Driving in Extreme Weather Quiz
Written by Dan Henry Trivia Expert
Last updated · 9 min play time
All four seasons and all climates pose unique driving challenges. Are you and your car prepared for all the elements you might face on the road?
All four seasons and all climates pose unique driving challenges. From hot weather to cold weather, fog to tornadoes, are you and your car prepared for the elements?
Quiz written by
Dan HenryExtreme Weather Quiz Questions
20 Questions · 21.3K Plays · 3 Comments
Question 1
Which of the following road surfaces is most likely to freeze over first?
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ARoad at the top of a hill
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BBridge
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CRoad near a lake
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DRoad at the bottom of a hill
Bridge
Bridges ice before roads because of energy loss from the top, side, and bottom during cold weather.
Question 2
It's early morning and you drive into dense fog? What should you do with your headlights?
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ATurn on your low beams
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BDon't use any headlights
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CTurn on normal headlights
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DTurn on brights
Turn on your low beams
Using your low beams will help ensure that less light reflects off the clouds back into your eyes.
Question 3
You attempt to turn on your windshield wipers, but they are frozen to the windshield. What common household item can be used to de-ice them?
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ABoiling water
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BLemon juice
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CKitty litter
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DRubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol
Soaking a cloth in rubbing alcohol will prevent the wipers from sticking to the windshield.
Question 4
You've tried to start your car in the cold multiple times, but nothing will work. Short of calling a cab, what's one last trick that might help the car start?
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ARemove the battery and take it inside your house to heat up for 15-20 minutes.
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BPour liquor into your gas tank, as alcohol has a lower temperature flash point than octane.
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CPour one ounce of an acidic solution on the battery terminals to help charge build.
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DConnect the battery to a 120 volt wall plug using two paper clips to recharge the battery.
Remove the battery and take it inside your house to heat up for 15-20 minutes.
It may take up to two hours to heat up a battery enough to make this method work.
Question 5
Let's test your knowledge of handling severe storms. Which of the following is the best place to shelter if driving during a tornado?
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AIn your car, on the road shoulder
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BHighway overpass
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CIn a ditch or low area
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DA nearby mobile home
In a ditch or low area
If the tornado threat is immediate, NOAA and the Red Cross recommend you get as far away from your car as possible to take cover in a ditch.
Question 6
Which is the best method to quickly remove ice from your windshield?
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ASprinkle salt on affected areas.
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BStart your car and blast the defroster.
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CThe old-fashioned way: with an ice scraper.
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DBring water to a low boil then pour it on affected windows.
The old-fashioned way: with an ice scraper.
Using the defroster will help, but the fastest way to clear off thick snow and ice is with a good scraper.
Question 7
Now let's see how you handle summer weather. We all know cars left in the sun will heat up - but how hot will a car in left in 70 weather get in 30 minutes if left in direct sun?
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A94
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B104
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C74
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D84
104
Research from San Francisco State University indicates a car will heat over 30 degrees in just 30 minutes.
Question 8
Driving through heavy rain, hydroplaning is always a possibility. How should you correct a skid?
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ATurn the direction of the skid and punch the gas.
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BKeep the wheel straight and brake gently.
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CTurn in the direction of the skid and brake gently.
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DTurn the opposite direction of the skid and pump the brakes.
Turn in the direction of the skid and brake gently.
Steering into the skid is usually the best course of action, as is gently applying the brakes in order to regain control of the car.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT recommended for driving in high winds?
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AGive towed objects extra space.
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BTake corners extra slowly.
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CIf driving on a bridge, do not stop.
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DRoll down windows to reduce air resistance.
Roll down windows to reduce air resistance.
Rolling down your windows will not substantially change your car's wind resistance. The other three options will help you stay safe.
Question 10
When driving in the rain, which of the following is NOT recommended?
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ATurn off cruise control
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BTurn on headlights
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CKeep all windows clear
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DTurn on emergency flashers
Turn on emergency flashers
It's actually illegal to drive with your flashers on in many states.
