Test Your Automotive Knowledge With a Car Quiz!

By: Kale Havervold
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Test Your Automotive Knowledge With a Car Quiz!
Image: gilaxia / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Since they were invented almost 150 years ago, cars have become one of the most important and world-changing necessities on the planet. They make it easier than ever for people to travel quickly and effectively. Cars come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors to match the preferences of nearly everybody.

There are millions of cars driven across the U.S. each and every day, for a ton of different reasons. Cars are complex creations with many moving parts that need to function together for the car to work. While you probably drive one, how much do you actually know about the car you back out of your driveway each and every morning before work?

Do you know what makes a car start? How about what color oil will be if it leaks on the ground? If you want to flex your automotive and car knowledge or learn more about the vehicle you drive, this quiz is perfect for you. We will cover everything from car design to performance, along with maintenance, the inner workings of a vehicle and more.

Without any further ado, put on your seat belt, adjust your mirrors and get ready to hit the road with our difficult car quiz.

Automotive 17 If your car is leaking oil, what color will the puddle on the ground be?
Dark (light brown to black)
Many different fluids can leak onto the ground from your vehicle. If the puddle is a dark brown or black color, there is a good chance that it is oil. If you see an oil leak, get the vehicle checked out as soon as possible.
Red
Blue
White

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Automotive 7 Which type of vehicle has a glow plug?
Large trucks
Vehicles that have a diesel engine
Glow plugs are found in vehicles with a diesel engine. A glow plug is a heating device, one per cylinder, that heats incoming fuel and air to help the engine start and run smoothly.
Cars with a V16 engine
Vehicles that weigh less than 1,000 pounds

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Automotive 14 Where in your vehicle is the dipstick?
In the tire
Under the front seat
In the engine
In most cars, the dipstick is under the hood, in the engine. The dipstick is used to measure the oil level. Simply removing it from the engine and checking it will give you an indication of whether your level is good or if you need more.
In the trunk

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Automotive 30 What role does a fuel injection system play in how a car works?
It actually makes the car move.
It distributes fuel to the combustion chamber.
The fuel injection system forces fuel through injector nozzles, creating a fine mist that sprays into the combustion chamber. Over the years, fuel injection has replaced the carburetor.
Cars don't have a fuel injection system.
It predominantly works the wiper blades.

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Automotive 24 Which of these vehicle manufacturers is not Japanese?
Mazda
Toyota
GM
Japan is home to several of the largest and most successful auto manufacturing companies in the world. Of the aforementioned companies, only GM — General Motors — isn't Japanese.
Honda

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Automotive 3 What is the alternator in a vehicle responsible for?
Working the brakes
Providing support during bumps
Generating power
The alternator of a car works with the battery to power various parts of a vehicle. It is often found at the front of the engine, and it has a serpentine belt to drive all of the various components.
Keeping tires inflated

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Automotive 34 What is the role of coolant in a vehicle?
Cools the air from the A/C
Maintains proper engine temperature
Coolant takes heat from the car's engine to the radiator. In the radiator, air blows across the coolant, lowering its temperature. The coolant then travels back to the engine, cooling it down, and the cycle begins again. Coolant is simply a mixture of antifreeze and water.
Lubricates the pistons
Keeps the alternator belt moving

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Automotive 25 In which state did Henry Ford found the Ford Motor Company?
New York
California
Florida
Michigan
The Ford Motor Company was founded in the suburbs right outside of Detroit, Michigan. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of vehicles on the planet and one of the "Big Three" in the U.S.

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Automotive 13 What is the most common reason for thick, black smoke emerging from your tailpipe?
Water got into the engine.
Your engine is burning too much fuel.
If your engine is burning too much fuel, black smoke might be coming out of your tailpipe. As soon as you notice it, check your air filter, as well as the injectors and sensors. Taking your car to a mechanic is also a good idea.
You haven't started your car in a long time.
You didn't let your car sit long enough.

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Automotive 21 If a car has ABS, what does it have?
Airbag seat
Anti-lock braking system
ABS stands for "anti-lock braking system," which helps prevent your brakes from locking up during an emergency by rapidly pulsing them. This increases tire traction. Continue to press the brake if you feel the ABS working.
Alternator broken sensor
Automatic brake system

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Automotive 19 What makes a sedan different than a coupe?
How much power they have
The length of the wheelbase and amount of interior space
Many people think a sedan has four doors and a coupe, two, but the distinction is more complicated. A sedan is heavier than a coupe, with a longer wheelbase and more interior space. One is easier to get in and out of, while the other looks a little more sporty.
The material they are made of
The size of the tires

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Automotive 9 What actually causes a car to start?
A switch is flipped.
A button is pressed.
A spark is ignited.
The actual thing that happens inside your engine to start the car is an ignition. Fuel and air are mixed in the injection chamber, and they are ignited by a spark from a spark plug.
A lever is pushed.

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Automotive 22 German engineering has gone into vehicles of which of the following manufacturers?
Mercedes-Benz
While all of the aforementioned manufacturers are popular, only one of them is German, and that would be Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz was founded in Germany way back in 1926, with roots much earlier than that.
Ferrari
Suzuki
Tesla

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Automotive 32 What is the role of a muffler on a vehicle?
To shoot exhaust out of the tailpipe
To help with traction
To reduce the noise of an engine
As you may imagine, an internal combustion engine can be quite loud and jarring. A muffler is installed in cars of all kinds to reduce the noise produced by the engine; it is an important part of the exhaust system.
To allow oxygen into the engine

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Automotive 20 Where was Lamborghini founded?
Portugal
France
Spain
Italy
Lamborghini is an Italian brand. Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini back in 1963. This high-end manufacturer produces thousands of vehicles every year.

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Automotive 33 Where is the spare tire in most cars?
In the back seat
Under the car
In the trunk
Although some SUVs proudly display the spare tire on the back, most vehicles have a dedicated space in the trunk for the spare. In the event of a flat tire, a spare tire is invaluable.
Most don't have space for a spare tire.

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Automotive 18 Why is it called "horsepower"?
It described the power of an engine in a way people could understand.
When James Watt created a better version of the steam engine, he needed a way to explain its power to the public. He came up with "horsepower." This was because people understood the power of horses, and the comparison made pitching his product easier.
There is no reason.
It states how many horses the car can carry
It was the originator's favorite animal.

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Automotive 5 What is the right tire pressure for a car?
15-20 PSI
45-50 PSI
10-15 PSI
It depends on the make and model.
Keeping the tires of your car inflated is incredibly important, contributing to both a smooth ride and fuel efficiency. While most cars handle best with a PSI between 32 and 35, each car is different, and the manual will recommend the proper number.

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Automotive 2 Seat belts are a standard safety inclusion in every car, but when were they first made mandatory in the U.S.?
1933
1968
Seat belts are an integral part of driver safety, and they have been mandatory in vehicles in the U.S. since 1968. Believe it or not, the first seat belt patent dates back to 1885.
1993
1947

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Automotive 27 How often should car tires be rotated?
Every oil change
Every 3,000 miles
It varies
The answer is that it varies. Generally, experts recommend doing a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but this can vary from car to car. If you want a better estimate, check your owner's manual.
Every 1,000 miles

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Automotive 4 Which type of engine is the most common in vehicles today?
An engine with a single cylinder
Four-cylinder engine
Many types of engines are available out there, but the most common in cars is a simple four-cylinder engine. This engine is popular for its decent mix of power and fuel efficiency, and the fact that it is fairly simple to service.
V6 engine
V12 engine

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Automotive 35 Of the following, which was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle?
Toyota Prius
Many mass-produced hybrid vehicles are available these days, but the very first was the Toyota Prius. It first went on sale in Japan in 1997, before eventually being released to the rest of the world in 2000.
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid

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Automotive 8 How often should vehicle owners get an oil change?
Every 3,000 miles
Every 5,000 miles
Every 7,500 miles
Whatever your manufacturer recommends
Unfortunately, there is no perfect science to deciding how frequently to change your vehicle's oil. It depends on the type of vehicle, how much you drive and more. To be safe, just follow the schedule that your car's manufacturer recommends.

