Image: Pexels by Craig Adderley
About This Quiz
Owning and maintaining a car involves at the very least knowing a good mechanic or being on top of taking your car in for servicing. There are so many issues which can come up – even when you have taken care of your car well. Some can be minor fixes, but others can be symptoms of a major problem that you have to fix ASAP.
We usually know what to do when certain warning lights come on in a car's dashboard. But what about a sound that you can't place? It's that annoying rattling, or a hissing that starts when you turn your car off. Or maybe your car shakes as you drive it, or you're starting to smell exhaust or gas in the car.
 Whatever the issue, it's helpful to know some of the common issues that can come with a weird sound or an odd smell.Â
Cars today are incredibly complex and sophisticated because a car's computer controls mostly everything in a car. So even switching out your car's battery can be a little bit more complicated than it used to be. Because of that complexity, you'll want to consult your trusty mechanic for any problems or concerns you come across.
So are you ready to take this car symptoms quiz? We're sure you'll come across the finish line first with a checkered flag. Good luck and drive safely!
If a car is shaking while accelerating, and you've looked at a car's wheels, tires and engine, which of the following should you check out?
U-joints
Axles
Drive shafts
All of the above
With a drive shaft, it could possibly need to be rebalanced. If the car is shaking because of U-joints, then they may need some new grease or protective boots, or possibly be replaced altogether. If the axles are bent, they'll need to be replaced.
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What if a car is shaking while it's idling and the check engine light has come on? What should you check?
Spark plugs
All of the answers are possible reasons for a car shaking while idling. But if the engine light comes on, then bad spark plugs or other wiring problems are most likely to blame. These answers can also be issues if the car is accelerating, cruising or braking.
Air filter
Fuel filter
Timing belt
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A car shaking while cruising can be due to a number of issues. Which type of weather issue could be a factor?
Extreme heat
Strong winds
Ice and snow on the wheels
Many times, if a car is cruising and shaking, the tires or wheels are to blame. But if you live in a snowy area, ice and snow can build up on tires and wheels causing it to shake. So besides parking in a garage or in a place that does not freeze, you can hose off the slush at a car wash.
Rain
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If you find that your vehicle is shaking when you brake, which parts should you be looking at?
Brake drums
Brake rotors
Wheel bearings
All of the above
The wheel bearings may be worn out, which can also affect handling. The brake rotor, which attaches to the wheel bearing hub assembly, may be worn out which may mean repair or replacement. The same goes for brake drums -– you may feel vibrations in the brake pedal when they're out of round.
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Finding that your heating system isn't working when it's cold out can be frustrating. Which of the following is NOT where you should look?
Tires (low pressure)
There are several reasons why the heater is blowing cold air. One of them includes a problem with your cooling system, such a low coolant level or a busted thermostat. Another place to look that isn't listed is the heater valve, which controls how much heat comes from heater core.
Cooling system
Blower fan
Heater core
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Where should you typically NOT look in a vehicle if a car is blowing hot air and the a/c is on?
A/C compressor
Blower motor
If you're not getting any air at all from the vents, that's when you would look to see if the blower motor is malfunctioning. But for when the air is blowing hot, the a/c compressor may need to be replaced, or it have other issues which may need repairing.
Climate control module
A/C refrigerant
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The typical way to find out if your have engine oil leaking in a car is to see an oil puddle under the car. What is another way to find out you have an oil leak?
Checking your oil levels occasionally when you fill up.
Lift the hood and look at your car's fluids.
The smell of burning oil
All of these methods work.
If you have a more modern car, you may not see oil leaking, but you may smell it burning (or hear it hissing or sizzling) or see that the levels are significantly gone down in a short amount of time. Oil leaks are bad for your car and the environment!
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You turn your car off and hear some plinking sounds. What's going on with your car?
Oil is leaking.
The engine is cooling down.
The metallic clicking you hear when you turn your engine off is quite normal and alright. It's just the engine contracting and parts from the exhaust cooling down.
The cooling fan is running.
You may have low oil pressure.
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You put your key in the ignition, but the key isn't turning. After putting on the parking brake, which of the following should you NOT be looking at?
The battery
The ignition lock
The key
The engine
If the engine is off, then you don't have to look there for the problem. But the battery is a different matter because if you have a more modern or sophisticated car, then the car may need electricity flowing first before the key will turn. If the interior lights don't turn on when you open the car door, the battery is most likely dead.
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Out of the following answers, what is the most likely reason that your car has black or white smoke from the exhaust pipe after you accelerate?
Low tire pressure
Heater isn't working
Overheating engine
An overheating engine can be a very frustrating and sometimes scary experience and there are a lot of reasons why it could be happening, such as there's a coolant leak. Other symptoms to pay attention to include the a/c stops working and your car's fuel mileage worsens.
