Tell Me

Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

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

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

manufacturers guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold. don’t forget a spare tyre, and remember to refit valve caps.

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

it should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head rest 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.

nb some 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.

they should have a 1.6mm tread depth across the central 3/4 of the tyre breadth and around the circumference. there should be no cuts or bulges

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

explain - you would operate the switch, then walk around the vehicle

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

warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the abs

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

explain - you’d operate the switch, and then walk round the vehicle.

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

explain - you’d operate the brake pedal and use either the reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help

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 a journey 2 checks can be made

* maintain gentle pressure on the steering wheel while the engine is started, if it is working then a a slight movement should occur as the system operates
* or turning the steering just after moving off will give an immediate indication as to whether the system is operating

tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when they’d be used - you do not need to exit the vehicle

operate the switch and check if the warning light is on. they should only be used when visibility drops below 100 metres, to help you see better and to help other drivers see you better.

tell me how you’d switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know when the main beam is on.

operate the switch and check the main beam warning light.

open the bonnet and tell me how’d you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

1 identify the dipstick/oil level indicator

2 describe 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

1 identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap

2 describe how to top up to correct level

* slowly unscrew the cap to release any pressure, and then fill to the maximum and no more

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

1 identify reservoir

2 check level against high and low markings