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Automotive 6 Of the thousands of different models made, what is the smallest production car ever?
Volkswagen Beetle
Isetta
Toyota Yaris
Peel P50
The smallest car ever in production is the Peel P50. The vehicle, which is still available either as a finished product or a kit, is only 39 inches wide and 54 inches long. In fact, this car is so small that it could enter many buildings.

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Automotive 26 Which fluid leaking would change the color of your car's exhaust to blue?
Oil
If your exhaust smoke is blue, there is a good chance it has something to do with an oil leak. Oil is leaking into cylinders and burning with the fuel, which causes the blue color.
Coolant
Windshield wiper fluid
Gasoline

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Automotive 15 What type of vehicle can also be known as a cabriolet?
Limousine
SUV
Convertible
While most people know them as convertibles, these cars are also called cabriolets. This term refers to the old horse-drawn carriages that had a folding hood, similar to many convertibles.
Van

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Automotive 11 Which vehicle is the best-selling car of all time?
Toyota Corolla
Thousands of different car models have been released over the years, but none have sold as well as the Toyota Corolla. Over the many decades this model has been around — since 1966 — more than 44 million have been sold.
Honda Civic
Volkswagen Beetle
Ford Taurus

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Automotive 16 Which of the following is a good way to improve the life of your car's tires?
Checking your tire pressure often
Getting your tires rotated, aligned and balanced
Avoiding aggressive or erratic driving
All of the above
That's right, all of these are great ways to keep your tires in better shape. Maintaining your tires will save you lots of money and help keep you safe. Remember — your tires are your vehicle's only points of contact with the road.

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Automotive 31 We have all heard the rumor that using your car's air conditioner will reduce gas mileage. Is this actually true?
Yes, it's true.
The rumors are true — when you blast the air conditioner in your car, you are reducing gas mileage, due to the additional load on the engine. Consider rolling your windows down instead, especially at lower speeds.
No, it's not true.
It varies from car to car.
It depends on the weather outside.

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Automotive 23 When did the first fully automatic transmission appear in a mass-produced passenger car?
1925
1967
1939
The first truly automatic transmission in a mass-produced vehicle was the Hydra-Matic, and it was introduced in 1939. At the time, it was a 57-dollar option, developed by GM and Oldsmobile.
1910

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Automotive 10 When was the very first hybrid car built?
1960
1995
1899
That's right, the history of hybrid vehicles dates back to before the 20th century. In 1899, Ferdinand Porsche created the System Lohner-Porsche Mixte, which featured both a gasoline engine and an electric motor.
1934

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Automotive 28 The Ford Model T is one of the best-selling cars of all time. How many of them were sold?
8 million
400 million
15 million
Throughout its history, the Ford Model T sold around 15 million units. This is already impressive but gets even more impressive when you realize the vehicle was only produced from 1908 to 1927, when vehicles were much less common.
850,000

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Automotive 29 Where did the first official car race take place?
U.S.
Germany
France
The very first organized car race on the planet took place in France. A reliability test was held in 1894, between Paris and Rouen, France, but the very first true race took place in 1895, over a distance of almost 730 miles.
Italy

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Automotive 12 While they're now standard, speedometers weren't always included in vehicles. When was the first speedometer included in a car?
1934
1885
1901
While they didn't become standard until a bit later, the very first speedometer in a vehicle appeared in 1901. It was a mechanical speedometer, equipped to an Oldsmobile vehicle — the Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout.
1922

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Automotive 1 Who is thought to have created the very first practical vehicle that was gas-powered?
Henry Ford
Karl Benz
While he didn't create the very first car, Karl Benz created the first gas-powered vehicle that was also practical. The vehicle was built in 1885 and was called the Benz Patent Motor Car.
Karl Rapp
Gustav Otto

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