Periodic servicing, vehicle inspection and workshop management
Periodic servicing, vehicle inspection and workshop management
The exam tests service schedules, inspection standards, documentation and workshop organisation.
Core rules
- Service intervals follow the OEM schedule, not a fixed 5,000 km for every car. Typical checks include engine oil and filter, air filter, brake fluid, coolant, belts, tyre pressures, suspension, lights and battery.
- Inspection: check tyres, with a legal minimum tread of 1.6 mm in India, brakes, steering play, suspension, emissions, lights, wipers and seat belts. A road test confirms repairs.
- Documentation: job card, checklist, parts used, labour, warranty, next service due. Record odometer and registration.
- Workshop management: 5S, tool control, waste oil and coolant segregation, and safe disposal of batteries and filters.
- PDI: remove transport guards, set tyre pressures, check fluid levels, road-test and confirm no open recalls or campaigns.
Worked example
A 10,000 km service on a petrol hatchback. Change oil and filter; check the air filter; inspect brake pads and replace at 2 mm; measure tyre tread; check coolant and brake fluid; test the battery; reset the service light. Then road-test and record. If the brake fluid is 3 years old, replace it by time even if the car has low mileage.
Traps
- Using the wrong oil grade or over-torqueing the drain plug.
- Skipping the road test after brake or steering work.
- Resetting the service light without doing the service.
- Mixing waste oil with coolant, making disposal hazardous.