What you will learn
By the end, you should be able to complete a basic vehicle check, identify common warning signs, and know when a professional is needed.
Work safely
Prepare the vehicle, choose suitable tools and avoid the most common beginner hazards.
Check tyres
Inspect pressure, tread, damage and wheel security.
Check fluids
Locate and inspect engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid.
Understand batteries
Recognise a weak battery and safely inspect its terminals.
Do simple repairs
Replace wiper blades, bulbs and a wheel only where safe and appropriate.
Plan maintenance
Create a simple schedule and keep useful records.
Safety, tools and preparation
Know your limits before opening the bonnet.Before starting
- Park on firm, level ground. Select Park or first gear and apply the handbrake.
- Switch the engine off, remove the key and allow hot components to cool.
- Keep loose clothing, jewellery, hair and fingers away from belts and fans.
- Read the vehicle owner’s manual. It identifies fluid types, jacking points and correct tyre pressures.
Useful beginner toolkit
Tyre-pressure gauge, torch, clean rags, disposable gloves, funnel, wheel brace, vehicle jack, axle stands, basic screwdrivers, adjustable spanner and a small first-aid kit.
Tyres and wheels
Your tyres are the car’s only contact with the road.Tyre pressure
- Find the recommended pressure on the driver’s door frame, fuel flap or owner’s manual.
- Check tyres when cold—before a long drive.
- Remove the valve cap, press the gauge firmly onto the valve and read the pressure.
- Add or release air as needed, then replace the valve cap.
What to inspect
| Check | Look for | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tread | Very shallow tread or uneven wear | Have the tyre checked and replaced if below the legal or safe limit. |
| Sidewall | Cuts, cracks, bulges or exposed cords | Do not continue driving on a seriously damaged tyre. |
| Pressure | Repeated pressure loss | Arrange puncture or valve inspection. |
| Wheel | Missing wheel nut, vibration or damage | Stop and obtain professional help. |
Under-bonnet fluid checks
Use the correct fluid—never guess.Engine oil
- Park level, switch off and wait several minutes.
- Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, fully reinsert it, then remove it again.
- The oil should sit between the minimum and maximum marks.
- Add only the specified oil, a little at a time. Overfilling can cause damage.
Other fluids
| Fluid | Beginner check | Important warning |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant | Check the translucent reservoir level when the engine is cold. | Never remove a hot radiator or pressure cap. |
| Brake fluid | Check that the reservoir sits between MIN and MAX. | A low level may indicate worn brakes or a leak—seek professional advice. |
| Washer fluid | Top up with windscreen-washer solution. | Do not mistake the coolant or brake reservoir for the washer bottle. |
| Transmission fluid | Follow the owner’s manual; many modern vehicles have no user dipstick. | Use a workshop where the procedure or fluid is uncertain. |
Battery, lights and wipers
Simple checks that prevent inconvenient failures.Battery inspection
With the engine off, look for loose terminals, corrosion, swelling, cracks or leaking fluid. Do not place tools across the battery terminals. A slow starter, dim lights or repeated flat battery can indicate a weak battery or charging fault.
Lights
Ask another person to help check headlights, high beam, indicators, brake lights, reversing lights and hazard lights. Replace only bulbs your manual identifies as owner-serviceable.
Wiper blades
- Lift the wiper arm carefully.
- Release the blade clip and slide the old blade off.
- Fit the new blade in the same direction until it locks.
- Lower the arm gently—do not let it snap against the glass.
Simple roadside jobs
Only proceed when the location and conditions are safe.Changing a wheel
- Move well away from traffic, use hazard lights, apply the handbrake and keep passengers safe.
- Place the jack only at the manufacturer’s approved jacking point.
- Loosen wheel nuts slightly before lifting.
- Lift only enough to clear the tyre, remove the nuts and change the wheel.
- Fit nuts finger-tight, lower the vehicle, then tighten progressively in a criss-cross pattern.
- Check the owner’s manual for tightening torque and temporary-spare speed or distance limits.
Jump-starting
Because connection order, battery location and manufacturer restrictions vary, follow the owner’s manual or use a suitable jump pack. Never jump-start a visibly damaged, leaking or frozen battery.
Maintenance schedule and warning signs
Small checks now can prevent large repair bills later.| When | Suggested checks |
|---|---|
| Weekly or before a long trip | Tyre appearance, warning lights, fuel/charge, washer fluid, visible leaks. |
| Monthly | Tyre pressures, tread, engine oil, coolant reservoir, lights, wipers and battery condition. |
| At service interval | Engine oil and filter, brakes, steering, suspension, transmission, cooling system and manufacturer inspections. |
| Annually | Review roadside kit, spare tyre, service records, Warrant of Fitness and registration dates. |
Stop driving and seek help when
A red oil-pressure or overheating warning appears; brakes feel weak; steering changes suddenly; a tyre is badly damaged; fuel is leaking; the engine knocks loudly; smoke appears; or the vehicle becomes unsafe to control.
Printable vehicle check
Use this before a long trip or as a monthly routine.
Knowledge check
Select one answer for each question.