Show Me Tell Me Questions Part 2

In this blog we will look at the questions that you may be asked whilst in the test centre car park. You will be asked one of the following by the examiner and we have split them into 4 categories.

  1. Under The Bonnet
  2. Lights
  3. Tyres
  4. Other Questions

Under The Bonnet

First of all you will need to be able to open the bonnet of your car.Usually there will be a catch or switch inside your vehicle such as this one:

Then you need to open the bonnet and secure it properly like this:

Then you can see the layout of the engine and the three questions that the examiner may ask.

Q.Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A. Point to the oil dipstick ,pictured with the arrow in the middle, and explain that you would remove the dipstick then clean the dipstick of oil. Then replace into engine and remove again and see that oil level is between the maximum and minimum marks.

Q.Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
A. Point to the engine coolant tank,pictured with the lower arrow on the left. Explain that the liquid level should be between the maximum and minimum levels.

Q.Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A. Point to the brake fluid reservoir pictured with the higher arrow on the left.Explain that the fluid needs to be between the maximum and minimum levels.

Lights

Q. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and taillights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
A. Turn on the ignition and operate switch as below:

Q.Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you would use them.
A. As above then press bottom left button. A symbol will then appear on your dashboard. You should use your fog lights when visibility is less than 100m

Q.Tell me how you would check the indicators are working.You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
A. No need to turn ignition on. Operate switch as below and explain you would check each light was working:

Q.Tell me how you would check that your brake lights are working.
A. Turn on ignition then press brake pedal.Explain that you would ask someone to check that they are lit or use reflections.

Q.Tell me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know they were on.
A. Turn ignition on and operate dipped headlights as above. Then operate main beam switch. Blue light should show up on dashboard.

Q.Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your ABS or Anti-Lock Braking System.
A. A warning light will show on your dashboard.

Tyres

Q.Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A. Minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre. Also look for no cuts and bulges in the tyre wall.

Q.Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this vehicle and how you would check the tyre pressures.
A. The information would be in the manufacturers guide and also on the door pillar of the car. To check pressures use a tyre pressure gauge or go to a garage and check.

Others

Q.Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting your journey.
A. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q.Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
A. 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. Adjust as needed.

Q.Tell me how you check the power steering is working before starting a journey.
A. Turn the steering wheel to the left and then start the engine. The power steering will catch up and you will feel the steering wheel tug.