Vehicle Readiness Checks

GENERAL INFORMATION

This section lists all components and systems to be checked and describes how to check their condition and operation yourself. Based on the results of these checks, the vehicle's readiness for operation and inspection can be assessed. Naturally, self-performed checks cannot match professional checks in accuracy, due to the lack of the operator's qualifications and the limited availability of specialized diagnostic equipment. If the checks reveal that repair or replacement of any component is required, refer to the relevant sections of the relevant chapters of this Manual for more complete information.

In most cases, performing the following checks requires an assistant.

Checks performed from the driver's seat

Parking (hand) brake

Check the operation of the parking brake by fully applying the parking brake lever. Make sure that the lever travel (number of ratchet clicks) required to obtain full resistance from the applied brake mechanism is not excessive. If this requirement is not met, check the condition of the rear wheel brake mechanisms and/or the adjustment of the parking brake cables.

With the parking brake fully applied, rock the parking brake lever from side to side (tap it from the sides). The brake must not release. If it does, the ratchet or pawl of the lever is worn. Release the parking brake and rock the lever from side to side to check for signs of wear in the pivot bearing. Check the lever mounting for security and make sure there is no corrosion of the body structure within a 30 cm radius around the lever mount. If the condition of the lever fasteners cannot be checked from inside the vehicle, check them later during the underbody inspection.

Brakes

Make sure the brake pedal does not make any noise when pressed and released, and that there are no obvious signs of excessive wear of the pivot bushings. Also check the condition of the pedal pad. Make sure there are no signs of brake fluid leakage on the pedal, the floor or the surface of the floor mat around the pedal, which would indicate a loss of sealing of the brake master cylinder cup seals.

Press the brake pedal first slowly, then quickly, and check that it can hold a steady pressure. Apply pressure and make sure the pedal does not then slowly sink toward the floor, which would again indicate problems with the brake master cylinder. Release the pedal, wait a few seconds, then press it again until firm resistance is felt. Make sure the resistance begins already in the upper part of the pedal travel. If the pedal must be pressed almost to the floor before resistance is felt, this indicates incorrect brake adjustment. If firm resistance does not develop at all, i.e. the pedal feels spongy, this indicates air in the hydraulic system and the need to fully bleed the system.

Check the operation of the vacuum brake booster by pressing the brake pedal several times to release the vacuum. Then, holding the pedal pressed, start the engine. When the engine starts, the resistance to pedal application should change (decrease). If it does not, there may be a leak in the booster vacuum hoses or a fault in the booster itself.

Steering Wheel and Column

Check the steering wheel for cracks or loosening of the hub, spokes or rim. Rock the wheel from side to side, then up and down in relation to the column. Make sure there is no play of the wheel on the column, which would indicate a loose wheel retaining nut or worn shaft splines. Continue rocking the wheel as described above, but add a slight rotation left and right. Make sure there is no excessive play in the wheel, which would indicate excessive wear of the upper steering shaft bearing, the universal joint(s) or the flexible coupling.

Windshield and Rear View Mirrors

The windshield must have no cracks or other damage that could significantly restrict the driver's field of view or interfere with the operation of the wipers. Small chips caused by stone impacts are acceptable. Stickers and hanging ornaments must also not restrict the driver's view.

The rear view mirrors must be securely mounted, undamaged and adjustable. The passenger-side door mirror is not subject to inspection provided the interior rear view mirror, mounted on the inside of the windshield, is in good condition and usable.

Seats and Seat Belts

CAUTION

The checks below apply to the seat belts of both the front and rear seats.

Carefully check the webbing of the seat belts for cuts, signs of heavy abrasion or material aging. If retractor-type belts with rewind devices are fitted, fully pull them out of the retractor housing during inspection.

Fasten and unfasten each belt, checking that the buckle mechanisms operate correctly (both latching and releasing) and are secure. If retractor-type belts are fitted, check that the rewind devices operate correctly.

Check the seat belt anchorages for security and the condition of their mounting points, which are accessible without removing trim panels. Signs of heavy corrosion or deformation of the body structure around the belt anchorage are also unacceptable. Some seat belt anchorages are not accessible and cannot be inspected from inside the vehicle; in this case, check their condition later during the underbody inspection. If any part of the belt mechanism is mounted directly on the front seat, the seat mounts must be securely bolted to the floor and their condition checked in the same way as the belt anchorages described above.

The front seats themselves must also be securely fixed and must not move on their own. The seatbacks must lock securely in the upright position.

Doors

The front doors must open and close from inside the vehicle and must latch securely in the closed position.

