Vehicle Checks:
When you have your own car you should each day check that you have enough fuel, sufficient engine oil on your dipstick, engine coolant level is OK, your lights and wind-screen wipers work, and that your tyres have I .6mm tread and pressures are OK.
These are sample questions similar to those used on the driving test
Q. Open the bonnet and show me how you would check the engine oil level.
With the bonnet open - show the examiner where the dipstick is and tell him that you would “pull it out and wipe it, then put it back in, then pull it out again and check that the oil level is between the two marks.”
Q. Tell me how you would check that the power steering is working before starting a journey.
Show the examiner that you can test it by applying pressure to the steering wheel whilst starting the engine – the steering should feel lighter if the power assistance is working. You could also drive the car slowly along, check that it was safe behind and turn the steering from side to side, it should feel normal.
Q. Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine coolant level.
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the engine coolant reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min“. marks
Q. Tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is and tell him that it needs to be filled up to the top to see the level.
Q. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
Press it! It is only legal to do this while stationary if you are off-road. On the road you should get moving first.
Q. Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the brake fluid level.
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min“. marks.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working.
Tell the examiner that you would turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal to make them work then, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help.
Q. Show me how you would check the handbrake for wear.
Pull on the handbrake without pressing in the button, it should come up no more than 8 clicks, any more than this and it needs adjusting. It should also lock firmly when the button is released.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Put heavy pressure on the brake pedal and HOLD for 10 seconds. It should feel normal and firm. If it doesn’t or sinks downwards then there is a fault.
Tell the examiner that you would move the car slowly along, check that it was safe behind, depress the clutch then apply the foot-brake firmly – the car should stop in a straight line without pulling sideways.
Q. Tell me where you would find the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Tyre pressures for the car are found in the handbook and are 26 pounds per square inch for the back and 32 for the front) Check when the tyres are cold using the tyre pressure gauge. Remove the dust cap on the tyre valve and press the gauge on until the end shoots out – read off the pressure. don’t forget to mention the spare tyre.
Q. Show me how you would check that the indicators are working.
Turn on the ignition, switch on the left indicator and get out to check they work front and back, do the same for the right indicator .
Q. Show me how you would check that the headlights & rear lights are working.
Turn on the ignition, switch on the headlights and get out to check they work, turn on main beam and get out again.
Q. Tell me how you would check the tyre tread depth and condition.
Tell the examiner that you “use the tyre tread gauge, place it on the tread and push it in, then read off the depth” (minimum legal depth is 1.6mm over the whole circumference and over the central 3/4 of the width). Look around the side-wall of the tyre and say “there must not be any cuts or bulges.”.
Q. Tell me how you would check the power steering fluid level.
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the power steering fluid reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min“. marks.