Each day, we see news reports about car accidents, both minor and fatal ones. Though uncontrollable situations can bring these mishaps, some are due to drivers failing to effectively monitor their cars. Thus, resulting in subpar car capability and reliability and eventual troubles. Remember, car safety and health should be your utmost priority. With that, we’ve collated some of the best tips on how you could keep a check on your car, so you could help make the roads a safer place for driving.
Look for leaks
Before pulling out from your driveway, check first if there are any fluid leaks present on your garage floor, which can lead to brakes, steering, or radiator failure, among others. Check for if for any smell, as not all leaks may be visible. If you spot any, call a mechanic quick to have it checked and repaired if needed.
Check the engine oil
Engine oil ensures that your car keeps running smoothly, have its parts are well-lubricated, and helps minimize wear-and-tear. Plus, it also absorbs dirt, dust, and other debris, to prevent them from getting to areas they shouldn’t be. As such, you must check the oil level and quality regularly. Simply pull out the dipstick to see the oil level and top-up if needed. If the oil color is already black, then your car already needs an oil change. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for oil grade and change intervals to keep your engine functioning at its best.
Monitor your brakes
Your car’s brakes allow you to stop on red lights and signs, but more importantly, it helps you avoid harmful accidents or dangerous situations from occurring. Thus, protecting your life as well as the others’. As such, you should never take your brakes for granted. Check your brake pad regularly, and don’t wait until you hear a screeching noise before replacing them. If they are less than a quarter of their original width, they are already thin and need replacement. Meanwhile, the brake fluid must be checked and changed about 25,000 miles. If it has a milky or cloudy appearance, it’s an imminent sign that the fluid needs a change.
Inspect the lights
Lights are crucial to safety, especially when driving at night or entering tunnels, bridges, where it can be dark. If any of the lights aren’t functioning, you can be in peril. Burnt-out headlights are easy to spot and have repaired. However, broken tail lights and brake lights at the car’s rear can be overlooked. These lights are vital in letting vehicles behind your back know what you’re doing or where you’re going and preventing accidents. As such, be sure to inspect all of the lights in your car from time to time.
Let your car breathe
Just like a human being, your car’s engine requires oxygen to do its processes. Any constriction with the airflow can affect the vehicle’s performance as it prevents fuel from burning up completely. An air filter needs a replacement or cleaning typically once a year or in every 20,000 miles. Check if there’s too much dirt or debris that stuck and do the needful. If you’re living in a more sandy or dusty area, then replacement and cleaning may be needed more often. Remember, your car’s engine must breathe adequately to ensure its optimum function.
Evaluate your tire condition
There are various factors you need to evaluate when it comes to your tire condition. First is tread-depth, which is pretty essential to a well-performing tire. Tread depth provides traction to your car, giving you proper control on roads, especially during adverse inclement weather conditions, like rain, snow, and hail. If it’s worn down, it can lead to long braking distance and blowouts that are both catastrophic for drivers.
Second, check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires, whether under or over, will significantly affect your mileage and fuel efficiency, and more importantly, your maneuverability. Fortunately, you can quickly check the tire pressure using air-pressure gauges. Ask for the correct pressure from the tire manufacturer, and achieve it with your tires.
Check the screenwash and wiper
Your screenwash and the wiper cleans your windshield from any dirt, debris or obstruction that can block your view while driving. See to it that both are functioning properly. Without them, your visibility can be significantly reduced and put you, pedestrians, and other drives in a dangerous situation. Each car needs a specific wiper and screenwash, so be sure to purchase your vehicle’s correct fit.
Takeaway
Those are the essential tips to monitor your car effectively. Never let laziness or forgetfulness hinder you from doing these things periodically. When your vehicle is always in check and is in 100% working condition, you can be relatively safer on the road.