There are many ways to become aroused and stimulated by cars, including watching automobile races, playing video games, reading car magazines, listening to music about vehicles, and even driving them yourself. Many people have fantasized about driving a sports car down the highway or making love inside their vehicle. The smell of leather seats can be very attractive for some individuals who find it sexually appealing. Other people enjoy the sound of an engine revving up or watching a car commercial on television. Some fetishists find pleasure in touching different parts of a car's exterior surface, such as the hood, trunk lid, fender, bumper, grille, lights, mirrors, spoiler, hatchback door, windshield wipers, and side panels. Others like looking at pictures or videos of cars in motion or imagining what it would feel like to drive one during a thunderstorm or in heavy traffic. There is also a phenomenon known as 'car sex', where couples engage in sexual activity while inside a parked vehicle. In fact, there is even a website called 'Car Sex University' dedicated to teaching people how to do this safely and effectively. Another form of auto-eroticism involves dressing up in costumes that resemble certain makes or models of cars, such as Lamborghinis or Ferraris. This practice may involve wearing a costume that resembles the shape of a car's body, using props like tires, steering wheels, gears, and hood ornaments, or even riding inside a simulator designed to replicate the sensation of driving a real automobile.

The reasons why many individuals are aroused by cars are not completely understood but likely have something to do with the way they represent power, control, speed, luxury, and freedom. Cars can be seen as symbols of masculinity and dominance, and some people enjoy the feeling of being in charge behind the wheel. They can also represent status and success, which can make them desirable objects for those who want to project an image of wealth or authority.

The design elements of cars are often considered beautiful and elegant, which can elicit positive emotions related to attraction and desire.

The act of driving a car is often associated with excitement and risk, both of which can heighten feelings of arousal. The combination of these factors creates a powerful psychological connection between humans and their vehicles.