10 Things to Check Before Starting Your Car

Although many people drive vehicles, they are very less concerned about it. But taking proper care of the vehicle is very important. Also, many things should be checked before starting the vehicle. It can also avoid many accidents that may happen on the road.

Whether it is a private vehicle or a commercial vehicle, it is a habit of a responsible driver to check its proper functioning before starting it. So be a responsible driver.

If that happens, you can be a disciplined driver and protect the vehicle and the lives of its passengers. Otherwise, your vehicle may break down on the road or even cause a major accident.

Therefore, as a good driver, one should have a good understanding and attention regarding the proper functioning of the vehicle. This article aims to talk about 10 things that you should pay attention to and check before starting your car.

10 Things to Check Before Starting Your Car

01. Radiator Coolant / Water Level

The radiator is a part connected to the cooling system of the vehicle engine. Water and coolant work together to cool the engine. Normally the water or coolant in the radiator does not decrease.

But it is good to check the water level here once in a while. A separate coolant reservoir is available. It states the minimum fluid level and the maximum fluid level that should be present. If its level is low, you can open its cap and fill it with coolant.

Coolant comes in different colors. Often seen in green color. Apart from this, the coolant comes in pink, red, orange and blue colors. If the coolant is filled beyond the maximum level, the bulk will overflow.

When the radiator cap is opened, water or coolant can be seen. Otherwise, if the water has drained, it can be suspected that there is a problem with the cooling system.

If so, it should be repaired as soon as possible. If the vehicle is driven a long distance, the engine temperature of the vehicle may rise rapidly and may reach the point where major repairs are required.

02. Engine Oil Level & Other Fluid

The proper functioning of a vehicle’s engine depends on various types of lubricants and fluids. Among them, engine oil has a special place. Because one of the main factors that ensure the good performance and longevity of the engine is the engine’s lubricant.

Almost all parts inside an engine are moving or rotating. For these to function smoothly, the friction between them should be reduced. As friction increases, the engine heats up and engine parts tend to wear out more quickly.

For all these reasons, high quality engine oil must be applied to the engine. The dipstick is the method provided to check the engine oil level of the vehicle.

The dipstick can be a metal strip or a solid cable. Pull it out and wipe it with a clean cloth. Then enter it again. Then pull it out and observe the area where the engine oil is smeared.

It specifies a minimum level and a maximum level. It is good if the engine oil is near its maximum level. If the level is low, it means that the engine oil level is not enough, then you can apply according to the number recommended under the recognized brand of engine oil.

Also, engine oil is a semi-transparent liquid. But engine oil turns black or murky over time and starts to stick like tar when left unchanged for too long. This can shorten the life of your engine.

Generally, engine oil should be changed every 5000 kilometers or 3000 miles. At the same time things like engine oil filter should also be changed.

Other Fluids:

In addition to engine oil, there are other types of fluids that need attention in a vehicle. Mainly brake fluid can be pointed out.

The brake system of normal cars is operated by fluid. Vehicles like lorries and buses use air brakes for that purpose. If the brake performance is low, it may be due to insufficient brake fluid. If so, it should be filled to the required level.

In addition, gear oil is another important fluid in the vehicle. Gear oil is not changed as often as engine oil. It lasts a relatively long time.

Apart from that, power steering fluid can also be seen in the vehicles. But most modern vehicles come with Electric Power Steering (EPS) technology. But if your vehicle has a fluid powered power steering system, pay attention to the fluid level as well.

Also check the amount of windshield washer fluid in the vehicle. You can apply soapy water to this, but there are specially formulated solutions available for purchase.

03. Headlights & Tail Lights

One of the most important things that must be checked before starting the vehicle is the lights of the vehicle. Make sure that all the parking lights, dim lights, headlights, signal lights, fog lights, rear parking lights, reverse and brake lights are working properly.

Not lighting properly can cause major accidents. So if a lamp is definitely not lit, get it repaired as soon as possible. If a light is burned out, you can easily remove it and replace it with a new one. Sometimes fuse problems can also cause the lights to not turn on. Then the relevant fuse should be replaced.

04. Any Leakage

Check the vehicle for any fluid leaks before starting the vehicle. Sometimes it can be engine oil, water, fuel or brake fluid. If there is a leak of any kind, it is unwise to drive the vehicle for long distances. Take the vehicle to a qualified and experienced mechanic as soon as possible and have it repaired.

05. Tire Pressure

The tire pressure of the vehicle’s tires must be taken care of. If a tire is constantly under-inflated, there is a patch in it, so the patch should be filled.

Also, if the vehicle has a spare wheel, its pressure should also be taken care of. Also, if you need to change a wheel, pay attention to whether the necessary tools are available in the vehicle.

06. Windscreen / Windshield

Check that the windshield of the vehicle is clean and clear. You may not be able to see the road properly when it is covered with dust and other things. Driving the vehicle can be very difficult if the windshield is not clear, especially in the rain.

Road accidents can also occur due to fogging of the windshield. So, keep the windshield clean and make sure things like the defogger are working properly.

07. Under the Vehicle

Before starting the vehicle, check under the vehicle. It is very wise. Because sometimes dogs and cats may be sleeping under your car. Otherwise, if there is any leakage, it is also observed.

08. Walk Around the Vehicle

Before getting into the vehicle, it is important to observe the surroundings of the vehicle when pulling the vehicle out of the parking space. That is, be careful if there are any obstacles around the vehicle, such as stones or border posts or curbstones, which the vehicle may collide with.

Also, if another vehicle is parked behind or on the side of the vehicle and the distance to them is observed, the vehicle can be easily taken out without hitting them.

09. Adjust Driving Position

Adjust the driving seat, steering wheel, side mirrors and center mirror to your comfort before starting the vehicle. Do not adjust them while driving the vehicle. Also, remember to fasten your seat belts.

10. Dashboard Indicators

When starting the vehicle, all the lights on the dashboard flash on and off. Then check if all the indicators are on. So after all the indicators go off, investigate if there are any indicators that are still on.

If so, investigate the cause immediately. If the check engine light is the indicator that comes on like this, there are many reasons why it might come on. You can find out the reason by our article “6 Reasons Why the Check Engine Light Comes On“.

In addition, the battery indicator, ABS, EPS, airbags, engine oil indicator, etc. may light up. There are various reasons why these indicators may light up, get it repaired by an experienced mechanic as soon as possible.