How safely you can drive starts with the vehicle you are driving. It is the duty of drivers to make certain that the vehicles they drive are safe to operate.
A vehicle that is in bad shape is unsafe and costs more to run than one that is maintained. It can break down or cause a collision. If a vehicle is in bad shape, you might not be able to get out of an emergency.
A vehicle in good shape can give you an extra safety margin when you need it, and you never know when you will need it. You should follow your vehicle owner’s manual for routine maintenance.
Some you can do yourself and some must be done by a qualified mechanic. A few simple checks will help prevent trouble on the road.
Braking system - Only your brakes can stop your vehicle. It is very dangerous if they are not working properly. If they do not seem to be working properly, are making a lot of noise, smell funny, or the brake pedal goes to the floor, have a mechanic check them out.
Lights - Make sure that turn signals, brake lights, taillights and headlights are operating properly. These should be checked from the outside of the vehicle. Brake lights tell other road users that you are stopping and turn signals tell them you are turning. An out-of-line headlight can shine where it does not help you and may blind other drivers. If you are having trouble seeing at night or if other drivers are constantly flashing their headlights at you, have a mechanic check out the headlights.
Windshield and wipers - Damaged glass can break more easily in a minor collision or when something hits the windshield. Have a damaged windshield replaced. Windshield wipers keep the rain and snow off the windshield. Some vehicles also have wipers for rear windows and headlights. Make sure all wipers are in good operating condition. If the blades are not clearing water well, replace them.
Tires - Worn or bald tires can increase the stopping distance and make turning more difficult when the road is wet. Unbalanced tires and low pressure cause faster tire wear, reduce fuel economy, and make the vehicle harder to steer or stop. If the vehicle bounces, the steering wheel shakes, or the vehicle pulls to one side, have a mechanic check it out. Worn tires can cause “hydroplaning” and increase the chance of having a flat tire.
Tire Pressure- Prior to entering a vehicle, check tire pressures using the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) located in the vehicle owner’s manual or the driver side door jamb of the vehicle. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the PSI. If the PSI is above the number listed on the door jamb, let air out until it matches. If it’s below, add air (or have a tire professional help you) until it reaches the proper number.
Check the tread with a penny. Stick the penny into the tread "head" first. If the tread does not come at least to Abe's head, the tire is unsafe, and you need to replace it.
Steering system - If the steering is not working properly it is difficult to control the direction you want the vehicle to go. If the vehicle is hard to turn or does not turn when the steering wheel is first turned, have the steering checked out by a mechanic.
Suspension system - The suspension helps you control the vehicle and provides a comfortable ride over varying road surfaces. If the vehicle bounces a lot after a bump or a stop, or is hard to control, you may need new shocks or other suspension parts. Have a mechanic check it out.
Exhaust system - The exhaust system helps reduce the noise from the engine, helps cool the hot gases coming from running the engine, and moves these gases to the rear of the vehicle. Gases from a leaky exhaust can cause death inside of a vehicle in a very short time. Never run the motor in a closed garage. If sitting in a vehicle with the motor running for a long period of time, open a window. Some exhaust leaks are easily heard but many are not. Therefore, it is important to have the exhaust system checked periodically.
Engine - A poorly running engine may lose power that is needed for normal driving and emergencies, may not start, gets poor fuel economy, pollutes the air, and could die when driving on the road. This causes you and traffic a problem.
