SHOW ME TELL ME QUESTIONS

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

  Brakes should be tested as you set off

  Brakes should not feel spongy or slack

  The 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.

  Information can be found in the vehicle's manufacturer's guide

  Tyre pressure should be tested when tyres are cold using a reliable pressure gauge

  Don't forget to test the spare tyre and remember to refit the valve caps
• 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 restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears and as close to the back of the head as 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.

  Tyres must have no cuts or bulges to be safe

  It should have a tread depth of nothing less than 1.6mm across the central three quarters breadth of the tyre and you would check this all the way round the tyre
• Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.


  You would first turn on the ignition of the vehicle then turn on the dipped headlights and then walk round the car to check the headlights and tail lights are working
• Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

  A warning light should illuminate when you start the car if there is a problem 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.

  Turn on the ignition

  Press the hazard warning lights button to turn hazard lights on

  Walk around the car to make sure all six indicators are working
• Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

  Turn the ignition on

  Press the foot brake and see if the lights are working through reflections in a window or door

  Or ask someone to help and check if the light works when you press the foot brake
• Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

  Two checks can be made

  1. Give the steering some gentle pressure as you start the engine - there should be slight movement as the power steering begins to operate
  2. Or turning the wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication if the power assistance is functioning

  If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly
• Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.


  Turn on the ignition

  Turn on dipped headlights

  Push stick on the left towards you for the main beam

  The blue indicator light on the dashboard shows the main beam is on
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

  Open the bonnet

  You would check the oil level by:

  • Removing the dipstick
  • Wipe it clean of oil
  • Dip it back in
  • Remove it again
  • The oil should leave an oily mark between the maximum and minimum marker
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.


  Open the bonnet

  The coolant can be checked by looking at the minimum and maximum levels found on the side of the expansion tank

  Never open the coolant when it's hot
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

  Open the bonnet

  This can be checked by looking at the minimum and maximum levels found on the side of the brake fluid reservoir