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About This Quiz
How well can you wrench on an engine? Do you know the difference between a spark plug and a piston? Test your mechanical brain with these engine-related questions.
Highly cushioned motor mounts do what to performance?
Absorb some torque
Line lash, or when cushioning motor mounts actually absorb some of the torque produced by the engine, is real. It can actually make a car slower, at least by a little, since you depend on torque to get going at first. The trade-off with using stiffer motor mounts is that people in the car feel the harshness of a launch.
Quicken acceleration
Help with cornering
Change gear ratios
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How often should you change your engine oil?
Every 3,000 miles, religiously
Every 6,000 miles, religiously
Oh, maybe every 6 months or so
Follow the specific manufacturer's suggested intervals
Your car's manufacturer knows exactly what the engine needs to keep running smoothly, so follow the advice provided about oil changes, among other things. Of course, if you drive in dusty conditions, tow a trailer, or make short trips frequently, you might want to change the oil sooner, since those activities place an additional strain on everything.
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Do you get more power from exhaust cutouts?
No
Only if you use a hole punch
Absolutely
If you want to use exhaust cutouts on a street car, you'll have to install a system where you can switch it back and forth between that and a traditional setup, because most local laws don't allow for them. Since you're letting the exhaust escape earlier, you'll see at least a little bit of a power bump. It will also make your car far louder, so don't say you weren't warned!
Only if they're criss-crossed
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What's unique about an opposed piston engine?
The pistons hit each other
It has two pistons in each cylinder
This is a very unique engine design that some people believe has real potential. Without a cylinder head, an opposed piston engine retains heat better, meaning it's more efficient. The intake and exhaust ports are located at the ends of the opposite cylinders.
It runs backwards
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Which of the following isn't a benefit of beltless engines?
Better reliability
Improved efficiency
They rev higher
The most popular example of a beltless engine is what you find in the Toyota Prius. As you can imagine, this isn't a design made for tire-shredding performance. It also helps cut down on pollution, and allows you to turn on the AC without starting up the engine, reducing fuel consumption.
Run quieter
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Milky or frothy engine oil usually means what?
Coolant has leaked in
Usually, this is the result of a blown head gasket and can tip you off to the problem earlier than some other signs. Look for white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and that will help support this theory. The other possibility, although not as common, is water in the oil.
Somebody thought it was funny to put milk in the gas tank
It's no big deal, probably just time to change the oil
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Why are MacPherson struts so popular in modern cars?
Cost and size
This ingenious design replaces two components that were common in older cars: a steering pivot and a suspension mount. That means they take up less space and cost less to produce. Without MacPherson struts, you couldn't have front-wheel-drive cars with a transverse-mounted engine.
Cost and looks
They sound cool
It's a conspiracy
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Which of the following is a benefit of water cooling?
Less noise
Some people still get nostalgic about air cooled engines. While they have some advantages, liquid cooling helps prevent overheating, boosts efficiency, and is overall more reliable, as long as you don't have a coolant leak. You'll also notice air cooled car engines are rather noisy when compared to modern engines.
More reliable
Less weight
You can cook with it
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What does a non-interference engine not do?
Run well
Explode
The belts never wear out and break
Valves and pistons don't share pathways at all
If the belt or chain on a non-interference engine ever breaks, there's no risk of the pistons and valves contacting, which can lead to some serious damage. Of course, if you stay up on maintenance, that shouldn't be an issue, but some people like the reassurance this engine design provides.
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Drive by wire is what on a car?
Driving straight on a wide road
Being nervous behind the wheel
Electronic throttle control
First used in a production vehicle by BMW on the 7 Series way back in 1988, this technology replaces the throttle cable that's attached to the accelerator pedal. Drive by wire means more optimal airflow for any situation, since the ECU controls the throttle, based on your inputs with pedal movement. This also means fewer moving parts, so less maintenance for your car.
Using cruise control
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An Atkinson cycle engine features two different ratios called what?
Expansion and compression
The Atkinson cycle engine wins out for efficiency, making the most out of each drop of gas, versus the Otto design. The key to doing this is by keeping the intake valve open until the piston has moved up as much as 30 percent of the way through its compression cycle, which creates the difference in the compression and expansion ratios.
Contraction and breathing
Sleeping and running
Breathing and eating
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How do diesel engines ignite the air-fuel mixture?