Electrical System

Switch on the ignition and operate the horn. The horn must produce a clear sound that is clearly audible to other road users. Gongs, sirens or two-tone horns fitted as aftermarket accessories are not permitted.

Check the operation of the windshield washers and wipers. The washers should spray fluid with adequate pressure and volume, and their nozzles should be adjusted so that the spray hits the upper edge of the windshield.

Operate the wipers together with the washers and make sure the blades wipe the windshield effectively over their entire range of travel. No streaks or smeared road film should remain on the glass that restrict the driver's view in both the straight-ahead and peripheral areas of vision. Otherwise, replace the wiper blades.

With the ignition on, depress the foot brake pedal and ask an assistant to check the operation of the brake lights. The brake lights should illuminate when the pedal is depressed and go out when it is released. If only one brake light is not working, the cause is most likely a burned-out bulb or poor electrical contact at the bulb socket (or near it). If both brake lights fail, check their fuse and switch. Do not entirely rule out the possibility that both bulbs have burned out at the same time. If the brake lights do not turn off when the brake pedal is released, the brake light switch is faulty.

Checks to be performed with the vehicle on the ground

License plates and vehicle identification numbers

The front and rear license plates must be in satisfactory condition, securely attached, and easy to read.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the plate under the hood must be legible.

Electrical System

Turn on the parking lights and make sure that both the front and rear marker lights, as well as the license plate lights, illuminate. Lenses and reflectors must be clean, undamaged, and securely mounted. Lens integrity is especially important on the tail lights, where the white light of a damaged lamp may be mistaken by other road users for the reverse light signal. Dirty lenses cause a noticeable reduction in the light output of the bulb.

Turn on the headlights and make sure that both low beam and high beam operate normally and with equal brightness on both headlights. A reduction in brightness of either headlight is usually caused by poor electrical connections or heavy corrosion of the internal reflector. Check the headlight lenses for cracks and stone chip damage. Such defects are unacceptable; however, the assessment of their severity is usually subjective. Remember that all lighting units must operate reliably the first time the switches are operated. Tapping the lighting unit to make it work is not permitted.

The headlights must be adjusted so they do not dazzle other road users in low beam mode, and must also provide adequate illumination of the road ahead of the vehicle. Headlight aim is checked using special optical equipment. If you are not certain that the aim is correct, contact a qualified specialist in advance to check and adjust the headlight position.

With the ignition on, check the operation of the turn signals. Make sure that both the front and rear turn signals emit amber light and flash at a rate of approximately one to two times per second. In addition, the turn signal indicators on the instrument cluster must be functional. Operation of the parking lights and brake lights must not affect the turn signals; if it does, the cause is usually poor grounding in the rear combination light units. Similarly, check that the hazard warning lights operate with the ignition both on and off. Check the condition of the lenses.

Check the operation of the fog light(s). The mandatory check usually applies only to the externally mounted fog light supplied as standard equipment and located on one side of the vehicle. The light must be securely mounted and must produce a bright, sharply focused red light beam. The indicator lamp on the instrument cluster (or inside the switch) must also function.

Brakes

From the engine compartment, check the brake lines for signs of leaks, corrosion, loose mounting, chafing, and other damage. Check the master cylinder and brake vacuum booster for signs of leaks, secure mounting, and excessive corrosion of both the component mounts and the surrounding body structure. The brake master cylinder reservoir must be securely mounted; if it is made of translucent material, the fluid level must be between the upper and lower marks on the walls.

Turn the steering wheel so that the flexible hose of the right front brake caliper can be inspected. Carefully check the hose for cracks and signs of rubber aging. Defects are most easily detected by bending the hose in half; they are almost always present at the areas where the hose connects to the fittings. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left, then to the right, and make sure the hose does not contact the wheel rim, tire, or any moving suspension or steering components. Have an assistant apply firm pressure to the brake pedal, and check the hose for bulging and signs of fluid leaks under pressure. Repeat the checks for the left brake hose. If defects are found, replace the affected parts as necessary.

Check the brake lines and hoses for signs of damage and material aging.

Steering and Suspension

Ask an assistant to gently turn the steering wheel left and right until steering motion begins to be transmitted to the steered wheels. Try to estimate the free play of the steering wheel before the steering gear starts to operate. The amount of this play indicates the wear of the steering column joints, the wear and security of the coupling between the column and the steering gear, or the wear or misadjustment of the steering gear itself. In general, steering wheel free play should not exceed 1.3 cm.

Ask an assistant to turn the steering wheel firmly in both directions until the steered wheels begin to turn. Observe closely the movement of the joints, rods and other steering linkage components and their mountings. Components showing signs of wear, damage, deformation or loose mounting must be repaired or replaced.

