Your car is a valuable possession that must be fixed right away when there’s a mechanical problem to ensure your safety on the road. For your convenience, you can always trust a Nissan service center in Auckland and other cities for excellent repairs and other vehicles services. A working vehicle gives you peace of mind and helps you maintain your good driving records. There’s a high likelihood that you’ll get lower insurance premiums if your record is clean. So, before you drive, there are basic things that you must check.
Some people are rushing to reach their destination and they tend to neglect to inspect the car. Here are some reminders:
Check Your Car Battery
The headlights turned on and your car started before you left home. But the battery suddenly dies in the middle of driving. This is a distressing experience. So, how can you go about this? Check your battery before driving and follow these steps:
- Turn the ignition off.
- Your car battery has a positive terminal cover. Remove it and conduct testing.
- Using your voltmeter, connect the positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery. Take note that the positive lead is red.
- Connect the negative lead to the negative terminal on your battery.
- Your voltmeter will start to check the charge. Your battery is in good shape if the voltage is between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. If it’s less than that, the battery needs to be charged.
- Take note that if the reading is beyond 12.7 volts, it indicates that the alternator is charging the battery excessively. To solve this, turn on the high beams to eradicate excessive voltage surface charge.
Inspect Your Car Lights
There are some instances that you’ll drive at night. So, it’s imperative to inspect your car lights regularly, especially if you’ll have a long journey for a vacation. Here are the vital lights to check:
- headlights
- turn signals
- brake lights
- reverse lights
- tail lights
Safety should be your priority. So, if you notice any light not working, fix or replace it immediately to protect your safety and driving record.
Check the Oil Level
All the moving car engine components must be lubricated to prevent wear and tear. If your car runs out of oil, it will bring predicament. You know how expensive car engine repair is. So, check the oil level regularly to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
Always Bring Water
When the car overheats, it poses a significant threat to the driver and the passengers. Water is needed in the radiator to decrease heat in the engine. Make it a habit to bring bottles of water all the time to keep your car cool.
Check the Brakes
To avoid encountering faulty brakes in the middle of the road, check the brake system if it’s working correctly before leaving the house. If you notice that the brakes are weak, it’s time to fix it. You can always trust the mechanics to ensure that your brake system is working properly.
Check Your Car Tires
Too many motorists take their tires’ health for granted. It’s a typical reason they encounter an accident on the road. Over time, your car tires lose air. To determine if your tires are correctly inflated, you need a tire pressure gauge.
Moreover, make sure you’re not driving with worn-out tires. According to tire experts, the legal limit of tread depth is 1.6mm and above.
Here’s a more natural way to check your tires. Using a penny, you can check the tire tread depth. Insert the coin head into the tread groove across the tire. If a portion of Lincoln’s head cannot be seen, the tire is in good shape. But if you can notice that the top of Lincoln’s head is showing, it’s time for you to replace the tire.
Whether you’re just driving to work or heading out on a summer road trip, you’ll have confidence that you’ll reach your destination safely when you consider the tips mentioned above. When things go wrong and fixing your car is beyond your capability, find the right car expert in your area.