Car Care Quiz
With
the sheer number of automobiles in the world, it's only natural that a
number of myths, untruths, and misconceptions surround modern motoring.
Some of theses myths are harmless, while others can actually be
dangerous! A blowout caused by an under-inflated tire can cause an
accident. Other mistruths can result in neglect and end up as expensive
repairs.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Either
way, knowledge is power - and it can pay off to test your car care
knowledge by following along with this true or false quiz. The answers
are already in there, so there's no need to cheat.
You can tell if a tire needs or has too much air just by looking at it.
FALSE:
A tire can be as much as 10 pounds per square inch low on air pressure
and not show any outward signs. Tires will lose about one pound of
pressure per month all by themselves. Not only will the correct tire
pressure help tires last longer, it can also save money in fuel costs.
Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which will use
more fuel. Checking tire pressure is easy and takes only a few minutes.
Changing the oil and filter can help an engine last longer.
TRUE:
While changing the oil too frequently is not required, the difference
between an engine that lasts for the life of a vehicle and the one that
wears out too early is based on following the vehicle manufacturer's
oil and filter maintenance schedule. Trust that the people who built
your car know the most about what its engine needs.
If an air filter looks clean it's still okay.
FALSE:
An air filter traps dirt and junk so small that it cannot be seen. Even
if an air filter looks OK, it can be clogged with crud. Once the small
passages in the air filter designed to catch dirt get clogged, the
engine can have trouble breathing. Replacing an air filter is easy and
inexpensive. The owner's manual will contain a maintenance schedule.
Tip" air filters can get clogged quicker than normal in cities and
dusty areas.
A good coat of wax can help keep paint looking good.
TRUE:
A coat of quality wax not only keeps in the good stuff that keeps paint
looking new, but it also repels the bad stuff. That thin layer of wax
repels all manner of things that want to harm paint. Which wax to use
is not as an important choice as actually using wax, any wax. Wax
application is clearly a case of something is better than nothing.
Brake fluid lasts forever.
FALSE:
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it has great ability to absorb
water from the air. Over time this moisture can cause damage to the
brake system, and dangerously lower the brake fluid boiling point.
Brake fluid should be clear and transparent. Cloudy brake fluid means
its time for a change.
If engine coolant is bright green, its still okay.
FALSE:
Over time the chemicals in engine coolant can become corrosive. Coolant
that looks OK can in fact be causing unseen and expensive cooling
system damage. Checking the engine coolant condition with an
inexpensive tool is easy, and can prevent both overheated engines and
empty wallets.
When working on a car or truck it's always a good idea to tighten nuts and bolts as tight as possible.
FALSE:
Almost every fastener that can be tightened on a modern motor vehicle
is designed only to be tightened to a specific torque. Measuring this
twist is what a torque wrench is for, making one an indispensable tool
in the do-it-yourselfers toolbox.
It takes more fuel to stop and start an engine then it does to leave it running.
FALSE:
This may have in certain cases been true in the olden days of
carbureted engines, but modern fuel injection systems have put a
permanent end to this myth. While turning the car on and off all the
time may not be the best idea for the starter, letting it idle away any
longer than three minutes is simply a waste of fuel.
The tire pressure on the sidewall of the tire is what the tire should be inflated to.
FALSE:
Tire pressure runs with the vehicle itself, not the tires it rolls on.
Always inflate tires to pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer. There pressures can be found on the inside pillar of the
door, or sometimes on the inside of the glovebox door. Note that the
pressures are different for a fully loaded automobile. Tip: check the
pressure in the spare tire now and again.
Putting premium gas in the tank will return a premium in performance.
FALSE:
Unless the engine under the hood was designed and built to take
advantage of the extra octane in premium fuel, there is no point in
paying the extra money per gallon. The numbers of high performance cars
and trucks that actually require premium fuel is very small. Keep it
regular unless the owner's manual calls for premium fuel.