1. the one that's running
   the car being jumped
2. you hook both cables up to both car batteries
   It doesn't matter

Most people don't remember how to correctly hook up jumper cables, which is why some have a card attached showing the proper layout. You should always ground the negative cable on the car being jumped, instead of hooking it up to the battery, otherwise you might fry the electronics or the battery could explode.

1. rusted muffler
   an act of God
2. worn hangers
   carburetor theft

Car exhaust systems are kept suspended under the chassis by rubber hangers, which over time will wear out to the point the system droops. Replacing them is a cheap and simple process that pretty much anyone can do.

1. the tie rods need to be adjusted
   the tire pressure has been too low
2. the stance is off camber
   the tires are mounted incorrectly

Following the recommended air inflation made by the vehicle manufacturer, not what's printed on the tire sidewall, will ensure more even wear. If you over-inflate the tires, the tread will wear out in the middle faster.

1. refrigerant charge
   air compressor connections
2. coolant level
   oil level

The heater in cars is actually powered by the heat shed from the engine through the cooling system. That might sound odd, but as the coolant leaves the engine, some of it makes a pit stop in the central heating core. Shaped like a mini radiator, this channels hot air to the cabin, so you can stay warm.

1. right before you start driving
   it doesn't matter
2. after you put the car on a jack
   before you jack up the car

If you're not fortunate enough to have air tools, using a tire iron can really make a car rock back and forth. In case you aren't aware, jacks won't hold the vehicle up under that kind of movement, so it's best to loosen the lug nuts slightly, then raise the car and take them off the rest of the way.

1. it doesn't matter
   when the engine is running
2. when they're cold
   when the engine is at operating temperature

Since you should squeeze the hoses to check that they're not brittle or cracking, this job is something best done with the engine cold. Otherwise, you risk having hot coolant come gushing out, leaving you with severe burns.

1. torque wrench
   socket wrench
2. metric wrench
   SAE wrench

A torque wrench can accurately measure just how much twisting force has been placed on a bolt, which is something vehicle manufacturers specify. Not following those figures could lead to loose bolts and all kinds of problems for your car, so follow them precisely.

1. hold a penny up to it
   use a brake lining thickness gauge
2. use a ruler
   measure with your fingernail

You can pick up a brake lining thickness gauge from most automotive parts stores in person or online. It comes with a variety of metal strips, each one representing a measurement of how thick your pads are. Using this will give you a more realistic idea of how far the pads on your car have worn down.

1. anywhere along the frame
   the transmission only
2. under the engine
   the manufacturer-specified jack points

Every car has at least four designated jack points, which are often marked conveniently with notches. If you aren't sure where they are, check the owner's manual, since jacking the car up anywhere else might lead to serious damage or safety issues.

1. coating it in Vaseline
   hitting it with a hammer
2. spreading oil around the rim
   changing the oil every other year

When you do an oil change on your car, always remember to spread a fresh coat of oil around the new filter's rim. It will keep the gasket from cracking and leaking, as well as prevent the filter from fusing, which leads to an expensive and unnecessary repair.

1. thickness
   thread count
2. gap
   diode composition

When spark plugs are shipped, they're already gapped. But the manufacturers can't possibly ensure they're gapped to your engine's specification, considering the same spark plug might be compatible with dozens of other engines. Instead, get a gap tool and check it yourself before installing the spark plugs.

1. it's printed in the VIN
   always choose 10W-30 when you're unsure
2. check the owner's manual
   it doesn't really matter

All vehicle owner's manuals have information about what oil viscosity you should use. Some even feature a chart that shows which type is best for different ambient temperature ranges. Always follow this information precisely, since using the wrong oil could have serious consequences.

1. right
   left
2. clockwise
   it depends

Shade tree mechanics of all stripes should know the saying "righty tighty, lefty loosey" before they ever pick up a wrench or screwdriver. Of course, if you're reaching underneath something and the bolt is pointed down, remember you turn it left as if you were looking straight at the bolt head.

1. water vapor gets trapped in the vacuum
   it's from driving in sandstorms
2. people wax their headlights
   the plastic oxidizes

As your car's headlights are exposed to the sun's UV rays, the plastic will oxidize. It's a slow process, so you might not notice much of anything, until one day your headlights are really dim. Kits sold at stores will strip away a thin layer of the headlight surface, removing that oxidization and restoring the headlights to their original clarity.

1. wheel chocks
   bricks
2. sand
   super glue

As you jack up one end of a car, the wheels could roll even slightly, causing the car to come off the jack and maybe even jack stands. That's a tremendous risk, so placing wheel chocks behind the other wheels is a cheap and very important safety measure you should take.

1. fender covers
   blinker fluid reservoir protectors
2. spray-on varnish
   liquid steel

Wrenches, screwdrivers, or even a tool belt, could rub against your car's pristine fenders, scratching the paint as you work on the engine. There's a whole range of fender covers, including some that are emblazoned with your vehicle's logo so you can show plenty of pride while you're working.

1. the underside
   the top cover
2. terminals
   the battery strap

The terminals are how electricity flows into and out of the battery, but corrosion or grime of any kind can really mess with that. To keep the posts clean, you can use a little wire brush, or even better, a battery terminal brush that quickly cleans the entire post.

1. oil filling the spark plug wells
   coolant entering the cylinders
2. a burned out catalytic converter
   a bad O2 sensor

Whether it's from a blow head gasket, warped cylinder head, crack engine block, etc. this issue comes from coolant to one degree or another getting burned in the combustion chambers, which creates the white smoke.

