Five vehicle checks you should perform before driving

Feb 05, 2023 News

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By: Richard Francois

Kaieteur News – If you drive a car, then it is important that you read this article and try to practice some if not all of what is being discussed here today. As long as you drive a vehicle, it is essential that you check it regularly to ensure that it is in proper working condition, so as to avoid any inconveniencing break-downs while driving. You do not need to be a trained mechanic, there are some basic tips that anyone can follow to check a vehicle before getting inside and driving.

Regularly checking your vehicle is vitally important to your safety and that of your passengers. Conducting a simple walk around check on a vehicle before setting off on a journey allows drivers to spot and report any defects. There are a few simple things you can look for first thing in the morning before you set off on your daily journeys.

There is an acronym POWER which refers to the five most important things a driver must check every day before driving off in a vehicle in the morning. They are:

P: Petrol (includes Diesel)

Before leaving home always check the petrol gauge of your car, to ensure that you have enough fuel to get you to your destination. Nothing is more embarrassing than having your vehicle run out of fuel while driving. So, ensure you check your petrol level. Some literature even states that running your vehicle for prolonged periods on empty (when the gauge is on “E”) forces the engine to use the sediments which includes the dirty stuff that settles at the bottom of your gas tank. This is certainly not good for your engine. Always ensure you have adequate petrol in your vehicle.

O: Oil

Oil is a very important part of an automobile. A car needs oil to run properly. Oil lubricates the moving parts in a vehicle’s engine ensuring that everything stays in healthy motion. To be sure that your engine oil is at optimum levels it is important that you check it first thing in the morning before driving. Try not to wait for the oil light to come on before you check your engine oil levels.

This is something anyone can easily do. According to castrol.com there are a few simple steps you need to follow:

1. First make sure to park your car on level ground, then wait at least 10 minutes to let the oil drain back into the sump.
2. Raise and secure the bonnet, then locate the oil level dipstick (usually yellow, orange or white), which is usually pretty easy to see and to reach.
3. Pull it out and use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe the end clean. Then replace it, making sure it goes all the way in, before immediately lifting it out and holding it in a horizontal position.
4. 
   Near the end of the dipstick there should be two lines, sometimes with a cross-hatched area in between. Ideally, the oil level should be at or near the highest line, though anywhere above the lower line is still OK.

If the oil level is close to or below the minimum (lower) mark, you definitely need to top up your oil right away. If the level is mid way, then topping up your engine oil level is recommended to bring the oil level up to near the maximum (higher) mark to offer the best protection for your engine.

Importantly, even if you only need to add a little oil, you must make sure you add the correct viscosity and specification of oil.

W: Water

An important check that drivers should carry out before driving a vehicle is to ensure that the radiator has enough water or coolant. The water or coolant in the radiator stops your vehicle from overheating. So, before leaving in the morning make sure your radiator has enough water or coolant. ALWAYS ensure that your engine is cold before checking the liquid in a radiator!

E: Electrics

Always make time to check the lights on your vehicle to ensure that they are working. Check your indicators and headlights, and if it is possible, please have someone help you check your brake lights. Remember when driving it is important that you are able to see properly and that others can see you.

R: Rubber

Always check your tires before driving. Ensure that all tires are properly pressurized and that you do not have any soft or flat tires.

I hope the information shared today will help all you drivers develop an acute sense of your vehicle’s functionality. As mentioned earlier, you need not be a mechanic to do the simple checks outlined in today’s article. Believe me, checking your vehicle on a daily basis will surely bode well for you as a driver. You will be more aware of how your vehicle is functioning at all times.

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• Conducting, passengers

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