WorksheetsAutomotive Mechanics Technology Test
Total questions: 76
Worksheet time: 41mins
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) reveals information about a vehicle’s manufacturer, model, year, engine, and where it was assembled. Which source would you use to decode a VIN?
Service manual
Vehicle’s owner’s manual
Online VIN decoder or manufacturer database
The vehicle’s dashboard sticker
When securing a vehicle on a two-post hydraulic lift, you should place the lift arms under which areas to ensure safe lifting?
The bumper brackets
The rocker panels
The manufacturer’s recommended lift points
The differential housing
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide information about which of the following?
The environmental impact of a repair
The proper disposal of used tires
The hazards, handling, and storage of chemicals
The cost of replacement parts
Which tool would you use to measure the diameter of a brake rotor?
Dial indicator
Micrometer
Torque wrench
Feeler gauge
When using a torque wrench, you should always:
Use it to loosen stuck bolts
Store it at its highest torque setting
Pull smoothly until the desired torque is reached
A vehicle with a pull to the right during braking may indicate which of the following suspension or steering issues?
Bad tie rod end
Misadjusted steering gear
Uneven tire pressure or alignment
Faulty fuel injectors
What is the purpose of a rack-and-pinion steering system?
To convert rotational motion from the steering wheel into linear motion to turn the wheels
To provide a reduction in braking distance
To maintain engine speed
To regulate fuel flow
When adjusting toe-in on a front-wheel alignment, you are adjusting:
The angle between the top of the wheels and vertical
The angle of the steering column
The distance between the front edges of the tires compared to the rear edges
The ride height of the vehicle
A clunking noise over bumps could be caused by worn:
Spark plugs
Sway bar links or bushings
Fuel injectors
Oxygen sensors
The caster angle affects which of the following aspects of steering?
The ride height
Straight-line stability and steering return
Brake pad wear
Fuel economy
Which component connects the steering knuckle to the steering gear on a conventional steering system?
Idler arm
Pitman arm
Control arm
Stabilizer bar
A vehicle exhibiting “memory steer” (steering wheel does not return to center easily) may have:
binding or damaged suspension components
a faulty alternator
low tire pressure
a slipping clutch
Before performing a wheel alignment, you should always:
Change the oil and filter
Inflate all tires to recommended pressure and inspect suspension components
Drain the coolant
Adjust the carburetor
A tie rod end that has excessive play can lead to:
Engine vibration
Misalignment and uneven tire wear
Battery overcharging
Brake fade
During a power steering system service, if the fluid appears foamy, it is most likely due to:
Engine overheating
Air entering the system
Contaminated brake fluid
A clogged air filter
The purpose of a steering damper (steering stabilizer) is to:
Increase fuel efficiency
Reduce steering wheel shimmy and vibration
Adjust toe-in
Monitor oxygen levels
When servicing a MacPherson strut assembly, the coil spring is under tension. What special tool is required for safe removal?
Hub puller
Spring compressor
Torque stick
Slide hammer
18. Wheel bearings should be lubricated with:
Engine oil
Multi-purpose chassis grease
Power steering fluid
Brake fluid
Which alignment angle is adjusted to correct pull due to road crown?
Toe
Camber
Caster
Thrust angle
The primary function of the sway bar is to:
Control vertical motion of the wheels
Reduce body roll during cornering
Provide a cushion during braking
Support engine weight
When replacing brake pads on a disc brake system, why is it important to properly torque the caliper mounting bolts?
To prevent brake fluid contamination
To ensure even pad wear and secure caliper attachment
To keep the wheel bearings lubricated
To bleed the hydraulic system
When machining a rotor, you should measure the rotor thickness and ensure it is above which specification?
The original thickness
The minimum discard thickness specified by the manufacturer
The maximum thickness
There is no limit
A pulsating brake pedal felt during braking is commonly caused by:
Uneven rotor thickness or warped rotors
Low power steering fluid
Faulty fuel pump
Unbalanced tires
The parking brake on most vehicles uses which part of the brake system?
Front disc brakes
Rear brakes, whether drum or disc
Transmission
Power steering pump
When bleeding a brake system with antilock brakes (ABS), you should consult the manufacturer's procedures because:
ABS systems may require special bleeding sequences or tools
Bleeding is not necessary
The ABS fluid is different
ABS brakes are self-bleeding
What component converts the force of the driver's foot into hydraulic pressure in a brake system?
