1. Using a cellphone
   Smoking
2. Running your hands through your hair
   Cleaning the windows

Some people are absolutely convinced that using a cellphone in any way will ignite gas fumes at the pump. Even the FCC launched an investigation into the matter, coming to the conclusion that there's no documented risk. Still, you might want to pay attention while fueling up, instead of letting your phone be a distraction, but that's your choice.

1. Yes, if you rock it up and down while fueling.
   No, it's not possible.
2. Yes, a little more will fit after the pump automatically shuts off.
   If you run the engine while refueling, yes

Everyone has their own trick for fitting more gas in the tank. The fact is liquid doesn't settle like cereal, but most pumps will shut off before the tank is all the way full. That being said, you could spill gas down the side of your car, and damage some sensors or other equipment in your tank by overfilling it, so don't say you weren't warned.

1. New and nervous
   Cautious and experienced
2. New and reckless
   Experienced and unaware

Because they ride high, can tip easily, often take longer to stop and have other limitations on the road, an SUV usually isn't the best choice for a new or inattentive driver. The bigger it is, the worse the more serious these issues can be.

1. Yes, if you want the engine to make it to 200,000 miles
   If you drive every day, yes
2. Only if you have forced induction
   Only if the owner's manual says to do so

For the longest time, people readily believed that changing your oil every 3,000 miles was an absolute must. That was the case back in the day, but thanks to modern innovations in oil engineering and engines, many modern vehicles can go well in excess of 10,000 miles between oil changes. When in doubt, look in the owner's manual and it will tell you how long to go.

1. Running the air conditioning
   Listening to the radio
2. Hauling something in the back
   Rolling the windows down

People debate if rolling down the windows or running the air conditioning negatively impacts fuel economy. With the windows down, the car's aerodynamics take a hit, and that means more fuel consumed. The air conditioning sucks power from the engine, hurting fuel economy at least a little. That being said, you shouldn't roast in the summertime just to save a little gas.

1. When roads are slippery
   When you have tires appropriate for conditions
2. Always
   At night

Despite what plenty of people think, all-wheel drive doesn't directly affect traction, your tires do. Instead, it manages how much power goes to the different wheels and when, which can affect traction, but doesn't provide traction.

1. Pouring a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the tank
   Having the fuel injectors manually cleaned by a shop
2. Replacing the spark plugs
   Checking the air and fuel filters

Modern engines don't need new spark plugs very often at all, unlike cars from the past. And modern gasoline contains detergents which should keep your injectors free and clear. Fuel and air filters can still become clogged, which definitely will cause any engine to run rough.

1. Only have it done at the dealership
   Follow the manufacturer's recommendations
2. Never do it yourself
   Have your brother do it all for free

Some dealerships will try to tell you that having anyone else perform maintenance on your car will void the warranty, but that simply isn't true. You just need to follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations and keep receipts as well as other documents proving that's what you've done.

1. Black
   Brown
2. Silver
   You could get a variety of colors

The truth is that the vast majority of Model Ts were black, which fueled the myth that it was the only color offered by Ford. During the first few years of production, and later in its life, the Model T could be had in gray, blue, green, red and other hues.

1. Driving within 5 minutes
   Revving over 1,200 RPMs
2. Accelerating hard
   Nothing

This is a controversial issue, with some people claiming that not warming up your car will grind the engine to pieces. The fact is that some engine parts aren't fully oiled and ready to really work hard until the engine is warmed up all the way. While you can warm up the engine by idling it, that takes a long time, and idling can still be hard on your engine, not to mention bad for your fuel economy. Driving warms up the engine faster, and as long as you don't accelerate hard you'll be fine.

1. Better fuel economy
   Faster acceleration
2. More power
   Greater control

It used to be that automatics were a luxury that sucked down gas faster, and made cars slower. Thanks to modern advancements, newer automatics can be more efficient and help cars accelerate faster than even the most expert drivers can with a manual. Still, driving with a stick gives you more control over how the car drives, if you like that sort of thing.

1. Morning
   Evening
2. Midday
   Anytime

Plenty of people believe that getting your gas during the daytime in the summer means you actually get less gas or energy density in the gas you buy. because liquids expand when they're hot and contract when they're cool. What they fail to realize is virtually all gas stations store the fuel underground in insulated tanks, so it stays about the same temperature all the time. That means you can buy gas whenever.

1. The fact it weighs more
   A well-designed structure
2. It sits higher than other vehicles.
   It provides more cushioning for crashes.

Many people buy an SUV or truck, believing that the fact it's big will keep them safe, no matter what. Recent studies have proven that weight has less to do with safety than you would think. Crumple zones, strategic reinforcements, and other advanced designs have a larger bearing on if you'll walk away from a crash or not.

1. Jet fuel
   Premium gas
2. Nitrous oxide
   Dynamite

Plenty of people have heard legends of airport workers using jet fuel in their car, but that could really hurt your engine, since jet fuel is similar to diesel. Also, putting premium gas in a car that only requires regular won't lead to improved performance. Injecting nitrous oxide will give a temporary performance boost.

1. Red
   Yellow
2. Black
   None

When you get insurance, your carrier will ask for the vehicle's VIN. That doesn't indicate the color of your car's paint, and you could change that at any time. So you see, insurance companies don't change your rate based on paint color.

1. None
   California
2. New York
   Texas

Back in the 1990s, word started traveling around different parts of the United States that gang members were going through a creative initiation process that involved killing the first person to flash their headlights as they drove around with theirs off at night. While this story has continued to spread even to this day, there has never been a documented case of this actually happening.

