Show me and tell me questions

Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey

The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. The brakes should be tested as you set off, and the vehicle should not pull to one side.

Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

You would find the recommended tyre pressures for this car in the manufacturers handbook.

To check the tyre pressures, you would use a reliable pressure gauge, and then check and adjust the pressures when the tyres are cold.

And it is also important not to forget the spare tyre and to remember to refit the valve caps.

Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

The head restraint should be adjusted so that the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.

And it’s also important to note that some head restraints may not be adjustable.

Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

You would check to see that there are no cuts or bulges in the tyre.

The tread depth must be 1.6 milimeters across the central three quaters of the breadth of the tire, and around the entire outer circumferance of the tyre.

Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle

I would operate the switch, and then walk around the vehicle to check.

Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A warning should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system

Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

I would operate the switch, indiciating to the left or the right and then walk around the vehicle to check the lights

Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

I would firstly operate the brake pedal, and then make use of reflections in the windows or doors, or ask someone for help if i still can’t see

Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly- before starting the journey there are two simple checks which can be made.

Firstly, you should apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel whilst the engine is running- if it is working there will be a slightbut noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.

And also, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is working.

Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle

I would turn on the ignition and dipped headlights if necessary, then operate the rear fog switch. The rear fog light Warning lights will come on if they are working.

You would them use them when visibiloty is seriously reduced, to perhaps 100 meters or less.

Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

I would turn on the ignition or engine if necessary, then operate the headlight switch to switch from dipped headlights to main beam. To check if it was working, I would check that the blue main beam warning light appears on the dashboard.

Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil

Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator, decribe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings