Tell Me How you Would that the Check Brakes are Working Before Starting a Journey
Before driving the car, the examiner will ask you one of the ‘show me tell me’ questions. A ‘tell me’ question before you drive and a ‘show me’ question whist driving.
One of the ‘tell me’ questions could be: “Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey”.
Show me tell me answer: “Just as you move off, operate the brakes. They should not feel spongy and the car should not pull to one side”.
Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey
What to do if the Brakes Feel Spongy or Pull to One Side
Note: The above answer is all you have to give the examiner in response to the question. Detailed below is a little basic information should your brakes ever feel spongy or make the vehicle pull to one side whilst under braking.
Brakes Feel Spongy
Car brakes in good working order should have a foot pedal that feels firm throughout its working travel and getting firmer the more you push. If you notice that the brakes feel spongy or slack, and perhaps the car appears to be taking longer to slow down or stop, you likely have air in the brake lines. Brake lines should be a sealed unit filled with brake fluid only and remain airtight. Air in the brake lines can occur due to a number of reasons such as damage to the lines or other braking components, ageing brake fluid or a lack of brake fluid.
Remedy: The vehicle brakes will need a service, where the lines will need ‘bleeding’ to remove the air, new brake fluid and an inspection of components.
Car Pulls to One Side When Braking
A car that pulls to one side whilst under braking can be several issues:
- Uneven tyre pressure
- A worn or damaged brake on one side
- Suspension wear or damage or other vehicle components that affect vehicle control under braking
Remedy: First and cheapest thing to do is to check that all tyres have the recommended pressure for your vehicle. You can find this information in the owner’s manual or by locating the tyre pressure sticker. Check also for cuts and bulges or any damage that may cause tyre deflation. If your tyres are in optimal condition and the car stills pulls to one side whilst braking, book your vehicle in for a brake repair service.