If the vehicle is equipped with power steering, also check the mounting of the power steering pump and the condition and tension of its drive belt. The system must operate properly and show no signs of fluid leaks or hose damage. Additional checks may be performed later, when the vehicle is raised and access underneath is much easier.

Make sure the vehicle sits level and that ground clearance is correct. Make sure there is sufficient clearance between suspension components and the jounce bumpers to ensure full suspension travel.

Shock Absorbers

Push down firmly on each corner of the vehicle in turn, then release it sharply. If the shock absorber is good, the corner should rise and then return to its normal position. If the corner continues to bounce up and down after release, the shock absorber has lost its damping ability.

Exhaust System

Start the engine and, with an assistant holding a rag against the tailpipe outlet, check the entire system for leaks. Leaks are indicated by rhythmically pulsing puffs of smoke or a hissing sound coming directly from the leak source. Check muffler effectiveness and make sure the engine noise level corresponds to that expected for this type of vehicle. If the system is generally in satisfactory condition, minor local leaks may be repaired using a proprietary special repair kit.

Checks on a vehicle raised off the ground with wheels free to rotate

Raise the vehicle and support it securely on stands placed under the load-bearing points of the frame. Position the stands so they do not contact suspension components (including when turning the front wheels). Make sure all wheels are off the ground and the steered wheels can turn from stop to stop.

Steering Gear

Check the condition of the steering rack rubber protective boots. Make sure they are free of cuts and signs of leakage, and that the clamps are secure. If the steering is equipped with power assistance, check its rubber hydraulic hoses, tubes and their connections for signs of material aging, leaks, chafing and other damage. Carefully inspect all steering components for signs of binding or excessively tight operation, missing cotter pins and other locking devices, and signs of excessive corrosion of body elements within 30 cm around the mounting points of any component.

Ask an assistant to turn the steering wheel fully to the left, then fully to the right. Make sure the steering components (column, gear and linkage) move smoothly and freely, and that none of them (including wheel discs and tires) contacts brake hoses or pipes or any body elements.

Front and rear suspension and wheel bearings

Starting with the right front, check in turn the wheel bearings, ball joints, steering knuckles and the suspension component fasteners. Grasp the wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions and pull it sharply. Any play in these components is not acceptable. Check the bushings of rubber and metal suspension components for signs of aging or material damage, and check the components themselves for bends, deformation and signs of excessive corrosion. Check that all cotter pins, lock washers or other locking devices are present on the suspension component fasteners. Make sure there is no severe corrosion of body elements within 30 cm around the component mounting points.

Any excessive play can be determined by inserting a pry bar or a large screwdriver between the component mount and its body and using it as a lever. In this way it can be determined whether the play is caused by wear of the pivot bushing, the mounting bolt or the mount itself (bolt holes are often worn into an oval shape).

Now grasp the wheel at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and repeat the check described above. Rotate the wheel and check for binding points in its bearing.

Repeat the check for the second front wheel, then for both rear wheels.

Springs and shock absorbers

Check the strut assemblies for signs of fluid leaks, corrosion, deep pitting of the piston rods, or damage to the boots. Also make sure the strut mountings are secure.

Make sure the ends of the coil springs are correctly seated in their spring seats, and that the spring wire is not damaged by corrosion, broken, cracked or otherwise defective.

Check that the mounting assemblies are secure. Check for signs of excessive wear, corrosion, cracks, deformation and other damage to the components and their bushings.

Check the shock absorbers for signs of serious leakage (slight fluid seepage is normal for some types of shock absorbers). Check the fasteners and bushings of the mounting assemblies for wear and damage to the housings. Drive shafts

Turn the steering wheel fully to one side, then rotate each front wheel in turn and inspect the constant velocity (CV) joint boots for cracks and other damage. Also check that the boots are securely attached to the joint housings with their clamps.

Check the CV joint boots for cracks and other damage.

While continuing to rotate the wheel, make sure the drive shaft is not bent or otherwise damaged.

Brake System

If possible, without disassembling the components, check the condition of the brake pads and discs. Make sure the friction lining material is not excessively worn and that the disc surfaces have no cracks, scoring, grooves or other signs of excessive wear.

Carefully inspect the rigid brake lines under the vehicle and the flexible hoses to the rear brake assemblies. The following are not acceptable: excessive corrosion, chafing, loose fittings on the line connections, cracks, signs of material aging, leaks, or bulging of the flexible hoses under pressure.

Check the calipers and backing plates of the brake assemblies for signs of brake fluid leaks, which indicate deterioration of the hydraulic seals of the corresponding components.

