Ahora, "can" tiene varios significados, y cada uno tiene su forma de uso. (¡Que lío!) Pero, espera, también se cambia si es positivo o negativo...
Veamos.
Habilidad en general
Positivo - I can speak English. (presente) I could speak English. (pasado) I will be able to speak English. (futuro)
Negativo - I can't speak English. (presente) I couldn't speak English. (pasado) I won't be able to speak English. (futuro)... ¿won't?... Won't es el contracción de "will not". (No preguntes, es inglés. Pues eso.) :-}

Positivo - With a shot of adrenaline I can pick up a car. (presente) Con el pasado y el futuro cambiamos a "be able to" como arriba.
Negativo - Even with a shot of adrenaline I can't pick up a car. (presente) Con el pasado y el futuro cambiamos a "be able to" como arriba. (Hasta ahora no está mal. Espera)
Oportunidad
Positivo - "I have time, I can help you now" (presente) I had some time yesterday, I was able to help her then. (pasado) I will have time tomorrow, I can help her then. (futuro)
Negativo - "I don't have time, I can't help you." (presente) I didn't have time I wasn't able to help her. (Pasado) I won't have time, I can't help her. (futuro)
Permiso
Positivo - I can drive my Dad's car today. (presente) I was allowed to drive my Dad's car yesterday. (pasado) I can drive my Dad's car on Friday night. (futuro)
Negativo - I can't drive my Dad's car today. (presente) I wasn't allowed to drive my Dad's car yesterday. (pasado) I can't drive my Dad's car on Friday night. (futuro)
Solicitar
Positivo - Can I have a glass of water?
Negativo - Can't I have a glass of water?
Las solicitaciones suelen referir al futuro cercano
Posibilidades
Learning a new language can be a real challenge! (No me digas...)
Este uso suele ser una generalización, así que presente simple.
¿Has visto que los verbos principales con "CAN" son "bare infinitives"?
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