Show Me, Tell Me Questions
At the beginning of your test your examiner will ask you two questions relating to basic car maintenance.
How would you check the handbrake, to see if it is working properly?
Pull it up. The button should release and secure the lever in an upright position. There should be tension in the handbrake lever, so that as it is pulled higher, it gets tighter.
Tell me how you would check the footbrake?
Drive away, and if it is safe, press the brake. The car should respond by stopping in a straight line. If it pulls to one side, one brake is working harder than the other, and needs adjusting.
Tell me how you would check the power steering.
Turn on the engine. Turn the steering wheel through 90 degrees, and it should feel light and fairly easy to turn. If it is heavy to turn, you may want to check your tyre pressures.
How would you demist the front and rear windscreens in the event of interior condensation?
The quickest way to demist the front windscreen is to apply warm dry air, i.e. air conditioning. However, if your car does not have A/C then apply warm air and open a window to allow the moisture an exit route.
Use the mouse...
...to find out about the dashboard lights
Tell me how you would clean the front and rear windscreen whilst driving
Pull/Push the stalk until cleaning fluid jets across the window. Use the wipers until the screen is clear. Make sure your wiper blades are clean before you start your journey by running a cloth along the length of the blade.
Tell me how you would check the brake lights
Turn the ignition lights on, press the brake. Ask someone to check the rear lights, or, look at a reflection.
Show me how you would check the Headlights/Tail lights. Show me how you would check the indicators.
Turn the key so that the ignition lights are illuminated on the dashboard. Turn the lights on. Close the door of the car behind you. Walk around the car to check the lights are working.
When is it necessary to use Main Beam Headlights? How would you illuminate them?
Use the main beam headlights on unlit roads at night to improve your ability to see into the distance. You MUST dip your headlights before they dazzle oncoming traffic. When you illuminate the main beam then a Blue symbol will appear on the dashboard.
Show me how you would illuminate the rear fog lights, and explain the conditional requirements for their use.
Turn on the headlights, then the rear fog light. It is bright, and should only be used when visibility is less than 100 metres, or approx. 25 car lengths.
How would you check the screenwash level?
Look at the reservoir. It may be hidden, so try to squirt some water against the screen. If nothing comes out, top it up with diluted screenwash.
Tell me how you would check the oil level.
Cold Engine. Level road surface. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out again and the oil level should be between the minimum and maximum markers. If it is low, top up the oil a little bit at a time through the filler cap. Keep re-checking the level as you fill it up. If the level is too high, you may need to remove some oil via the nut under the engine (check the manual for this).
How would you check the engine coolant/anti-freeze?
Cold Engine. Level road surface. Check the reservoir. The level should rest between the minimum and maximum marks. If the engine is hot, and the level is low, wait for 5 minutes for it to cool down before topping up.
Show me how you would check the brake and clutch fluid.
Look at the reservoir and the level should be between the maximum and minimum mark. If it is low, then you need to find out why. Go to a mechanic.
What is ABS? How would you know if it was malfunctioning?
ABS stands for Anti-Lock Braking System. If it is malfunctioning then the warning light will illuminate when the engine is running.
Tell me how you would check the tyre pressures, and the tread depth.
The tyres must be cold for you to get a true reading, so check before your journey. Apply a pressure gauge to the valve of each tyre. The pressure shown in the gauge should match that which is recommended in the drivers manual of the vehicle. Tread depth should be no less than 1.6mm (although 3mm is a safer limit). Tyres often have a rubber gromit which projects to 1.6mm, so that when the tyre is worn, the gromit is visible. Also check tyres for cuts, blisters, bulges, and sharp puncture causing materials.
Tell me how you would fix the head restraints
The head restraints should be level with the back of your head, so that in the event of an emergency stop, or collision, your neck will not be damaged by tipping back over the seat.
Show me how you would check the horn.
Press it. It should be loud enough to startle pigeons.
