Chapter 13 - Technical Aspects

Question 1

What are the max dimensions of a passenger car?

Answer 1

Any passenger car…

1. May not be longer than 12m
2. Wider than 2.55m
3. Higher than 4m

Question 2

What is the APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring)?

Answer 2

Regular vehicle inspection –> aimed at traffic safety and the environment

Depending on the vehicle and its ages –> the certificate is calid for a period of one or two years

Note the APK is not a substitute for the regular maintenance.

Who is responsible? –> Both the owner and the driver

Question 3

Things you must have before you start driving?

Answer 3

Sufficient..

1. Engine oil
2. Cooling liquid and antifreeze
3. Liquid windscreen wiper washer
4. Brake fluid
5. Oil for power steering

Question 4

How to check the oil level of your car?

Answer 4

Oil cap is located in the engine block –> usually large and portrays an oil can

Check the engine oil level using the dip stick –> dip stick has two markings –> the engine oil level has to lie between them.

Some modern cars have electronic monitoring of engine oil levels

Question 5

What are nitrogen filled tyres? Advantages?

Answer 5

Increasingly car tyres are filled with nitrogen instead of air –> identified by a green valve

Advantages:

1. Retain correct pressure for longer
2. Lower fuel consumption
3. Car handles better + short braking distance
4. Tyres heat up less
5. Tyres wear away less –> last longer
6. Decreased risk for a tyre blowout

Question 6

What is the small screen in the speedometer?

Answer 6

Acts as a milometer –> gives total kilometres and number of kilometres per day/trip

Question 7

What does the meter on the right of the dashboard normally indicate?

Answer 7

There are two parts:

1. On the fuel gauge –> tells you how much fuel you have left

Once the fuel is nearly exhausted and the reserve is used –> a lamp in the shape of a petrol pump lights up in the meter

2. Indicates temperature of the coolant –> when the light in the shape of the thermometer lights up

Question 8

What are the pilot lights on the dashboard divided into?

Answer 8

Pilot lights –> lights on the dashboard

Divided into…

1. Peformance –> Usually green, yellow or blue –> if light is on the function is switched on –> usually lights and indicators
2. Warning lights —> Let you know if there is any type of failure or problem –> usually red and yellow

Question 9

What does a red warning light tell you?

Answer 9

That there is a serious problem and you must stop immediately –> if you drive on you the car may be seriously damaged and you may out other road users at risk –> make sure you stop in a safe space and turn off the engine

Question 10

What does a yellow warning light tell you?

Answer 10

Yellow warning light tell you that there is a failure but you do not have to stop immediately –> so you can drive on to the car dealer to get the problem fixed

Do not drive more than needed –> especially applies to signs that can also be shown in red

Question 11

Why is important not to overload a car or trailer?

Answer 11

Because it affects the cars steering ability plus it will increase the stopping distance

Remember to…

1. Always try to distribute the load evenly
2. Make sure the car doesn’t tilts backwards –> result in headlights tilting up

Question 12

Are you allowed to use a roof rack?

Answer 12

Yes –> they are suitable given that the goods transported aren’t too heavy and also make sure the rack doesn’t project more than 20cm over the edge of the car

Question 13

When loading a car/trailer what are the dimensional requirements?

Answer 13

Car/trailer + load must not be wider than 2.55m + on unpaved roads the total width must not exceed 2.20m

The load may project…

1. No more than 20cm on either side of the car
2. No more than 1m from the rear of the car
3. not project more than 5 metres beyond the rear axle
4. Not project infront on the car

Question 14

What is the exception for loading cars and trailers?

Answer 14

An exception is made for the transport of long invisible loads, such as ladders, posts and slats

1. Cars –> long invisible loads are allowed to porject…
   - no more than 1 metre in the front
   - no more than 1 metre in the rear
2. Trailers –> long invisible loads…
   - are not allowed to project in the front
   - are allowed at the back –> no more than half of the length of the trailer and no more than 5m from the acle
   - Width of the load must not exceed 3m

Exception for this…

1. Load transported on a roof rack? –> no more than 20cm on each side
2. Trailer –> total width of trailer + load must not exceed 3m

Question 15

When do you have to use a red-and-white striped marking sign on a trailer with a invisible load?

Answer 15

Use a red-and-white striped marking sign on a trailer if it has a invisible load which:

• Projects more than 1 m in the rear
• Project more than 10 cm to the sides

At night

Front marking sign must have a white light and the rear marking sign must have a red light

Question 16

What is the anti-locking and auxiliary coupling device between a car and the trailer?

Answer 16

The anti-locking device ensures that the brake of the trailer starts to work automatically.

The auxiliarty coupling is an extra connection between the car and the trailer

Question 17

Requirements for a trailer with a max mass of 1,500 and of 3,500?

Answer 17

1. Trailer with a max allowable mass of no more than 1500kg must be fitted with a breakaway cable or have a secondary coupling
2. Trailers between 1500kg and 3500kg must have an anti-locking braking device

Question 18

Rules for number plates and trailers?

Answer 18

1. Tariler with a max mass of less than 750kg –> provided with a white number plate with black letters –> same registration as pulling car
2. Trailers with a mass in excess of 750kg –> own registration –> normal yellow number plate –> includes semi-trailers and caravans

Question 19

What does this sign indicate?

Answer 19

Question 20

With the normal B licence what trailer are you allowed to tow?

Answer 20

1. trailers maximum mass is less than 750kg

or

2. the trailers maximum mass is more than 750kg given that the maximum authorized mass of the vehicle-trailer combination is less than 3,500kg

Question 21

What does a driving licence B96 allow you to do with trailers?

Answer 21

B96

Allows you to have a trailer with a max authorized mass of more than 750kg and the total mass of both vehicle and trailer combined is between 3500kg and 4250kg

Question 22

What type of trailer does licence B + E allow you to drive with?

Answer 22

If you wish to tow a trailer greater than 750kg –> maximum mass may not exceed 3,500kg

Question 23

What is a LHV?

Answer 23

Longer heavier vehicle –> max length of 25.25m