Quiz | April 2011
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Can you tell sound advice from shibboleth?
Even as cars evolve to need less-frequent care, maintenance and replacement costs can take a big bite out of your wallet. Don't worry, we're not going to try to teach you how to rebuild an engine or even dirty your hands -- just how to make smart decisions that will keep you rolling for less.
Try our ten-question quiz:
By David Muhlbaum
February 2011
Even as cars evolve to need less-frequent care, maintenance and replacement costs can take a big bite out of your wallet. Don't worry, we're not going to try to teach you how to rebuild an engine or even dirty your hands -- just how to make smart decisions that will keep you rolling for less.
Try our ten-question quiz:
By David Muhlbaum
February 2011
Quiz
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
Question 1 of 10
A dashboard light just went on. Something about oil. You should:
A. Find the next gas station and add oil.
B. Schedule an oil change at your earliest convenience.
C. Pull over and turn off your engine as soon as safely possible.
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Quiz
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
Question 1 of 10
A dashboard light just went on. Something about oil. You should:
You're right! C. Pull over and turn off your engine as soon as safely possible. is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is C. Pull over and turn off your engine as soon as safely possible..
Let’s play this one safe. Sure, it's possible that the light has something to do with oil level or an oil-change interval, but in case it's the oil-pressure light, you need to act in minutes, if not seconds, to keep your engine from destruction. Now that you’re safely stopped, open up your owner’s manual and look up “oil” to see what you’re dealing with. If it is the oil pressure, you’ll likely need a tow.
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Quiz
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 2 of 10
Skip the automatic car wash if you give a darn about your paint.
A. True
B. False
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Quiz
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 2 of 10
Skip the automatic car wash if you give a darn about your paint.
You're right! B. False is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is B. False.
The automatic wash is a safe option -- and it's always a better choice than the teenagers raising money with a hose and dishwashing soap (just smile, give them $5 for the cause, and keep going).
That said, there are differences among the automatics. Look for a "brushless" option -- or better yet, a "touchless" option. If you want to be part of the action, bring your own clean, soft cloths to dry your car. They're probably in better shape than the rags wielded by the attendants, which if contaminated by dirt or sand will have the effect of sandpaper. (That’s one of the main hazards of the teenagers, too.)
That said, there are differences among the automatics. Look for a "brushless" option -- or better yet, a "touchless" option. If you want to be part of the action, bring your own clean, soft cloths to dry your car. They're probably in better shape than the rags wielded by the attendants, which if contaminated by dirt or sand will have the effect of sandpaper. (That’s one of the main hazards of the teenagers, too.)
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 3 of 10
You can deny your car premium fuel.
A. True
B. False
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 3 of 10
You can deny your car premium fuel.
You're right! A. True is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is A. True.
Few are the cars that really need premium gas, and their owner’s manuals will tell you if you do. What's more, most of the cars that specify higher-octane fuel will run just fine on regular -- though you might give up a smidge of power and economy. If your car is turbo- or supercharged and specifies super, follow the manual.
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Quiz
10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 4 of 10
What’s the best coin to use to gauge whether there’s enough tread left on your tires?
A. Penny
B. Nickel
C. Dime
D. Quarter
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 4 of 10
What’s the best coin to use to gauge whether there’s enough tread left on your tires?
You're right! D. Quarter is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is D. Quarter.
You may be familiar with the penny test: Stick a penny in a groove head-down, and part of Abe’s head should always be covered. The penny test proves that the tire has 2/32" of tread, the legal minimum in most states. But at that level, your tire's ability to cope with rain -- not to mention snow -- is dramatically reduced. If you're going to be dealing with wet stuff, you need more tread. Use a quarter instead. If George's pate has some coverage, that's 4/32", a safer margin. Here's a picture of how to do the test.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 5 of 10
You don't drive a lot and your tires seem to wear like iron -- over six years and there's still plenty of tread. Lucky you -- keep on truckin'.