Caliper
Master cylinder
Wheel cylinder
Brake booster
Brake fade is a condition where braking effectiveness is reduced due to:
Low battery voltage
Excessive heat causing brake linings to lose friction
Cold weather
Overinflated tires
During drum brake service, which component automatically keeps the shoes close to the drum as they wear?
Parking brake cable
Automatic adjuster mechanism
Wheel cylinder
Master cylinder
An overfilled brake master cylinder reservoir can cause which issue?
Oxygen sensor failure
Brakes dragging as fluid expands when heated
Noise in the power steering
Low fuel pressure
Which type of brake fluid is most commonly used in modern passenger vehicles?
DOT 2
DOT 3 or DOT 4
DOT 5 silicon
Automatic transmission fluid
When inspecting brake lines, which of the following conditions would require immediate replacement?
Light surface corrosion
Minor scratches
Swelling or cracks in rubber hoses
Dirt on the lines
Air trapped in the hydraulic brake system will cause the brake pedal to feel:
Hard
Spongy
Pulsating
Vibrating
The vacuum brake booster uses engine vacuum to:
Increase brake pedal effort
Provide an auxiliary vacuum for other accessories
Increase hydraulic pressure
Reduce the force required on the brake pedal
What is the purpose of the proportioning valve in a hydraulic brake system?
To divide brake pressure equally between front and rear
To restrict rear brake pressure during hard stops to prevent wheel lockup
To increase front brake pressure only
Which of the following is most likely to cause brake squeal in a disc brake system?
Glazed pads or lack of anti-rattle clips
Worn spark plugs
Low coolant level
Loose serpentine belt
A stuck caliper slide pin can lead to:
Uneven brake pad wear and pulling to one side
High idle speed
High electrical resistance
Low oil pressure
When refilling the brake fluid reservoir, which precaution should be taken?
Use any type of oil available
Never reuse old fluid and avoid spilling on painted surfaces
Mix DOT 3 and DOT 5 fluids
Use power steering fluid
Ohm’s Law states that current in a circuit is equal to voltage divided by resistance (I = V/R). If a circuit has 12 volts and a resistance of 4 ohms, the current flow will be:
3 amperes
8 amperes
48 amperes
0.33 amperes
When checking for a short to ground in a lighting circuit, you would look for:
Infinite resistance between the power supply and ground
Continuity between the circuit wire and vehicle ground
High voltage at the switch
A fully charged battery
What is indicated by excessive voltage drop (above 0.5 volts) across a battery cable during a starter draw test?
The starter is operating normally
High resistance in the cable or connection
The alternator is overcharging
Low oil pressure
Battery state-of-charge can be quickly checked using a:
Hydrometer to measure specific gravity of electrolyte (in serviceable batteries)
Feeler gauge
Vacuum gauge
Compression tester
A fully charged automotive battery should read approximately _____ volts when tested with the engine off.
10.5 volts
12.6 volts
14.2 volts
15.5 volts
The alternator’s primary function is to:
Convert mechanical energy into AC voltage and charge the battery
Start the engine
Regulate fuel injection
Power the heater core
If all of the vehicle’s interior lights flicker in sync with engine speed, the likely cause is:
Faulty ignition coil
Alternator with a bad diode or regulator
Bad spark plugs
Low refrigerant in the A/C system
A parasitic draw test measures:
Compression loss in cylinders
The amount of current drawn from the battery when the vehicle is off
Fuel pressure drop
Engine oil viscosity
Which of the following is a solid-state device used to control high current with a low current signal?
Relay
Fuse
Circuit breaker
Resistor
When soldering automotive wiring, you should:
Use acid-core solder
Twist wires together loosely and cover with tape
Use rosin-core solder and heat shrink tubing
Use lead-free solder only for aluminum wiring
A headlight that is dimmer than normal could be caused by:
A. A weak alternator
B. High resistance in the circuit
If the turn signal indicator on the dashboard flashes rapidly on one side, what is the most likely cause?
The vehicle is low on brake fluid
A bulb on that side is burned out
The horn relay is defective
The battery is weak
An open circuit is defined as:
A circuit with two or more paths
A complete path for current
A break in the circuit that prevents current flow
A circuit with too much resistance
What component uses the Hall effect to provide a digital signal that indicates wheel speed to the ABS module?
