tell me qus

Question 1

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

Answer 1

• brakes shouldn’t feel spongy or slack

• brakes should be tested as you set off

• car shouldn’t pull to one side

Question 2

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

Answer 2

• in the manufacturer’s guide

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

• it should be adjusted so the rigid part 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.

• some restraints might not be adjustable

Question 4

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

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

i’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round the car to see the lights

(as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights)

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working

(you don’t need to exit the vehicle)

Answer 7

i’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round the car to see the lights

(as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights)

Question 8

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

Answer 8

i’d operate the brake pedal and then use the reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help

Question 9

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

Answer 9

• if you turn the wheel when the engine is off it should feel heavy

• if you turn the wheel when the engine is on it should feel light

Question 10

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)

Answer 10

• engine on, pull left thing towards you, turn it all the way to get the bottom symbol

• engine on, twist left thing so lights go on then adjust the right hand side of left thing so orange symbol comes up

• use when visibility is less than 100m

Question 11

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

Answer 11

• engine on, turn until blue main beam light flashes up

Question 12

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

Answer 12

• identify dipstick/oil level indicator (yellow circle thing)

• explain that you pull out dipstick, clean with cloth, then dip it in to check it’s between the min/max levels

• car should be on flat surface

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings