1. Absorb some torque
   Quicken acceleration
2. Help with cornering
   Change gear ratios

Line lash, or when cushioning motor mounts actually absorb some of the torque produced by the engine, is real. It can actually make a car slower, at least by a little, since you depend on torque to get going at first. The trade-off with using stiffer motor mounts is that people in the car feel the harshness of a launch.

1. Every 3,000 miles, religiously
   Every 6,000 miles, religiously
2. Oh, maybe every 6 months or so
   Follow the specific manufacturer's suggested intervals

Your car's manufacturer knows exactly what the engine needs to keep running smoothly, so follow the advice provided about oil changes, among other things. Of course, if you drive in dusty conditions, tow a trailer, or make short trips frequently, you might want to change the oil sooner, since those activities place an additional strain on everything.

1. No
   Only if you use a hole punch
2. Absolutely
   Only if they're criss-crossed

If you want to use exhaust cutouts on a street car, you'll have to install a system where you can switch it back and forth between that and a traditional setup, because most local laws don't allow for them. Since you're letting the exhaust escape earlier, you'll see at least a little bit of a power bump. It will also make your car far louder, so don't say you weren't warned!

1. The pistons hit each other
   It has two pistons in each cylinder
2. It runs backwards

This is a very unique engine design that some people believe has real potential. Without a cylinder head, an opposed piston engine retains heat better, meaning it's more efficient. The intake and exhaust ports are located at the ends of the opposite cylinders.

1. Better reliability
   Improved efficiency
2. They rev higher
   Run quieter

The most popular example of a beltless engine is what you find in the Toyota Prius. As you can imagine, this isn't a design made for tire-shredding performance. It also helps cut down on pollution, and allows you to turn on the AC without starting up the engine, reducing fuel consumption.

1. Coolant has leaked in
   Somebody thought it was funny to put milk in the gas tank
2. It's no big deal, probably just time to change the oil

Usually, this is the result of a blown head gasket and can tip you off to the problem earlier than some other signs. Look for white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and that will help support this theory. The other possibility, although not as common, is water in the oil.

1. Cost and size
   Cost and looks
2. They sound cool
   It's a conspiracy

This ingenious design replaces two components that were common in older cars: a steering pivot and a suspension mount. That means they take up less space and cost less to produce. Without MacPherson struts, you couldn't have front-wheel-drive cars with a transverse-mounted engine.

1. Less noise
   More reliable
2. Less weight
   You can cook with it

Some people still get nostalgic about air cooled engines. While they have some advantages, liquid cooling helps prevent overheating, boosts efficiency, and is overall more reliable, as long as you don't have a coolant leak. You'll also notice air cooled car engines are rather noisy when compared to modern engines.

1. Run well
   Explode
2. The belts never wear out and break
   Valves and pistons don't share pathways at all

If the belt or chain on a non-interference engine ever breaks, there's no risk of the pistons and valves contacting, which can lead to some serious damage. Of course, if you stay up on maintenance, that shouldn't be an issue, but some people like the reassurance this engine design provides.

1. Driving straight on a wide road
   Being nervous behind the wheel
2. Electronic throttle control
   Using cruise control

First used in a production vehicle by BMW on the 7 Series way back in 1988, this technology replaces the throttle cable that's attached to the accelerator pedal. Drive by wire means more optimal airflow for any situation, since the ECU controls the throttle, based on your inputs with pedal movement. This also means fewer moving parts, so less maintenance for your car.

1. Expansion and compression
   Contraction and breathing
2. Sleeping and running
   Breathing and eating

The Atkinson cycle engine wins out for efficiency, making the most out of each drop of gas, versus the Otto design. The key to doing this is by keeping the intake valve open until the piston has moved up as much as 30 percent of the way through its compression cycle, which creates the difference in the compression and expansion ratios.