A. True
B. False
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 5 of 10
You don't drive a lot and your tires seem to wear like iron -- over six years and there's still plenty of tread. Lucky you -- keep on truckin'.
You're right! B. False is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is B. False.
Sorry, those steel-belted ultramilers could be falling victim to aging, sometimes called dry rot. Tire rubber contains anti-aging chemicals that keep it flexible. Over time, these dry out from exposure to the elements -- sun in particular. There's no hard-and-fast rule on when a tire expires, but as a tire gets older, examine it carefully for small hairline cracks. In extreme cases, old tires can fail catastrophically with no warning. We wouldn't ride on anything more than ten years old.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 6 of 10
You love your car and want it to last forever. And it looks like it might rain tonight. It’s parked in front of the garage. Should you pull it in?
A. Yes
B. No
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 6 of 10
You love your car and want it to last forever. And it looks like it might rain tonight. It’s parked in front of the garage. Should you pull it in?
You're right! B. No is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is B. No.
The water that's a real danger to your car (unless you left the sunroof open) isn't what falls from the sky; it's the water that's a byproduct of combustion. On a longer trip, your car’s engine gets hot and the water is boiled out of the oil and your motor -- no worries there. But a 30-second trip from driveway to garage won't do that, leaving you with water diluting your oil and rotting your car from the inside out. Avoid short trips when you can.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 7 of 10
Your next oil change is due when?
A. At the mileage or date the little sticker on the windshield says.
B. Every 3,000 miles.
C. Whenever your owner's manual says.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 7 of 10
Your next oil change is due when?
You're right! C. Whenever your owner's manual says. is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is C. Whenever your owner's manual says..
Sure, Uncle Marvin changed his oil every 3,000 miles and his Studebaker ran forever. But oils have evolved, and so have engines. Stick to the manual’s recommendations and refuse all entreaties from service managers and ad campaigns. Note that your manual may tell you to follow your car's electronic oil-use sensors rather than go by a specific mileage.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 8 of 10
With the massive battery pack in that new hybrid, you can kiss your jumper cables goodbye.
A. True
B. False
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 8 of 10
With the massive battery pack in that new hybrid, you can kiss your jumper cables goodbye.
You're right! B. False is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is B. False.
Hybrids have a conventional 12-volt lead-acid battery in addition to whatever exotic chemical composite battery takes care of the hybrid drive. If the kids leave the dome light on, you’ll need a boost to get your system going like everyone else. Prius owners, there is a 12-volt battery in there. You just can't see it. Check your owner's manual for jumping procedures.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 9 of 10
You can take a car that’s under a new-car warranty to your trusty corner mechanic for regular maintenance.
A. True
B. False
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 9 of 10
You can take a car that’s under a new-car warranty to your trusty corner mechanic for regular maintenance.
You're right! A. True is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is A. True.
Independent shops are fighting back against dealer marketing efforts that play on consumer fears of voiding a warranty. If you have your services done regularly with quality parts -- and keep your paperwork -- federal law is on your side. Check out the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If your dealer makes you happy, fine. Enjoy the loaner car. But it’s frequently the more expensive choice.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
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Question 10 of 10
What is the best interval for rotating your tires?
A. Whatever the owner's manual says.
B. Every 6,000 miles.
C. When the wheels are off the car for other services.
D. My tires rotate every time I drive.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
istockphoto
Question 10 of 10
What is the best interval for rotating your tires?
You're right! C. When the wheels are off the car for other services. is correct.
Sorry, wrong!
is incorrect.
The right answer is C. When the wheels are off the car for other services..
Don't sweat tire rotation too much, at least not like regular oil changes. Now, if you never rotate your tires, your tires will wear out more quickly, perhaps to the point
that your car's handling or even drivetrain could be compromised. But don't pay extra to have it done. When your car is already in the air for an inspection or other service, ask your friendlymechanic to put the wheels back on in different spots.
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10 Ways to Save on Car Maintenance - Quiz
Results: 0 out of 10 Right
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