Just 5 minutes on your vehicle can save you money

How often do you do a routine check on your vehicle before starting your engine in the morning?

I am sure majority of you will say you do, and I am certain if I was to ask what you look out for, I am likely to get responses such as engine oil, coolant, and water for the wiper blade.

But do you know there is a lot more you need to check on? For instance, how many of you check your battery before you start your car or even check if the horn works?

It is quite easy to forget about servicing your car and keeping it properly maintained, especially when you are busy. However, you would also like?to have hitch-free rides and prevent your car from breaking down abruptly on the road, leading to?expensive repair costs.

Checking on these 5 things will help reduce downtime of your vehicle.

Fluids

The first one which majority of us already do is checking fluids. The fluids include engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and water for your wiper blade.

Just as human beings need fluids to keep our system running, fluids also play essential roles in a vehicle. Running your vehicle with no fluid can cause damage to the vehicle.

There are times you will see someone parked by the roadside with an open bonnet and vapor coming from the radiator. This is sometimes due to little to no water in the radiator.

This can be avoided if you check before you start.

Tires

The second is your tires. Your tires are the legs of your car. Imagine if you have broken legs, walking will be a challenge. That’s the same for your vehicle. A faulty tire will disrupt your driving and, in some situations, cause accident.

Do a quick walk around your vehicle to ensure all your tires are in good condition. Check for a flat or low tire, if you find the pressure is inadequate kindly make sure you inflate it at the nearest stop for a smooth drive.

Don’t forget to also check for spare tire, inflate the spare tire if the tire pressure is low. Majority of us only look for the spare tire when the main tire is ruined. But you must make sure it is always properly inflated.

Talking about tires, do you know the manufacturer specifies the exact tire pressure for your vehicle? You can check for your vehicle’s tire pressure desired rate on the driver side door, other models are found on the fuel cover.

Battery

The battery plays a vital role in your vehicle. I see it as the heart of the vehicle, without a heart the human being cannot function. In the same vein, a faulty battery will not let your vehicle function to its maximum.

Batteries are designed to deliver maximum power at a shorter period, so it is important to check on it regularly. You should be looking out for signs of corrosion on the terminal and cracks on the battery. There may be few leaks around the battery and it is very important you take quick action if these are found.

Horn

The next thing to check is your horn. Imagine driving on the busy streets of Accra, with the unprofessional driving of drivers and you try honking and your horn is not working? Wow that will be a nightmare. You will all agree that not having a horn can likely lead to an accident. Check to make sure it works before moving your vehicle and you will save a lot in your pockets.

Lights

Check to make sure all your lights are working, headlight, taillight, fog light, running light, brake lights etc. Lights were put on vehicles as a safety measure. Ensure your lights are all working and replace any faulty ones.

Faulty lights will mean your night vision will be blurred. You are likely to knock down a pedestrian or even an object on the road. Just reflect on the savings you will make if you don’t hit an oncoming vehicle and you don’t have to spray your vehicle.

That’s some money in your pockets.

Conclusion

In conclusion these 5 check points which are fluids, tires, battery, horn and lights, are the recommended basic morning routines that you can do to help make your car more reliable, efficient, last longer, function optimally and ensure your safety. But remember this list is not exhaustive.

It is better to spend 5 minutes to check your vehicle than spend 500 cedis and more at the workshop or hospital. Sacrifice 5 minutes every morning and save some cash in your pocket.

Written by Suzy Ansah, Public Relations Executive ([email protected])