Safety And Your Vehicle Flashcards
What should you check on a regular basis?
Lights, brakes, steering, exhaust, seat belts, horn, speedometer, wipers and washers - these must all be working properly.
Oil and water levels - important before long journeys
Brake fluid - if this is allowed to get low, it is dangerous and could cause an incident
Battery levels - unless its a maintenance free battery,it may need topping up with distilled water.
Windscreen - must be in good condition.
Tyre pressure - check regularly - when they are cold they get a more accurate reading.
Under-inflated tyres can affect…
The steering - it will feel heavy
Fuel consumption - it may increase
Braking
Tyre condition - the tread (on car and trailer tyres) must be at least …
1.6mm deep across the central three quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. It’s illegal to drive with tyres that have deep cuts on the side walls.
Uneven wear on the tyres can be caused by faults in the…
Braking system
Suspension
Wheel alignment
What do warning lights on the dashboard show
Monitor the performance of the engine and give you warning of any defects
For example:
The ABS warning light should go out when the vehicle’s travelling at 5-10 mph if it doesnt have it checked.
How do you check the condition of the shock absorbers?
Bounce the vehicle. Push down hard on each corner. It shouldn’t continue to bounce unduly when released.
Consult a garage as soon as possible if:
The steering vibrates - the wheels may need balancing
The vehicle pulls to one side when you brake - your brakes may need adjusting.
When leaving your car on a two-way road at night you must
Park in the direction of traffic
If the speed limit is over 30 mph, switch on your parking lights.
Hazard warning lights are fitted so you can warn drivers of a hazard ahead such as
When you’re broken down
Queuing traffic on a dual carriageway or motorway
Avoid parking your vehicle where it would cause an obstruction to other road users, such as
In front of a property entrance At or near a bus stop Near a brow of a hill Where the kerb has been lowered for wheelchair access On a bend or opposite a side road
Never stop or park on or near a level crossing, or on the zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing. This would block the view of pedestrians and drivers, and endanger people trying to use the crossing.
Make it as difficult for a thief to either break in your car or steal it by….
Engaging the steering lock
Removing the keys - lock your car even if you’re only leaving it for a short time.
Locking any contents, especially valuables - out of sight
Not leaving the vehicle registration document in the car. The thief could declare ownership
Parking in a well-lit area or in a secure car park at night when possible
Avoid parking your vehicle where it would cause an obstruction to other road users such as
In front of a property entrance At or near a bus stop Near the brow of a hill Where the kerb has been lowered for wheelchair access On a bend or opposite a side road.
What does dry steering mean?
When you turn the steering wheel while the car isn’t moving. It can cause unnecessary wear to the tyres and steering mechanism.
What is a catalytic converter
Is a device fitted to the exhausted system. It reduces emissions by acting like a filter, removing some toxic waste.
Apart from road humps what other types of traffic-calming measures are there?
Road narrowing and chicanes may be used as traffic-calming measures. These are used to slow down traffic, so keep speed down through this area.
