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About This Quiz
Once you've found the perfect car, it feels like a huge burden has been lifted off your shoulders. Now that it's parked in your driveway, you have a whole new set of responsibilities and things to learn! As we speed through this quiz, we're going to put your knowledge of car ownership to the test. Do you really know as much as you think you do?Â
You can take all the joyrides in the world, but unless you know how to properly take care of your car, it could be a short-lived ride. From having your oil changed to knowing what to do when you are getting pulled over, the demands of car ownership are never ending. Unlike the test you'll find at the DMV, we've taken a more car-focused stance on the things you need to know to be on the road. You might have had an easy time getting your driver's license, but will it be as simple to care for your car?Â
There's no need to race to the finish line. Instead, we want to challenge you to slow down and take a Sunday drive through our questions. Once we drop the checkered flag, we'll let you know how much you really know about being a car owner. How well do you think you'll do?
Do you know how often you should change your windshield wipers?
Every three years
Every two years
Every six months
Although it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, it is generally recommended that you change your windshield wipers every six months. If you start to see streaks on your windshield during use, there's no harm in changing them as often as needed.
Every month
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What needs to be done to your tires approximately every six months?
Tires need to be rotated.
Because the weight of the front and rear axles are different, your tires will begin to wear unevenly. Rotating the tires approximately every six months or 5,000 miles will help to extend the life of your tires.
Tires need to be replaced every six months.
Tires need to be tested every six months.
Tires need to be drained and refilled with air.
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Which of your car's documents should you never keep in your car?
Insurance card
Registration
Title certificate
You should always make sure to have updated copies of your registration and your insurance card tucked away in your car. However, you should never leave your car's title certificate in the glovebox. If your title certificate fell into the wrong hands, you could run the risk of theft.
Maintenance record
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If you think you have a low tire, what tool would you use to check?
Tire weight monitor
Tire-pressure gauge
Even if your tires do not appear low, it's a good idea to check them every once in a while. When you do check them, you will need to use the assistance of a tire-pressure gauge. Attaching the tire-pressure gauge to your tire valve will let you know how much air pressure still remains in your tire.
Tire balancer
Tire wheel
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Can you choose the correct name for the device used to check your oil?
Oil monitor
Oil light
Dipstick
Keeping the right amount of oil in your vehicle and having it checked regularly can greatly improve your engine's life. To check the oil, you must raise your hood and locate the oil chamber and find a dipstick with a hook on the top. It will tell you how much oil your car needs when you remove it.
Oil-pressure gauge
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What sort of fluid should you put in your car's radiator?
Water
Brake fluid
Motor oil
Coolant
Every few months, it's a good idea to check all of your car's fluids including the coolant found in your radiator. Engine coolant helps to keep your engine running smoothy and helps your car from overheating. You should be very careful to let your car cool down before checking it.
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Your car has been assigned a unique set of numbers that identify it - what is it called?
VIN
When being assembled at the factory, your car is given a 17-digit number called the VIN (vehicle Identification number). Knowing your VIN can help when ordering car parts or tracing your car's history. Every vehicle has its own unique VIN.
NIV
VAN
VEN
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When you change a tire, what pattern should you use to tighten it back up?
Square pattern
Clockwise pattern
Cross pattern
Star pattern
After changing a tire, it's important to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Using the star pattern ensures that you can evenly tighten the wheel without applying too much pressure on one side.
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In addition to a jack, what else would you need to change a tire?
Lug wrench
If you have a flat tire and you need to replace it with a spare, you will need two basic tools. You will need a jack to raise your car up to relieve the weight on the wheel. Then, you will use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts that hold the tire in place.
Tire pump
Air compressor
Wheel pump
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Why should you keep cat litter in your car's emergency kit?
You might find a stray cat.
If you get stuck, it will provide traction.
It might sound crazy, but experts recommend that you include a bag of cat litter with your emergency kit. If you were to become stuck, pouring the cat litter around your wheels can help you get traction on slippery surfaces.
It weights the car down during winter.
It helps to clean up coffee spills.
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You are required to carry two pieces of information in your car - what are they?
