Is your car safe on the road? It’s easy and common for drivers to assume their car is road safe. But is it really or are there issues that some drivers overlook? Unfortunately, there are countless cars on the road right now that aren’t safe. This is endangering the lives of not just the driver and the passengers but anyone else using the road. It’s easy to assume if you’re driving an unsafe car you’re only risking your life. But that’s not true. An accident with your car could affect the lives of other road users. You don’t want that on your conscience. That’s why we’re offering this expert advice on how to stay safe.
Keep Your Car Clean
The first thing that you’ll need to think about is how to keep your car clean. You may think that keeping your car clean is only an aesthetic issue. But it isn’t. If your car isn’t clean mud and grime can build up in places that could cause your car to be less safe. That’s an issue but one that isn’t without a remedy. Cleaning your car every two weeks will ensure that dirt doesn’t build up. Just imagine what would happen if mud was covering your brake pads. It’s probably best not to think about it.
Test It Regularly
You need to test your car as often as possible. Ideally, you should be testing your car for certain issues every time you use it. For instance, tires are a major concern. You need to check that they have the right amount of pressure. Otherwise, you’re not getting as much grip as you should out on the road. When this happens, your car won’t be as safe at high speeds or when making turns. Again, it’s easy to see how this could be a problem. But tire pressure isn’t the only check you need to be making. You should occasionally check the suspension as well. You can do this with the bounce test. Putting the car in park and bouncing each side of the car will check the suspension. If it moves more than three times, there’s an issue with the suspension that needs fixing.
Replacing Parts
On occasion, you will need to replace parts of your car. Many drivers avoid doing this due to the cost involved. But there are ways to cheapen the price. For instance, if you’re replacing tires, you can buy them second hand. You just need to know the traits of good quality used tires. You shouldn’t avoid replacing parts completely. Your car might desperately need them.
Know The Signs
Finally, you need to be aware of the signs that there’s an issue affecting the safety of your car. It’s important that you understand what each sign could mean. For instance, you might smell burning in your car. This could be a problem with the exhaust or your transmission. Either way, it should be treated as an emergency and needs to be resolved straight away. A whistling noise isn’t as serious. Typically, it means there’s a small hole or crack in your windscreen. But it could affect the strength of the glass, particularly in a crash.