Basic vehicle inspection for safety
“Are we there yet?” Four familiar words that will be heard by parents in cars when traveling on roads. But are you take the necessary precautions to ensure your family is “arriving” safely?
Be aware of traffic hazards and take precautions before you travel, the first step is to prevent stuck in the middle of journey. You are transporting your most precious cargo, take a few minutes to check the condition of your vehicle and make repairs immediately before you make any trips.
Check engine oil level – Check your engine oil level is the first step you must do.Driving with the oil level is too low can damage the engine. An engine can not run without oil even for a minute.Engine oil’s role is primarily to stop all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together and tearing out from friction whilst transferring heat away from the combustion cycle. If the engine oil level is low, add more oil, but don’t the surplus.
Check break fluid level – Cars should not consume brake fluid. Low brake fluid can indicate either a leak in the brake line or worn brake surfaces. If your brake fluid is low, have the car checked to find out why. A car with low brake fluid or leaking brake fluid could fail to stop.
Power steering fluid – This will generally be a plastic or metal reservoir. If the reservoir is made of clear plastic, look for full and low indicator lines on the outside. The cap will have a small dipstick attached if the reservoir isn’t see-through by opening the lid and pouring more of an appropriate power steering fluid in. There may be two pairs of lines, one for a hot engine and one for a cold engine. Read the one that is appropriate to the current condition of your car.
Check radiator / coolant temperature level – Along with engine oil, engine coolant or antifreeze performs as the lifeblood of your engine. If the coolant level gets too low or cooling system becomes clogged engine to overheat, which could lead to major internal injuries. Most modern cars have a coolant reservoir or overflow tank, which is where you check the coolant level. These tanks are generally opaque with marks indicating where the level should be when the engine is hot. If coolant is low, add extra antifreeze to bring it back to the right level.
Tire Condition – When you check your tire pressure, check the general condition of your tires and tread depth. Look for bulges, which could indicate the layer separation, bald patches, which could indicate improper alignment or something else unusual.Tires with bad conditions invite danger, particularly when used on slippery road.
Lights – Make sure headlights, taillights, third break lights, turn light and hazard warning light function are operating properly. Change the bulb, which is damaged immediately.
Be Prepared – Always carry a roadside emergency and first aid kit.It is better to be prepared than sorry.