Question 11
Now let's see how you handle winter conditions. When expecting to drive in wintry conditions, what is the best option for your tires?
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AUse tire chains and drive less than 30 mph.
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BOnly drive an AWD vehicle.
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CEquip your vehicle with winter-specific tires.
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DMake sure your existing tires have at least 9/32" tread depth, if so, they are okay.
Equip your vehicle with winter-specific tires.
Tire chains are potentially damaging to both your car and the road, and winter tires are a much more practical option.
Question 12
What's the best way to start a car in extremely cold weather?
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ATurn the key in the ignition for 5 - 10 seconds. If it doesn't start, wait a couple minutes before trying again.
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BTurn the key for at least 20 seconds while pumping the gas pedal.
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CPress the gas pedal for 5 seconds before trying to start the car in order to push fuel into the engine first.
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DPlace the car in neutral and have a friend push the car while trying to start it.
Turn the key in the ignition for 5 - 10 seconds. If it doesn't start, wait a couple minutes before trying again.
Attempting to start the car for more than 10 seconds will result in possibly overworking the starter.
Question 13
AAA includes all of the following but which item in their car winter survival kit?
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AFolding shovel with sheath
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BTwo-person sleeping bag
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CEmergency candles
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DHand warmer packets
Two-person sleeping bag
No sleeping bags are provided, although the kit does include an emergency blanket.
Question 14
Which of the following will most help prevent tire blowout on a hot summer day?
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AIncrease tire size.
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BEquip your car with high-performance tires.
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CMake sure your tires are not MORE than 80% of recommended pressure.
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DMake sure your tires are not LESS than 80% of recommended pressure.
Make sure your tires are not LESS than 80% of recommended pressure.
Underinflation, not temperature, is the #1 cause of tire blowouts.
Question 15
You're about to drive into a dusty area but realize you're out of wiper fluid. What household item(s) can be used to quickly make a freeze-proof wiper fluid?
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AWindow cleaner and ammonia
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BLemon juice
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CWater, rubbing alcohol, and ammonia
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DWater and vinegar
Water, rubbing alcohol, and ammonia
A mixture of water, rubbing alcohol and ammonia is less likely to freeze in very cold weather.
Question 16
If your car is overheating, all of the following will help the engine cool down EXCEPT _____?
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AOpen the hood
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BAdd water to the coolant reservoir tank
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CTurn on the interior heater
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DKeep driving normally
Keep driving normally
Removing the radiator cap could release high-pressure steam and radiator fluid that could cause serious burns.
Question 17
Now hopefully you've learned a bit more about how to drive in adverse conditions, unlike many other drivers! How many Americans are injured in weather-related car accidents on a yearly basis?
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A450,000
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B350,000
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C250,000
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D150,000
450,000
It's hard to believe, but nearly half a million Americans are injured in weather-related accidents every year.
Question 18
Will your car keep you safe if lightning strikes?
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AYes, but only if nothing is touching a metal surface.
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BNo, lightning will quickly immobilize the car and likely cause you to crash.
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CNo, get out of the car and get in a ditch or low area.
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DYes, the rubber tires do not complete the ground-cloud connection.
Yes, but only if nothing is touching a metal surface.
The metal shell of a car acts as what's called a Faraday cage, redirecting the majority of current around the occupants. However, touching any surface connected to that metal shell could prove deadly.
Question 19
You've probably heard the phrase "turn around, don't drown", but how much water does it actually take to make an average car float?
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ANone of the above
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B2 feet
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C3 feet
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D6 inches
2 feet
Loss of control is possible with just six inches of running water, and a foot of water is enough to float many vehicles.
Question 20
You're driving and your car becomes stuck in the snow. Which substance will NOT help you become unstuck?
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AHot water
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BSalt
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CKitty litter
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DSand
Hot water
Salt, kitty litter and sand will all help the tires to gain traction.
Comments (3)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
There were to many grey area's & the questions cold have been explained better But still fun, I like the short ones, not the eighty & above questions
Nice keep it up.
Most of your suggestions are good but not the best and most practical answers.