Electrical failure
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When you press your brake pedal, you hear a scraping sound. What's going on with your brakes?
The brake pads need to be replaced.
The brake pads are gone.
The braking system has some misaligned or damaged parts.
You've picked up a stone in your brakes.
Hearing scraping isn't as bad as you may think. You've probably just picked up a pebble or stone in your brakes. But if the scraping sound sticks around, then take it to your mechanic so it can be removed and prevent further damage to your brakes.
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As you start to accelerate your car, you start to hear a knocking or pinging sound. Where is it most likely coming from?
The engine
Knocking or pinging in a car typically means that something is wrong with the engine. One of the reasons could be that you need to use a fuel with a higher octane rating. Another reason could be that the engine's cylinders have carbon deposits.
The transmission
The brakes
The tires
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There are many reasons why your car may be pulling to one side or the other while you drive it. But which one is NOT a possible reason?
Low on fuel
Most of the time, when a car is imbalanced, it has to do with the wheel alignment. An accident or collision, or even driving over a pothole or large bump, can cause your car to become misaligned.
Low tire pressure
Out of balance tires
Improper wheel alignment
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You've hit your brakes and hear a grinding sound. What diagnosis are you giving to the conditions of your brakes?
Your brake pads are gone.
Hearing a grinding sound as you brake? It's time to stop driving and get your brakes fixed by a mechanic. What you're hearing are the brake pads' metal backings grinding on your brake rotors.
You have some misaligned brake parts.
You just need to break in your new brakes – your brakes are just fine.
Your tires need to be replaced.
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If your engine drive belt is loose or worn out, what's the sound you'll most likely hear?
Knocking
Rattling
Chirping
Squealing
If you're hearing a squealing noise from under your car's hood, then you've probably got an engine drive belt that is loose or worn. It's not the type of sound you want to ignore because once it breaks, you'll have bigger problems to deal with.
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You may be one of the few who still drives a car with a manual transmission. What's happening to your car if you hear grinding as you shift gears?
A problem with the exhaust system
A worn CV joint
Your clutch needs adjusting or replacing.
Hearing a grinding noise as you shift gears can also mean that your shift linkage needs adjusting. But let's hope it doesn't mean that your internal transmission has been damaged, which is a more expensive issue.
Any of the above
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The source of a rattling sound in a car can be hard to find. If you're driving and hear rattling, where are you usually NOT looking?
In the car's roof
There are many possible sources for the rattling sound you hear in your car. It can be as innocuous as something rattling in the glove compartment or a cup holder to something more serious, like low oil pressure in your car's engine.
Under the hood
Under the car
In the car
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If your car's RPMs are erratic without putting your foot on the accelerator, what is this car symptom called?
Rough idle
When a car has a smooth and steady idle, the RPMs should be around 1,000 RPMs on your tachometer. When the car's idle is rough, the tachometer's needle is jumping up and down, which can be due one of many issues such as a dirty fuel injector or spark plug issues.
Backfire
Low oil level
Engine overheating
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You have found a leak under your car and the color of the fluid is blue. What's leaking?
Windshield washer fluid
There are a rainbow of colors for the fluids your car uses. Windshield washer fluid should smell like window cleaner and is watery and thin in texture. If there's a leak, you should have a mechanic look at see if the reservoir is cracked.
Brake fluid
Automatic transmission fluid
Power steering fluid
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This fluid can come in many bright colors and can leak from multiple places.
Brake fluid
Coolant
Coolant can be green, pink or yellow – but if it's orange, there is rust in the cooling system. It smells sweet and is viscous to the touch. You'll want to address this leak as soon as possible to prevent overheating, which can cause damage to your car's engine.
Power steering fluid
Automatic transmission fluid
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Driving long distances can be a lot easier with cruise control. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons your cruise control isn't working?
Fuel issues
Cruise control failures are usually electronic in nature, with the control module being the central intelligence of a car's cruise control. Speed and clutch sensors, along with brake and control switches, can also cause cruise control to fail.
TAC (Throttle actuator control) issues
Servo issues
Control module issues
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If you find clear liquid leaking from your car and it's not water, what is it?
Gasoline
Leaking water from a car is usually found when the car has been turned off and there's condensation dripping from the car's a/c – not a problem. But if you smell gasoline, it's dangerous to drive your car, so contact your mechanic and ask what to do next.
Engine oil
Brake fluid
Sugar water
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If your car is idling or has been shut off and you hear hissing or sizzling, which is NOT a possible reason?
Engine overheating
Coolant leaking
Engine oil dripping
All of the above are valid reasons.
If the sizzling sound happens soon after you turn your car off, it's an oil drip or a coolant leak. If it's happening during while your car is idling, the engine is most likely overheating. Either way, a mechanic can help you get those issues diagnosed and fixed.
