Image: Cravetiger/Moment/Getty Images
About This Quiz
The fact that you are here means that you love cars. But not in the way that other people love cars. You know a little more than most. You have a good idea of how cars work, how engine parts work in perfect harmony to get you from one destination to the other. Chances are good that you have been covered in some grease from time to time as you spend weekends tinkering with your vehicle. But no matter what, cars are complicated, and things go wrong on them.
Modern cars are a little more involved than their older counterparts; that’s for sure. When things go wrong with them, serious things, it's better to call in a mechanic, preferably a specialist that knows exactly how your particular make and model works. Sure, changing the oil or battery isn’t that difficult — something you can still do — but why worry about that? It's probably covered by the maintenance plan
Classics are a little easier to work on, if you can find the parts. And it's great to spend some time tinkering away, getting your classic car purring for a nice weekend cruise.Â
But enough about that. We want to test your knowledge about cars and the problems that affect them. We want to see just how much you really know. Are you ready to take the test?
After performing an oil change, what should you do with the used oil?
Flush it down the toilet.
Use it to start a barbeque.
Fry food in it.
Dispose of it in the correct manner at a service station.
Oil can contaminate groundwater and should never be disposed of in the ground, poured in a sewer or flushed away. Many auto parts stores and service stations will accept old oil and dispose of it correctly.
Advertisement
When performing an oil change, which is the best oil to use?
The most expensive
The cheapest
The one recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
Check your owner's manual — that will mention which oil viscosity is best for your engine. Remember, depending on the variance in temperatures between winter and summer where you live, the viscosity of oil may change, depending on the season.
None of the above
Advertisement
A car that is running hot but not losing coolant indicates a problem with which other part?
Fuel filter
Thermostat
If your radiator is not leaking or using water but the car is overheating, check the thermostat next. This regulates when coolant is passed to the engine — basically when it is getting too hot. If the thermostat is broken, it will not perform its task properly.
Oil sump
Limited slip differential
Advertisement
When a car develops transmission trouble and changing gears is a problem, what should you check first?
Check that the fan belt is tight.
Check the transmission fluid level.
Any car with a transmission problem should be checked out immediately. The first thing to do is to see if the transmission fluid level is correct. If it is, the problem might be more severe.
Put in new spark plugs.
Ride in first gear.
Advertisement
If your car is making a high-pitched squeaking sound, what should you have checked?
Crankshaft
Fan belt
A wearing belt, which is generally easy to spot due to fraying, can be replaced fairly simply. That will probably solve your squeaking problem. More often than not it is the fan belt, but check with a mechanic for other possibilities.
Alternator
Piston pin
Advertisement
Which part turns an engine over just enough to get it rotating by itself?
Valve
Piston
Starter motor
The primary role of the starter is to turn the engine over, causing it to fire and to run on its own. When the starter motor fails, the engine cannot be started. The starter motor is powered by the car's battery.
Oil pan
Advertisement
An oil leak under a vehicle would produce which colored liquid?
Brown or black
Most oil is amber when new, but it will turn brown once cycled through the engine as a lubricant. If you smell the liquid, it should have the distinct smell of oil as well.
Green
Blue
None of the above
Advertisement
In a car engine, which of these is not part of the ignition system?
Coil
Starter motor
Solenoid
Muffler
The muffler on your car is all about keeping the noise down. The muffler will reflect the sounds created by an engine, which helps cancel them out. Not all sounds are canceled, of course, or we would have silent cars. And no, the muffler certainly is not part of the ignition system of your vehicle.
Advertisement
If you see an oil can with a drop glowing on your dashboard, what should you check?
If you have enough gasoline
Oil level
That light should not be ignored! If it starts to glow, check your oil immediately. If the oil in your engine is too low, it can cause massive damage, as no lubrication is taking place and metal parts will begin to grind on metal parts.
Hydraulic fluid for the gearbox
None of the above
Advertisement
What part delivers a spark to the combustion chamber in the engine, causing it to fire?
Spark plug
The spark plugs are crucial components in getting any engine to start. The sparks they create cause combustion in the engine, which helps it to run. Engine knocks may indicate worn spark plugs.
Alternator
Air duct
Radiator
Advertisement
If a modern diesel vehicle is struggling to start, which part, exclusive to diesel vehicles, might be failing?
