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About This Quiz
Do you wax your car with a diaper? Are you always listening for slightest strange noises that might indicate a problem as you're driving? Do you put your ride through an exhaustive 100-point inspection each year? You might be one of the rare people who know a lot about basic car maintenance.ÂÂ
Even though basic maintenance should be something everyone who owns a car knows about and takes care of, most people are clueless on this topic. In the best-case scenario, they have a mechanic who stays on top of these essential items, many of which are quite easy to address. Far too many car owners just ignore these simple maintenance to-dos, then complain later when their car has a major problem that could have been avoided with proper maintenance. In other words, staying on top of basic maintenance will save you money and frustration down the road, literally.ÂÂ
Maintenance items for your vehicle are spelled out in the owner's manual, but have you bothered to read over them? Are you one of those rare people who can answer the following basic maintenance questions? Take the quiz right now and find out!ÂÂ
Should you check the oil level right after shutting the engine off?
yes, that gives the best reading
no, you'll burn your hand
no, wait 5-10 minutes afterward or check it cold
The reason you don't check the oil level right after you shut off the engine is that plenty of the oil won't be in the pan, so you'll get an inaccurate reading. Either check it cold or wait several minutes after shutting off the engine.
it doesn't matter
What benefits do you get from giving your car that doesn't need premium fuel some premium fuel on occasion?
you'll clean out the injectors
carbon deposits in the cylinders will be washed away
the catalytic converter will last longer
nothing
Some people think putting premium in their car that only needs regular gas will help with performance in some magical way. The fact is, it won't do anything for your car, so you're just wasting money.
When checking hoses for potential wear or problems, which of the following should you not do?
squeeze hot cooling system hoses
If you're concerned about cooling system hoses, or those that feed the radiator and transport coolant to the engine, etc., allow the car to cool down before you squeeze them to see if the hoses have become brittle or are splitting.
inspect the fittings to see if they're loose
look for signs of cracking
note any fluid residue on the hoses
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What causes the plastic headlight lenses to become foggy over time?
wax buildup from many washes
condensation in the headlights
the plastic oxidizes
Thanks to UV rays from the sun, the plastic headlight lenses will oxidize over time. If you polish the lenses and remove the layer of plastic that oxidized, the result will be clear lenses once more.
it's a mystery
What's the worst thing you can do with an overheating engine?
keep driving like nothing's happening
When your engine overheats, you need to stop driving and do anything you can to eliminate the heat as quickly as possible, like popping the hood, cranking the heater, and shutting down the engine. If you don't, you might be facing some big repairs.
turn off the engine
crank the heater
pop the hood
What is one benefit of taking heavy items out of your car?
the driveshaft won't break
the suspension components will last longer
You should go through your car and take out anything you don't need in it, because that extra weight hurts fuel efficiency, lengthens the stopping distance, and even negatively impacts handling.
the tires will last twice as long
the fuel filter will double in life
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What is the color of transmission fluid?
pink
red
Transmission fluid is dyed red so you can easily identify a leak, instead of mistaking it for oil, power steering fluid, coolant, or just water. As the transmission fluid ages, it becomes a darker red.
green
yellow
If your car has newer wiper blades but they're leaving streaks on the windshield, what's likely the cause?
the blades are dirty
Just because wiper blades are leaving streaks doesn't mean they need to be swapped for new ones. Use a soft cloth to clean the edge of the blades, which sit on the glass, removing dirt and other debris that build up over time.
they're defective
they've worn out
you bought the wrong brand
What does a dirty air filter impact the most?
fuel economy
braking
power
While a dirty air filter might have a slight impact on fuel efficiency, it will most definitely hurt horsepower and torque output. If you care how well your car accelerates, passes other cars on the highway, etc. you should check the air filter routinely.
startup
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Which of the following is a benefit of polishing your car?
it removes rust buildup
it pulls out dents
nothing will hurt the paint for a month
surface scratches are eliminated
Too many people think waxing and polishing a car are the same thing, failing to realizing that polishing will really bring out the shine from the paint, while getting rid of some scratches and swirls, as well as removing dirt that otherwise won't budge.
If you fail to tighten the gas cap all the way, what could happen?
the car blows up
the check engine light turns on
This is probably the best case scenario for a check engine light, because either you didn't tighten the cap all the way, you threaded it incorrectly, or the gas cap is worn out and you need to buy a new one. Most other check engine light issues are more extensive.
the gas tank rusts out
the fuel lines burst
What's an easy way to tell that the tires on your car are worn out?
the wear bars are exposed
Tire manufacturers design the wear bars to run the opposite way as the tread, so you can see them easily once they're exposed. With the wear bars visible, you know for sure it's time to get new tires on your car.
you can see Lincoln's nose when inserting a dollar in the tread
the tip of a pencil won't disappear in the tread any more
you can't do burnouts any more
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What's the best way to lubricate door hinges and tracks on sliding van doors?
WD-40
butter
water
white lithium grease
White lithium grease does a better job than most other commercial lubricants most people can easily get their hands on, because it works in a wider range of temperatures, and so provides the best protection all year.
If the locks are feeling sticky in your car, what's good for correcting the problem?
WD-40
white lithium grease
engine oil
graphite lubricant
While wet lubricants like WD-40 will make your lock work well enough, they're only temporary fixes since the lubricant will flow out of the lock again. Graphite, on the other hand, is dry and will stick around, making for a better long-term solution to the problem.
