'Tell Me' Questions

Question 1

Brakes are working before starting a journey

Answer 1

Press brake pedal,

• not feel spongey or slack,
• not pull to one side

Question 2

Recommended tyre pressures, & check each one

Answer 2

• Look in a car manual
• use a reliable pressure gauge to check pressure when tyres are COLD
• refit the valve caps
• check spare tyre if you’ve got one

Question 3

Head restraint correctly adjusted to provides best protection

Answer 3

• Adjust so that the rigid part is at least as high as eyes or top of ears
• Close to the back of your head
• Comfortable

Some may not be adjustable

Question 4

Tyres have sufficient tread depth and are in a safe condition

Answer 4

• no cuts or bulges

- at least 1.6mm tread depth across middle 3/4 of tyre, and around outer circumference

Question 5

Headlights and taillights are working

Answer 5

• turn on switch (and ignition if necessary)

- walk around car to check lights are working

Question 6

A problem with your anti-lock braking system

Answer 6

ABS warning light should light up if there’s a fault

Question 7

Indicators are working

Answer 7

• turn on hazard warning lights (might need to turn ignition on)
• walk around the car to check the indicators are working

Question 8

Check brake lights are working

Answer 8

• press brake pedal
• either ask someone to check the brake lights come on, or
• use reflection in windows and doors

Question 9

Power steering is working before starting a journey

Answer 9

• turn ignition on
• turn steering wheel
• should move with ease
• or can turn steering wheel just after moving off

Question 10

How to turn on rear fog lights, and explain how you’d use them

Answer 10

• turn the ignition on
• turn on dipped headlights
• then foglights
• check warning light on dashboard is on
• only for use when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you can’t see for more that 100metres

Question 11

Switch headlights from dipped to main beam, and how you’d know main beam is on

Answer 11

• turn ignition on
• turn on dipped headlights
• switch to main beam
• check the main beam warning light on the dashboard is on

Question 12

Open bonnet and tell me how you’d know the engine has sufficient oil

Answer 12

• remove dipstick
• wipe it clean with a cloth
• put it back in the holder
• take it out again
• look at high and low marks: oil level should be between them
• if too low, top it up but don’t overfill it as could damage engine

Question 13

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

Answer 13

• look at the high and low level marks on the radiator header tank
• if low, top up with a water and anti-freeze mix
• BUT only when the engine is COLD; could get a serious injury if you open the cap when engine is hot

Question 14

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

Answer 14

• brake fluid must be kept between high and low marks

- if low, top up with correct type of fluid (look in car’s manual)