🔧 1. Mechanics and maintenance
Vehicles are made up of multiple systems that ensure correct operation: engine, transmission, intake/fuel system, exhaust, lubrication, cooling, and more.
⚙️ 1.1 The engine and its systems
- Type: Internal combustion (except some urban electric vehicles)
- Function: Convert chemical energy (diesel) into mechanical energy
🧱 Fixed components:
- Rocker cover
- Cylinder head 🧠 (compression chambers)
- Engine block 🏗️ (houses the cylinders)
- Oil pan / sump 🛢️ (lubricating oil)
⚙️ Moving parts:
- Pistons and rings
- Connecting rod 🔩
- Crankshaft 🔁
- Flywheel 🌀
🔄 Engine operation:
- Air intake and compression
- Diesel injection and combustion 🔥
- Piston movement → rotational energy
- Exhaust gas discharge 🌫️
🧩 1.2 Timing (valvetrain) system
- Chain/belt: Transmits motion to the camshaft
- Camshaft: Controls valve opening
- Valves: Intake and exhaust
💨 1.3 Fuel/air supply system (diesel engine)
🌬️ Air intake:
- Air filtration against dirt
- Prevents power loss and excessive consumption
⛽ Fuel supply:
- Electronic injection 💡
- Prefilter and main filter with sediment/water separator
- Governor to prevent overspeed
🌀 Forced induction:
- Turbocharger + intercooler ❄️
- Greater performance and efficiency
⚠️ Recommendations:
- Do not run the tank to empty ⛔
- Do not switch off abruptly after a long drive ⌛
- Use the appropriate diesel grade (winter/summer) ❄️🌞
🌫️ 1.3 Exhaust system
- Silencer/muffler 🔇
- Catalytic converter (reduces toxic gases by up to 95%)
Precautions: Do not strike the underside, monitor air intake, and avoid incomplete combustion.
🛢️ 1.4 Lubrication system
- Prevents excessive friction
- Includes: sump, oil pump, oil filter, and pressure sensor
- Use synthetic oil SAE 10W40 or similar
Maintenance: Check the level and change the oil and filter according to the manufacturer.
💧 1.5 Cooling system
- Coolant with antifreeze ❄️
- Includes: thermostat, radiator, pump, expansion tank
- Optimal temperature: 90–100 °C 🌡️
🔋 2. Electrical system
🔌 2.1 Battery
- Voltage: 12 V (24 V in heavy vehicles)
- Maintenance: check electrolyte and clean terminals
- Avoid short circuits ⚡
⚡ 2.2 Charging system
- Alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
- Common issues: broken belt, faulty regulator
🔑 2.3 Starting system
- Starter motor provides the initial cranking
- Do not crank for more than 20 s ➡️ wait 1 min
🔀 2.4 Transmission system
- Clutch, gearbox, prop shaft, differential, drive shafts
- Lubricated with gear oil
- Avoid resting your foot on the clutch and your hand on the gear lever
🧰 3. Accessories, spares and tools
- 🚨 2 warning triangles or a 360° emergency light
- 🦺 Reflective vest (one per occupant if acting as a pilot/escort vehicle)
- 🔥 Fire extinguisher (according to seating capacity)
- 🚗 Spare wheel or alternative repair kit
💡 4. Vehicle lights
- 💡 Position and marker (clearance) lights
- 🔴 Retroreflectors
- 🌙 Low beam (dipped)
- 🔦 High beam
- 🌫️ Fog lights (front and rear)
- 🚨 Hazard lights and turn signals
- 🚘 Reverse light and license plate light
📍 Special cases where lights are mandatory:
- Reversible lanes
- Additional lane
- Contraflow lane
Take the test
