Safety is paramount when it comes to driving and it is important that you know how to maintain your vehicle so that it is safe to drive not only to protect you but also other road users and pedestrians.
With this in mind, keep reading to discover the key areas to focus on to keep your car in a safe condition and roadworthy at all times.
Brakes
The brakes are obviously a key feature when it comes to safety but these can become worn over time. This is why you should keep a close eye on your brake pads and replace them every 40,000 miles or when you notice a decline in performance (this generally only happens towards the end of their lifetime).
Tyres
The tyres are also hugely important when it comes to safety along with performance and efficiency. Keep in mind that the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm but you should change them before they reach this level to give you better control and also so that you do not run the risk of a £2,500 fine (per tyre) and points on your license if they are below the legal limit. Additionally, getting a new set of tyres will ensure that the car is safe to drive if they are over the 20,000-mile threshold too. You should also inspect the tyres often and keep them topped up to the recommended level.
Lights
If a light is broken then it should indicate on your dash and you need to get this fixed immediately. It is also a good idea to test your lights often as well as keep them clean to improve performance, visibility and safety.
Windscreen Wipers
The windscreen wipes may not seem like the most important feature when it comes to safety, but a malfunctioning or inefficient windscreen wiper could pose a significant safety risk when it is raining and travelling at speed. This is why you need to make sure that your wipers are maintained, cleaned and replaced if broken or damaged.
Servicing
Finally, you also need to make sure that you stick to your car’s service schedule. There is a lot that you can do to keep the car safe, but getting it checked over and serviced by a professional will help to keep the car in a safe and roadworthy condition and allow small issues to be solved before they become large problems.
This article should help you to take steps to maintain your car and keep it in a safe, roadworthy condition at all times. Safety needs to be a priority for any motorist and not just in how you drive but also the vehicle itself, which is why basic maintenance is so important and will help to protect you, other road users and pedestrians.
