Do You Know If These Habits Are Actually Good or Bad for Your Car?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know If These Habits Are Actually Good or Bad for Your Car?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Driving is one of those things that almost anybody can pick up. There are really silly people out there who, when it comes to literature or math, have the attention span of a fruit fly, but manage to be perfectly competent at driving. That's mostly because modern cars are simply very easy to use. 

They don't have a lot of extra switches and complicated settings; they pretty much maintain themselves in small ways, and whenever they need help requiring the eye of a professional, they tell you. They can put up with some really terrible driving habit that would have punched right through half the engine only a few decades ago. Indeed, modern cars are quite literally lifesavers. Buy one new, and you can reasonably assume it'll be functional for 15 or more years.

However, it's still possible to ruin modern cars by mistreating them. Some of the bad habits that hurt your vehicle are things you do behind the wheel, while others relate to how you park or how often - or rarely - you take your car in for a tune-up. Let's find out whether your habits are helping or hindering you in getting the best mileage and lifespan out of your beloved jalopy!

Is it OK to wash the car in winter?
No, that causes rust.
No, it's super cold out there, man.
Yes, of course.
You have to use different soap.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This excuse didn't work with your mom, and it doesn't work with your car. Of course, you have to wash in winter. Indeed, when the snow is dropping all sorts of grit and ice onto your car, it's doubly important to clean it.

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Does it really matter if you hit a lot of speed bumps at speed?
Yes
No
Depends how big they are
Depends on your clearance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Speed bumps, or bumps generally, are bad for your car. They can knock things loose on the undercarriage or simply jostle the inner workings of the car. Plus, they hurt!

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What benefit to the car comes from parking in the shade?
Cooler drivers are safer.
It avoids UV and heat damage.
The electronics function less well in the heat.
The car can catch fire in the sun.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your car doesn't like ultra-violet exposure any more than you, or excessive heat. Put it in the shade when you can!

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Does it really matter if you rotate your tires?
Not a bit.
Yes, but not much.
Yes, a lot.
It depends on the weather.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rotating the tires increases their lifespan and maximizes grip on the road. Just make sure you have someone tighten them up with a machine afterward; doing it by hand may not be as tight as is ideal.

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You're about to halt and then into reverse. You put the car into reverse before coming to a full stop. Is that bad?
It doesn't matter.
It's actually good.
It's very bad.
It's only bad if the car is old.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Let the car stop completely. Then put it in reverse. Otherwise it will wear out pretty much all its parts a bit quicker.

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Is it OK if you never use the parking brake?
It's fine.
It's good.
It's a little bad.
It's very bad.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Always use the parking brake when parked. With a manual transmission, it protects the gearbox from the damage of always being in gear. With an automatic transmission, it protects the car from rolling off.

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Does it matter if you do a lot of quick stops?
It has no effect.
It has a positive effect.
It has a negative effect.
It only matters at high speed.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whiplash is bad for everyone, including your car. Constantly slamming your brakes wears them out faster and rattles the car. It's also really annoying to other drivers, and potentially dangerous.

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Why might the number of keys on your key chain matter?
It doesn't!
It affects magnets in the ignition.
It pulls the key out of alignment and thus means it can't spark the ignition.
It pulls on the key which can slowly move the tumblers in the lock.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's actually true that this can cause wear and tear on the tumblers of your ignition! It sounds counter-intuitive, but it does matter. Either use fewer keys or get a keyless car.

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What effect does cleaning your car's interior have on its lifespan?
No effect
All that vacuuming shortens it.
It lengthens it.
It depends how often.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dirt can be corrosive. That's why keeping it out of your car is good for the car. Plus, food particles attract critters, and they're REALLY bad for your car!

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What can you do to help your car stay in good shape during periods in storage?
Jack it up
Take the tires off
Deflate the tires
Rotate the tires
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your car has four jack points for a reason! Jacking it up is a great way to avoid slowly flattening the tires or letting the suspension get out of alignment.

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What should you do to the roof before putting a heavy load on it?
Nothing
Put a blanket on it
Wax it
Say goodbye to it
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This will protect your roof from scratches caused by your heavy load. Generally speaking, don't carry such a load if you can avoid it.

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What effect does paint have on the life of the car?
Shortens it
No effect
Extends it
Depends on the color
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paint is good for your car because it stops rust getting in. It doesn't matter what color it is, but it does matter that it's not chipped.

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A warning light has come on and you don't recognize it. How long can you ignore it?
Forever
Until the car stops working
Until you can get to a garage
Until you can pull over
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a warning light comes on and you don't know whether it's a big deal or not, assume that it is. Pull over and check your manual to figure out whether you can get home or need to call help.

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It's super fun to floor it. Is it bad?
Nah, it's just fun.
It's neither good nor bad.
It's very bad.
It's OK in a sports car.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flooring is fun but it's not the best way to drive. Often, it's not even the best way to accelerate really fast either.

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Which of these is a really bad idea when you're stuck in snow or mud?
Rocking back and forth
Pushing the car manually
Revving lots and lots
Putting the car in gear then getting out and pouring hot water on the snow (if applicable)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Revving doesn't really help in this situation. It's just going to wear out your car and not solve your problem. Rocking is actually fine, if you're careful.

