Tell me or show me how
Part of a students test includes a 'Tell Me how would you or Show me how would you' section.
This is when your examiner will ask you to Show him how would you ' and one 'Tell me how would you'
question about general maintenance and safety checks on your car.
You can get some idea of what questions you are likely be asked on this page and you can see the kind of response you would be expected to give.
A wrong answer to one or both of the questions counts as one Minor Fault.
Tell me how do you check the engine oil?
Remove the dipstick and wipe the end with a clean cloth or rag.
Replace the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil on the end
which must show between the minimum and maximum markers
Tell me how would you check the brake fluid?
The fluid must show between the minimum and maximum marker levels on the side of the brake fluid reservoir.
You must bring the car to a garage straight away if the level falls below minimum,
if the warning light is on your dash or if the brakes are softer than usual.
Tell me how would you check the coolant level?
The coolant fluid level must show between the minimum and maximum
markers on the side of the coolant level reservoir.
Only top up when the vehicle is cold.
Tell me how would you check the Windscreen Washer fluid level?
The windscreen washer level should be topped up regularly using water with a
screen wash additive (not anti-freeze) to help clear dirt and grime and to stop it freezing in Winter.
Tell me how would you check the brake lights are working?
"I would operate the brake pedal when I have a reflected view, for example,
off another parked car or a window, or I would ask a friend to press the pedal so I could check them."
Tell me how you would check that the footbrake is working before starting a journey?
"The brakes should not feel spongy or pull to one side and should be tested as soon as you pull away where safe to do so."
Tell me where you find the recommended tyre pressures and how you would check them?
"Details in the manufacturers guide and usually on the passenger side door pillar.
The pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold and the spare should be checked as well
and valve caps should be replaced."
Tell me how you would check the tyre's tread depth and that their general condition is safe?
"There must be no cuts or bulges, a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three quarters of
the width of the tyre and around the whole circumference."
All modern tyres will have a 'tread depth marker' in the main tread that gives an easy method of checking the tread is ok.
Check for uneven wear
Check for foreign objects i.e. screws and nails stuck in the tyre.
Show me / explain how you would check that the power steering is working before starting a journey?
"Gentle turning pressure on the wheel as the engine is started would result in a slight but
noticeable movement as the system begins to operate"
Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear?
Demonstrate this by applying the footbrake to keep the car steady, disengaging and re-applying
the parking brake to show that it secures itself and is not at the end of its working travel.
Show me how would you check that the horn is working properly?
By giving the horn a short burst taking care not to frighten any pedestrians
Show me how would you check that the direction indicators are working?
Operate the hazard warning and walk around the car checking front, side and rear indicators are functioning.
