Car Care Quiz

With the sheer number of automobiles in the world, it's only natural that a number of myths, untruths, and misconceptions surround modern motoring. Some of these myths are harmless, while others can actually be dangerous! A blowout caused by an under-inflated tire can cause an accident. Other mistruths can result in neglect and end up as expensive repairs.

TRUE OR FALSE?
Either way, knowledge is power—and it can pay off to test your car care knowledge by following along with this true or false quiz. The answers are already in there, so there's no need to cheat.

You can tell if a tire needs or has too much air just by looking at it.
FALSE: A tire can be as much as 10 pounds per square inch low on air pressure and not show any outward signs. Tires will lose about one pound of pressure per month all by themselves. Not only will the correct tire pressure help tires last longer, it can also save money in fuel costs. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which will use more fuel. Checking tire pressure is easy and takes just a few minutes.

Changing the oil and filter can help an engine last longer.
TRUE: While changing the oil too frequently is not required, the difference between an engine that lasts for the life of a vehicle and the one that wears out too early is based on following the vehicle manufacturer's oil and filter maintenance schedule. Trust that the people who built your car know the most about what its engine needs.

If an air filter looks clean it's still okay.
FALSE: An air filter traps dirt and junk so small that it cannot be seen. Even if an air filter looks OK, it can be clogged with crud. Once the small passages in the filter designed to catch dirt get clogged, the engine can have trouble breathing. Replacing an air filter is easy and inexpensive. The owner's manual will contain a maintenance schedule. Tip: air filters can get clogged quicker than normal in cities and dusty areas.