Many drivers wait until the road trip season to conduct vehicle safety inspections before hitting the road, typically during the summer and long holiday seasons. Others leave it up to their mechanics to inform them about potential hazards and adverse mechanical conditions, which means their cars, trucks, or SUVs are only getting safety inspections when they are due for oil changes, tune-ups, or scheduled maintenance. Proper car maintenance is essential to keeping your car running smoothly as well as reducing accident risks. The reality of driving safety demands more frequent pre-drive safety checks that would only take 30 seconds to complete.
Pre-drive vehicle inspections are excellent habits that all drivers should adopt. Long-haul and race car drivers strongly recommend conducting pre-drive checks before getting on the road. You always want to determine that your vehicle is able, ready, reliable, and safe enough to reach your destination.
A typical 30-second inspection includes the following:
A Quick Walk-Around
Always start with a visual inspection of the tires, as they are the only automotive parts that make contact with the road. You can’t see them from the driver’s seat; thus, the best practice is to walk around and visually check for tire inflation and tread condition. After the tires, you should look around and under the vehicle to check if it is leaking fluids.
Before entering the vehicle, inspect the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, outside mirrors, windshield, and windows; check for damage and grime accumulation that would reduce visibility.
Inside the Vehicle
Get into the driver’s seat and make all personal adjustments as you prepare to start the engine or electric motor. You should always feel comfortable, even if you are only driving for a short grocery run. Don’t forget about adjusting the headrest to lower the risk of whiplash injury in case of rear-end accidents.
The best sequence for adjusting your mirrors starts with the driver’s side, then the rear-view, and the passenger side. To minimize blind spots, set your mirror angles so that you only have to turn your head slightly to get a full view of everything behind you.
Buckle up and ensure all passengers do the same before starting the vehicle. Listen for any unusual noises during the ignition or power-on sequence. When your dashboard or infotainment system comes on, adjust the brightness to a comfortable level and look for fuel, oil, fluid, and battery levels. Check for warning signals or messages to determine if the vehicle can reach your destination without breaking down.
Let the engine or EV motor system run for 30 seconds before driving off; this is particularly important before driving in cold weather conditions. Fuel-powered and plug-in hybrid vehicles need engine oil to circulate and reach all the moving parts before getting on the road. Although EVs do not have oil to circulate, some systems take a bit longer to complete their initial sequence, so they may not display all warning messages upon powering on.
If you plan on using your smartphone through the vehicle’s Android Auto or Apple CarPlay infotainment screen, don’t wait until you are on the road to pair. Don’t fumble with devices while driving; instead, pair them during the first 30 seconds of idling and make sure the hands-free microphone is activated for voice commands. If you want to use the navigation system, set your destination now and review the route for traffic jams, detours, and weather conditions.
Before Driving Off
How do you feel behind the wheel? You should be alert, calm, and ready to focus on the route and traffic. Lock all doors, look around, and keep your foot on the brake pedal before setting off. Your first pre-drive inspection may take a couple of minutes. As you adopt this safe driving habit, it should take you 30 seconds to complete the exterior and interior checks before starting the vehicle.
