Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System Section 11 Power steering belt. Vehicle Inspection Test Water pump belt. Alternator belt. Air compressor belt. This Section Covers Note: If any of the components listed above are x Internal Inspection not belt driven, you must: x External Inspection Tell the examiner which component(s) are not belt driven. During the Vehicle inspection, you must show that Make sure component(s) are operating properly, the vehicle is safe to drive. You will have to walk are not damaged or leaking, and are mounted around the vehicle and point to or touch each item securely. and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will NOT have to crawl under the hood Safe Start or under the vehicle. Depress clutch. 11.1 All Vehicles Place gearshift lever in neutral (or park, for automatic transmissions). Study the following vehicle parts for the type of vehicle you will be using during the CDL skills tests. Start engine, then release clutch slowly. You should be able to identify each part and tell the examiner what you are looking for or inspecting. 11.1.2 – Cab Check/Engine Start 11.1.1 Engine Compartment (Engine Off) Oil Pressure Gauge Leaks/Hoses Make sure oil pressure gauge is working. Look for puddles on the ground. Check that pressure gauge shows increasing or normal oil pressure or that the warning light goes Look for dripping fluids on underside of engine and off. transmission. If equipped, oil temperature gauge should begin a Inspect hoses for condition and leaks. gradual rise to the normal operating range. Oil Level Temperature Gauge Indicate where dipstick is located. Make sure the temperature gauge is working. See that oil level is within safe operating range. Temperature should begin to climb to the normal Level must be above refill mark. operating range or temperature light should be off. Coolant Level Air Gauge Inspect reservoir sight glass, or Make sure the air gauge is working properly. (If engine is not hot), remove radiator cap and Build air pressure to governor cut-out, roughly 120- check for visible coolant level. 140 psi. Ammeter/Voltmeter Power Steering Fluid Check that gauges show alternator and/or Indicate where power steering fluid dipstick is generator is charging or that warning light is off. located. Check for adequate power steering fluid level. Mirrors and Windshield Level must be above refill mark. Mirrors should be clean and adjusted properly from the inside. Engine Compartment Belts Windshield should be clean with no illegal stickers, Check the following belts for snugness (up to 3/4 no obstructions, or damage to the glass. inch play at center of belt), cracks, or frays: Section 11 - Vehicle Inspection Page 11-1 Version: July 2014 Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System Emergency Equipment Parking Brake Check Check for spare electrical fuses. With the parking brake engaged (trailer brakes released on combination vehicles), check that the Check for three red reflective triangles, 6 fusees or parking brake will hold vehicle by gently trying to pull 3 liquid burning flares. forward with parking brake on. Check for a properly charged and rated fire With the parking brake released and the trailer extinguisher. parking brake engaged (combination vehicles only), Note: If the vehicle is not equipped with electrical check that the trailer parking brake will hold vehicle fuses, you must mention this to the examiner. by gently trying to pull forward with the trailer parking brake on. Wipers/Washers Hydraulic Brake Check Check that wiper arms and blades are secure, not damaged, and operate smoothly. Pump the brake pedal three times, then hold it down for five seconds. The brake pedal should not If equipped, windshield washers must operate move (depress) during the five seconds. correctly. If equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve (back- Lights/Reflectors/Reflector Tape Condition up) system, with the key off, depress the brake (Sides & Rear) pedal and listen for the sound of the reserve system electric motor. Test that dash indicators work when corresponding lights are turned on: Check that the warning buzzer or light is off. Left turn signal. Air Brake Check (Air Brake Equipped Vehicles Right turn signal. Only) Four-way emergency flashers. Failure to perform all three components of the air brake check correctly will result in an automatic High beam headlight. failure of the vehicle inspection test. Air brake safety Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) indicator. devices vary. However, this procedure is designed to see that any safety device operates correctly as Check that all external lights and reflective air pressure drops from normal to a low air equipment are clean and functional. Light and condition. For safety purposes, in areas where an reflector checks include: incline is present, you will use wheel chocks during Clearance lights (red on rear, amber elsewhere). the air brake check. The proper procedures for inspecting the air brake system are as follows: Headlights (high and low beams). 1. With the air pressure built up to governor cutoff Taillights. (120 – 140 psi), shut off the engine, chock your Backing lights. wheels if necessary, release the parking brake (all vehicles), and the tractor protection valve Turn signals. (combination vehicle) and fully apply the foot Four-way flashers. brake. Hold the foot brake for one minute. Check the air gauge to see if the air pressure Brake lights. drops more than three pounds in one minute Red reflectors (on rear) and amber reflectors (single vehicle) or four pounds in one minute (elsewhere). (combination vehicle). Reflector tape condition 2. Without re-starting the engine, turn electrical power to the “on” or “battery charge” position. Note: Checks of brake, turn signal and four-way Begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly flasher functions must be done separately. applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, flag) should Horn activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi or level specified by the manufacturer.. Check that air horn and/or electric horn work. 3. Continue to fan off the air pressure. At approximately 40 psi on a tractor-trailer Heater/Defroster combination vehicle (or level specified by the Test that the heater and defroster work. manufacturer), the tractor protection valve and parking brake valve should close (pop out). On Section 11 - Vehicle Inspection Page 11-2 Version: July 2014 Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System other combination vehicle types and single Mounts vehicle types, the parking brake valve should Look for cracked or broken spring hangers, close (pop out). missing or damaged bushings, and broken, loose, or missing bolts, u-bolts or other axle mounting Service Brake Check parts. (The mounts should be checked at each You will be required to check the application of air point where they are secured to the vehicle frame or hydraulic service brakes. This procedure is and axle[s]). designed to determine that the brakes are working correctly and that the vehicle does not pull to one Shock Absorbers side or the other. See that shock absorbers are secure and that Pull forward at 5 mph, apply the service brake and there are no leaks. stop. Check to see that the vehicle does not pull to either side and that it stops when brake is applied. Note: Be prepared to perform the same suspension components inspection on every axle Safety Belt (power unit and trailer, if equipped). Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, 11.2.3 – Brakes adjusts, latches properly and is not ripped or frayed. Slack Adjustors and Pushrods Look for broken, loose, or missing parts. 11.2 – External Inspection (All Vehicles) For manual slack adjustors, the brake pushrod 11.2.1– Steering should not move more than one inch (with the brakes released) when pulled by hand. Steering Box/Hoses Brake Chambers Check that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking. Look for any missing nuts, bolts, See that brake chambers are not leaking, cracked, and cotter keys. or dented and are mounted securely. Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses. Brake Hoses/Lines Look for cracked, worn, or leaking hoses, lines, Steering Linkage and couplings. See that connecting links, arms, and rods from the Drum Brake steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked. Check for cracks, dents, or holes. Also check for Check that joints and sockets are not worn or loose loose or missing bolts. and that there are no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys. Check for contaminates such debris or oil/grease. Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn 11.2.2 – Suspension dangerously thin. Springs/Air/Torque Brake Linings Look for missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaf springs. On some brake drums, there are openings where the brake linings can be seen from outside the Look for broken or distorted coil springs. drum. For this type of drum, check that a visible If vehicle is equipped with torsion bars, torque amount of brake lining is showing. arms, or other types of suspension components, check that they are not damaged and are mounted Note: Be prepared to perform the same brake securely. components inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped). Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks. Section 11 - Vehicle Inspection Page 11-3 Version: July 2014 Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System 11.2.4 – Wheels Fuel Tank Check that tank(s) are secure, cap(s) are tight, and Rims that there are no leaks from tank(s) or lines. Check for damaged or bent rims.