How to check if your car is safe – from Honda Cars PH

If you have ever ridden a jeepney in the Philippines, an uneasy feeling may pervade your senses as you are senselessly shuffled about in the passenger area. If you take a moment to listen to the vehicle as well, you may hear or even feel some very distressing signs of poor maintenance and engineering. 

This feeling may also be felt in a car. Once old enough, sound and vibration will tend to creep into the cabin, the ride could get very unpleasant, and the engine might not be as spry as it once was. There could also be a dent here or even a broken crash bar somewhere in the frame. A leak may also be found underneath the car. Once these little things pile up it will affect the overall performance of your vehicle, and make it somewhat to very unsafe. 

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. gives some items to check for to ensure your vehicle is safe for travel. 

Fluids are important to your vehicle. Oil, brake fluid, and coolant are just some of the items that motorists need to change out when a vehicle reaches a certain point in its lifecycle. If any of these items leak out of the car, that is a bad sign and needs to be addressed quickly. Make sure there are no obvious signs of leaking from underneath the car, since gravity will make fluids drip down. Make sure that your fluid levels are also topped up because these items go to some of the most important parts of your car. 

Like in any sport, keeping your foot gear (a.k.a. shoes) in top form is paramount to your performance as an athlete. It also helps that the traction he or she has on the ground is enough to handle explosive movements. The same rings true for cars, you have to check your tires because a few millimeters of rubber on the road is all that separates you from losing control. Make sure your tires are damage free, not worn out, and properly inflated. Blowing a tire while cruising or going fast down the highway is a dangerous situation that you would be glad to avoid. Change them out once they reach the end of their life span which means either it expires or it gets worn out. 

These high-powered flashlights not only illuminate the road, but they also give you a medium to communicate with other drivers in order to avoid accidents via the brake lights, signal lights, or even reverse lights. Headlights also help other position where you are on the road in darker conditions. Check if these items are working in your car, because if you’re out there in the night without a light, a ghost is the last thing you have to be scared about. 

Smoke is often a sign of combustion. Because it is a mix of air and solid particulate, you may be able to smell smoke. It seems pretty obvious that you don’t want your car to be burning up, so check for telltale signs. Though it is rare, cabin fires can erupt inside the car especially if the sunlight is focused to a point in the car due to some magnification. It could also come from dried leaves that may have piled up in your engine bay. You should also check your tailpipe when you start the car. Smoke is often a sign of improper fuel mixture. It could be that your coolant is getting burned together with your fuel, or oil is being burned. Either way, check if there is smoke and get the problem addressed immediately. 

Stop look and listen, is what we say when we cross the street, but drive, observe, and listen is what we say when we are checking our car for the odd noise. Turn down your radio and just listen to the hum of the engine, or the suspension as it goes over bumps on the pavement. Listen for any odd sounds that may come from the transmission as well. Maybe even the wind noise. Excessive wind noise could mean that there is something wrong with the door seals or window seals. 

Make sure that your safety systems are not compromised. Have the dealer check the airbags, and check if your safety systems are still working such as ABS and etc. A warning light will usually indicate when a system needs checking or repairing. 

A check engine light? What is that? Usually these symbols have their meanings scribbled out on the owner’s manual. Usually when dashboard lights come on it wants to tell you that a door is open, or your handbrake is engaged. More serious could be that your engine has a problem or as previously stated, your safety systems might be compromised. Your dash could also light up because you’re not wearing a seatbelt, and that in itself is another danger. 

Whenever there is a recall for a vehicle, it is important that a consumer respond to a brand’s call. Historically manufacturers can also find problems with their automobiles possibly months after having them on the market. It could be a defective part that could be causing the issue, or a faulty design, but regardless of the cause, it would be wise to have your dealer inspect your unit in case it is included in the recall.