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General Advice

Apart from the annual MOT inspection, many vehicles don't get the care and attention they deserve, and a simple thing like a blown head light bulb can contribute to a crash. The driver will have limited vision at night and to an oncoming vehicle, you will look like a motorcycle.

On an unlit road, say a country lane, one headlamp seriously reduces your forward visibility, even in good weather. Your chances of seeing an animal ( or a pedestrian wearing dark clothing) are diminished, and accordingly, your chances of hitting them increases.

The Highway Code offers the following advice:

• Take special care that lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seat belts, demisters, wipers and washers are all working.
• Lights, indicators, reflectors, and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear.
• Windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.
• Lights MUST be properly adjusted to prevent dazzling other road users. Extra attention needs to be paid to this if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
• Exhaust emissions MUST NOT exceed prescribed levels.
• Ensure your seat, seat belt, head restraint and mirrors are adjusted correctly before you drive.
• Ensure that items of luggage are securely stowed.

(Crown Copyright & reproduced from www.direct.gov.uk)

Warning Displays

Make sure that you understand the meaning of all warning displays on the vehicle instrument panel. Do not ignore warning signs, they could indicate a dangerous fault developing. When you turn the ignition key, warning lights will be illuminated, but will go out when the engine starts (except the handbrake warning light). If they do not, or if they come on while you are driving, stop and investigate the problem, as you may have a serious fault. If the charge warning light comes on while you are driving, it may mean that the battery isn't charging. This should also be checked as soon as possible to avoid loss of power to lights and other electrical systems.

Window Tints

You MUST NOT use a vehicle with excessively dark tinting applied to the windscreen, or to the glass in any front window to either side of the driver. Window tinting applied during manufacture complies with the Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) standards. There are no VLT limits for rear windscreens or rear passenger windows.

Tyres

Tyres MUST be correctly inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for the load being carried. Always refer to the vehicle’s handbook or data. Tyres should also be free from certain cuts and other defects.

By law, cars, light vans and light trailers MUST have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. Similarly, motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles MUST have a tread depth of at least 1 mm across three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and in a continuous band around the entire circumference. Mopeds should have visible tread.

Be aware that some vehicle defects can attract penalty points.

If a tyre bursts while you are driving, try to keep control of your vehicle. Grip the steering wheel firmly and allow the vehicle to roll to a stop at the side of the road. If you have a flat tyre, stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Only change the tyre if you can do so without putting yourself or others at risk – otherwise call a breakdown service.

Tyre Pressures

Check tyre pressures weekly. Do this before your journey, when tyres are cold. Warm or hot tyres may give a misleading reading. Your brakes and steering will be adversely affected by under-inflated or over-inflated tyres. Excessive or uneven tyre wear may be caused by faults in the braking or suspension systems, or by wheels which are out of alignment. Have these faults corrected as soon as possible.

Fluid Levels

Check the fluid levels in your vehicle at least weekly. Low brake fluid may result in brake failure and a crash. Make sure you recognise the low fluid warning lights if your vehicle has them fitted.

Before winter ensure that the battery is well maintained and that there are appropriate anti-freeze agents in your radiator and windscreen bottle.

Overheated engines or fire

Most engines are water-cooled. If your engine overheats you should wait until it has cooled naturally. Only then remove the coolant filler cap and add water or other coolant.

If your vehicle catches fire, get the occupants out of the vehicle quickly and to a safe place. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire in the engine compartment, as opening the bonnet will make the fire flare. Call the fire brigade.

Petrol Stations/Fuel Tanks/Fuel Leaks

Ensure that, when filling up your vehicle’s tank or any fuel cans you are carrying, you do not spill fuel on the forecourt. Any spilled fuel should be immediately reported to the petrol station attendant. Diesel spillage is dangerous to other road users, particularly motorcyclists, as it will significantly reduce the level of grip between the tyres and road surface.

Double-check for fuel leaks and make sure that:

• You do not overfill your fuel tank
• The fuel cap is fastened securely
• The seal in the cap is not torn, perished or missing
• There is no visual damage to the cap or the fuel tank
• Emergency fuel caps, if fitted, should form a good seal

Windscreens

Your vehicle will fail an MOT inspection if the windscreen has damage larger than 10mm in the driver’s direct line of vision. (If you draw an imaginary line from the sides of the steering wheel up and over the windscreen, that is the area referred too here.)

It will also fail if it has damage larger than 40mm in the rest of the swept area covered by the wipers. A third reason it could fail is significant scratching that impairs the driver’s vision. This is often caused when a wiper blade wears and the metal securing pins come into contact with the glass.

Even though it may look like a small crack, a sharp bump when you hit a pot hole or a sudden change in temperature can cause it to spread in a second.

Most insurers now have arrangement with windscreen repair companies whereby small chips and cracks can be repaired free of charge with no effect on your no-claims bonus. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and some companies even offer this service "while you wait" in supermarket car parks.

Other problems.

If your vehicle:

• pulls to one side when braking, it is most likely to be a brake fault or incorrectly inflated tyres. Consult a garage or mechanic immediately.
• continues to bounce after pushing down on the front or rear, its shock absorbers are worn. Worn shock absorbers can seriously affect the operation of a vehicle and should be replaced.
• smells of anything unusual such as burning rubber, petrol or an electrical fault - investigate immediately.