Things To Do/Check Before You Drive: Precautionary checks to prevent unexpected car trouble

A huge part of being a responsible motorist is ensuring that our vehicles are kept in proper working order. This entails regular visual checks on some of its basic components before getting in and driving off. By doing so, these checks also serve as precautionary measures against unexpected car trouble. In fact, most experienced drivers religiously perform these routine checks before starting or driving a vehicle. Read down below to find out some things to check or do. Remember, all it takes is a few minutes to help ensure safe and trouble-free driving.

Inspect the Vehicle

Always perform a quick walk around the entire vehicle before getting in. It doesn’t have to be that thorough, but just enough to see if there are any scratches or dents, if all the tires are not flat, and the absence of debris underneath it. Doing so will enable you to detect if there’s a problem even before driving on the road. Also, be on the lookout for any obstacles in front or behind the vehicle.  This could be as simple as an unattended shopping cart or a small child playing behind the car.

Buckle Up for Safety

Even though modern vehicles come with seatbelt warning lights and buzzers to remind the occupants to put on their seatbelts, some people still refuse to use them.  The truth is, seat belts save lives every day, and you should always fasten yours before your car starts moving. It doesn’t matter, even if it’s just a short trip to the local convenience store.

Check Dashboard Lights

It's normal for all the indicator lights on the dashboard to light up before the engine starts. But they should all go out once the engine starts. If some stay on, you might have problems such as faulty sensors or other component failures. This means getting your vehicle checked by a technician to decipher the trouble code and address the issue.

Lights Check

Another quick check before driving away is ensuring that the headlamps, brake lights, hazard lights, and turn signals are properly working.  All these different lights serve a purpose and are essential for driver visibility. In addition, these lights also make it possible for other motorists to see one another, especially during nighttime driving conditions.

Mirror Check

Being able to easily see at a glance what’s behind and beside your vehicle is crucial when driving. But if the rearview and side mirrors are not adjusted to your preferences, they will be useless. Adjust these mirrors optimally to help you become aware of your surroundings and others with whom you share the road.

These are just some basic vehicle checks anyone can do independently. By regularly doing such, you will likely encounter fewer unexpected breakdowns while on the road. Do you think you can make it a habit before driving?