Driver Licensing Vehicle Safety and Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often should you check your tire pressure?
- Only when a tire looks flat
- At least once a month and before long trips (Correct answer)
- Every 10,000 miles
- Only during annual vehicle inspections
Correct answer: At least once a month and before long trips
Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and before long trips because pressure can change with temperature and slow leaks.
Question 2: What does it mean when the oil pressure warning light comes on while driving?
- You should schedule an oil change within the week
- You need to add one quart of oil at the next gas station
- Stop safely as soon as possible and turn off the engine (Correct answer)
- The sensor is likely malfunctioning and can be ignored
Correct answer: Stop safely as soon as possible and turn off the engine
Low oil pressure can cause severe engine damage within seconds, so you must stop safely and shut off the engine immediately.
Question 3: What is the recommended minimum tread depth for tires before they must be replaced?
- 4/32 of an inch
- 2/32 of an inch (Correct answer)
- 6/32 of an inch
- 1/8 of an inch
Correct answer: 2/32 of an inch
The legal minimum tire tread depth in the US is 2/32 of an inch; below this level tires lose the ability to channel water and grip the road safely.
Question 4: When should you replace your windshield wipers?
- Every 5 years regardless of condition
- When they streak, skip, or leave areas uncleared (Correct answer)
- Only when the wiper arm breaks
- Every 50,000 miles with an oil change
Correct answer: When they streak, skip, or leave areas uncleared
Wipers that streak or miss areas reduce visibility in rain and should be replaced immediately regardless of age.
Question 5: Which fluid should you check to ensure your brakes function properly?
- Transmission fluid
- Coolant
- Brake fluid (Correct answer)
- Power steering fluid
Correct answer: Brake fluid
Brake fluid transfers hydraulic pressure to the brake calipers; low or contaminated brake fluid can cause brake failure.
Question 6: What should you do if your 'Check Engine' light turns on and stays on steadily?
- Pull over immediately and call a tow truck
- Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic soon (Correct answer)
- Ignore it — it is a routine reminder for scheduled maintenance
- Add a quart of motor oil right away
Correct answer: Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic soon
A steady Check Engine light indicates the vehicle's computer has detected a fault; the car is usually safe to drive short-term but should be diagnosed promptly.
Question 7: How can you tell if your vehicle's headlights need to be replaced or realigned?
- The dashboard fuel gauge reads lower than normal
- Other drivers flash their lights at you or your illumination seems dim and uneven (Correct answer)
- The engine takes longer to start on cold mornings
- The speedometer needle fluctuates at highway speeds
Correct answer: Other drivers flash their lights at you or your illumination seems dim and uneven
Oncoming drivers flashing at you suggests misaligned headlights, while dimness or uneven beams indicates a bulb is failing.
Driver Licensing Vehicle Safety and Maintenance 1
How often should you check your tire pressure?