Timing belt
Alternator
Camshaft
Glow plugs
Glow plugs are essential parts of a diesel engine. They ensure that ignition will take place during compression, even if the engine is cold. If a glow plug fails, a vehicle may struggle to start.
Advertisement
A light is flashing on a car's dashboard. It shows a thermometer with wavy lines underneath. What should you check first?
Oil level
Coolant level
A temperature warning light indicates that the engine is overheating. The first thing to check in this regard is the fluid level in the radiator. If that seems fine, you might need to replace the thermostat.
Water pump
It's nothing, don't worry.
Advertisement
Your car won't start and you get a heavy smell of gas. What is the problem?
The alternator is jammed.
A piston has seized.
The engine is flooded.
A flooded engine simply will not start. This is because the gas/air mixture is too rich — there is too much gasoline for combustion to take place. Open the hood and wait 20 minutes, then try again but do not press the accelerator when starting the car.
None of the above
Advertisement
The condition of your car's catalytic converter is measured by which of these?
Oxygen sensor
The condition of a catalytic converter is measured through the quality of the oxygen that comes from it. This is measured by oxygen sensors placed at the front and back of the converter.
Fuel gauge
Voltmeter
None of the above
Advertisement
What should the voltage reading on a battery be?
2,000 volts
12.6 volts
If a battery is in perfect working order, a voltmeter or multimeter should read 12.6 volts or more when connected to it. For an accurate reading, let the car sit for at least an hour — or preferably overnight — before testing.
9 amps
10,000 volts
Advertisement
A yellow glowing light on your dashboard in the shape of a car engine means you should do what?
Stop for gas.
Stop immediately and call a mechanic.
The engine warning light can indicate a small problem or it could indicate a big problem. It's better to get it checked out as soon as possible — especially if the light is flashing.
Add oil.
Top off your coolant.
Advertisement
Your car won't start. You have checked the fuel pump, battery and starter motor, and they are all working. What else could you check?
Water pump
Distributor cap
A spark is needed for the engine to turn over, as this helps ignite the fuel/air mixture. With a broken distributor, the spark won't happen. If you're lucky, the cap might not be broken, but it might not be fitted securely.
OIl filter
None of the above
Advertisement
What does LSD mean when dealing with engine parts?
Limited-slip differential
The limited-slip differential usually ensures that power is spread to the wheels of the vehicle equally, whether it is a two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive vehicle. If a wheel loses grip for some reason, however, its spin will be reduced.
Long sense distributor
Limited sense diaphragm
Limited starter drive belt
Advertisement
A vehicle in front of you in traffic has white smoke pouring out of the tailpipe. What is the likely cause?
The muffler is not working.
It's a problem with the catalytic converter.
The seal on the cylinder head is broken, and the gasket may need replacing.
When white smoke comes out of a car's tailpipe, it is an indication that there is a problem with the cylinder head. Either the gasket needs to be replaced, or, worse still, the cylinder head is actually cracked.
It's low on gas.
Advertisement
Your car is pouring black smoke out the exhaust. Of the options here, what could the problem be?
The fuel/air mixture — the car engine is running too rich.
If your engine is running too rich, too much gas is being pumped into it, and the gas cannot be burned effectively. Not only are you wasting money, but also the engine is not running at the optimal level.
The engine is running too cold.
The catalytic converter is broken.
Nothing is wrong.
Advertisement
When a car won't start and tests show the battery and alternator are in perfect working order, what can you check next?
Starter motor
A jammed starter motor can stop a car from starting. Sometimes a light tap with a hammer can unjam it, if you are lucky. Otherwise, the starter motor might need to be replaced. It's time to check with a mechanic.
Cambelt
Fan
None of the above
Advertisement
A puddle of liquid under a car is usually an indication that which of these may be leaking?
Radiator
A leaking radiator is a massive problem. If it's not fixed, coolant levels will drop, your engine will overheat, and it could seize. A quick fix is to use a radiator sealant, but ultimately it will need to be replaced.
Gas tank
Brake fluid reservoir
None of the above
Advertisement
Which of these warning lights would indicate a problem with your battery?
An oil can with a drop
+ and - inside a rectangle
This is the warning indicator that something is wrong with your battery. It could be that it is not charging properly, that one of the cells has died or that the car's alternator is faulty.
