check your car (twirl) · check your car it doesn’t take long to give your car a quick safety...
TRANSCRIPT
CHECK YOUR CARIt doesn’t take long to give your car a quick safety check. Just give it a regular TWIRL and take it to an expert if you think anything’s wrong.
TYRES • Checkthetreaddepth.Minimumlegaldepthis1.5mmbutthemoretreadyouhavethebetterthegripandthesaferyou’llbe.
• Checkthetyrepressure–correctlevelscanusuallybefoundontheinsidedoorframe.
• Lookforcracksorbubblesinthesides.• Lookforsharpobjectsstuckinthetyres.
WINDSCREEN, WIPERS AND MIRRORS • Checkyourwiperbladesforwearandtear.• Cleanyourmirrorsandwindscreeninsideandout.• Getyourwindscreenfixedifit’schippedorcracked.• Checkyourwindscreenwasherfluidisfullandthesprayisworking.
INDICATORS • Turnyourhazardlightsonandwalkaroundthecar–checkallindicatorsareflashing.
RUST • Lookforobviousareasofcorrosionthatcanweakenthecar’sstructure.
LIGHTS • Checklensesarecleanandnotcrackedorhazy.• Checkyourheadlights,reversinglightsandbrakelightsareworking.Checkyourbacklightsbyreversingclosetoawallsoyoucanseethereflectioninyourrearviewmirror.
THINGS YOU CAN CHECK WHEN DRIVINGThese things can be serious so make sure you take your car to an expert if you notice them or anything else unusual.
BRAKESYoucouldhaveaproblemwithyourbrakesif:
• thebrakepedalfeelsspongy
• there’sasquealingnoisewhenbraking
• thesteeringpullstoonesidewhenyoubrake
• therearevibrationsorpulsingthroughthebrakepedalwhenbraking.
EXHAUST Ifit’ssmokyorsoundingunusual,itcouldbeasignthatthere’saproblem.
SUSPENSION AND STEERINGYoucouldhaveaproblemwithshockabsorbers,whichdirectlyaffectsteeringif:
• thesteeringwheelshakesalotafteryouhitabumporpothole
• yourcarseemsunstableonroughorunsealedroads
• yourcarcontinuestorockaftercomingtoastandstill.
NOISESListenforunusualnoises,theyusuallyindicatesomethingiswrong.
Haveyourcarservicedandmakesureyourwarrantoffitnessiscurrent.Policewillbecarryingoutregularroadsidecheckstomakesurecarsareroadworthy.Gotowww.nzta.govt.nz/checkyourcarformoreinformation.