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Which is better for your car: one long trip or lots of short ones?
Many short ones
It doesn't matter.
A mix is best.
One long one
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The majority of the strain on your car is during the first few minutes of getting moving. Thus, one long trip is better for the car than many short ones, even if the distance is the same.

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What's a good temporary fix for a cracked light fixture?
Glue
Gum
Spit
Tape
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Duct tape. Where would we be without it? It's not a permanent solution but it's shockingly good in a pinch! Just remember it's blocking the actual light, so you do need to take further action.

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If the fuel tanks have been recently refilled at the gas station, what problem might this cause?
It doesn't.
Sediment in the gas
Bubbles in the gas
Old and new gas mixing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sediment can get into big tankers, and when they tank off into the tanks at the gas station, that sediment can get into the pump. That's a short distance from your car! Try not to buy gas right after you see them filling up and you can avoid this problem.

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Do you carry a lot of unnecessary stuff in your car?
A little
A lot
No, it's clean as a whistle.
Loads of stuff!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carrying a lot all the time isn't good for your back, so why would it be good for your car? Don't make your suspension work harder than it has to.

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How often do you kick your tires?
Once a year
Never
Every time I get in the car.
After I park.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kicking the tires is a way to check pressure without a gauge. You don't even need to know what low pressure feels like; you just need to know that one tire feels different.

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What will happen if you use WD-40 on your rubber window seals?
They will be shiny!
They will work better.
They will corrode.
They will work worse.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

WD-40 will take off grease, sure, but it'll also take the rubber off. That's bad news when the rubber is the thing stopping the rain coming into your car.

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Keeping the clutch at the bite point on an incline: good, bad, or terrible?
Good
Bad
Terrible
Neutral
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is pretty bad. It wears out the clutch and it also means you're not driving efficiently, which wastes fuel.

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Is it OK to turn your wheel all the way to the right or left?
Never!
Yes, but not for a long time.
It's totally fine.
One side is fine but not the other.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is hard on the steering pump, as it puts more stress on it. This wears components more than turning a little less.

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Where on the outside of the car might you use a little anti-seize lubricant?
Windshield wipers
Axle
Lug nuts
Trunk hinge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People argue about this one but it's definitely good for the car's lifespan to grease those lug nuts up to protect your wheels. It might not improve performance, though.

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Why should you open the driver's door with your right hand?
To stay flexible
To spot cyclists and pedestrians
To check your rear-view mirror
To help you get out more smoothly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is called the "Dutch reach," and you can fail your driving test in Holland if you don't do it. It's a much safer way to get out of the car as it turns your field of vision to automatically see any bike or child coming up alongside the car - BEFORE you door them in the face!

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When should you ever put a rag in your tailpipe?
Never, that's insane.
When you want to play a horrible trick on the next person to drive it.
When you don't plan to drive the car for a while.
When you have a rag handy and nowhere to put it.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This stops moisture getting into your car while you are away and not using it. However, if you do it, please remember to remove the rag before you drive the car!

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What gear is best to be in at red lights?
Neutral
Drive
Park
Reverse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'd think neutral would be best as it doesn't create a forward force that the brake has to fight. However, moving in and out from drive to neutral creates more wear and tear than just sitting in drive!

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Should you rev the engine when the car is cold?
Sure, however you like.
Never!
No, you should idle.
You should, in a very specific pattern.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your car is cold, give it a moment to idle before you rev it. This helps the metal of its components warm up before they're under strain, which reduces brittleness.

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Where should the gas you buy be filtered?
At the refinery
In the car
At the pump
In the tanker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A reputable gas station will have filters on the pumps that are checked and changed regularly. This keeps sediment out of the gas.

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Going downhill, is there any reason you shouldn't drag the brakes?
It's fun to go faster.
It's annoying to the person behind you.
It's really bad for the brakes.
All of the above!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're really here to talk car maintenance, but dragging your brakes as you go down a hill is bad for the car AND lousy etiquette. It wears the brake pads, too - and failed brakes are the worst manners of all.

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Does it matter if you curb your wheels when parked?
Yes
No
Only on the flat.
Only if facing up or downhill.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Technically, failing to curb your wheels will not destroy your car. However, rolling off down the hill and smashing into something will.

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Is it good or bad to drive right down to an empty tank?
Good!
Very good!
Bad!
Very bad!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the tank is over 1/4 full, gas moves along the pumps such that it cools the copper windings in the engine. When the level is under 1/4, air does this instead. This is less effective and causes additional wear and tear. The other option is to go electric!

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Does it matter if you rest your hand on the gear-shifter?
Yes, it damages the gearbox.
Yes, you might change gear.
No, it has no effect.
No, but it is bad because your hand should be on the wheel.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gearbox will not thank you for this. The gear-shifter needs to be able to move smoothly, and resting your hand on it can slowly wear out its ability to do so.

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How often should you check tire pressure?
Yearly
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you check the pressure once a month, that's fine. If you want to do this at home you can buy your own gauge, or do it when you fill up at the gas station.

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If you're not planning to use your car for a while, how much gas should you leave in it?
Lots
None
A little
2/3 of a tank
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lots of gas is better than a little. It prevents moisture gathering in the tank, which leads to rust and all sorts of nightmares.

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