How Cars Work, Engineering Explained

Ronnie Schreiber
by Ronnie Schreiber

Jason Fenske is a mechanical engineer with a degree from NC State. A car enthusiast, after a number of times explaining how cars worked to his girlfriend, with the encouragement of friends he set up the EngineeringExplained website to explain to the general public how cars, and other mechanical devices like turbine engines and jet-skis, work.

I first found out about Fenske with his YouTube video on how automotive mufflers work, and if you click on the Lessons link at his website you will find an extensive selection of educational videos ranging from the differences between two and four stroke internal combustion engines to explaining the traction circle, a mathematical representation of how much grip your tires have. Fenske is a natural teacher, presenting technically accurate information in a simple and easy to understand manner that both car enthusiasts and complete mechanical novices will find worthwhile. The videos are not glitzy or high tech, just Fenske, a whiteboard and some car parts, but he does as good of a job explaining how cars work as I’ve come across.


Ronnie Schreiber
Ronnie Schreiber

Ronnie Schreiber edits Cars In Depth, the original 3D car site.

More by Ronnie Schreiber

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  • Philadlj Philadlj on Mar 23, 2015

    I wonder if Mr. Fenske has any insights in his videos about why Cadillacs are so horrible. Mitsubishis and Suzukis are better engineered.

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    • JimC2 JimC2 on Mar 23, 2015

      @DeadWeight "Confounded..." The Cadillac Escalade, er, the Chevy Suburban with the bright headlights + lots of gaudy shiny trim + leather seats option package has had me confounded for more than fifteen years. But hey, good on Caddillac for raking in the cash with these things.

  • Lastwgn Lastwgn on Mar 23, 2015

    Does he happen to have a video that would help teach the basics of driving a manual shift?

  • Johnhowington Johnhowington on Mar 23, 2015

    Normally I would already be en guarde with anyone intro'ing themselves as having a degree from X location, but i've already watched his and they are excellent and always informative. thank you.

    • Ronnie Schreiber Ronnie Schreiber on Mar 23, 2015

      I'm not fond of credentialism but in the case of STEM, mentioning where you were trained is appropriate.

  • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Mar 24, 2015

    He's made one explaining why comparing engines using HP per liter is bunk. Many here should watch.

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