How to Prevent Car Accidents by Keeping Your Car in Good Condition
Your car is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a reliable companion for your daily commute and all your road adventures. Yet, as a car owner, you also have the crucial responsibility to ensure your vehicle receives the care and maintenance it deserves.
Regular car maintenance is not just about keeping your car running smoothly. It also prevents potentially catastrophic accidents on the road.
Neglecting your car’s upkeep can compromise your vehicle’s responsiveness and lead to unsafe driving conditions. Furthermore, a breakdown in any of the car’s key components can lead to a loss of control, putting lives at risk.
In today’s fast-paced and hectic lifestyle, it’s common to overlook the importance of regular car maintenance and place it low on our list of priorities. However, following this one habit could mean the difference between having a safe, comfortable journey and unexpectedly ending up with a potentially serious collision.
Let's take a look at some of the most important car maintenance tips to prevent accidents.
Clean Your Headlights
Keeping your car’s headlights pristine isn’t just about looks; it improves visibility and enhances your safety.
Headlights usually come with a protective coating that shields them from the sun’s UV rays. However, oxidation can cause this layer to erode over time. This leads to yellow, dingy-looking headlights with reduced functionality.
Foggy headlights can make driving at night challenging, by compromising your vision. Make it a routine to have your car’s headlights cleaned every time you go to a car wash. If you find that there’s a yellowing to your headlights, it might be time to get a specialized cleaner for oxidized headlights, or ask for that treatment during your next visit to a car care center.
Check Your Tires
Maintaining your car tires has an array of advantages, especially in terms of safety.
You can enjoy benefits such as improved handling, better control on slippery roads, increased fuel efficiency, and of course, enhanced safety.
Unfortunately, tire-related road accidents are not uncommon. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2020, 664 people died in tire-related road accidents. Therefore, it’s crucial to inspect your tires regularly.
Be sure to check the following:
- Tire pressure, at least once every month
- Sidewall cracks or damage
- Uneven tread wear
- Tread depth
Replace Worn Brakes
Not being able to slow down or stop your car, particularly when driving at high speeds, poses a serious risk to you and other drivers.
To avoid sudden brake failure, it’s crucial to have your car’s brakes inspected and serviced regularly. Worn-out brake pads can damage your rotors, leading to costly repairs in the future. Hence, it’s advisable to address any issues with your brakes as soon as possible.
Leaving your car unused for an extended period can also lead to rust buildup, and consequently, ineffective braking.
Here are several signs that indicate your brakes are reaching the end of their useful life and require prompt attention.
- Squeaking or squealing noises coming from your brakes
- Grinding sounds when pressing on the brakes
- Vibration or shaking when you press the brake pedal
- Increased stopping distance — your car takes longer than usual to come to a stop
Check Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers are a crucial component for road safety. Dull or damaged wiper blades can make driving challenging, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Regularly maintaining your windshield wipers can improve your visibility and prevent potential accidents on the road.
Wiper blades typically lose their effectiveness after roughly six months. As a general guideline, changing your wiper blades at least once or twice a year is best if you frequently use them.
You should also look for signs of wear, such as smearing, skipping, or squeaking when the blades are in motion.
Keep Fluids Levels Up
A sudden drop in your car’s necessary fluids can result in mechanical failure at the most unexpected time. Regularly monitoring fluid levels and refilling them as needed can help you avoid many stressful situations and problems while driving.
Here are the essential fluids that play a vital role in keeping your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently:
Engine Oil. Without engine oil, your car’s engine cannot operate safely. The engine oil lubricates the engine’s components and protects them from damaging each other. A lack of oil can cause the engine to seize up and fail quickly. Therefore, it is crucial to always have this important fluid in your vehicle.
Brake Fluid. Driving with low braking fluid means risking your vehicle’s ability to stop. This can be super dangerous, and ignoring the problem is not smart. If you notice that you have to press down too hard or too lightly on the brake pedal, or if you see puddles around the wheels, it may be a sign of leaking brake fluid.
Power Steering Fluid. If you notice that the power steering fluid is leaking or there’s an empty reservoir, you should avoid driving your car and refill it immediately. A loss of power steering fluid can severely affect your car’s drivability and safety.
You might be able to detect signs of a power steering leak if you look out for some common signs. A whining sound from the steering parts typically indicates a lack of lubrication in the steering system. Other signs include difficulty turning the steering wheel and a shrill noise when turning the wheel to its extremes.
Transmission Fluid. A transmission fluid leak does not immediately make your car unsafe for driving. However, there could be several reasons behind the leak, so it’s important to find out the root cause with the help of a professional.
If the fluid continues to leak, your car’s health, performance, and condition can be affected in the long term. The quicker you get the problem solved, the fewer problems your vehicle will have to face in the future.
Coolant. Driving your car without enough coolant is possible. However, it is not recommended for an extended period. While a coolant leak may not be an immediate emergency, it can cause your engine to eventually overheat, which will most likely end in internal engine damage.
Continuing to drive will cause further damage to the engine, making the problem more difficult and expensive to solve in the future.
Regular Servicing
Regular maintenance of your car is crucial and should be an ongoing process.
If you suspect something isn't right, consider getting a professional diagnosis. Even if your car seems to be running smoothly, it is best to have a complete inspection done at least once a year or every 15,000 miles.
Caliber Auto Care is a one-stop car maintenance center with certified technicians who consistently provide a reliable job.
During the inspection, a qualified mechanic will closely examine your vehicle, thoroughly check it for signs of malfunction, wear, or damage, and take the necessary steps to ensure your car is in top condition.