Passport and receipt
Title and bill of sale
Registration and insurance card
You never know when you might have to present your car's identification to law enforcement. When you are asked, you must show that you have proof of both your car's registration and your insurance card. In some states, your insurance is recorded so you don't need the card, but it's a good idea to have it.
Maintenance records and title
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When you are parking downhill, which way should you point your wheels?
Straightforward
Toward the curb
If you find yourself parking in a downhill position, it's a good idea to turn your wheels toward the curb. In the event that your car began to roll, having your wheels turned inward will assist in making sure your car doesn't go anywhere!
Toward the road
Any way you want.
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Where would you find a sticker with your tire pressure and other vehicle information?
Inside the driver's door
Car manufacturers have made technical information about your vehicle easy to find. When you need to know your tire pressure, your VIN or the weight of your car, all you have to do is look at the sticker inside your driver's door.
Under the hood
Inside the glove box
Under the floormat
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If you have a minor fender bender, do you need to call the police?
You should not call the police.
You should only call the insurance company.
You should call the fire department.
You should call the police.
Although you are not legally required to call the police to respond to the scene of a minor accident, it is recommended. Having a police officer assess the scene provides official documentation of the damage and the driver at fault.
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How often should you have your oil changed?
Every 1,000 miles
Every 10,000 miles
Every 20,000
Every 5,000 - 7,000 miles
Although you may have heard that your oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles, most manufacturers recommend that you have it changed every 5,000-7,000 miles. You should always refer to your car's manual for precise instructions on changing your vehicle's oil.
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What is the type of insurance you must carry if your car is financed?
Full coverage
Whether you have a car financed through a credit union or a dealership, you will be required to carry full coverage insurance. Full coverage protects both your investment in your car and any harm that may be caused to others when accidents occur.
Liability
Bodily injury
Property injury
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If you're planning a trip, what number can you call for traffic information?
911
511
When traveling on US highways, you can find out about traffic near you by dialing 511. Calling the number will give you the most up-to-date information available. 911 should be reserved for true emergencies.
999
611
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Do you need to change your headlights?
No, they are a permanent part of the car.
You should change them when they are dull.
You should change them once per year.
Over time, your headlights can start to dim without you really noticing, and sometimes you have to change a blown bulb. To avoid both scenarios, most manufacturers recommend that you replace the bulbs in your headlights once every year. Newer headlights such as HID bulbs last much longer, though.
You should change both of them when one goes out.
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Why should you have your air filter changed every six months?
Air filters keep dirt and buildup out of your engine.
Without a clean air filter, dirt and particles can build up in your engine and affect your car's performance. Although your air filter will probably be changed when you take your car for routine maintenance, you should make sure to get a new one at least every six months.
Air filters keep your air conditioning running.
Air filters keep too much oxygen from entering your engine.
Air filters keep the gas supply clean.
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Should you let your car warm up before taking off in it?
You should only let it warm up in cold weather.
You should let it warm up for at least 15 minutes.
It doesn't need to warm up.
You should let it warm up for at least a minute.
While you certainly don't want to leave your car running for too long and waste gas, it's always a good idea to let your car warm up for at least a minute before you go stomping on the gas. No matter what the weather, it's a good idea to let engine oil get moving before you do.
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How many miles can you go on a set of spark plugs before having them replaced?
5,000
8,000
30,000
It is important to have your spark plugs changed to keep your engine's electrical system firing, but it doesn't need to be done as often as many other car part replacements. In fact, you can go up to 30,000 miles before having to replace them - depending on your manufacturer's recommendation, of course!
100,000
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Which tool would you use to charge up a dead car battery?
Battery inflator
Lug wrench
Jumper cables
From leaving a light on to the weather draining a battery's charge, having a dead car battery can happen to anyone. It's important to keep a set of jumper cables with your car's emergency kit so that you can get back on the road in no time.
Multi-tool
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If you find yourself getting pulled over, what is the first thing you should do?
You should pull over.
You should turn on your hazard lights.
Even if you have a perfect driving record, you never know when you might get pulled over for a faulty light or a mistake on the road. When you see an officer with their lights on behind you, the first thing you should do is acknowledge the officer by turning on your hazard lights. Then, pull over safely.
You should motion the officer to go around you.
