From checking tyres to testing your lights: vital checks drivers must carry out

Not driven your car in a while? We reveal the vital checks you must do.

Since the pandemic, many motorists are using their vehicles far less frequently than they used to.

If you're planning to take your car for its first proper drive in some time, there are certain safety checks you need to perform first to ensure your car is up to scratch.

According to Highways England, here’s a handful of things you need to do before starting your car.

1) Check your tyres

The first step should be checking the condition of your tyres.

This should be something that you do before heading off on any lengthy journey, but it’s also important to check before taking your first journey in a while.

Make sure the tyre pressure level is where it should be ‒ you can check your manual to establish what it should be based on your load.

You should look for any cuts, wear and tear and ensure your tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.

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As well as the tyres on your car, you should also check that your spare tyre is in good nick too.

There are further things you can do to look after your tyres if you’re unlikely to head out again for a while.

Self-styled tyre expert Jonathan Benson advises keeping the car parked in the shade where possible, and occasionally pushing the car forwards and backwards, if it’s safe, so the weight isn’t always on the same spot.

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2) Check your engine oil

Your engine oil is vital in maintaining the health of your engine. Without it, friction and wear will increase on the moving parts of your engine, which can lead to some seriously punishing repair bills.

So, checking your levels is a very sensible precaution before heading out for the first time. You can use your dipstick to do so, and then top it up if necessary.

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3) Check your screen wash

Maintaining good visibility is crucial for all motorists, and that’s where your water levels come in. 

You want to have enough screen wash ready to go so that if you end up with anything on your windscreen that obscures your vision, you can clear it off immediately.

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4) What about your lights?

No matter what some drivers on roundabouts may think, your indicators are vital for the health and safety of everyone in the vehicle.

The same goes for other lights in your car, from the headlights and hazards to fog and brake lights.

So, before you get behind the wheel, be sure to check they are all working properly.

5) Don’t forget your fuel

Of course, there’s no point in getting your tyre pressure sorted, checking the water levels and your lights, only to find yourself running out of petrol or diesel within minutes of leaving the house.

So before heading off on your trip, make sure you have enough to get you to your destination, or are at least confident that you can get to a garage ‒ that is definitely open ‒ on the way.

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Getting complacent

With fewer people around and fewer cars on the road, it can be easy to get a little complacent with security.

But don't take unnecessary risks as there's no upside to this. So, be just as wary as you normally would be when the roads are at their busiest.

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