While driving can be fun at times, it may also be very tedious at other times.

When the car is well tuned and all it components, both the essential ones and the ones for aesthetics are in great shape, one only needs to watch the road, stay alert and focused and enjoy the cruise with nice music most of the times.

But if the automobile is not in good shape, the driver is tensed at every point of the journey not knowing what would breathe it’s last and halt the journey next. No doubt ‘managing’ a faulty car is dangerous and stressful. However, there are times when one does not deliberately drive a faulty car. One of the reasons for unexpected breakdown of automobiles is the lack of proper routine inspection on the vehicle. While some would genuinely not neglect checking their cars for possible red lights, they do not actually know what to check. For this reason, WuzupNaija presents a list of essential things to check before you take your car on any journey.

1. Check the Engine oil:

While petrol is the obvious requirement for every care to move, the engine oil is required to keep the car from permanently breaking down irreparably. Engine oil needs to be changed as recommended in your vehicle manual as it becomes less efficient over time. It is recommended that the engine oil is changed every three months or after 24,140 to 8,047 kilometers whichever comes first.

 

2. Engine coolant:

The car engine is a system of engines working together. One thing that is usually produced in this type of system is heat. When such heat gets too much it may damage the car or even lead to an engine fire. That is why it is vital to check the engine coolant everyday if possible. The coolant is usually a combination of antifreeze and water. Or just water. Antifreeze helps to prevent the coolant from freezing during subzero temperatures, so it is not very common in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. However, chemicals in antifreeze (ethylene glycol) increase the boiling point of water which also helps to prevent engines from overheating.

3. Wiper and windscreen washer fluid:

It is often neglected and only noticed when you really need it. The last thing you want is to be traveling on a road you don’t know with smears on the windscreen making it difficult to see. You’d also never know whe it will start raining nowadays so it is always good to be prepared.

4. Brake fluid:

Similarly to the engine coolant system, the brake system should be a sealed unit. Spongy brake pedal or frequent top-ups of brake fluid may indicate a leak in the system, or degraded fluid in the system that requires draining and replacing.

5. Battery:

If your car is quite new, then this shouldn’t be an issue. A car battery lasts from around four years onward. There’s not really a specific time when they need replacing as it’s dependent on various factors such as quality of the battery, driving habits – frequent short drives can lessen a battery’s life and colder climates may shorten a battery’s lifespan.

6. Tyres:

Check all tyres to ensure your vehicle remains legal and stable whilst driving. The pressure range of the tyres should be strictly observed. The pressure range for different brands of vehicles differs, so it is advisable to consult your manufacturer’s manual on the appropriate pressure gauge for your car. Before every major journey, it is good to visit a vulcanizer to check the pressure. Experts warn that tyres should never be inflated to its maximum pressure capacity to avoid burst outs. It should never be under inflated too to avoid ruining the tyres or other consequences. Remember to always carry a functional spare tyre. It is not for decoration, it usually comes in handy at the least expected time.

7. Lights:

It is a legal requirement to have working external lighting on your vehicle, so have an all-round check to see if they’re all working. Activate the hazards for an easier method of checking indicators.

8. Fire extinguisher:

This addition is very important although it is not something that is always needed. In fact, many car users never use this piece of equipment in a lifetime, but it is essential all the same. It is used as the name implies to extinguish fires. It helps stop minor fires before they go out of hand. What needs to be checked on the fire extinguisher is its expiry date and if its tamper proof features are still intact.

9. Tyre jack kit and other equipment

When you have flats, you need the tools to fix it. Simple. Even if you dont have the requisite skills to change your own tyres, it would be easier for ‘good Samaritans’ to help you if you have your tyre jack kit handy. Spanners, screwdrivers, jumper cables, towing cable may also be checked. You never can tell when you’ll need them.