Car Safety Basics

I have to admit that despite having been a driver for more than 13 years I am a bit of a lazy car owner and assume that the maintenance of the vehicle is more the responsibility of my local garage than my own. I take my car for a MOT (this MOT checker is handy if you’re not sure when yours is due) and service every year and there might be the odd small issue which they fix but otherwise, I have been lucky. Of course making sure your car is roadworthy and ready for a journey is paramount when it comes to road safety so really I haven’t been doing a very good job. To keep me (and perhaps you) on the straight and narrow when it comes to car safety basics here are some top tips:

Insurance

Ok so car insurance might not be the most interesting part of car safety but it is important to have a backup plan in case you do get into trouble with your vehicle. Good insurance gives you peace of mind and will ensure that any damage or injury can be sorted out in the case of an accident. I have recently had to renew my car insurance and took the time to shop around and compare the deals available to get something that best suits me at an affordable price. Now my husband is driving my car I needed to update my insurance to commuting as well as pleasure as he uses the car to get to and from his work as an Osteopath in Kent and London. I found a great deal, so I really recommend taking the time to find the best car insurance for your needs.

Wipers, mirrors and windscreens

Not that long ago I had to change the windscreen wipers on my car as over time they had worn out and unfortunately part of the wiper had come away and was dangling from the rest of the wiper which meant that not only was the wiper not able to do its job properly but it was also rather distracting! Be sure to check your wipers to wear and tear to make sure they are in good condition – otherwise, they won’t be much use in bad weather and will not be able to help you see properly. Make sure any cracked or damaged windscreens mirrors are repaired or replaced, again so that you can see out of them properly and to avoid any broken glass coming away which can damage other vehicles and people! Mirrors and windscreens need a good clean from time to time to get rid of any blotches or smudges which might get in the way of visibility. Windscreen washer fluid is also really important to check – fill it up if needed and check that the spray is working well.

Tyres

One of the most obvious areas to think about when it comes to car safety is your tyres, they can either keep you safely on the road or if not properly maintained can cause all manner of problems from small issues like a flat tyre to bigger problems like causing you to swerve off the road and potentially causing an accident. Tyre tread depth is really important to check as the more tread you have the better the car grips the road – the minimal legal requirement is 1.5mm and this can wear  down over time. See more info about tread here. Tyre pressures should also be checked, the correct pressure levels should be inside the door frame or in your manual. It’s a good idea to schedule a check every few months to give your tyres a quick health check – look for cracks or bubbles in the sides and sharp objects which might have gotten stuck in the tyre. It’s better to be safe than sorry so if you spot anything which looks dodgy take your car to your local garage.

Lights and Indicators

After travelling in convoy with my parents on our annual trip to Salisbury recently they pointed out that my rear brake light was not working properly – sometimes coming on, and sometimes not which obviously wasn’t great! My husband was able to find the problem and with a quick visit to a garage was able to get the part of the light which had corroded replaced so all was well again. Make sure none of your car lights are cracked or hazy which might indicate water is getting in. It’s important to regularly check all your lights are working – put on the hazard lights and all around the car to inspect indicators, check headlights and brake lights. It’s best to ask someone to help you check your rear lights.

Rust

I’m a bit of a Pixar geek, so when I think of rust I think of Rust-Eze and their Medicated Bumper Ointment who sponsor Lightning McQueen in movie cars! All jokes aside rust is no laughing matter as corrosion of your car can weaken its structural integrity and potentially put you and your passengers at increased risk of harm should you have an accident. Keep your car rust-free by washing every 2 weeks (more regularly in winter when there is salt on the roads) and don’t forget to clean the underside of your car and your wheel wells. The most important thing is to keep metal surfaces dry- whether you wipe them off after use, or protect them with paint, lacquer, lubricant or wax. Examine your car regularly and make sure any problem areas are fixed up as soon as possible. See more info on removing rust here.