Posted By Brett Day
A few checks that are used by the Institute of Advanced Motorists and the Police are the 'POWER' check and cockpit checks, police require it to be done at the start of the shift. When I did the advanced driving test IAM suggested weekly:
P - Petrol / Fuel is there sufficient for the journey planned + a reserve ?
O - Oil(s) Check the dipstick, brake fluid and power steering (This was written when cars did still use mineral oils in power steering).
W - Water is the bottle wash topped up ? Is the radiator topped up, antifreeze to be checked monthly or if there is an inclement change in weather.
E - Electrics Battery contacts free from corrosion, check horn, check all lights (internal and external), with the exception of the brake and reversing can be checked by one person walking around car. If reversing lights and brake lights need checking reverse up to a flat surface (shopfront, garage, wall etc), activate lights and look for reflection.
R - Rubber wiper blades clean not perished or bent or with build up of muck, tyres within legal tread depth, free from cracking, no damage to sidewall, clean stones etc from tread, inflated to correct pressure, valve not leaking (can be checked by spitting on finger then wiping finger across valve, a leaking valve will blow bubbles) valve caps on (keeps dirt out of valves and prevents leaky valves.
Cockpit check:
Ensure that you are sitting comfortably in the vehicle, when the clutch pedal is depressed the left leg should be not quite fully extended.
Check mirrors correctly adjusted and are clean, check visibility - all windows should be clean.
Depress clutch pedal, release and check it returns fully - carry out the same for accelerator, carry out same for brake pedal but note that a resistance should be felt as pressure in hydraulics builds, if no pressure is felt then it may indicate a brake fault.
Depress clutch, check vehicle is in neutral and that when shift is released from a gear position it springs back to neutral.
Keeping clutch depressed turn key to first notch on ignition, note steering lock disengaged, if not rock steering wheel slightly, if fails to release indicates lock fault.
If ok turn ignition to second notch check all warning lights come on on dash, turn dipped lights on open door check warning sounds (if fitted). Check ignition coil / glowplug light comes on.
Still keeping clutch depressed turn to third turn and start engine, check gear in neutral and release clutch.
After static tests then a rolling brake check would be carried out. I won't describe as this should be taught by a competant instructor.
That's a fair chunk and carrying out the lot takes approx 20 miniutes, but well worth it. Hope that's of help