1. Spark plugs
   Fire
2. Magic
   Compression

You won't find spark plugs in a diesel engine, which sometimes has glow plugs to warm things up but not to cause ignition. Instead, the huge amount of pressure caused by extreme compression leads to combustion, which is the key to a diesel engine's superior efficiency versus gasoline designs.

1. Intake manifold
   The exhaust
2. The cylinders
   The exhaust manifold

This design actually comes from diesel engines. In regular gas-powered designs, the fuel and air mix together in the intake manifold, and then they flow into the cylinders through the intake valves. With this design, a precise amount of fuel is squired right into the cylinder just before combustion, boosting efficiency.

1. Box wrench
   Hammer
2. Level
   Torque wrench

Every mechanic should have this essential tool. You set the appropriate torque amount, which comes via the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring that a bolt isn't too loose, and also isn't so tight you damage anything. If you don't have one of these, get one before you take on any big projects.

1. Ron Hemi
   The hemispherical head for each cylinder
2. Hemi, Ohio
   Ernest Hemingway

That rounded head actually leads to improved efficiency, which means more power. This unique design allows for two big valves per cylinder, so everything flows faster, which also helps with improved output. Some enthusiasts absolutely swear by this design.

1. Pound-feet
   Liters
2. Cubic inches
   Cubic centimeters

You measure displacement by calculating the swept volume when the pistons move from top dead center to bottom dead center. Some people believe that large displacement means better performance, but modern innovations like direct injection, forced induction, and hybrid setups arguably prove that thought wrong, at least in a way.

1. Nothing
   Makes it last longer
2. Increases wear in the middle
   Rubs it all off

By putting too much air in your tires for long periods of time, you'll cause the center of the tread to wear faster than the sides. If you think that doesn't sound bad, just remember it means you'll need to buy tires sooner than if you just kept the tire inflation to the exact amount the manufacturer recommends.

1. Solid
   Fully independent
2. Single
   Flexible

It used to be quite a few vehicles had solid axles in the front and back. Many have ditched that layout for independent suspensions as a way to boost comfort and on-road performance. As a vehicle designed primarily for trail driving, the Wrangler has kept the solid axles.

1. A bottle jack
   A hi-lift jack
2. Jack stands
   Wood blocks

You can also use vehicle ramps, but should never get under a car that's supported by a jack of any kind. Jacks simply don't stabilize a vehicle enough to ensure it won't fall on you, so always use jack stands or ramps.

1. Yes, it will block the oil completely
   No, there's a pathway for the oil to flow around it, if necessary
2. No, the oil can force its way through any obstacle
   Yes, but the engine automatically shuts off when this happens

While you need to stay on top of oil changes, which includes swapping the oil filter, the oil will keep circulating around no matter the state of the filter. Of course, a clogged filter won't remove an impurities from the oil anymore, which can result in everything from overheating to increased wear on engine components.

1. Uneven tread wear
   Increased heat buildup
2. Coolant overload
   Diminished handling

Tires that are low on air can have all those negative effects, plus they make the engine and transmission work harder, waste fuel, and run up the risk of a blowout. Really, you need to check the tire pressure about once a month, and don't ignore the tire pressure warning light, if your car has one.

1. As tight as you can get them by hand
   To the torque specified by the manufacturer
2. As tight as you can get them with an air tool
   Sort of tight

If you tighten the lug nuts too much, you could damage the bolt threads or the lug nuts themselves, and possibly even damage the wheels. Of course, not tightening the lug nuts enough could mean the wheel wobbles or comes off. It's all about looking at the torque specified in the owner's manual, and only tightening things that much.

1. All year
   Only in the winter
2. Only in the snow
   Only when you go into the mountains

Despite being called winter tires, technically you can use them during other times of the year. They're made of a softer rubber compound, so they'll still grip the road in the summertime. The only problem is winter tires could wear out quicker in hot temperatures because they're so soft, which is why it's probably best to only use them in colder weather.

