Spoilers ahead
This page may contain story spoilers! Proceed at your own risk...
Information about cars and how they work in the Olympic Exclusion Zone written by the character Debbie Reed.
These in-game documents can be found scattered throughout the Zone, and then stored inside of the Fax Machine at the Auto Shop.
Zone Motors and You #1
"Welcome back, folks, to another edition of Zone Motors with me, Debbie Reed! Today I'm showing you how to check one of the most important things on any car: the oil.
To check the oil, make sure your engine is off, pop your hood, find your dipstick, and pull that guy out. Read the level and, to be doubly sure, wipe the dipstick, reinsert it and take a second reading. It's important to check regularly in the Zone, because those Mosquitos will drain any pans they can and engines suffer a lot of wear out here."
Zone Motors and You #2
"Welcome back, drivers! I'm Debbie Reed and today I want to talk to you about radio reception in the Zone.
As you've probably noticed, radio reception isn't so great here. Some of that is mountains, some of that is radiation, but the truth is that most of it is uncategorized environmental Anomalies of incredible power!
Don't worry. ARDA has installed many transmitters and boosters across the Zone and you can pick up a broad range of local signals as you move through the region. These include regional radio, government broadcasts, and local amateurs keen to connect with one another. Listen closely, you might make a new friend!"
Zone Motors and You #3
"Hi, I'm Debbie Reed, and I'm here to help you understand one of the most common, and most annoying, problems that motorists face.
That horrible screeching from under your hood is coming from your belt, which connects to your engine and helps run a bunch of other things under your hood. It's easy to diagnose a squeaky belt by running your engine with the hood up, but be careful not to touch it when it's in motion!
Two of the most common causes of a squeaky belt are age and poor belt tension or alignment. Be sure to check the tensioner that your belt runs over, and that your belt continues to fit correctly. If it's still squeaking once you check all that, it's probably time for a replacement. Slightly wetting or lubricating the belt in the meantime can temporarily stop the squeaks, but don't put it off for long."
Zone Motors and You #4
"Did you know that waxing your car isn't just about making it shinier? A good coat of wax is essential in the Zone, because it helps protect against abrasion, discoloration, chemical exposure, and has been proven to reduce the effects of radiation by up to three percent.
First, make sure you've given your car a thorough wash and that it's completely dried. Next, apply modest amounts of wax to the pad or cloth you're using, and wax your car one area at a time. The longer the wax dries for, the harder it is to remove, so be sure to begin removing recent wax with a thin cloth before you move on to another part of the vehicle."
Zone Motors and You #5
"Do you know your car's recommended tire pressure? And have you checked it recently?
Depending upon your car, your owner's manual might recommend tire pressures anywhere between 28 and 35 psi. You can check your pressure with any air pump at a garage, or with a foot pump at home, and those of us working in the Zone need to be extra vigilant with this. Atmospheric shifts and weather changes can affect your tire pressure a great deal. Did you know that, on cold days, you may be driving on under-inflated tires?
If you drive to higher elevations in the Zone, you may find your tire pressure increasing slightly. If you're driving in the mountains for long periods of time, remember to take some time at the pump to double-check. Your wheels, and your driving experience, will benefit from the optimal tire pressure!"
Zone Motors and You #6
"Hi, I'm Debbie Reed, and I'm here to remind you that one of the most important things that you can do as a motorist in the Olympic Exclusion Zone is to use the road respectfully.
It's surprisingly busy out there. We've got important convoys, scientists doing fieldwork, and top secret undertakings conducted deep in the woods. Remember that other road users may be in a hurry, perhaps escaping a strange Anomaly or experiment gone wrong.
Be ready to make way for other road users in an emergency. Don't forget that a helpful Zone motorist always carries spares and supplies to help others in need, so remember to pack extra gas, repair tools, and a spare tire. Your help and preparation could really make someone else's day!"