What's a good tool for cleaning window washer jets if they get clogged?
compressed air
a needle
The washer jets for your windshield have an extremely small opening, but they can become clogged by road salt, dirt, or other tiny particles. A needle will clear whatever is in there out, so the jet starts flowing normally again.
a scrub brush
a screwdriver
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Which of the following isn't a benefit of clean engine oil?
it removes deposits
it soaks up some heat
it ensures optimal timing
Most people know that engine oil will protect against parts rubbing against each other, but they aren't aware of the other benefits provided by clean oil, which is why doing regular oil changes is so important.
it lubricates the various parts
How do you clean the battery terminals?
with a soft cloth
special terminal cleaning spray
with a wire brush
Keeping the battery terminals free of corrosion and anything else that might get on them is crucial, otherwise you might find you car won't start, because the buildup will block the flow of electricity to an extent.
you don't clean them
When is it necessary to gap spark plugs in modern engines?
never
after each oil change
when you install new spark plugs
While it's true that spark plugs already come gapped, they likely aren't gapped for your engine. Always double-check the gap before installing plugs, otherwise you risk performance issues.
once a year
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When checking the belts in your car, which of the following items wouldn't be concerning?
fraying at the edges
the writing isn't pristine
If your engine has an interference design, checking the timing belt on a regular basis will help you avoid a disastrous situation and an engine rebuild.
visible cracks
one side is worn more than another
How much air do you put in the tires?
the amount printed on the tire sidewall
when in doubt, go to 35 psi
whatever looks good
whatever the sticker on the driver's door jamb says
Automakers know exactly how much air pressure should be in the tires for each vehicle. Information on the tire sidewall is the tire's threshold, not accounting for pressure exerted by the weight of the vehicle.
If your car's coolant system is pressurized and you notice the overfill reservoir is low, when should you refill it?
it doesn't matter when
once the engine is cold
Non-pressurized coolant systems allow you to open the overflow reservoir at any time, even if the engine is at operating temperature. In pressurized systems, opening the overflow reservoir when everything is hot can likely end in you being sprayed by scalding-hot coolant.
once the engine is to operating temperature
when the outdoor temperature is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit
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Which of the following isn't a benefit of waxing your car?
it makes denting the car almost impossible
Waxing your car might be a little time consuming and require some effort, but the long-term benefits pay off big time.
it guards against scratches
it protects against the paint discoloring
it helps your car maintain a clean look longer
Where is the cabin air filter located in most cars?
next to the engine
by the battery
behind the glove box
More modern cars have a cabin air filter, which you should switch out periodically, since it can help your interior smell better and reduce dust, pollen, etc. in the air.
in the trunk
How often should you rotate and balance your car's tires?
once a year
six months or 6,000-8,000 miles
Rotating and balancing tires will help ensure they wear more evenly, extending their life so you don't have to buy new tires as often, saving money as a result.
18 months or 12,000-14,000 miles
two months or 2,000 miles
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How often should you inspect the CV axle boots on a car?
once a month
every 60,000 miles
every 30,000 miles
once a year
Damage to the CV boot can allow grease to leak out, as well as let dirt and moisture in, which can ruin the CV joint, meaning you must install a new one.
What happens if you put two different oil weights in your motor?
it will blow up
the gaskets will start leaking
absolutely nothing
it's not very certain
Engine oil is actually formulated quite carefully by highly skilled and trained teams of chemists, who know how the different formulas will fare in a range of conditions. Mixing those formulas together could have all kinds of consequences nobody can predict.
What's a device you can use to read diagnostic trouble codes on your car?
OBD2 reader
The OBD2 port in newer cars is often located in the dash on the driver's side, but sometimes is in the center console or another easy-to-reach place. This reader will help you diagnose at least some problems with your car.
electrical diagnostic tool
ECU mapper
CAT scanner
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If you leave brake dust on your wheels, what damage can it do?
break the spokes
leave pits in the wheel surface
Brake dust is difficult to remove if you just try to scrub it off while washing your car. You need a brake dust cleaner to break up the stuff, or you'll be scrubbing for hours.
peel off any stickers
stain the metal
You should change your car's air intake filter more often if you do which of the following with your car?
drive on the freeway daily
keep it parked in a garage
drive in the city mostly
drive on dirt roads frequently
The filter in your car's air intake is designed to remove even small particles of dust and pollutants, otherwise they'll enter the engine and create carbon deposits that can be harmful.
How often should you check the differential fluid on your vehicle?
once a month
at least as often as the owner's manual recommends
If you have a rear-, all-, or four-wheel-drive vehicle, staying on top of the differential fluid is essential. This is especially important if you venture into rugged territory regularly, putting extra strain on the differential.
every year
every 90,000 miles
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What's a sure indication you need to change your brake pads?
they make any noise
the brakes squeal when actuated
you've had them for two years
they measure too thin
Brakes sometimes will squeal for reasons other than the warning strip in the pads being exposed, so that's not always a clear indication. A brake thickness gauge is the only accurate way to see when the pads need to be swapped out.
Which of the following isn't a sign that your car's fuel lines are going bad?
the engine stumbles at freeway speeds
Problems with fuel lines should always be treated with urgency, because they can result in a car fire, so don't delay fixing them.
smell of gas in the cabin
gas on the pavement where the car was parked
cracks on the lines' surface
If your hood or trunk has shocks that hold it up, but they don't keep it all the way up anymore, what should you do?
recharge the shocks
spray WD-40 on the exposed portion of the pistons
unbolt the old shocks and bolt on new ones
The shocks on your trunk, hood, or chassis just don't last forever. Once they've started failing, the only solution is to swap them out for new ones, and you'll enjoy perfect performance again.
leave the hood or trunk open for 24 hours straight
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Before winter strikes, what should you do with your washer fluid?
boil it on the stove
bleed the system
ensure you have only freeze-resistant fluid in the reservoir
Washer fluid that's designed for the cold of winter has alcohol mixed in, dropping the freezing point to well below zero, which is essential if you don't want to run into problems.
pour some antifreeze into the reservoir
You Got:
/35
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