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Car Maintenance And Safety Check Advice

Author: Matt Coughlan

There are a number of essential checks that everyone should regularly carry out on their vehicle. Bald tyres, defective brakes and lights that don't work are common faults, but any one of these defects can make your car inherently dangerous, and continuing to drive it could result in death or serious injury.
Some of the most important checks are relatively simple, and can be carried out before each journey. So, before setting off it is recommended to check your windows are clean and mirrors correctly adjusted. If you have a passenger, you could also get them to check all of your lights are functioning at this point, especially if all or part of the journey is likely to be in the dark. Finally, once the engine has started make sure none of the warning lights have remained illuminated on the dash board. These will remain illuminated if the cars onboard CPU has identified a fault in any of the electrical circuits. The CPU controls all major aspects in your car, so any fault is likely to be serious.

Secondly, there are a number of important checks which should you should aim to carry out once over every other week or so. For example, if you notice your windscreen wipers are beginning to smear then have a look at them and get them replaced if they looked dry or cracked, or give them a wipe with a soft cloth and some vinegar if they are just a bit dirty. Also, tyres should be kept inflated at the correct pressure, and tread depth kept above 1.5mm. This can be checked using the markers found within each tread around the tyres circumference. Finally, open the bonnet and check the fluid levels – Brake Fluid, Screenwash, Engine Oil, Coolant and Power Steering. These are easy to check in modern cars, the engine oil can be checked with the dip stick, and everything else requires only a quick look at each fluid container above the engine to ensure the fluid inside is between the ‘Min/Max’ markers.

About the Author:

Good Car insurance is a blessing in the event of a serious fault. You can compare car insurance to find the best cover, and conduct a car insurance comparison to get the best price.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/car-maintenance-and-safety-check-advice-813977

Updated: 16/03/2010