Wheel speed sensor
Fuel injector
Oxygen sensor
Knock sensor
During a charging system output test, the voltage measured at the battery terminals with the engine running should be approximately:
10.5 volts
12.6 volts
13.5–14.8 volts
18 volts
Which of the following is NOT a function of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)?
Controlling fuel injection timing
Generating mechanical power
Storing Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Adjusting idle speed
The PCM monitors the crankshaft position sensor primarily to:
Adjust power steering pressure
Determine engine speed and timing for ignition and fuel injection
Control the heater blower motor
Regulate brake hydraulic pressure
When jump-starting a vehicle, the final connection should be made to:
The positive terminal of the dead battery
The negative terminal of the good battery
A solid metal engine ground away from the dead battery
The starter motor solenoid
A vacuum gauge reading that drops steadily during acceleration and then returns to normal indicates:
A. A clogged catalytic converter
B. A sticking PCV valve
C. Normal engine operation
D. An intake manifold vacuum leak
An engine with a rough idle but smooths out at higher RPMs may have:
A. A worn timing belt
B. A misfire due to a faulty spark plug or ignition component
C. A bad fuel pressure regulator
D. A slipping clutch
The purpose of the oxygen sensor is to:
Measure oil temperature
Monitor the oxygen content in the exhaust gas to help the PCM adjust the air-fuel mixture
Regulate coolant flow
Measure engine speed
Before performing a cylinder compression test, you should:
Warm the engine and disable the ignition system and fuel system
Drain the oil
Disconnect the battery
Pressurize the cooling system
Low compression in one cylinder that improves after adding a small amount of oil indicates:
A. A leaking intake valve
B. Worn piston rings
C. Blown head gasket
D. A leaking head gasket between cylinders
A fuel pressure test shows pressure above specifications. A possible cause is:
Weak fuel pump
Restricted fuel return line or faulty pressure regulator
Clogged air filter
Low engine vacuum
When an engine runs lean, it is receiving:
Too much fuel and not enough air
Too much air and not enough fuel
Equal amounts of fuel and air
High oil pressure
The mass airflow (MAF) sensor measures:
When diagnosing a no-start condition, you find there is spark and fuel pressure is within specifications. The next step is to check:
Battery voltage
Timing (crankshaft and camshaft correlation)
Tire pressure
Brake fluid level
An overheating engine can cause which of the following symptoms?
Reduced oil viscosity
Misfire due to pre-ignition or detonation
Low charging system output
Inoperative horn
A rough running engine with black smoke from the exhaust indicates:
Rich air-fuel mixture
Lean mixture
Vacuum leak
Exhaust restriction
What is the purpose of the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system?
Increase engine power
Reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by recirculating a portion of exhaust gas into the intake
Improve fuel economy by cooling the exhaust
Provide additional oxygen to the engine
During a cylinder leakage test, air is heard leaking from the exhaust tailpipe. This indicates:
Leaking head gasket
Worn piston rings
Leaking exhaust valve
Cracked cylinder wall
A high idle speed could be caused by:
Throttle body or throttle plate sticking, or a vacuum leak
Low battery voltage
Weak ignition coil
Clogged fuel injectors
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to:
Reduce harmful exhaust emissions by promoting chemical reactions
Increase engine horsepower
Provide a muffling effect
Pump more fuel into the engine
When performing an exhaust back-pressure test, an abnormally high back pressure reading suggests:
Open circuit in the charging system
A restriction in the exhaust system
Low fuel pressure
Proper operation
A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0302 indicates:
Cylinder 2 misfire detected
Mass airflow sensor circuit low input
Oxygen sensor circuit malfunction
Fuel pressure regulator failure
The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system’s main function is to:
Increase fuel octane
Prevent crankcase vapors from being released into the atmosphere by routing them into the intake manifold
Cool engine oil
Return fuel vapors to the fuel tank
If an engine exhibits low power and acceleration, and a scan tool shows a low MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor voltage at wide-open throttle, the cause could be:
A. A restricted air intake or clogged exhaust
B. A shorted ignition coil
C. Low coolant level
D. A faulty alternator
Jack stands are optional when it comes to jacking up a vehicle
True
False