1. cold weather
   dirt
2. extreme heat
   birds

As your car sits out in the open, the glass surfaces get dirty. When you swipe your windows with the wiper blades, the dirt and other debris accumulate​. Once the blades become dirty enough, they will start leaving trails of the debris on the glass. Cleaning the blades with a soft cloth will eliminate the problem.

1. the engine explodes
   the check engine light turns on
2. fire shoots out of the gas tank
   the transmission seizes

The dreaded check engine light can be triggered by a loose gas cap, or one that doesn't seal properly anymore. It's a measure to keep down emissions from evaporating gas in the tank, which also lowers your car's efficiency and wastes your money.

1. dimming headlights while driving
   weakening sound system
2. stumbling under acceleration
   dimming dash lights

The alternator on your car works as a power generator, and it's belt-driven. That means as you drive, the alternator runs and powers everything electrical in the car. It even recharges the battery, so hard starts are another possible symptom.

1. a Phillips screwdriver
   tire air gauge
2. tire tread depth gauge
   your ignition key

Automotive shops and tire stores use tire tread depth gauges constantly, since they provide a completely accurate reading about how much tread is left on a tire. Using one is simple and straightforward, and the gauges cost very little.

1. a stick
   your eyes
2. belt tension gauge
   a penny

You can measure belt deflection or movement using two rulers as well. If a belt is too loose or it moves excessively, it could slip off the pulleys and cause all kinds of problems, including serious damage in an interference engine.

1. tighten it slightly
   spread superglue on the head
2. strike it with a hammer
   soak it with penetrating oil

A stuck bolt can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with. Sometimes you need to try multiple things to loosen it, including carefully applying some heat. If all else fails, you can use a tap and die kit to remove the bolt, but you'll need a replacement.

1. update the satellite radio settings
   increase the air pressure
2. change the air intake filter
   change the blinker fluid

You might not have a choice but to drive on dirt roads, but it's much harder on your car than driving on pavement. Not only will the air filter become clogged faster, the oil needs to be changed more often, and the uneven terrain will wear out suspension components like the shocks more often.

1. that the oil level is within the recommended range
   that the head gasket isn't blown
2. that the engine has cooled
   that no power steering fluid is leaking

When the radiator is full of hot coolant, opening the cap can cause it to spray out violently. That would result in serious burns to whoever is opening the cap, so it's really not a good idea. Always check that the engine temperature is not the least bit hot, then open the cap slowly.

1. needle nose pliers
   spark plug socket
2. a rag
   a rubber mallet

If you look at a spark plug, it has threads and a bolt head-like area. You need a spark plug socket to loosen or tighten it. These sockets have a soft rubber inside that won't damage the spark plug diode.

1. the front wheels point in toward the center line of the car
   the front wheels point out away from the center line
2. it has oversized tires
   the tires are too small

Toe is an alignment term that refers to how the front wheels on a car line up with an imaginary line that runs down the middle of the vehicle. Toe-in means the wheels point toward it, and toe-out means they point away from it.

1. your car shakes are freeway speeds
   the tire tread is worn unevenly
2. you hearing squealing each time you push on the brake pedal
   you find brake dust on the wheels

Under normal operation, the brakes on your car usually don't squeal. There are exceptions, but it's best to have the pads tested to see if they're overly worn when you hear this. Even better, have a brake liner thickness gauge on hand so you can measure them yourself.

1. taste it
   use an antifreeze tester
2. open up the radiator and look for anything floating
   look at the color of the fluid in the overflow reservoir

An antifreeze tester is relatively inexpensive, and it takes the guesswork out of determining if the coolant in your car needs to be flushed or not. After all, you don't want to be in the middle of nowhere with an overheating engine, or stranded in a parking lot with a frozen engine, to find out the coolant is no longer performing as it should.

1. retread them
   balance them
2. scrub the sidewalls
   de-salt them

The tires on your car can become imbalanced for a number of reasons, even if they were balanced before. That's why you need to have them checked each time you have them rotated, and have adjustments made. Otherwise, your tires can wear unevenly.

1. the rearview mirror
   the turn signal
2. the emergency brake
   the best radio station

Contrary to popular belief, the emergency brake should not be pulled in emergencies. Instead, it's really to keep the car from moving when it's parked. This is especially important when you leave your car on any kind of a hill, because it could roll away and hit someone or something.

1. keeps out dirt and debris
   looks good
2. absorbs shocks
   locks in lubricant

A strut boot keeps things like salt, dirt, sand, and other debris from contacting certain parts of the strut, like the polished shaft, bushing, and upper seal. Those elements can do serious damage to any strut, making it necessary to replace the strut sooner.

1. take your hands off the steering wheel at speed
   see if it can stick a corner at 40 mph
2. have a shop test it
   study the front end closely

Our eyes can't tell if a car is properly aligned, and factors like a slight slope, bumps, etc. make testing it on the road an imperfect method. Only with professional tools can anyone be sure if a car's alignment is precise or not.

1. stick a piece of electrical tape over it
   shut off the engine immediately
2. check the oil when you get home
   vow to have the oil filter changed within a week

The oil light is an indication that oil pressure has suddenly dropped below acceptable levels. If that's the case, certain parts of the engine could be not getting enough oil, which could lead to those components seizing suddenly. That's why it's best to stop the engine immediately, check the oil level, refill it if necessary, and then figure out why the oil level dropped so drastically.