Unless you’re a cat with nine lives, you most likely have a single life to live. On this premise, there is, therefore, no such thing as being too careful or treading too safely. “Safety first” is indeed more than another maxim.
Based on statistics, it is no news that the form of transportation most susceptible to accidents is land transportation. More specifically, land transportation in cars. It is indeed burdensome that the most common means of transport is the one with the highest occurrences of mishaps. This broth has enough taste of doom already. Let’s not over-spice the sauce by mentioning actual death and injury statistics that happen in Australia every year.
We’ve made you see, or rather, brought back to memory, the impending risks of even getting your car on the road. Only a fool, however, will, because of the fear of death, choose not to live. And we’re no fools! It is comforting to know that despite the tragedies that surround car transportation, personally ensured safety measures for your car, can reduce the possibility of an accident on the road by more than a whopping 50%.
Without further ado, let’s discuss nine essential car servicing tips that’ll keep you safe on the road. If you would rather have professional help though, you can check out this mechanic nerang.
- Watch the oil
Your car is a machine. It’s basic knowledge that nothing reduces the efficiency of a machine like the friction of its moving surfaces, and nothing aptly reduces friction like oil. You always want to check your car’s oil level before embarking on any journey at all (including a quick stop at the grocery store!). Okay, that’s probably on the high side, but you get the point. Once a month will be suffice. In more technical terms, oil acts as a sealant between piston rings and cylinder liners, preventing combustion pressure from escaping. And that’s a good thing! You may be tempted to use other oils in place of the one recommended by the car manufacturer. Don’t yield to temptation. It will only end in tears.
- Top off water levels
As machined as your car maybe, just this once, think of it as a human. Humans can’t live without water. Cars can’t either. Like you can imagine, cars generate massive amounts of heat. Water present in the carburetor acts as a coolant. You never know its germane role until its tardily noticed absence leaves your bonnet up in flames. Top your car water level, always!
- Always inspect your tires
In constant contact with the good, bad, and ugly road surfaces, your car tires do suffer a lot. To this end, they need an equally continuous inspection and proper care. Tires are not meant to last forever! From constant use, they wear. Worn tires are bad news, folks. The only reason your brakes are useful is that your tires are in working condition. Tire conditions are also diagnostic of other car problems. If you, for instance, notice abnormal wear patterns, this indicates misalignment or suspension problems. Steering vibrations also suggest that the tires might need balancing.
- Replace your brake pads as and when due
Of course, brakes are essential! Hand in hand with right tires, effective brakes are indeed integral to accident prevention on the roads. It cannot be over-emphasized that your brakes must always be in good condition. The slightest suspicion of a problem with your brakes is reason enough to cancel a trip you’ve been planning for a whole year! Like tires, brake pads should be replaced once they begin to either squeal or vibrate. Slow-to-respond brakes are indicative of reduced brake oil levels. This should be regularly inspected and replaced with manufacturer-specific recommendations.
- Monitor your power steering oil levels
Paralysis is not limited to humans and animals. Your car’s steering can get paralyzed too. A ‘paralyzed’ steering will require all the strength in the world to maneuver. In the face of impending danger, when the difference between life and death is reduced to a speedy, timely swerve, you don’t want to be low on power steering oil. Again, use only the recommended fluid, and never overfill the reservoir. The constant need for refilling is indicative of a more general problem with the car.
- Battery
You know what happens when the battery dies; everything dies. No, you don’t mainly recharge car batteries. All you do is simply monitor the electrolyte levels, and top it off with distilled water when the need arises. Consider changing the battery after a period of two to three years, depending on its longevity. Highly common is loose tethering of battery to its terminals. You want to make sure that the battery is properly secured.
- Lights
No one loves the darkness. Not even your car. You must ensure that all the features your battery powers are in order. These include, amongst others, the horn and the headlamps. Imagine you set out on a journey by noon, and due to some terrible, unforeseen traffic, a 2-hour drive takes 6 hours. Highly unlikely, but it’s possible. The point is, you don’t want to travel at night without your lights.
- One, two… Clear!
Yes, you guessed right. The shock absorber of your car must remain in perfect condition, always. Say, for instance, you need to travel on the road littered with many potholes. To avoid hitting your head top, many times against the roof of your car and suffering an intracranial hemorrhage, you better get your shock absorber in good shape. With a bad shock absorber, the brake takes a longer time to stop the car, and uneven tire wear could be an issue too.
- Inspect belts and hoses regularly
What happens if all the fluids are at the correct levels, but the hoses to convey them around the engine are either damaged or out of place? Belts connect two or more rotating parts of a car’s engine. A severed belt causes disunion, with obvious impending dangers. Proper inspection of both belts and hoses is necessary for safety.
In conclusion
Most of these safety practices are basic and require almost zero technical knowledge. Some, however, need the expertise of professionals.