1. A fire
   A ruined engine
2. Bank theft
   Nothing

You might think climbing back into your car after starting the pump is no big deal. As you slide across the seat, your body builds static electricity, which can then discharge when you touch the pump. That would spark a fire, which would grow worse if you pull the nozzle out of your car. You should stay out of your car, or if you do get back in, make it a point to touch something metal after you get out and before you grab the nozzle.

1. 10 and 2
   One holding your phone
2. 12 and 12
   9 and 3

Back in the day, instructors taught drivers the 10 and 2 hand positions. The fact is you have more stable control at 9 and 3. Also, 9 and 3 help keep your arms free of the airbag, which comes out instantly if you're in an accident.

1. Every 6 months
   Every 10,000 miles
2. Once a year
   Following the manufacturer's recommendations

Cars from way back in the day didn't have onboard computer systems to keep everything running smoothly, so mechanics had to regularly make adjustments and tune up the engine. Today, cars need items like the belts inspected, fluids refilled, etc. only occasionally. You can find recommendations for your specific car in the owner's manual.

1. Decapitation
   Increased chance of rolling
2. Bird poop hitting you
   Too much torque steer

The big myth about modern convertibles is that if they roll, you're dead, because there's nothing protecting your head. That used to be the case, but today's convertible models have reinforced windshields, rollover hoops that deploy automatically to protect your head, and other safety devices.

1. Turn on the turbo
   Make it way faster
2. Put the transmission in a higher gear
   Make the brakes more sensitive

When you put overdrive on in a car, it doesn't mean you start going faster or work the engine harder, which is what most people think. Instead, it puts the car in a higher gear, making acceleration less severe and helping to save on gas.

1. Make it faster
   Consume more fuel
2. Improve handling
   Make it more stable

So many people think just throwing bigger wheels on their car will boost performance. If you do that in combination with using low-profile tires, which you didn't have before, you might notice the car handles better and accelerates a little quicker. But the bigger the wheels, the heavier they are, which actually harms performance all around. Keeping the same wheel size and going with low-profile tires will give you much better performance.

1. Air
   Water
2. Hydrogen
   Natural gas

You might have heard about the guy who developed a car that runs on water, but big oil buried the project. It's a nice idea, but it's also completely false.

1. A special computer chip
   High-compression turbo
2. Bigger stroke and bore
   Nothing

You might think that police cars have all these crazy modifications to make them super fast, but that's not true. Vehicles that are pursuit-rated do need to achieve a certain level of performance, but part of that is the ability to hop curbs and take other forms of abuse during a chase.

1. Protection against rust
   Better fuel economy
2. More serene paint
   Nothing

Sure, not washing your car might mean you have slightly more time in your week, but not enough to really make much of a difference. But it's possible that a dirty car is less fuel efficient, because of aerodynamic drag. You could also be dealing with rust and other corrosion issues, so just wash your car already.

1. Red
   Yellow
2. Black
   It doesn't matter.

Plenty of studies have been done on this very issue, and all of them have concluded that cops are more likely to pull over certain types of cars, like sports models, than specific colors. But really, it's best to not speed, if you're concerned.

1. Greater efficiency
   Improved aerodynamics
2. Better highway mileage
   More refueling stops

Speeding can actually cost you more in gas. Of course, it depends on your car, what engine is under the hood, and some other things about how you're driving. But there comes a point where going faster chews through gas faster, so slow down and enjoy the savings.

1. Never
   It's in the sidewall.
2. It's a low-profile tire.
   It's a run-flat tire.

Most tire punctures can be repaired. If it's in the sidewall, is more than 1/4 in diameter, or the tire tread is too low, you might be looking to buy a new tire instead of fixing the damage.

1. At any time
   40,000 miles
2. 3 years
   90,000 miles

You should be inspecting or having someone inspect your engine's timing belt regularly. The fact is it could fail at any time, even if you car doesn't have very many miles on it and isn't old at all. A broken timing belt will leave you stranded, and might lead to a huge repair bill, so don't forget to keep an eye on it.

1. A quarter
   A penny
2. The wear bars
   Tire depth gauge

Too many people have heard about the Lincoln penny test and trust it, but the problem is that gives them a false sense of security. Stick to a quarter, look for the wear bars exposed, or have a tire shop use a gauge to judge how low the tread is on your tires.

1. What's printed on the sidewall
   Whenever they feel firm
2. Always 30 psi
   What's on the driver's door jamb sticker

That number on the sidewall of your tires just means the maximum pressure the tires can withstand, not what pressure you should use for your specific vehicle. Check the sticker on the driver's door jamb, look in the owner's manual, or even call the dealer if you're not sure what the manufacturer recommends.

1. Noisier engine
   Increased corrosion
2. Overheating engine
   Frozen coolant system

Some people think that filling up their radiator and the rest of the coolant system in their car with water is perfectly fine. The fact is you need a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water to make everything work correctly. The best way to ensure you get things right is to use bottles where the two are already mixed, taking out all the guesswork.

1. Better fuel economy
   Cooler operating temperatures
2. Faster tread wear
   Less maintenance

If you over-inflate your tires, it causes the middle of the tread to wear down faster. You don't really see any bump in fuel economy. Instead, just follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for tire inflation and you'll be fine.

1. Being intoxicated
   Talking to a passenger
2. Singing along to the radio
   Nothing

Studies have shown that people who are using their phone while driving actually perform just as badly as someone who's drunk behind the wheel. That might sound extreme, but it proves why you should hang up and drive.

1. Nothing
   Make it stall out
2. Hurt fuel economy
   Clog the injectors

While it's true that the gas at expensive name brand stations contain different and perhaps more detergents than what you get at a budget-friendly location, thanks to federal standards there's no such thing as "bad" gas anymore. That means you can fill up anywhere and not worry your car won't run well.