6 Integral Vehicle Checks You Should Take Before Driving
Driving. It’s a risky business. Of course, it’s also something that’s paramount for modern life. Following this thought, keeping yourself safe while out on the road is crucial. Thus, today, we’re having a brief look at six of the most paramount vehicle checks you should take before driving. Hopefully, this will help keep your time on the road safer - both for you and other road users.
Six Integral Vehicle Checks to Take Before Driving
Before driving, making sure you’ve run the following six vehicle checks is crucial. This simple process can help protect you from getting into a sticky situation while driving.
#1 Check Your New Vehicle
Before driving on the road, it’s pivotal to run a vehicle check first. These assessments quickly interpret several different aspects of a car’s past, such as:
MOT history;
Mileage records;
Stolen status;
Write-off history;
Financing information;
Vehicle information;
And more.
This data allows you a more thorough understanding of your car’s past. In doing so, this makes it easier to recognise any potential risks that may come with your car, such as advisories that may have cropped up in past MOTs.
#2 Check the Fuel
Once you’re confident the vehicle itself was safe, you can progress to daily checks. The first of these will generally be the fuel level. After all, one of the most common - and annoying - reasons to break down is simply because you don’t have enough fuel in the tank. It’s an avoidable risk. So, always check you’ve got plenty of fuel before heading out. If you’re not sure, stop by the next garage to top up (to stay on the safe side).
#3 Look at the Oil
Oil plays a crucial role in your car’s health. As such, always check your oil religiously to ensure it’s between the safe levels; you may also need to change it if it’s been left for too long.
#4 Tyres
Driving with unsafe tyres is not only illegal but also puts you at a huge amount of risk. There are several reasons for this. One of the most common is tread depth, which directly influences your car’s grip on the road. In addition, any bulges in the tyre pressure could put the tyre at risk of exploding; in contrast, flat tyres can also make your car much harder to control and could lead to an accident. Thereby, keeping your tyres within safe limits is crucial.
#5 Lights and Electrics
One of the most common issues to arise with vehicles is the electrical system. Often, lights and electrics will give out before many other components, especially for lights that may need bulbs replacing periodically. If you notice any electric warning signs, make sure to get these systems checked ASAP.
#6 Brakes
Your vehicle’s brakes have a lot of heavy lifting to do. As a result, it’s paramount to keep a close eye on their condition and function. This can help ensure that your brakes remain functional and safe when you head out.
Final Thoughts
Staying safe while using your car is crucial. However, this often goes overlooked, putting you and those traveling with you at risk. Why take the chance - with a few simple checks, you can help increase your safety on the road accordingly.