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When you're driving and start to hear a chirping noise, which of the following issues could be the reason?
Worn CV joints
Low oil level
Failing wheel bearing
The chirping noise may not be constant as you change speeds. Another reason the chirping noise is happening is because you have a failing axle bearing. Either of these could mean that your wheel may get locked up or get loose, so you'll want to get that taken care of.
Fuel with low octane rating
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Sometimes starting your car in cold weather can be a challenge. Which of the following is NOT a reason that your car fails to start in the cold?
Fuel
Electronic system
All of the other answers deal with liquids which can be affected when you're trying to start your car. For the car battery and fuel, getting your car to a warmer place helps, For engine oil, you'll need to either have your oil changed if it hasn't been changed in a long time; or you need to find an oil that's better for the wintertime.
Engine oil
Battery
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What color should your car's exhaust be if your car is running smoothly?
Colorless
If you see black exhaust, there's not enough air and too much fuel. White smoke is fine if you're first starting your car (that's vapor from condensation), but if you find too much white smoke, you have a coolant leak. Bluish gray or grayish white smoke indicates that your car's engine is burning oil.
Black
White
Bluish gray or grayish white
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You find that your windshield wipers are smearing on your windshield. So what's probably NOT the issue?
Dried out wiper blades
Electrical issues
Wiper blades are made of rubber and one easy way to make sure they aren't smearing your windshield is to keep them clean. But rubber can dry out or crack due to extreme temperatures and pollution. So if you're keeping the wipers clean and they're still smearing, it's time to replace them.
Dirty climate or environment
Using the wipers on a frozen windshield
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If you start to hear a groaning or whining sound, especially when you turn your steering wheel, what is most likely the issue?
Wheels
Engine
Brakes
Power steering
Power steering has been around for over half a century, but if you don't have it, it takes a lot more muscle and effort to turn a car. Usually the issue is a broken power steering pump and that is typically not an easy fix. You'll want to take your car to a mechanic to get this fixed.
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A car battery dies and can't get a jump from another battery. Which of the following could be the cause?
Open sunroof/moonroof
Corrosion on the battery
Besides that it may just be time to get another battery, there are a few reasons why a car battery can't accept a jump from another one. Corrosion on the battery will look foamy and white and can be wiped off with a rag or towel or brushed off with a brush.
Faulty brakes
Low tire pressure
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There are many reasons why a car fails to accelerate. Which one of the following is typically NOT a cause?
Tire issues
Without the right mix of air, fuel, spark, exhaust and compression, you can be getting nowhere fast and lose power in your vehicle. Loss of acceleration is typically an internal issue and usually should be given to your mechanic to check out and fix.
Sensor problems
Engine problems
Ignition issues
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Especially if you have an older car, which of the following can decrease your car's fuel economy by 30 percent?
Low tire pressure
Spark plugs
All of these answers can cause your fuel economy to decrease, but having older, misfiring spark plugs can make a car into a gas guzzler. Although spark plugs last up to 100,000, the last 20,00 miles can be where you start to experience the misfiring.
Cold weather
Clogged fuel injector
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It can be scary when a car's engine stalls and continues to stall – it can happen out of nowhere. What's the general reason why a car will stall?
Wheel misalignment
Faulty car stereo
Bad brakes
The amount of fuel and air is off.
If you're not getting the right amount of air and fuel in your car's engine, then it can't combust and create the energy and power to make your car move. Air delivery and fuel delivery problems, along with many other issues which can cause a car to stall, should be checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
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When the check engine light comes on, stays on and the car is only operating in its lower gears, what's going on?
Everything is fine, keep driving.
Engine may misfire, pull over and get a tow.
Serious problem with engine management and emission control
When the engine light turns on and you're only in the lower gears, that's typically called "limp home mode", which means the car will drive more slowly. It's a safety feature meant to alert you that the car's engine needs servicing for a number of reasons including bad sensors, overheating or the car's engine misfiring.
Gas cap is loose or missing
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If you hear a sucking or squealing sound from under the hood, what does that usually indicate?
Vacuum leak in the engine
Vacuum leaks in an engine can happen for several reasons, including a broken vacuum hose or tube. Usually, a car's sensors will cause the check engine light to come on as well.
Broken windshield wipers
Dead battery
Exhaust issues
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You replaced your car's battery, but you're either experiencing your engine stalling or electrical issues. What's the most likely reason?
The battery has short circuited your car.
Your car has a bit of amnesia.
More modern cars have sophisticated computers controlling pretty much everything in a car. Removing the battery can cause it to lose its memory, such as something minor like the car clock going to 12 a.m., all the way to an engine stalling.
You have ignition issues.
You improperly replaced the battery.
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