A few minutes of checks before you set off help make every journey safe.
Warning:If you do these checks in a closed garage, make sure it's well ventilated.
Outside the car
- Tyres (including any spare): check pressures with a gauge and look for cuts, damage or excessive wear.
- Wheel bolts: make sure none are missing or loose.
- Leaks: after the car has been parked, look underneath for fuel, oil, coolant or other fluid. (Water dripping from the A/C is normal.)
- Lights: check headlights, daytime running lights, brake lights, fog lights, indicators and other lights work.
- Air intake grilles: clear snow, leaves or other debris from the grilles in front of the windscreen.
Inside the car
- Tools: make sure your emergency tools are on board.
- Seat belts: check the buckles latch securely and the belts aren't worn or frayed.
- Instrument cluster and controls: check the warning lights, indicator lights and controls work properly.
- Brakes: make sure the pedal has enough free travel.
Under the bonnet
- Spare fuses: keep a full set of spares for the ratings shown on the fuse box cover.
- Coolant level is correct.
- Battery and cables: no corroded or loose terminals or cracked case; cables in good condition.
- Wiring: no damaged, loose or broken wires.
- Fuel lines: no leaks or loose connections.
Warning:Make sure the bonnet is fully latched before driving. Otherwise it could fly up and block your view, causing an accident.
After starting
- Exhaust: listen for leaks and have any repaired immediately.
- Engine oil: on level ground, switch off, wait 5 minutes, then check the level on the dipstick.
While driving
- Check the gauges work properly.
- Somewhere safe, check the car doesn't pull to one side when braking.
- Watch for loose parts and leaks, and listen for unusual noises.