A circle with an exclamation mark
None of the above
Advertisement
While driving your '60s muscle car, you notice a lack of power and engine backfiring. What could be wrong?
The gas pedal needs adjustment.
The carburetor is faulty.
A problem with the fuel/air mixture could cause the engine to run poorly. The carburetor regulates this and should be the first thing you check. Carburetors are not found in modern vehicles.
The pistons are damaged.
Try different fuel.
Advertisement
Modern cars have onboard computers. Their diagnostics can be accessed through a connection port. Where is this found?
In the trunk
On the driver's side of the cabin
All modern cars have a connection port for the onboard computer in the cabin near the driver. Check your car's manual for the exact location, which may be hard to find.
In the glove compartment
By the emergency brake
Advertisement
Of the options listed, which can cause your engine to misfire?
Low temperature
Blocked fuel filter
A clogged fuel filter means that the engine is not receiving fuel correctly, which can cause a misfire. Eventually, the engine may stall, if the problem is not addressed. A new fuel filter is relatively inexpensive.
A broken water pump
None of the above
Advertisement
When mechanical energy produced by the engine does not result in movement of the vehicle, which is the first in a long line of parts you can check?
Solenoid
Crankshaft
Well, it's not always that simple, but the power produced by an engine is turned into movement through the crankshaft and then a whole host of other engine parts. The crankshaft is a great place to start.
Rocker arm
Tappet
Advertisement
If a car won't start but the battery is fully charged, there could be a problem with which of these?
Oil filter
Cylinder head
Alternator
The alternator helps keep your battery charged. If it is not working, the battery will slowly drain. A dead alternator will eventually mean a car that is going nowhere. Luckily, it is fairly easy to replace.
Water pump
Advertisement
When a car suddenly won't start but has gas in the tank, what could the problem be?
A loose battery terminal
If your car started yesterday but doesn't today and you have gas in the tank, the first thing to check is the battery. Begin by checking that the terminals are tight. A loose battery terminal could cause your car not to start.
An oil filter problem
A faulty carburetor
A leaking radiator
Advertisement
What's the mechanic's secret when tightening a new oil filter?
Just attach it. The heat will seal it up.
Tighten it as much as you can.
Only tighten it three quarters of the way to full tightness.
Always tighten a new oil filter with just a three-quarter turn. This ensures the new O-ring will make contact and complete the seal. Overtightening the oil filter can strip the threads.
There is no secret.
Advertisement
A diesel-powered car is blowing white smoke on startup. It also takes longer to fire, and when it does, it runs rough. What should be checked?
Spark plugs
Fuel filter
Oil sump
Glow plugs
Diesel engines are very different from petrol engines. In a diesel engine, glow plugs heat the motor to help it start. If they are faulty, starting will be difficult or impossible.
Advertisement
What part of the engine ensures that high voltage moves through the coil of the ignition and reaches the spark plugs, making them fire in the right sequence?
Turbocharger
Glow plug
Distributor
The distributor is connected to the coil. It then sends voltage through high-tension leads to the spark plugs so that they fire in the correct sequence to make the engine run smoothly.
High tension leads
Advertisement
Older cars can develop problems with starting and rough idling. What's an easy check to perform when this happens?
Spark plugs
Fouled up spark plugs will not fire properly. This can certainly lead to your engine misfiring. In fact, it's a good idea to clean them regularly, especially in an older car. And if you ever flood your car while trying to start it, clean the plugs immediately.
Distributor cap
Cambelt
Fan belt
Advertisement
Black smoke coming out the tailpipe usually means a problem with which of these?
The gasoline is running out.
It's on fire.
The air filter is dirty.
Black smoke coming out of the rear of the car from the tailpipe could indicate a plethora of problems. The first thing to check is whether the air filter is dirty or clogged. If it isn't, you might need to consult a mechanic.
None of the above
Advertisement
Which part of the car powers electrical systems and should be checked if they fail?
Battery
Alternator
The alternator is an important part of your car's engine. It takes mechanical energy, converts it into electrical energy and then uses that to keep the battery charged. It also powers electrical components within the car, such as power windows.
Ignition coil
Spark plugs
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
Cravetiger/Moment/Getty Images