Vehicle Maintenance and Technical Requirements
Daily and periodic checks
A roadworthy vehicle is a legal requirement, and exam questions test which check catches which fault. Before driving, walk around: tyres for damage and pressure, lights and indicators, mirrors, plates, and any fluid leaks. Periodically check oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and wiper blades. The periodic technical inspection confirms roadworthiness at intervals set by law and produces the certificate you must carry.
Tyres and brakes
Tread depth must meet the legal minimum (commonly 1.6 mm across the central tread); worn tyres lengthen braking distance and risk aquaplaning. Pressure should be checked cold and per the manufacturer's figures - over-inflation reduces grip, under-inflation overheats and wears edges. Brake faults show as a spongy pedal, pulling to one side, or a warning light; any of these means stop and inspect.
Lights and emissions
All lights must function and be correctly aimed; a misaimed headlight dazzles oncoming drivers. Emissions equipment - catalytic converter, particulate filter, lambda sensor - must be intact, and a warning light on the dashboard is a signal to diagnose, not to ignore. Tampering with emissions systems is both illegal and harmful.
The traps
Questions often ask what a warning symbol means, or whether you may continue driving with a defect. The safe answer is that safety-critical defects (brakes, steering, tyres, lights at night) mean do not drive until repaired. Cosmetic faults are different.
Worked example
A tyre shows 1.4 mm tread on one shoulder. That is below the 1.6 mm minimum, so the tyre must be replaced before driving, regardless of the rest of the tread pattern.
Rule of thumb
If a defect affects stopping, steering, seeing or being seen, the vehicle stays parked.
Environmental Protection and Efficient Driving
Eco-driving principles
Efficient driving reduces fuel use, emissions and wear. The core habits are: accelerate smoothly, shift up early (petrol around 2,000–2,500 rpm, diesel lower), maintain steady speed in the highest practical gear, anticipate traffic so you brake less, and switch off the engine during longer stops. Air conditioning and roof boxes increase consumption; so does unnecessary weight.
Cold starts and idling
Engines are least efficient when cold. Avoid revving a cold engine; drive gently to warm it. Idling wastes fuel and pollutes, so switch off when stationary for more than a short wait - modern engines tolerate this well. A frequent exam trap is the belief that an engine must be left running to protect the turbo or battery; the modern answer is to switch off unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
Tyres, maintenance and noise
Correct tyre pressure cuts rolling resistance and fuel use; under-inflated tyres waste fuel and wear faster. Regular servicing keeps the engine and emissions system efficient. Noise is pollution too: avoid unnecessary horn use, keep the exhaust system intact, and drive gently in residential areas and at night.
Planning and alternatives
Combine errands, use the shortest sensible route, car-share, and consider walking, cycling or public transport for short trips - cold short journeys are the least efficient and most polluting. Route planning that avoids congestion also cuts emissions.
Worked example
Two drivers cover the same 20 km. One accelerates hard and brakes late, the other anticipates and coasts to stops. The smooth driver may use 15–25 % less fuel - a bigger saving than most technical fixes.
Rule of thumb
Look far ahead, lift off early, and let the car slow itself rather than braking late.