With the car crashes on an alarming rise of late, safe driving practices are of urgent need. Now, when a car encounters an accident, the lion’s share of the blame is put on the driver only. Yes, unsafe driving practices greatly abet the staggering number of on-road accidents that we witness today but at times other factors too come into play. One of the most important factors is the poor condition of the car. No matter how great and responsible the driver is, sometimes, safe driving cannot be achieved if the car shows an inflated tyre or is running low on oil. The experts always suggest regular safety checks on your vehicle to ensure a stress-free smooth and safe ride always.
Below are the top tips to check out for a regular safety check-up on your steam-
Check the oil
You have to check the engine oil at least once in 7 days. The most perfect time for checking it is when your vehicle is warm & on the level ground. Stop your engine & wait for 10 minutes till the oil level settles. Remove dipstick & clean it. Then, push it deep into the oil & pull it up after a second. Check out the current level properly. The oil must be between two marks & never below lower mark or above top mark. Oil change would be required on timely basis and ask your mechanic about the intervals of oil change. Make sure, the viscosity & service rating of the oil is in tune with the recommendations prescribed by your mechanic or the vehicle manufacturer.
Check for improperly inflated tyres
Correct tyre pressure is of utmost importance when you are looking to assure safe driving and hence you have to make sure there is no question of improperly inflated tyres in your vehicle. Improper inflation result in unwanted blowouts that further lead to tragic accidents. Besides, if your tyres aren’t properly inflated, you might end up being stranded on the roadside. You can use tyre pressure gauge to check the inflation level of the tyres and prevent flat tyre issues on time. You should know that wrong inflation level affects fuel efficiency. Thus, keep check on the inflation level and it’s to stress here that the correct tyre pressure would vary according to outside temperature. You can look into the recommendations of your tyre manufacturer for right pressure.
Be careful of tyre thread
The tyre pressure definitely matters when it comes to safe driving but you should be careful about the tyre tread as well. Right tyre tread assures good traction on road & it is especially vital when you would be driving in slippery situations. Thus, you should regularly inspect tyres for marks of wear, odd lumps or bulges. If the tyre shows bulges or low tread, you might soon get into blowout or slipping on road.
Weekly check on radiator coolant
Constant coolant loss can affect your safe driving concerns and hence it’s advised to keep check on radiator coolant on a weekly basis. If the vehicle has got expansion tank, make sure coolant level has reached slightly above “minimum” mark line when your engine has cooled down. But when your engine is at operating temperature, the level must be in between half & maximum marks. In case, the car does not have expansion tank, the water level must be within 25mm of top of filler neck. This measurement is for a cold engine. Never open cooling system if the engine is on operating temperature as you will end up with serious burns. In case, you experience constant coolant loss, do not delay to inform your mechanic.
Don’t allow old brakes
Are your brakes making that nasty screeching sound every time you pull them? Well, it means you have got aging brake pads which might hamper safe driving on road. Thus, it’s advised that you get regular checks on the brakes by a professional who can tell you about the right time to replace old brakes. The brakes are always one of the most essential units of any car as depend on them to stop the wheels & prevent possible crashes. Thus, needless to mention what catastrophe you might push yourself into if your brakes start malfunctioning which is common with old age.
Don’t forget power steering fluid
When it comes to safe driving, the driver should ensure proper control on his vehicle which is not possible if there is any problem with power steering fluid. Thus, you must always get a regular check on the fluid to ensure no issues with the power steering or the car control. You will check the level when your engine comes to stop after a good long ride. The best time to check the fluid is when it’s warm. Make sure the fluid is just below “HOT” mark.
What about the car lights?
When it comes to car inspection for safe driving, we mostly focus on engine, brakes and tyres. What about the lights? An accident is most likely when you are driving after sunset with the car lights not in proper order. So, every smart car owner must get a regular check on all the car lights, including brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights & certainly the headlights. Yes, it’s easy to spot problems with headlights but you might as well miss out issues with taillight or brake light. These lights let other cars understand about your upcoming move which enables them to chart their course accordingly. Any problem here might lead to unwanted collisions.
Check your battery
Your car battery should be clean & tight when you have to secure safe driving. Its fluid level should be 5-10 mm above plates. Use distilled water only for topping up.
Other safety checks:
- Check the glass surfaces and make sure all of them are clean & free from cracks & scratches.
- Check your windscreen wipers & washers.
- Check wiper rubbers.
- Don’t forget the horn.
- Make sure seatbelts are in right condition.
