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Vehicle technology notes: the engine topics that come up most in the exam

Updated 28 September 2026 · 9 min read

Vehicle Technology (Motor ve Araç Tekniği) has only 9 questions in the written e-exam, one of the smallest subjects. Yet it is where candidates lose the most points, because the technical words feel unfamiliar. The good news: the questions keep coming from the same basic topics. These notes summarise those topics in plain English, with the Turkish terms in brackets so you can follow your driving school lessons too.

How does an engine work?

Car engines usually work on a four-stroke cycle (dört zamanlı). The four strokes are:

1. Intake (emme): the engine takes in air (and, in a petrol engine, fuel).
2. Compression (sıkıştırma): the mixture or air is squeezed.
3. Ignition / power (ateşleme, iş): the fuel burns and pushes the engine.
4. Exhaust (egzoz): the burnt gases leave the engine.

In a petrol engine the fuel-air mixture is ignited by a spark plug (buji). A diesel engine has no spark plug. The air is compressed at high pressure and gets hot, and the injected fuel burns by itself. In cold weather, glow plugs (kızdırma bujileri) help a diesel engine start easily.

Cooling system

• The engine coolant is cooled in the radiator (radyatör). The water pump (su pompası) moves the coolant around the system.
• The thermostat (termostat) stops coolant going to the radiator while the engine is cold, so the engine warms up quickly.
• Antifreeze (antifriz) stops the coolant from freezing and protects the system from rust.
• Never open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Boiling water and steam can cause burns.

Lubrication system

• Engine oil (motor yağı) reduces friction and wear between moving parts. It also helps the engine to cool.
• Check the oil level with the dipstick (yağ çubuğu) when the car is on level ground and the engine is not running. The level should be between the min and max marks.
• If the oil pressure warning light comes on while you are driving, stop the car in a safe place and switch off the engine.

Battery, charging and ignition

• The battery (akü) gives the car electricity when the engine is not running and turns the starter motor (marş motoru).
• When the engine is running, the alternator (alternatör, also called şarj dinamosu) charges the battery. If the charging warning light is on, there is a problem with the charging system.
• Corrosion (oxidation) on the battery terminals (kutup başları) causes a poor connection. The terminals should be cleaned.

Drivetrain and brakes

• The clutch (debriyaj) connects or disconnects the engine's power to the gearbox. You press the clutch when you change gear.
• The differential (diferansiyel) lets the inner and outer wheels turn at different speeds in a bend.
• Brakes usually work hydraulically (hidrolik). If the brake fluid gets low, the brakes become weak.
• ABS stops the wheels from locking under sudden braking, so you keep steering control while you brake.
• On long downhill slopes, pressing the brake all the time heats the brake pads (balata), and the brakes can stop working properly. Use a low gear and let engine braking (motor freni) help.

Tyres, alignment and balancing

• The minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm for summer tyres and 4 mm for winter tyres.
• Set tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, to the value recommended by the manufacturer. Low pressure increases fuel consumption and wear.
• If the steering wheel shakes at high speed, the wheel balancing (balans) is off.
• If the car pulls to one side on a straight road, or the tyres wear unevenly, the wheel alignment (rot ayarı) is off.

Many candidates mix up balancing and alignment. A simple way to remember: shaking points to balancing, pulling or uneven wear points to alignment.

Dashboard warning lights

The warning lights (ikaz lambaları) on the dashboard have meanings based on their colour:

• Red lights show a serious fault (oil pressure, brakes, charging, engine temperature). Stop the car safely.
• Yellow/orange lights are warnings. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
• Green and blue lights show that a system is working (for example indicators or main beam).

The best way to make this subject stick is to answer questions. Try our free practice test, and Premium members can practise only the Vehicle Technology questions in the by-topic section.

Key terms in English and Turkish

If you take the exam in English, the questions will use English terms. Your driving school lessons, however, may be in Turkish. Knowing both makes the notes and the lessons easier to follow.

Remember: foreign nationals can take the written e-exam in English. Tell your driving school at registration or at least 3 working days before the exam. No interpreter is provided. For the full exam structure, see the driving test in English, and for a day-by-day schedule, see our 14-day study plan.

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