenomenon: Why You See Fewer Bugs Splattering Cars Today
You may be grateful that your car's windshield is cleaner than it used to be, but the lack of bugs on the road isn't something to celebrate.
Why Do Some Trucks Have an Extra Set of Wheels?
The wheels attached to “tag axles” or “lift axles” on a dump truck aren’t spare tires—and they don’t always float above the road.
When the Club Frustrated Car Thieves and Drivers Alike
The affordable anti-theft device popular in the 1990s locked onto steering wheels and was said to prevent thieves from driving away. The problem? It sometimes prevented actual owners from doing the same.
A Brief History of the School Safety Patrol
The nationwide program that makes streets safer for kids owes a debt to a one-armed British General.
The Tesla Cybertruck’s Design Was Partly Inspired by Blade Runner
Tesla's Cybertruck, which will be available in 2023, was partly inspired by the futuristic flying cars from 'Blade Runner.'
30 Colorful Pieces of Truck Driver Slang
Even if you drive vehicles with four wheels, you can still use these pieces of truck driver slang on your next road trip.
Our 25 Most Popular Stories of 2021
Based on our most popular stories of 2021, it seems safe to say that our readers adore their pets, are fascinated by the strange features they see on motor vehicles, and really want to know what happened to all that white dog poop they used to see.
Always Forgetting Where You Parked Your Car? Google Maps Can Help With That
If you're prone to blanking on where you parked, Google Maps has a nifty feature that will make wandering aimlessly around parking lots a thing of the past.
5 Simple Ways to Save Money on Gas
Gas prices at the pump might have you thinking about switching to a bicycle. But there are ways to save on fuel, and we've got some of the best.
The 25 Most Popular Products People Bought In 2021, Including Always Pans, 'Star Wars' LEGO Sets, and More
The 25 most popular products Mental Floss readers bought in 2021 included Always Pans, 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian' LEGO sets, and more.
Why Is It Called a 'Semi Truck'?
The names ‘18-wheeler,’ ‘big rig,’ and ‘tractor-trailer’ aptly convey the size and scope of the vehicle. ‘Semi’ seems a little misleading. What gives?
Why Do Semi Trucks Have Spikes On Their Wheels?
Semi trucks’ tire spikes mainly protect the wheels’ lug nuts. They also offer drivers a chance to give their trucks a bit of personality.
'Shaggin' Wagons': A Rolling History of Van Murals
In the 1970s, counterculture types customized their vans with captain's chairs, waterbeds, and elaborate fantasy airbrushing that was clearly inspired by whatever it was they were inhaling.
Why Do Car Rides Make You Feel Tired?
You're excited to set out on a road trip. By hour two, you're nodding off. The answer may have something to do with "highway hypnosis."
'Doc!': What 10 Classic Pop Culture Cars Would Cost in Real Life
From the DeLorean to Batman's Tumbler, these tricked-out vehicles left a mark on pop culture. Here's what you could expect to pay if they were actually available.
Here’s Why Experts Think a Global Car Shortage Is Coming
It's already tough to find a new car thanks to chip shortages. Now another manufacturing problem is looming, and it doesn't bode well for shoppers.
James Bond’s 10 Most Memorable Chase Scenes
Before watching 'No Time to Die,' check out some of the most iconic vehicle chase scenes from the James Bond franchise.
How Your Car's Color Can Affect Its Resale Value
Your amazing gold Honda may not fetch such an amazing used-car price when you decide to unload it. Here's why.
Looking to Buy a Used Car? These Are the 20 States Where You’ll Pay the Most Money
Why are used cars so expensive right now? A classic case of low supply, high demand—and it’s affecting the Mountain States the worst.
Traffic Citation vs. Ticket: What's the Difference?
Getting a traffic ticket can be an expensive mistake. But is there a difference between a ticket and a citation? And what about a warning?