1. Smelling the upholstery
   Inspecting the trunk and hood latches for corrosion
2. Feeling for loose carpeting
   All of the above

There's no one surefire way to spot a flood-damaged car, but there are many different ways the damage might show up. Loose carpeting, mismatched upholstery, a musty odor, corrosion in hinges and latches, water stains under the hood, and other red flags should help you stay away from these nightmare vehicles.

1. How much one horse can pull
   The breathing power of one horse
2. The power produced by an engine
   The energy expended by one horse for a day

Despite the name, horsepower is all about how much power an engine produces. It's not always the same figure because engines produce different levels of power at different points. You can put a car on a dynamometer to accurately measure horsepower.

1. The twisting force produced by the engine
   The wind
2. Engine power
   Tire grip

Most people don't even know what to make of torque, so they skip over this spec on vehicles. What you feel when you first start off from a standstill is mostly torque, or that twisting force produced by the engine crankshaft, which transfers to the transmission and driveshaft, before turning the wheels.

1. You use static electricity
   You set the engine timing when it's turned off
2. You sit still while timing the engine
   You time the engine for a set period

The opposite method, called dynamic timing, means you set the timing with the engine running. The static method is easier and requires less expensive equipment. In fact, most shade tree mechanics can take this on without any problems.

1. Bad battery
   Bad lights
2. Bad driver
   Bad alternator

While not a complete certainty, this is a classic symptom of an alternator going out. The alternator supplies electricity for everything from the sound system to your headlights and dash lights as your drive. Since it's a belt-driven component, pressing on the accelerator could cause a bad alternator to fluctuate electrical output so drastically, you notice lights dimming.

1. Bad fuel
   Incorrect spark plugs
2. Improper valve gaps
   Deposit buildup

The dreaded engine knock can be a real problem with certain engines, while others don't suffer from this ailment. The cause is the air-fuel mixture igniting at the wrong time, which results in a violent explosion that can damage some engine internal components. If you hear pinging, that's usually a sign of engine knock, which you should correct immediately.

1. Cramming more air into the cylinders
   Speeding up the pedal action
2. Loosening the throttle
   Shooting fuel into the exhaust

Turbochargers are a form of forced induction, or they cram more air into the engine cylinders. With more air, the fuel will combust or burn more fully, which means you get more power and better performance. Turbochargers will not only make a car more powerful, they can be used to improve fuel economy.

1. Under the spare tire
   Underneath the headliner
2. On the antenna
   Driver's door jamb

Just look for the sticker in the door jamb, which lists the code for your car's paint color. You'll need that to order touch-up paint for the dealership, or if you need to repaint any portion of the car after an accident. That door jamb sticker has other useful info, including how much air to put in the tires.

1. Don't tighten it all the way
   Hit it with a hammer
2. Spread oil around the opening
   Spray WD40 on it

The high heat of your engine and the tight seal with the oil filter could cause a fusion of metal. If you take the time to spread a little oil on the filter's opening, this won't happen, and you'll skip out on a frustrating and potentially expensive repair that's completely avoidable.

1. Where the number one cylinder's piston is at the highest point
   When your engine explodes
2. A blown head gasket
   Where your engine stops each time

You'll need to know top dead center for a number of engine projects, like if you have to replace internal components and are putting the engine back together. If you don't find the top dead center, you might be facing serious, maybe even catastrophic, damage to your car's engine.

1. Fuses
   Seat heaters
2. Coolant level
   Fuel level

The coolant absorbs heat from your engine, and then it flows into the heater core, which is where heat is captured for the heater. When you turn on the heater, fans blow the hot air from the heater core into the cabin. If the coolant level is too low, that heater core won't warm up enough, causing the problem.

1. Tread squiggles
   Wear bars
2. George Washington's head
   Sidewall writing

There are a few ways to tell when your tires are getting worn down and need to be swapped out. The easiest way to tell is by looking for the wear bars, which run counter the tread pattern and only show up once your tires are low enough to expose them. Once you see those, you really need to think about getting new tires.