Spark plugs
Fire
Magic
Compression
You won't find spark plugs in a diesel engine, which sometimes has glow plugs to warm things up but not to cause ignition. Instead, the huge amount of pressure caused by extreme compression leads to combustion, which is the key to a diesel engine's superior efficiency versus gasoline designs.
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Direct injection engines mix the air and fuel where?
Intake manifold
The exhaust
The cylinders
This design actually comes from diesel engines. In regular gas-powered designs, the fuel and air mix together in the intake manifold, and then they flow into the cylinders through the intake valves. With this design, a precise amount of fuel is squired right into the cylinder just before combustion, boosting efficiency.
The exhaust manifold
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What tool should you use to be sure bolts are tightened properly?
Box wrench
Hammer
Level
Torque wrench
Every mechanic should have this essential tool. You set the appropriate torque amount, which comes via the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring that a bolt isn't too loose, and also isn't so tight you damage anything. If you don't have one of these, get one before you take on any big projects.
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From where did the Hemi engine get its name?
Ron Hemi
The hemispherical head for each cylinder
That rounded head actually leads to improved efficiency, which means more power. This unique design allows for two big valves per cylinder, so everything flows faster, which also helps with improved output. Some enthusiasts absolutely swear by this design.
Hemi, Ohio
Ernest Hemingway
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Which of the following isn't a common measurement of engine displacement?
Pound-feet
You measure displacement by calculating the swept volume when the pistons move from top dead center to bottom dead center. Some people believe that large displacement means better performance, but modern innovations like direct injection, forced induction, and hybrid setups arguably prove that thought wrong, at least in a way.
Liters
Cubic inches
Cubic centimeters
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Driving on overinflated tires does what to the tread?
Nothing
Makes it last longer
Increases wear in the middle
By putting too much air in your tires for long periods of time, you'll cause the center of the tread to wear faster than the sides. If you think that doesn't sound bad, just remember it means you'll need to buy tires sooner than if you just kept the tire inflation to the exact amount the manufacturer recommends.
Rubs it all off
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What kind of axles do Jeep Wranglers have?
Solid
It used to be quite a few vehicles had solid axles in the front and back. Many have ditched that layout for independent suspensions as a way to boost comfort and on-road performance. As a vehicle designed primarily for trail driving, the Wrangler has kept the solid axles.
Fully independent
Single
Flexible
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If you don't have a lift, what should you put a vehicle on before getting under it?
A bottle jack
A hi-lift jack
Jack stands
You can also use vehicle ramps, but should never get under a car that's supported by a jack of any kind. Jacks simply don't stabilize a vehicle enough to ensure it won't fall on you, so always use jack stands or ramps.
Wood blocks
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Will a clogged oil filter stop the flow of oil?
Yes, it will block the oil completely
No, there's a pathway for the oil to flow around it, if necessary
While you need to stay on top of oil changes, which includes swapping the oil filter, the oil will keep circulating around no matter the state of the filter. Of course, a clogged filter won't remove an impurities from the oil anymore, which can result in everything from overheating to increased wear on engine components.
No, the oil can force its way through any obstacle
Yes, but the engine automatically shuts off when this happens
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Which is not a risk of running underinflated tires long-term?
Uneven tread wear
Increased heat buildup
Coolant overload
Tires that are low on air can have all those negative effects, plus they make the engine and transmission work harder, waste fuel, and run up the risk of a blowout. Really, you need to check the tire pressure about once a month, and don't ignore the tire pressure warning light, if your car has one.
Diminished handling
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How tight should lug nuts be?
As tight as you can get them by hand
To the torque specified by the manufacturer
If you tighten the lug nuts too much, you could damage the bolt threads or the lug nuts themselves, and possibly even damage the wheels. Of course, not tightening the lug nuts enough could mean the wheel wobbles or comes off. It's all about looking at the torque specified in the owner's manual, and only tightening things that much.
As tight as you can get them with an air tool
Sort of tight
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When can you use winter tires?
All year
Despite being called winter tires, technically you can use them during other times of the year. They're made of a softer rubber compound, so they'll still grip the road in the summertime. The only problem is winter tires could wear out quicker in hot temperatures because they're so soft, which is why it's probably best to only use them in colder weather.
Only in the winter
Only in the snow
Only when you go into the mountains
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You can spot a flood damaged vehicle by doing what?
