Make Sure Your Car Is Safe
Is your car safe or is it an accident on wheels just waiting to happen? You should perform the following checks on your car at least once a month so your car will be less likely to break down, have mechanical problems, and be unsafe.
Tires
Tires get no respect when it comes to your car. Each year there are in excess of 20,000 car accidents that happen as a result of tire failure and tire blowouts. Most of these accidents can be prevented. Not having the right proper tire maintenance is the biggest aspect, which leads to car accidents caused by maintenance problems. However tires can be inspected and fixed very easily. Having the proper tire maintenance, in terms of tire pressure, is very important. A tire will naturally lose pressure over time and as the weather changes.
With today’s radial tires you are not able to tell if the tires are not inflated enough. You should get a tire gauge and check the tires, keeping the recommended tire pressure. The tread depth and wear on the tires will determine how effective traction and braking are. If the wear on the tires in uneven it may be an indicator that the wheels are not aligned or there are problems with the balance. There should be at least 1/8” of depth in the tire. A little trick you can do is to place a penny in a groove on your tire with the Lincoln head upside down and faced towards you. If you can see the top of the Lincoln’s head it is time to get a new tire.
Brakes
You should be able to interpret the signs that your break pedal gives your right foot. If you find that there is less resistance or if the brake pedal depresses more than usual you should get your brakes inspected. If there are grating noises or vibration noises coming from the brakes it can be an indication that the rotors are wearing down because the brake pads are too thin. The braking efficiency is reduced because brakes that are worn down can increase the stopping distance. You should make sure that the brake pads on your car are thick enough and that the rotors are functioning correctly and not damaged.
Fluids
It is important to maintain the right level of fluids in your car since many of the car's important systems depend on it. The first thing you should do is look under your car to find out if there are leaks. It may no be a big leak but look under your car after it has been parked for some time. You can then check the oil level. If the oil level is low or the car's oil has broken down it can cause major damage to your car. You should change your oil frequently; as it can be the best and least expensive insurance you can buy. While you are checking the oil you should also check other fluid levels of the car, such as its radiator coolant, brake master cylinder, transmission, power steering, and even your windshield washer.
Belts & Hoses
When you are under the hood you should check all the rubber components. You should check them for leaks and cracks and to see if they are loosely connected. If you have a cheap belt or hose it can make you stranded, cause your engine to overheat, and can basically cause you problems on the road.
Lights
You can greatly reduce the chances of getting into an accident with other drivers if they can see you and know what you are going to do. You can also make it less likely that you will be pulled over by the police if your headlamps are working properly. You should periodically check both your high beam and low-beam headlights, taillights, break lights, and your turn signals.
Kids
One check that is often overlooked is making sure there is nobody behind you before you get into your car and before you pull out. Each year many children are killed by accident by family members who pulled out and backed over them. By taking a little more time to check for kids before you get in your car and before you back out you can make sure that an accident does not occur.
Safety Kits
Even if you take all these safety precautions unexpected things can still happen. You should keep things in your trunk or glove compartment such as a flashlight, a blanket, a bag of salt, a first aid kit, jumper cables, flares, a fire extinguisher, duct tape, and a white rag for distress. If you perform periodic safety checks on your car it will make it more likely that you will be safer on the road. By performing safety checks you can also save money and any hassles. You should also teach your children to help you with these safety precautions, as it will instill in them good habits so they will be safer on the road in the future.