Slowly rotate each wheel in turn while an assistant depresses the foot brake and then releases it. Make sure each brake assembly operates properly and that the wheel rotates freely when the brake pedal is released. It is not possible to check brake effectiveness without special equipment; however, a road test (under suitable road and weather conditions) can reveal pulling of the vehicle to one side during straight-line braking.

Check the parking brake actuating mechanism for fraying and broken cables, excessive wear, and loose linkage attachment. Have an assistant apply and then release the parking brake, and make sure the brake assemblies on each rear wheel engage and release properly.

Fuel and Exhaust Systems

Check the condition of the fuel tank, lines, hoses and fittings (including connections at the pump, filter and fuel injection system). All components must be securely mounted and show no signs of leakage. The fuel tank cap must seal properly and be of the type specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Check the entire length of the exhaust system for damaged mounts and hangers, secure attachment of the clamps at the pipe joints, and signs of corrosion.

Wheels and Tires

Carefully inspect the tires on all wheels, both the outside and inside surfaces, and the entire tread surface. The following are not acceptable: cuts, cracks, bulges, punctures, tread separation, or exposed cord or carcass due to wear or damage. Make sure the tire bead is seated tightly on the wheel rim. Check the seating and condition of the tire valve (stem). Rotate the wheels and check the wheels for signs of distortion, especially at the rim.

Make sure the tires are the correct size for the vehicle and that they match its specification. Fitting tires of different types or sizes on the same axle is not permitted. Temporary-use (compact) spare tires must not be used during normal vehicle operation. Also, the tires must be inflated to the specified pressure.

Using a special gauge, measure the tire tread depth. Under current road safety regulations, the tread pattern must be clearly visible across the entire tread surface and have a depth of at least 1.6 mm across at least three-quarters of the tread width. Uneven wear on the outer and inner edges is acceptable provided it forms an even, continuous ring and the tread pattern is still visible in the worn area. Any excessive wear listed above may indicate incorrect front wheel alignment angles, which must be checked before the tires wear out completely. For more detailed information on typical tread wear and front wheel alignment, refer to the relevant Chapters of this Manual.

Body Corrosion

Check all load-bearing body and frame members for signs of corrosion in high-stress areas. Load-bearing and structural members include all frame sections, sills, cross members, body pillars, suspension and steering mounts and fasteners, brake system components and seat belt anchorages. Corrosion that significantly reduces the metal thickness of load-bearing body sections and weakens them is not acceptable. In this case, the vehicle must be repaired by body repair procedures.

Exhaust Emissions Test

Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature and make sure the preliminary requirements for the idle speed and mixture check are met (i.e., the ignition system operates normally and the air filter element is in satisfactory condition).

Before starting the measurements, raise the engine speed to approximately 2500 rpm and hold it at this level for about 20 seconds. Then release the throttle to return to idle and observe the smoke coming from the vehicle's exhaust pipe. If the idle speed is clearly exceeded, or if dark blue or black smoke is clearly visible from the exhaust system for longer than 5 seconds, the vehicle should be repaired. Blue smoke indicates burning of engine oil (wear of valve stem seals, valve guides, piston rings or cylinder bores), while black smoke can be considered evidence of incomplete fuel combustion (contaminated air filter element, excessively rich mixture, or other faults in the fuel injection system).

If the idle speed and the external condition of the exhaust are normal, measure the carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) content in the exhaust gas using an exhaust gas analyzer. It is assumed that such an analyzer can be rented or borrowed; purchasing one is not practical for a home mechanic. Alternatively, have this check performed at a service station.

CO Emission (Mixture Quality)

When performing this check, observe the requirements of the traffic regulations for CO content in the exhaust gas.

If the CO level cannot be reduced to within the permissible limits (assuming the ignition and fuel supply systems are otherwise functioning correctly), a fault in the fuel injection system should be suspected.

It is possible that the CO level meets traffic regulation requirements but exceeds the limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Hydrocarbon Emission

Once you have confirmed that the CO level in the exhaust gas is within specification (or have brought it into specification), measure the hydrocarbon content in the exhaust. It must not exceed 1200 ppm. If the vehicle fails this test at idle, repeat the test at an engine speed of 2000 rpm; if the hydrocarbon content is now within specification, the test can be considered passed.

Excessive hydrocarbon content in the exhaust gas may indicate oil burning, but incomplete fuel combustion is equally likely. Possible causes include:

a) Worn or faulty spark plugs, or incorrect spark plug gap. b) Incorrect ignition timing. c) Incorrect valve clearance. d) Low compression pressure in the cylinders.

Also note that excessive hydrocarbon content in the exhaust gas may result from a malfunctioning catalytic converter (if fitted to the vehicle).