Common Competencies: Preventive Maintenance, Servicing, and Records
What this domain covers
Common competencies cover preventive maintenance and servicing of light vehicles, basic troubleshooting, tool care, and service records. The exam tests a safe, systematic pre-departure inspection, correct fluid and tire checks, recognition of abnormal wear or leaks, and the judgment to refer faults. It also tests environmental handling of used oil, coolant, and batteries under RA 6969, which regulates hazardous waste.
Checks and limits
- Engine oil: level between MIN and MAX on a level surface, engine off; overfilling can damage seals.
- Coolant: check only when cold; never open a hot radiator cap. Use the specified coolant mix, not plain water for long-term use.
- Brake and clutch fluid: level and color; a falling level suggests a leak.
- Tires: pressure when cold, tread wear even, no cuts or bulges; include the spare.
- Battery: secure mounting, clean terminals, correct electrolyte level for serviceable types; no sparks or smoking near it.
- Belts and hoses: cracks, glazing, soft spots, correct tension.
- Lights, wipers, horn, mirrors: functional before departure.
Worked example
A right-front tire shows wear only on the outer edge. Reasoning: underinflation usually wears both edges, overinflation wears the center, and one-edge wear points to camber, toe, or a bent suspension part. The driver checks pressure, looks for impact damage, records the condition, and refers the vehicle for alignment rather than simply inflating and releasing it.
Traps that cost marks
Checking coolant hot; using the wrong fluid; ignoring a spare tire; diagnosing one-edge wear as “low pressure”; pouring used oil down a drain; servicing without wheel chocks or parking brake.