Driving a car without a precheck puts you at significant risk; however, you can prevent certain risks by checking your car before starting your journey.
Check out these additional checks just for your car:
- Check Your Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires will ensure a smoother ride, extending the tire’s life. This is also important because, at higher speeds, even one or two pounds of pressure difference can affect traction and handling. Therefore, you should be checking your tires every time you fill up with gas or when it feels like they’re flat or taking longer to stop together. To find out more about auto air conditioning service be sure to visit Natrad.
Tires are one of the essential parts of your vehicle, so make sure you have a spare tire in case you have a flat tire. Before leaving for your trip, ensure that the spare tire is inflated and adequately secured to the car. Be sure to check it every week or if you hear noises from it.
- Check the Coolant Levels
The coolant levels should be checked at least once every two weeks. Low coolant levels can lead to engine failure, particularly in high-heat conditions, and cause significant damage to your vehicle’s radiator.
When checking the fluid levels, ensure that your car is parked on level ground, turn your car off, and have someone else check the coolant levels. If the levels are too low, be sure to put some in immediately. In addition, be sure to use the recommended coolant, and not just any coolant will suffice.
- Check the Battery
Most modern cars need some energy to continue operating some devices like the anti-theft features. So before heading out, check the battery and make sure it’s charged. A completely dead battery can be dangerous because your vehicle may not have enough power to operate the keyless entry transmitter or other security features.
For example, if you’re planning on being away from home for more than four hours, make sure your battery is charged enough to be used for more than two hours. Batteries should be tested every two years.
- Adjust Your Seat and Headrest
Another vital thing to do is to adjust your seat. First, check that you have enough legroom, then adjust the pedals and steering wheel. Most people end up too close to the seat or too far away from the steering wheel, which causes discomfort. The headrest also needs to be adjusted to provide proper neck support and protection in an accident. If you get one get help from buena park auto accident lawyer.
- Activate Your Wipers
Typically, you should activate your wipers each time you begin driving your car. If they don’t work, then they should be replaced immediately. But you might be asking, how often should I replace my windshield wipers? Some of the tell signs that you need to replace your wipers include unusual sounds when in use or when wipers are skipping across your windshield.
- Check Your Headlights
You probably already know that when your headlights are on, they should be as bright as possible. For example, you might not know that if your car has daytime running lights (which some cars have), they should also be very noticeable. In any case, check if your headlight is clean and replace any broken or burned-out bulbs. If your headlights aren’t bright enough to give adequate visibility, you should adjust them before driving at night.
- Clutch and Brakes
Brakes are one of the essential things while driving your car. Check to see if your brakes give you the right amount of pressure, not too much or not enough. This will make it easier for you to stop when needed and prevent damaging your car. Also, make sure that your brake lights work correctly.
Check the clutch as well; clutch slips are very dangerous, as they can lead to an accident if you’re not careful. When there’s a problem with the clutch, like if it’s stuck in one position, it will be challenging to move the car into gear; however, you can quickly fix this by applying more pressure on the pedal.
- Fasten Your Seatbelt
Before taking your car, check that the seatbelt is secure and properly adjusted. A too loose seatbelt can lead to a severe injury during an accident, so it’s essential to fasten it.
- Check Your Mirrors
Before driving your car, ensure that the mirrors are correctly placed. Proper mirror adjustment helps you see clearly, especially when driving on dark roads. Ensure that your mirrors are adjusted vertically and horizontally. In addition, check all of your other windows for any cracks, and be sure to fix them. Having malfunctioning mirrors poses a risk to other drivers and maybe a reason for you to be pulled over by the police.
If you can follow the steps above, you have done a great job ensuring your car is safe to drive. You should also take your car to the mechanic regularly to ensure that everything is in good condition and working correctly.