Tell Me Questions (Before Driving) Flashcards
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey
Brakes should NOT feel spongy or slack. (Should NOT feel like the clutch does)
Brakes should be tested as you set off.
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
Look in the car manual/manufacturers guide, then use a reliable pressure gauge to check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold.
Remember to refit valve caps.
Remember to check the spare tyre.
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
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.
At least 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 that you’d turn the headlights dial two clicks (to the dipped headlights icon) (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round the vehicle (as it 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
Warning light (ABS - orange) 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 you’d press the hazard warning lights button (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round the vehicle (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 you’d operate the break pedal, make use of 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.
- TURN THE IGNITION ON, then turn the steering wheel - it should move with ease
- (TURN THE IGNITION ON) you can also turn the steering wheel just after moving off to check that it works
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them
(Turn the ignition on, turn on the dipped headlights) then press the fog lights button (the one to the right of the dipped headlights dial)
Check warning light is on.
Use when visibility is seriously reduced, generally WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE FOR MORE THAN 100M
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Turn the ignition on, turn on the dipped headlights (turn dial two turns), switch to main beam (pull left stalk towards yourself), check main beam warning light is on (blue)
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil
To open the bonnet: pull lever in top of footwell (about in line between break and accelerator) down towards you to activate the catch on the bonnet. Then pull the catch under the bonnet to the left (don’t lift until fully pulled) to open and put the prop up on the left hand side. To shut, drop from a height.
Identify dipstick (stick with the yellow top), wipe clean with cloth, put back in holder, then take out again, look at high and low marks (oil level should be between them).
If it’s too low, top it up but don’t overfill it as you could damage the engine.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant
To open the bonnet: pull lever in top of footwell (about in line between break and accelerator) down towards you to activate the catch on the bonnet. Then pull the catch under the bonnet to the left to open, and put the prop up on the left hand side.
White box to the left of the engine oil.
Check the coolant level by looking at the high and low level markings on the radiator header tank.
If levels are low, top it up with a water and antifreeze mix, but only when the engine is cold (you could get a serious injury if you open the cap when engine is hot)
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid
To open the bonnet: pull lever in top of footwell (about in line between break and accelerator) down towards you to activate the catch on the bonnet. Then pull the catch under the bonnet to the left to open, and put the prop up on the left hand side.
Black ‘screw’ top with three yellow symbols on (to the left of the engine oil dipstick)
The brake fluid must be kept between the high and low marks.
If it’s low top it up with the correct kind of fluid (you can find this out in the car manual)
Windscreen washer fluid?
Blue topped bottle at far right in the bonnet - top up once a week
