3. Safety and your vehicle Flashcards
Why is it important to check car maintenance regularly?
Safety
Helps fuel economy
Keeps exhaust emissions to a minimum
What systems must all be working before you drive?
Lights
Brakes
Steering
Exhaust system
Seat belts
Horn
Speedometer
Wipers and washers
What is particularly important to do before a long trip?
Oil and water levels
What must you be weary of with oil levels?
Do not overfill as this make cause leakages
What must you be weary with, with brake fluid?
Low break fluids can cause incidents
What may a battery require in terms of maintenance?
Distilled water top-up
What must you be weary with, with the windscreen?
Must be in good condition
When should you check tyre pressure?
At least once a week when the tyres are cold
What may be the consequence of underinflated tyres?
Heavy steering
Increased fuel consumption
Increased braking
What must you check to do with tyre condition?
Tread of at least 1.66mm deep in the central three quarters of the tyre’s breadth, around the full circumference
It is illegal to drive with tyres that have deep cuts in the side walls
What can cause uneven wear of the tyres?
Faults in:
Braking system
Suspension
Wheel alignment
What do dashboard warning lights tell you?
About the performance of the engine and warn of any faults
What may vibrating steering suggest?
Unbalanced wheels
When should the ABS warning light go out?
When the vehicle is travelling 5-10mph
How do you check the condition of the shock absorbers?
Push down over each wheel, there should be no more than one rebound when released
What may it suggest if you vehicle pull to one side when braking?
Brakes may need adjusting
Who is responsible for a child wearing a seat belt?
The driver for all children under 14
What must a child use if a child restraint is not available?
A rear adult seat belt
Why can a rear-facing baby seat go in an air-bag protected seat?
It may block the airbag and the baby could be harmed in it’s inflation
What is the fine for not wearing a seat-belt?
£500
What should you do when you get in the car, before you start the engine?
- Adjust the seat to ensure you can comfortably reach all controls
- Adjust the head restraint to prevent neck injury in collisions
- Wear suitable shoes to control the pedals
- Adjust the mirrors to allow for a wider view
What is important to know about convex mirrors?
(Like the central mirror)
Give a wider view but things may appear father than they are
What should you do when driving in poor visibility?
Use dipped headlights
What should you do in thick fog?
Use fog lights
What should you do when leaving your car on a two-way road at night?
Park in the direction of traffic and if the speed limit >30mph, turn on your parking lights
When may you use your hazard lights?
To warn drivers behind you when you’ve broken down or when there’s queuing traffic on a motorway or dual carriageway
(Not for parking illegally)
What can you do to prevent a thief from breaking into/ stealing your car?
Engage steering lock
Remove keys
Lock your car
Lock valuables out of sigh or take them with you
Do not leave ownership documentation in the vehicle
Park in well0lit areas or car parks ar night when possible
How can you prevent an opportunistic theif?
Fit an anti-theft alarm or immobiliser
Use a visible security device (steering-wheel or hand-brake lock)
Have vehicle registration etched on windows
What within the car can be a prime target for thiefs?
Radios or in-car entertainment
Use a security-coded one to make it less attractive to steal
What else can you do to ensure you vehicles safety in your neighbourhood?
Join a vehicle watch scheme in you area if there is one
Where should you avoid parking?
In front of a property entrance
At/ near a bus stop
Near the brow of a hill
Where the curb is lowered for wheelchair access
On a bend or opposite a side-road
Where can you never park?
At or near a level crossing
On zig zag lines (pedestrian crossing)
Define a level crossing
A place where a railway and a road, or two railway lines, cross at the same level.
How may you increase fuel efficiency?
Reduce speed
Plan well ahead
Maintain high gears
Have regular services
Ensure tyres are fully inflated
What is the difference in fuel consumption of a car at 70mph vs 50?
Those at 70mph use 15% more fuel
What is the difference in fuel consumption between smooth driving and fast acceleration and sudden braking?
Smooth driving uses 15% less fuel
What should you avoid to maintain high fuel economy?
Remove unnecessary weights/ loads (roof racks)
Over-revving the engine in low gears
Leaving the engine on unnecessarily, if you are stopped and likely to remain so for more than a few seconds, switch off the engine.
What must you do before leaving the vehicle unattended?
Switch off the engine and secure the vehicle
How can we all decrease our carbon footprint over long journeys?
Consider walking, cycling or taking public transport
What must you be weary off especially when refuelling?
That the filler cap is fastened well
How often do cars need to pass emissions test?
In every MOT after it is 3 years old (4 in N. Ireland)
What should you do with old engine oil and batteries if servicing your own vehicle?
Dispose of them responsibly
When must you not use your horn unless another vehicle poses a danger?
Between 11.30pm and 7am
What may make the vehicle particularly vulnerable to break downs?
Continuous high speeds (long motorway journeys)
What should you check before a long motorway journey?
Oil
Water
Tyre pressure
What should you bear in mind when planning journeys?
Plan route
Avoid busy times
Allow plenty of time
What should you do if you will be travelling on new/ unfamiliar roads?
Print/ write directions and plan an alternative route
What are advantages of avoiding travelling at busy times?
Less likely to be delayed
Ease congestion for others
What is a congestion charge?
A fare to pay on highly congested roads
What are ULEZ and LEZ?
Ultra low emission zone and low emission zone are fares paid within London to deter from driving old and fuel inefficient carsW
What is the danger of dry steering?
Causes unnecessary wear to the tyres and steering mechanism
What is a catalytic converter?
Attached to the exhaust system, a catalytic converter is a device that reduces emissions by acting as a filter, removing some toxic waste
Describe some traffic-calming measures
Road humps
Road narrowing
Chicanes
What is a chicane?
A serpentine curve in the road used for road-calming
What is a red route?
These exist in London and other cities and are no stopping zones marked by red lines
Describe brake fade?
When brakes become less effective due to overheating, such as on long, steep, downhill stretches. You can use a lower gear to assist braking