Auto Mechanic Practice Test

Take this free practice test to see how prepared you are for an auto mechanic certification exam. An auto mechanic can get certified by taking the Automotive Service Excellence exams, covering fourteen different subject areas, such as diesal and gas engines, trucks, buses, damage repair, auto components and much more.

1.	You are replacing brake pads. You’ve already removed the wheels. What is the appropriate next step for most vehicles?
	Remove the old brake pads
	Unbolt the caliper
	Break the lugs
	None of the above

2.	A low-mileage vehicle is running hot. Assuming the radiator has enough coolant, what is the most likely problem?
	a. The block has a partial restriction.
	b. The water pump has broken down.
	c. The thermostat has stopped working.
	d. All of the above
	e. Either b or c

3.	A car is pulling to one side as it drives. The most common causes of this problem are listed below. Which one should you check first?
	Uneven tire wear
	Bad alignment
	Low or uneven tire pressure
	A sticking brake caliper

4.	When you replace an oil drain plug, you should retighten it according to the old maxim “snug, but not too hard.”
	True
	False

5.	In what order should you replace spark plugs?
	All at once
	An entire row at once
	One at a time, starting at the bottom of the row
	One at a time, starting at the top of the row

6.	You are replacing a fuel tank. You’ve drained and stored all the gas in the vehicle. What is the next step?
	Take the straps off the tank and drop it.
	Disconnect the fuel lines.
	Drop the rear suspension.
	None of the above

7.	A vehicle comes into your shop with a transmission problem. What is the FIRST thing you should do?
	Check the fluid level
	Check for leaks
	Look at the filter
	Disassemble the transmission and check the gears.

8.	Problems with spark plug wires are almost always caused by cracks in the insulation.
	True
	False

9.	You are completing a radiator flush. You have drained the old coolant and added the flush solution. What is the next step?
	Turn the vehicle on and let it run until it reaches its normal operating temperature.
	Turn the heater on and let it run at the highest setting for 10 minutes.
	Drain the solution and add fresh radiator coolant.
	None of the above

10.	An engine is misfiring. Which of the following is NOT a likely cause?
	The ignition timing may be set wrong.
	The cooling system may be malfunctioning.
	The fuel filter may be clogged.
	The vehicle may have a vacuum leak.

11.	What is the last step in a brake job?
	Replace the caliper assembly
	Replace and tighten the nuts
	Press the brake pedal to make sure the brake pressure is satisfactory.
	None of the above

12.	An air filter should not be replaced until it shows visible signs of accumulated particles.
	True
	False

13.	Black smoke is mixed into the exhaust of a vehicle you have been tasked to repair. Which of the following is a likely cause?
	Leaking fuel injectors
	A closed carburetor choke
	A dirty air filter
	Any of the above

14.	Which of the following is NOT a possible cause of an engine hesitating?
	The air filter needs to be replaced.
	The ignition wires need to be replaced.
	The fuel filter is clogged.
	The engine has a vacuum leak.

15.	A vehicle is knocking when it goes over bumps or cracks in the road. Which of the following is a likely cause of the problem?
	Low power steering fluid
	Shocks or struts that need to be replaced.
	A broken tie rod
	A worn power steering belt

16.	It is recommended that a timing belt be replaced at the manufacturer’s suggested interval if a visual inspection reveals only minor fraying.
	True
	False

17.	A brake pedal has to go down too far to stop. Which of the following is not likely to be a cause of this problem?
	Low brake fluid
	Worn brake pads
	Contaminated brake fluid
	A brake line obstruction

18.	What type of fuse is a car made before 1980 likely to have?
	Blade
	Ceramic
	Glass Tube
	Any of the above

19.	What is the most common reason a car will not start?
	A bad fuse
	A dead battery
	A bad starter
	A bad ignition switch

20.	The water pump is the most important part of any vehicle’s cooling system.
	True
	False

21.	An engine has recently begun using a lot of oil and the coolant is foamy and brown. Which of the following is likely to have caused this problem?
	A cylinder head has been cracked.
	A head gasket has blown.
	The oil-to-water cooler is leaking.
	Any of the above

22.	Transmissions have a tendency to start leaking over time. Which of the following is NOT a common spot for a leak to occur?
	The drain hole beneath the transmission
	The base of the filler tube
	The filter housing
	The mounting point of the speed sensor

23.	Why is it necessary to compress the brake piston when you are replacing brake pads?
	a. You can not take the old pads off without compressing the piston.
	b. You have to compress the piston so that you won’t damage the new pads.
	c. It is not necessary to compress the brake piston before replacing the pads.
	d. Both a and b

24.	When a car battery develops problems, it is most often because of dirty posts.
	True
	False

25.	A vehicle is having difficulty with steering. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
	The power steering belt needs to be adjusted or replaced.
	The vehicle is low on power steering fluid.
	The power steering pump needs to be replaced.
	The power steering rack is leaking.

26.	Which of the following is NOT a common reason the CHECK ENGINE light comes on in most vehicles?
	The battery is dying.
	The gas cap is loose.
	The spark plug wires need to be replaced.
	The engine has somehow gotten wet.

27.	Which of the following is a common cause of an engine consuming too much oil? Assume there is no oil in the exhaust.
	A leaking air-to-water cooler
	A cracked cylinder
	Leaking gaskets and/or seals
	Worn piston rings

28.	The most efficient bank angle for a six cylinder engine is 60 degrees.
	True
	False

29.	A brake pedal has no or little air pressure. Which of the following is not likely to be the cause?
	A bad master cylinder
	Air in the brake fluid
	Vacuum problems
	Low brake fluid

30.	A vehicle comes into the shop with gray or blue smoke in the exhaust. Which of the following is likely to be the cause?
	Worn valve seals
	The PCV valve needs to be replaced.
	The engine has a mechanical problem
	Any of the above