Vehicle servicing, preventive maintenance and periodic inspection
Domain focus
This domain tests vehicle servicing, preventive maintenance and periodic inspection. It covers service schedules, fluid and filter replacement, tyre and brake checks, battery care, belt inspection, underbody checks and documenting a service against the manufacturer’s interval.
Core rules
- Follow the maker’s schedule by distance or time, whichever comes first; severe-use schedules shorten intervals.
- Check engine oil with the vehicle level and engine off; overfilling can cause aeration, seal leaks and catalyst damage.
- Replace filters and fluids to specification; use the correct oil grade, coolant type and brake fluid classification.
- Inspect tyres for pressure, tread depth, cuts and uneven wear; rotate as recommended and torque wheel nuts in a star sequence.
- Check brakes, hoses, belts, suspension, lights, wipers, battery terminals and leaks; reset service reminders only after work is complete.
- Record measurements and parts used; a service without documentation is difficult to defend.
Worked example
A car due at 20,000 km has 3 mm front pad thickness against a 2 mm wear limit and 6 mm rear pads. The front pads are close to replacement, so the adviser should recommend replacement and explain the measurement. The rear pads can be monitored at the next interval. Replacing all pads without measuring wastes the customer’s money; ignoring the front pads risks metal-to-metal damage.
Traps
Checking oil immediately after shutdown; mixing coolant types; over-torquing wheel nuts; skipping the road test; resetting the service light without doing the inspection; using mileage alone when the time interval has expired.