Safety Checks on your vehicle

Getting started:

Starting to drive isn’t just a matter of starting the engine and driving off. You should first of all check your vehicle to make sure it’s safe and ready for the road.

Everyday Checks:

Make a habit of checking daily:

• The windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
• All lights (including indicators) are working, replace any dead bulbs immediately
• The brakes are working, don’t drive with faulty brakes

Periodic Checks:

These checks are both for safety and good vehicle maintenance. Check and top up if necessary:

• Engine oil
• Water level in the radiator or expansion tank
• Brake fluid level
• Battery, top up with distilled water if necessary (some batteries are maintenance free and don’t need topping up)
• Windscreen and rear window washer bottles

You should also check tyres and make sure they are:

• Legal: They must have the correct tread (they must be at least 1.6mm of tread), and be free of dangerous cuts and defects
• at the right pressure

How Often?

How often you make the checks depends on how much you drive. Consult your vehicle’s own handbook. If you drive a lot, you may need to do these everyday.

Regular Servicing:

Have your vehicle regularly serviced. The owner’s handbook will tell you when servicing is recommended.

When people start to drive they sometimes find it hard to make sense of the gears.

This is a brief synopsis:

First gear – The most powerful, but slowest. Used for moving off, low speed clutch control and for manoeuvring.

Second gear – This gear is also powerful, but faster than first gear. It is useful for rapid acceleration and for driving at lower speed through some hazards.

Third gear – A faster gear, used for acceleration over 25km. Used for driving through some hazards.

Fourth gear – The most economical gear, with insufficient power for speeds of much lower than 50km. Used to provide progressive acceleration from about 50km and for cruising at constant speeds.

Fifth gear – Used as an aid for cruising at sustained higher speeds.