5 car safety checks you can do at home

Cars can seem like the weird and wonderful to those of us who aren’t used to being under the bonnet. This said, there are lots of ways to improve how safe your motor is, right from the comfort of your doorstep.

Check out these 5 safety checks you can do at home.

1. FUEL

Might sound obvious, but many of us are guilty of leaving it until the last minute. Make sure you’ve got enough fuel to keep you on the road and remember that the way you drive can affect how much you use. Using the air conditioning and accelerating quickly will speed up how quickly your fuel runs out, while maintaining a constant speed proves to be a more fuel-efficient driving style.

2. OIL

The RAC have found that 1 in 3 of the vehicles they attend to have dangerously low oil levels. Your vehicle has a dipstick for a reason – so use it!

It’s a simple check that’s easy to forget; pop the trunk, pull out the dipstick and check that the oil level is somewhere between the minimum and maximum level. If you get stuck, you can always dig out the user manual from your glove box or give us a call.

3. TYRES

Your car’s tyres are the only thing holding it to the road, so it’s important to make sure they’re in the best possible condition. You should regularly check your tyres for bumps and bulges. At the same time, remember to check that your tread depth is at least 1.6mm (the legal minimum). You can measure this with the 20p technique;

1. Insert a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth of your tyres.
2. While inserted, check whether you can see the outer rim around the edge of the coin.
3. If you can’t see it, your tyre is safe and has a minimum of 3mm tread depth.

Simple eh? 

If you can see the outer rim on the coin, consider popping into see us. We’ll provide professional advice on when you should have your tyre replaced.

4. BATTERY

There are three easy ways to know whether your car’s battery is on the brink:

1. Your car is taking a while to start.
2. Your electrics aren’t working as normal.
3. You’ve got a warning signal on the dashboard.

Take a look at our article explaining the three signals in more detail if you’re not quite sure. If you think you’ve got a battery problem, book in for a free battery check.

5. BULBS

Noticed anyone flashing you recently and not sure why? ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ is particularly relevant when it comes to our exterior lights. How are you supposed to know that a brake light isn’t working when you can’t see it from the drivers seat? 

We can’t always rely on our fellow drivers to let us know, so take the time to check your bulbs regularly. Turn your engine on and turn your lights on manually before getting out to check them. You might need somebody to help you with the brake lights!

CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE? BOOK IN FOR A FREE SUMMER SAFETY CHECK, INCLUDING SCREEN-WASH TOP UP.