Instruments and electrical equipment
1. Check the operation of all appliances and electrical equipment.
2. Verify that all gauges are reading correctly. Turn on all electrical equipment one by one and check their operation.
Steering and suspension
3. While driving, check for any unusual vibrations or noises.
4. Check for any «anomalies» in the operation of the steering, suspension, vehicle handling or «holding the road».
5. Check up clearness of action of a steering, whether there is something unusual in its work, any instability. Check the suspension for noise when cornering and uneven road surfaces.
Engine and transmission
6. Check the operation of the engine, clutch, gearbox and axle shafts.
7. Listen for any unusual noises coming from the engine, clutch and transmission.
8. Make sure the engine runs smoothly at idle and does not lag when accelerating.
9. Check the smoothness and stability of the clutch, make sure that the clutch engages smoothly and that the clutch pedal travel is not exceeded. Also listen for any noises when you press the clutch pedal.
10. Check up smoothness and noiselessness of inclusion of all transfers, clearness and the corresponding ease of action of the gear lever.
11. Listen for metallic sounds («clicks») at the front of the vehicle when the vehicle turns slowly with the steering wheel turned all the way. Turn around in both directions. If you hear «clicking», this indicates wear on the axle shaft joint (see chapter 8).
Brake system
12. Make sure that the car does not pull to the side when braking and that the wheels do not lock during emergency braking. On all models equipped with ABS, the wheels must not block.
13. Check up, whether at braking the vibration transferred by a steering.
14. Check up correct work of a lay brake, whether there is no raised stroke of the lever. Make sure the parking brake holds the vehicle on a slope in both directions (limber down and up the slope).
15. Check the operation of the vacuum brake booster with the engine off, as described below. Depress the brake pedal four or five times to release the vacuum and start the engine. When starting the engine, you should feel a noticeable «compliance» brake pedal as the vacuum increases. Let the engine run for at least two minutes, then turn it off. If you now depress the brake pedal again, a hiss should be heard from the amplifier. After about four or five strokes, there should be no hiss, and the pedal should feel much smoother «tough».