ASE Auto Maintenance & Light Repair 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician is checking a serpentine belt and finds cracks on the ribbed side spaced about every quarter inch. What does this indicate?
- The belt is normal and reusable
- Normal belt wear requiring replacement (Correct answer)
- Incorrect tensioner only
- A misaligned pulley exclusively
Correct answer: Normal belt wear requiring replacement
Multiple cracks across the ribs indicate aged belt material that should be replaced.
Question 2: When replacing an engine air filter, in which direction should airflow move relative to the filter media markings?
- From the dirty side toward the clean side as marked (Correct answer)
- Either direction is acceptable
- From clean to dirty side
- Airflow direction does not matter for paper filters
Correct answer: From the dirty side toward the clean side as marked
Filters are directional, drawing air from the dirty intake side through to the clean engine side.
Question 3: A coolant test reveals the mixture freezes at only -10°F instead of the desired -34°F. The best correction is to:
- Add more water
- Adjust the antifreeze-to-water ratio toward 50/50 (Correct answer)
- Add brake fluid
- Run the engine hotter
Correct answer: Adjust the antifreeze-to-water ratio toward 50/50
Raising the antifreeze concentration toward a 50/50 mix lowers the freeze point appropriately.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve?
- To regulate fuel pressure
- To route crankcase blow-by gases back into the intake to be burned (Correct answer)
- To cool the transmission
- To filter the coolant
Correct answer: To route crankcase blow-by gases back into the intake to be burned
The PCV valve recirculates crankcase vapors into the intake, reducing emissions and pressure buildup.
Question 5: A wiper blade leaves streaks and chatters across the windshield. The first and least expensive corrective action is to:
- Replace the wiper motor
- Clean the blade and windshield, then replace the rubber element if needed (Correct answer)
- Replace the entire wiper linkage
- Adjust the washer pump
Correct answer: Clean the blade and windshield, then replace the rubber element if needed
Cleaning the blade and glass, then replacing the worn element, addresses streaking before costlier repairs.
Question 6: When checking automatic transmission fluid on a vehicle that requires it, the fluid should typically be checked with the engine:
- Off and cold
- Running and at operating temperature in Park or Neutral (Correct answer)
- Off after sitting overnight
- Running at 3000 rpm
Correct answer: Running and at operating temperature in Park or Neutral
Most automatics specify checking fluid warm with the engine running and the selector in Park or Neutral.
Question 7: A battery's state of charge is being tested. A specific gravity reading of 1.265 in all cells indicates the battery is:
- Fully charged (Correct answer)
- Completely discharged
- Sulfated
- Overcharged and gassing
Correct answer: Fully charged
A specific gravity of about 1.265 indicates a fully charged lead-acid battery.
ASE Auto Maintenance & Light Repair 3
A technician is checking a serpentine belt and finds cracks on the ribbed side spaced about every quarter inch.
What does this indicate?