Useful Information

Before hitting the road, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is in good condition and to carry out any necessary repairs and adjustments. Below are the components to check or have checked regularly:

• Check the condition, wear, and pressure of tires, including the spare wheel

• Take care to respect exact pressures, check the balancing and alignment of your tires to avoid rapid wear, higher fuel consumption, and most importantly, uncertain grip

• Check the condition of shock absorbers

• Have the braking system, steering, and battery checked

• Check the bulbs of all lighting systems – Turn signals, Headlights, Brake lights, Fog lights, Reverse lights, and Position lights

• Top up fluid levels: engine oil, windshield washer fluid, battery, brake fluid, and coolant

• Clean the windshield, windows, and mirrors, both inside and outside the vehicle

• Regularly clean the headlights and lights of your vehicle

• Check the operation and condition of windshield wipers

The dashboard consists of a set of indicators and warning lights that inform the driver about engine operation and driving parameters (instantaneous speed, outside temperature).

In the dashboard you will find:

RED INDICATORS – THESE HAVE THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE

• BRAKE WARNING: Alerts if there’s a brake problem or if the handbrake is engaged

• TEMPERATURE WARNING: Coolant temperature – avoid driving when this light is on

• ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR: If this light stays on, immobilize the vehicle as quickly as possible and cut the engine to avoid damage. In this situation, perform these checks:

  – Check engine oil level

  – Look under the vehicle to see if there’s an oil leak. If yes, call a mechanic (avoid driving the vehicle in this condition)

• BATTERY INDICATOR: Signals insufficient battery charge. Risk of not being able to start the engine. It will need to be recharged or replaced

• HAZARD LIGHTS: This indicator lights up when hazard lights are activated

ORANGE INDICATORS – THESE ARE “PRACTICAL” INDICATORS

• FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR: This light comes on when there’s little fuel (car is running on reserve)

• GLOW PLUGS: For diesel vehicles, this indicator shows that glow plugs are on, wait for them to go out before starting

• CHOKE: This is the choke indicator (starting aid)

• REAR DEFROSTER: Indicates if the rear window defroster is active. The defroster consumes a lot of battery power, don’t leave it on

• OTHER INDICATORS – THESE ARE VERY USEFUL

• TURN SIGNAL: This light comes on when you activate a turn signal

• LOW BEAM: Appears as soon as you turn on low beam lights

• HIGH BEAM: Indicates that high beam lights are on (avoid using them in wrong places as they can cause fines)

• FOG LIGHTS: Fog lights are operating, it’s dangerous to drive with them when there’s no fog

• HAND BRAKE: Indicates if the handbrake is engaged

• SEATBELT NOT FASTENED: Seatbelt is mandatory (and very dangerous to drive without it fastened) this light will stay on until you fasten it

• FUEL & TEMPERATURE INDICATORS: Fuel level remaining for driving and coolant temperature in degrees Celsius

• SPEEDOMETER: Instantaneous speed indicator expressed in kilometers per hour (km/h)

• BRAKE FLUID LEVEL: Brake fluid level indicator

• MINIMUM FUEL LEVEL: Minimum fuel level

ADDITIONAL INDICATORS

• POSITION LIGHTS: Indicates if position lights are on

• DOORS OPEN OR IMPROPERLY CLOSED: Depending on car models, it can indicate which door is open or improperly closed

• LOW BEAM INDICATOR: Low beam light indicator

• HIGH BEAM INDICATOR: High beam lights

• FRONT FOG LIGHTS: Front fog lights

• REAR FOG LIGHTS: Rear fog lights

• BRAKE PAD WEAR: Front brake pad wear

• ABS: Anti-lock braking system

• DIESEL FILTER: Presence of water in the diesel filter

• ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC: Engine self-diagnostic

• CODED ANTI-THEFT: Coded anti-theft system

ENGINE:

Device that transforms different forms of energy into mechanical energy, allowing the movement of an automobile. Today, the vast majority of engines work through a piston system that follows a 2 or 4-stroke cycle. The energy of these engines comes from the explosion produced by a mixture of air and hydrocarbons.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION:

The automobile gearbox serves to reduce the engine movement to transmit it to the wheels. First gear is the least reduced and the last gear (fourth, fifth, or sixth depending on the type of car) is the most reduced.

