Weekly Vehicle Safety Checks

Motor vehicles are complex machines that need regular inspection and maintenance. Routinely maintaining your vehicle provides optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and — most importantly — safety.

In addition to having your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule, you should complete certain safety checks more frequently.

To keep your vehicle in top condition, run through this checklist every week and before long trips.

Safety Checklist:

Dashboard Warning Lights

The simplest place to begin your safety check is using your vehicle’s built-in diagnostic system.

Your dashboard has many warning lights that should all turn on during ignition. Once the vehicle’s computer finishes its safety checks, all the warning lights will turn off unless an issue is detected.

Specific features vary, so familiarize yourself with your dashboard warning indicators and what they all mean. Your owner’s manual should provide a key explaining each symbol.

Most modern vehicles monitor and provide warnings for:

• Brakes
• Fuel level
• Tire pressure
• Battery charge
• Engine issues
• Oil pressure
• Seat belts
• Airbags

When warning lights require maintenance (e.g., the check engine light), have an automotive professional look into the issue as soon as possible.

Tires

Keeping your tires in good condition is vital for safe and fuel-efficient travel. Inspect each tire for the following:

• Proper inflation
• Deep and even tread
• No punctures, cuts, cracks, or bulges
• No objects lodged into the treads or side walls

The law requires tire treads to be at least 2/32 of an inch deep (ideally, they should be deeper to provide better traction).

The easiest way to measure your treads is by inserting a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s portrait head-down. If the treads do not cover the top of Lincoln’s head, they are unsafe and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Tip: Check that your tires’ treads are wearing down evenly. If one side is more worn than the other, it may indicate you need a tire rotation or wheel alignment.

You’ll need a tire pressure gauge to check if your tires are properly inflated. Fill your tires to the pressure recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, not the pressure listed on the tire.

Under or overinflated tires reduce traction, fuel efficiency, and your control of the vehicle.

Fluid Levels

Vehicles use various fluids in many essential functions, including braking, steering, and changing gears.

All fluids must eventually get flushed and replaced, but some should be checked regularly.

Oil is vital to your engine’s functioning. To check your oil level:

1. Lift the hood
2. Identify and remove the oil dipstick
3. Wipe the dipstick clean with a cloth rag
4. Reinsert the dipstick
5. Remove the dipstick again
6. Check how far the oil reaches

Oil dipsticks have lines near the tip that show where ideal oil levels should leave a mark.

Coolant is another fluid that’s crucial for engine performance. Coolant reservoirs come in many shapes, sizes, and locations, so refer to your owner’s manual if you need help finding it. Your manual also specifies which coolants are compatible with your vehicle.

Windshield washer fluid keeps your windshield clean, reducing glare. Windshield washer fluid reservoirs often display the pictured symbol:

Using water instead of washer fluid is not recommended. Water is more likely to smear and can damage the reservoir, lines, and windshield if it freezes.

Ensure each visible reservoir is full and free of cracks or leaks.
Get damaged reservoirs repaired as soon as possible.

Tip: Keeping your gas tank full will help your vehicle perform better and minimize water and sediment in your fuel lines.

Battery

Check that your battery connections are secure and free from corrosion or cracking. A dashboard warning light will indicate an abnormally low battery level. You can also test the battery’s charge yourself or have an automotive professional test it for you if you suspect an issue.

Lights

Check all of your vehicle’s lights to make sure they turn on and shine brightly:

• Headlights
• Taillights
• Brake lights (requires assistance from another person)
• Hazard lights (emergency flashers)
• Interior lights
• Turn signals

Tip: Make sure all your dashboard warning lights turn on during ignition. Get broken warning lights repaired quickly so you don’t miss important information.

Windshield Wiper Blades

Windshield wipers are important equipment for keeping your view clear. Once they wear down, they start to smear and can reduce your visibility. Check that the rubber blades are clean and undamaged.

Floor Mats

Make sure your driver-side floor mats are positioned correctly and safely away from your accelerator, brake pedal, and clutch (if driving a manual transmission). Improperly sized or secured mats can impede pedal movement and reduce your control of the vehicle.

Completing this checklist weekly will help keep your vehicle running smoothly for as long as possible.

Preventative maintenance keeps you and other road users safe, improves gas mileage, and minimizes more costly repairs. For example, an oil change might cost you $50 at an auto shop, but it keeps your vehicle running at peak performance and prevents catastrophic engine failure.

Weekly safety checks may feel like a chore, but they can save money and potentially your life!