Looking After Your Car

1. Regular maintenance ensures safety, reliability, fuel efficiency, and longevity.
2. An efficient engine reduces environmental impact.

Essential Components to Check Regularly:

1. Lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seat belts, horn, speedometer, wipers, and washers must be functional.
2. Tyres:
   • Minimum tread depth: 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
   • Must not have cuts or sidewall defects.
3. Shock Absorbers:
   • Check by ‘bouncing’ the vehicle—should rebound only once.

Key Driving Practices:

1. Dry steering (turning the wheel while stationary) wears tyres and the steering mechanism.
2. Use a lower gear on steep downhill roads to avoid brake fade (brake overheating).

Dealing with Faults

1. Dashboard warning lights alert you to potential problems.
2. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light should turn off once driving at 5-10 mph.
3. If the ABS warning light stays on, get the car checked immediately.
4. Steering vibration may indicate wheel imbalance.
5. Pulling to one side when braking suggests the brakes may need adjustment.

Safety Equipment

Seat Belts and Child Restraints

1. Seat belts must be worn by all passengers unless medically exempt.
2. Fines up to £500 for not wearing a seat belt.
3. Children:
   1. Under 3 years: Must use a suitable child seat (never rear-facing with an active airbag).
   2. Aged 3 to 12 years (or under 1.35m tall): Must use a child restraint or an adult seat belt if a child restraint isn’t available.
   3. Over 12 years (or taller than 1.35m): Must wear a seat belt.

Airbags

1. Designed to reduce injury during collisions.
2. Do not install rear-facing baby seats in front without deactivating the airbag.

Safety Before You Start Driving

1. Adjust seat, mirrors, head restraints, and wear suitable shoes.
2. Convex mirrors give a wider view but make objects appear further away.

Lighting Rules

1. Use dipped headlights in fog, rain, or poor visibility.
2. Fog lights should only be used in thick fog.
3. Parking lights required when parked on a road with a speed limit above 30 mph.
4. Hazard lights should be used when broken down or in queuing traffic, not for illegal parking.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

1. Includes ABS, high-beam assist, and cruise control.
2. Helps improve safety but doesn’t replace driver responsibility.

Vehicle Security

1. Lock valuables out of sight or take them with you.
2. Use a steering lock, anti-theft alarm, or immobiliser.
3. Vehicle registration number etching deters theft.
4. Never leave the engine running while unattended.
5. Park in well-lit areas at night.

Parking Safely

Avoid parking where it could block visibility or access, such as:

1. Near property entrances, bus stops, junctions, hill brows, and dropped kerbs.
2. On zigzag lines at pedestrian crossings (illegal and dangerous).

Being Aware of the Environment

1. Petrol and diesel cars contribute to air pollution.
2. Drive fuel-efficiently to improve road safety, reduce emissions, and lower costs.