Smelling the upholstery
Inspecting the trunk and hood latches for corrosion
Feeling for loose carpeting
All of the above
There's no one surefire way to spot a flood-damaged car, but there are many different ways the damage might show up. Loose carpeting, mismatched upholstery, a musty odor, corrosion in hinges and latches, water stains under the hood, and other red flags should help you stay away from these nightmare vehicles.
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What is horsepower?
How much one horse can pull
The breathing power of one horse
The power produced by an engine
Despite the name, horsepower is all about how much power an engine produces. It's not always the same figure because engines produce different levels of power at different points. You can put a car on a dynamometer to accurately measure horsepower.
The energy expended by one horse for a day
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What is torque?
The twisting force produced by the engine
Most people don't even know what to make of torque, so they skip over this spec on vehicles. What you feel when you first start off from a standstill is mostly torque, or that twisting force produced by the engine crankshaft, which transfers to the transmission and driveshaft, before turning the wheels.
The wind
Engine power
Tire grip
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What is the static timing method?
You use static electricity
You set the engine timing when it's turned off
The opposite method, called dynamic timing, means you set the timing with the engine running. The static method is easier and requires less expensive equipment. In fact, most shade tree mechanics can take this on without any problems.
You sit still while timing the engine
You time the engine for a set period
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If the lights in your car dim when you press on the accelerator, what's likely the cause?
Bad battery
Bad lights
Bad driver
Bad alternator
While not a complete certainty, this is a classic symptom of an alternator going out. The alternator supplies electricity for everything from the sound system to your headlights and dash lights as your drive. Since it's a belt-driven component, pressing on the accelerator could cause a bad alternator to fluctuate electrical output so drastically, you notice lights dimming.
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Which of the following isn't a cause of engine knock?
Bad fuel
Incorrect spark plugs
Improper valve gaps
The dreaded engine knock can be a real problem with certain engines, while others don't suffer from this ailment. The cause is the air-fuel mixture igniting at the wrong time, which results in a violent explosion that can damage some engine internal components. If you hear pinging, that's usually a sign of engine knock, which you should correct immediately.
Deposit buildup
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Turbochargers boost engine power by doing what?
Cramming more air into the cylinders
Turbochargers are a form of forced induction, or they cram more air into the engine cylinders. With more air, the fuel will combust or burn more fully, which means you get more power and better performance. Turbochargers will not only make a car more powerful, they can be used to improve fuel economy.
Speeding up the pedal action
Loosening the throttle
Shooting fuel into the exhaust
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Where can you find the paint code on a modern car?
Under the spare tire
Underneath the headliner
On the antenna
Driver's door jamb
Just look for the sticker in the door jamb, which lists the code for your car's paint color. You'll need that to order touch-up paint for the dealership, or if you need to repaint any portion of the car after an accident. That door jamb sticker has other useful info, including how much air to put in the tires.
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How do you prevent an oil filter from fusing to the vehicle?
Don't tighten it all the way
Hit it with a hammer
Spread oil around the opening
The high heat of your engine and the tight seal with the oil filter could cause a fusion of metal. If you take the time to spread a little oil on the filter's opening, this won't happen, and you'll skip out on a frustrating and potentially expensive repair that's completely avoidable.
Spray WD40 on it
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What is top dead center?
Where the number one cylinder's piston is at the highest point
You'll need to know top dead center for a number of engine projects, like if you have to replace internal components and are putting the engine back together. If you don't find the top dead center, you might be facing serious, maybe even catastrophic, damage to your car's engine.
When your engine explodes
A blown head gasket
Where your engine stops each time
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What's the first thing to check if the heater in your car won't blow warm air?
Fuses
Seat heaters
Coolant level
The coolant absorbs heat from your engine, and then it flows into the heater core, which is where heat is captured for the heater. When you turn on the heater, fans blow the hot air from the heater core into the cabin. If the coolant level is too low, that heater core won't warm up enough, causing the problem.
Fuel level
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What will you see on your tires that will tell you it's about time to get new ones?
Tread squiggles
Wear bars
There are a few ways to tell when your tires are getting worn down and need to be swapped out. The easiest way to tell is by looking for the wear bars, which run counter the tread pattern and only show up once your tires are low enough to expose them. Once you see those, you really need to think about getting new tires.
George Washington's head
Sidewall writing
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You Got:
/35
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