[rhp]

Yeah totally. And if you can't be bothered to read your car's owner's manual from cover to cover you probably don't deserve to be driving it anyway.

[rch]

Actually, you should probably read the Chilton (or equivalent) manual cover to cover.

[cbp]

A lack of curiosity is indeed reproachable. And while I do consider knowing how a car works basic common knowledge, I wouldn't advise someone that doesn't have that to start with the manual.