Tell me Flashcards
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey
The car’s brakes should not feel spongy or slack. They should be tested as you set off on a journey to make sure they stop the car quickly and smoothly. The car should not pull to one side when the brakes are applied.
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Look in the manufacturer’s handbook, although some cars have the pressures listed inside the fuel filler cap or the passenger side door. Use a reliable pressure gauge to check pressures and always check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold. Remember to refit the valve caps and don’t forget the spare tyre, if there is one.
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 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. Note: Some restraints might 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.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference 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.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary), then walk around the vehicle. Note: while this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
The warning light 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.
Explain that you’d operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary), and then walk around the vehicle. You can then repeat the process with the opposite side indicators activated.
Note: as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car
Explain that you’d operate the brake pedal then make use of reflections to the rear of the car in windows or doors to see if the lights are working. Alternatively, you could 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, two simple checks can be made.
Applying gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication whether the power assistance is functioning
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.
Operate the switch (turn on the dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check the warning light is on and explain the correct use.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate the switch (with the ignition or engine on if necessary), check with the main-beam warning light.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator and describe how you would check the 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 the high and low level markings on the header tank where fitted, or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to the correct level.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify the reservoir and check the level against the high and low markings.
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).
You’d tell the examiner that if there was a problem with the ABS then a ABS warning light would stay illuminated when you start the car.
