Vehicle Inspection, Servicing and Maintenance Procedures
Vehicle Inspection, Servicing and Maintenance Procedures
This domain tests periodic servicing, pre-delivery and safety inspections, emission compliance and documentation. Expect questions on service intervals, checklists and the order of a routine service.
Core rules
- Service schedule: follow the manufacturer's km or time interval, whichever comes first. Typical items: engine oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, brake inspection, tyre rotation, fluid levels, belt tension, battery test.
- Pre-delivery inspection (PDI): cleanliness, fluid levels, tyre pressures, torque of wheel nuts, lights, horn, wipers, road test, tool kit and documents.
- Emissions: Bharat Stage VI norms apply to new vehicles; a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is required at prescribed intervals for in-use vehicles.
- Safety inspection: brakes, steering play, suspension, tyres (tread depth and damage), lights, seat belts, mirrors, exhaust leaks, chassis corrosion.
- Documentation: job card, estimate, customer approval, service record, warranty claims.
Worked example
A vehicle has 34,500 km on the odometer and the service interval is every 10,000 km or 12 months. The last service was at 30,000 km, eight months ago. Reasoning: by distance the next service is due at 40,000 km, so 5,500 km remain; by time it is due in four months. The vehicle is not yet due. However, if the owner reports a brake noise, the inspection is not postponed - the complaint is checked at once and a job card is raised. At 40,000 km, the major service items include oil and filter, air filter, brake fluid check and a full safety inspection.
Traps
- Checking tyre pressure when the tyres are hot and setting to the cold specification.
- Overfilling engine oil, which can cause aeration and seal leaks.
- Skipping the road test after brake or steering work.
- Resetting the service indicator without doing the work.