You should turn off your radio.
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Where would you find your car's recommended maintenance schedule?
The dealership keeps a record.
It's in the fuse box.
It's on the title certificate.
It's in the owner's manual.
One of the most important pieces of documentation you should keep in your car is your owner's manual. The owner's manual contains every bit of information about your vehicle's needs, capabilities and systems. Every car owner should take the time to read their car's manual.
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Which sort of filter keeps the breathable air inside your car clean?
Cabin air filter
In addition to keeping the air going to your engine clean, it's also important to keep the air you breathe inside your vehicle clean. To keep dust out of your car's interior air, make sure to change the cabin air filter every 3,000 miles.
Engine air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
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If you notice your car pulling to one side, what sort of maintenance might need to be performed?
Tire rotation
Strut replacement
Wheel alignment
There are many reasons your car might pull to one side, but the most common is the need for a wheel alignment. Over time, wear and tear can cause the alignment of your axles to shift. Having a wheel alignment performed every two to three years will help keep you straight.
Oil change
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Your engine runs with the aid of a timing belt - how often should you have it changed?
Every 60,000 miles
Your engine is powered with the use of two belts, the timing belt and the serpentine belt, and they occasionally need to be changed. To keep your car's engine running at peak performance, make sure to have your timing belt changed every 60,000 miles and your serpentine belt changed every 40,000.
Every 10,000 miles
Every 3,000 miles
Every 5,000 miles
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Which one of your car's features are you required to use when it's raining?
Windshield wipers
Fog lights
Dome light
Headlights
After sunset and when it is raining, you are required to use your headlights. While we recommend you also use your windshield wipers during rainy weather, you are only legally required to use your headlights.
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Small children require a special device when riding in a car - what is it called?
Child safety seat
It varies from state to state, but small children must always be placed in a child safety seat. There are various weight and height requirements for the type of seat needed, but children should always be safely buckled into the backseat.
Child restraint
Child harness
Child-sized airbag
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It's important to keep gas in your car's tank at all times, but how much?
1/4 tank
It's common to let your car's light come on before stopping to get gas, but it's recommended that you never let your tank go past 1/4 full. In fact, during the winter months, it's recommended that you keep the tank even fuller.
Full tank
1/8 tank
1/2 tank
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Is it OK to put water in your windshield fluid reservoir?
You can use vinegar instead.
As long as it's warm out, water is fine.
You should always use windshield washer fluid.
Even in the middle of summer, it's never recommended that you use water in place of windshield washer fluid. Adding water to your washer fluid reservoir can run the risk of freezing, and it lacks the cleaning power of the specialized fluid.
You can use liquid soap instead of washer fluid.
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When you hit a bump and you hear a rattle in your wheel, what should you have checked out?
Brakes
Tire tread
Shocks or struts
Noticing a rattle in your wheel when you hit a bump could indicate that it's time to have your shocks or your struts replaced. Manufacturers vary greatly when it comes to when you should have your struts or shocks replaced. Be sure to check your owner's manual for your car's specifics.
Tire pressure
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What is the most important reason to wash your car?
It makes it look good.
It removes salt and corrosive materials.
Sure, washing your car makes it look good, but it also serves a much deeper purpose. When you are driving, your car is exposed to everything in the air including salt and other corrosive particles. Giving your car a monthly wash can prolong your car's paint job.
It buffs up the paint job.
It helps your wheels turn more smoothly.
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Should your brakes lock up in wet weather, what should you do?
You should hit the gas.
You should keep your foot pressed down.
You should wait it out.
You should release the brake and gently try again.
Driving during wet or snowy weather can be tricky. If you should feel your brakes lock up, experts recommend taking your foot off the brake. Then, gently put your foot back on the brake. Repeat the procedure until you feel your brakes unlock.
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How would you let other drivers know that you are changing a tire ahead?
I would use flares or a reflective triangle.
If you find yourself changing a tire or with an otherwise disabled vehicle, it's important to let other drivers know that you are ahead. You should always keep road flares or a reflective triangle in your car's emergency kit to keep yourself safe from oncoming traffic.
I would have a friend wave them down.
I would leave my headlights on.
I wouldn't do anything.
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