CLUTCH:

The clutch connects the engine to the gearbox. The clutch system is the mechanical element that allows transmission (engaged) or non-transmission (disengaged) of power and engine torque to the gearbox, which then transmits it to the wheels. Disengagement allows gear changes without constraints. A clutch consists of a mechanism, a disc, and a bearing. This assembly is called a clutch kit.

TIMING BELT:

Essential part in engine operation, the timing belt must be changed at regular intervals under penalty of engine destruction. It transmits the rotational movement of the crankshaft to the camshaft.

BRAKING SYSTEM:

A mechanical system essential for your safety and that of your passengers. This system must respond effectively to all your demands. Its effectiveness is closely linked to the wear condition of your vehicle’s tires and shock absorbers. Worn brake “linings,” pads, or shoes inevitably lead to destruction of discs or drums. We recommend regularly checking your braking system and replacing brake fluid every 2 years (fluid that absorbs moisture over the years).

CYLINDER:

As its name indicates, it’s a hollow tube. It’s made of special steel, and its surface has undergone treatment that makes it resistant to high temperatures and friction. It’s fitted into an engine block.

PISTON:

Cylinder-shaped part moving in a tube receiving and transmitting pressure exerted by fuel. It can be made of different materials. The most common today is an aluminum alloy.

SPARK PLUGS:

Electrical parts generating sparks for ignition of an internal combustion engine. The spark plug plays a key role in car engine operation. Gasoline engines work with ignition spark plugs, diesel engines work with glow plugs.

SHOCK ABSORBERS:

Shock absorbers, by “sticking” tires to the road, aim to make your car more comfortable and safer to drive. A car’s suspension affects:

– Comfort

– Road holding in curves, during braking or acceleration

– Braking distances

SHOCK ABSORBERS MUST BE IN PERFECT CONDITION

EXHAUST:

The auto exhaust is a high-tech product that plays an essential role in acoustic comfort and environmental protection. The exhaust line allows:

– Reducing exhaust gas noise

– Reducing exhaust gas speed

– Reducing exhaust gas temperature

– Reducing toxic elements contained in exhaust gases

PISTON RINGS:

They are fixed around the piston and seal between it and the cylinder. There are several, and each fulfills a different function, such as scraping excess oil on the cylinder, or sealing between the combustion chamber and the crankcase.

FILTERS:

There are three categories of filters: Oil, air, and fuel filters:

– These filters protect your engine, extend its lifespan, and improve its performance

– They filter internal and external impurities

– It’s important and cost-effective to check and replace them regularly

LUBRICANTS:

To run well, your car needs fuel to produce energy, air to burn fuel in the engine, and oil to continuously lubricate parts in action in the engine.

VALVES:

Valves are elements that obstruct access between the cylinder and the intake manifold (where fresh gases arrive) or the exhaust manifold. Valves control the entry and exit of gases in the cylinder. They are closed by strong springs and alternately opened at the right time, directly or indirectly, by cams mounted on one or more shafts called camshafts.

CONNECTING ROD:

Rod that transmits piston movement to the engine.

CRANKSHAFT:

This is the assembly of connecting rods transforming the longitudinal movement of the piston into rotational movement.

All cars must be inspected annually once they are five years old or older.

To perform the technical inspection, the driver must contact the technical inspection center.

Required documents: Vehicle registration document (carte grise).

Annual taxes related to the procedure: Between 120 DH and 180 DH depending on the vehicle category.

To drive in certain foreign countries, it’s imperative to have an international permit. To know if this is the case in the country where you plan to go, you can inquire with the consular services of the country concerned.

To obtain an international permit:

No theoretical or practical test is required, it’s a matter of carrying out an administrative procedure with an administration called Touring Club of Morocco, located at the following address:

3 Avenue de l’Armée Royale – Sidi Belyout District – 20000 – CASABLANCA

Documents to provide:

• A photocopy of your Moroccan permanent driving license

• A copy of your Moroccan national identity card

• A copy of your passport

• And a tax of 360 DH