When you’re driving, you’re constantly focusing more than you do in other daily situations. You’re more aware of your surroundings and what’s going on with other drivers and pedestrians on the roads and the streets.
Sometimes because of all of the other things you must pay attention to while driving, it can be easier to ignore warnings from your vehicle about potential issues. When you’re on the road however, it’s very important to know what those issues can be and which ones must be taken care of immediately.
Here are some of the biggest safety issues that you should never ignore when on the road.
When this light comes on, it can be as simple as the parking break not being fully released but it can also be far more catastrophic than that. This light usually means that there is a brake fluid leak somewhere, which will likely lead to the brakes not being able to work should you need to come to a stop. If your pedal doesn’t have much resistance when stopping or feels soft or you have to pump the pedal to stop, then you should treat it as if it’s leaking and seek repair immediately.
This light is another one that can mean a potential disaster is near. The tire light will come on if your tires are 25% or more underinflated. Underinflated tires greatly increase the risk of a tire blowout and can also reduce the ability to stop smoothly as well as wearing down the treads of the tires faster. It’s important to know the recommended PSI of your tires and to keep a simple pressure gauge with you to make sure that you can accurately check your tire pressure should it feel low or you notice your vehicle driving differently.
Should your car begin to overheat, either through overexerting your engine or if you’re driving a lot on an excessively hot day, the temperature light will come on and warn you that your engine will overheat. To combat this it’s important to stop as soon as you can and give your vehicle a chance to cool down. Give your vehicle at least 20 minutes to cool down prior to opening the hood to check for yourself. It could mean that the coolant levels are too low so it’s important to check that once your vehicle has cooled down enough but if the coolant seems to be ok, then it could be a malfunctioning sensor or a larger issue with the cooling system of your vehicle so be sure to seek service as fast as possible.
The most dreaded light you can see when you’re driving, the check engine light can mean almost anything from a bad sensor to needing severe engine work performed. If this light comes on, it’s important to get it diagnosed by a professional auto mechanic immediately.
While not an internal safety issue, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents these days. With an abundance of technology in both our pockets and even our vehicles themselves, it’s easy to get caught up in things like checking navigation, changing the music or responding to texts or calls. It’s also important to avoid being distracted by things going on like traffic accidents or other drivers/pedestrians. Serious injuries can occur in traffic accidents at as low as 30mph so it’s important to stay focused on the road to avoid potential injury.
While these aren’t all of the safety issues that can occur while on the road, these are some of the most severe. Over the summer, road trips are more popular and with more vehicles on the roads than normal, avoiding potential issues is more important than ever as the likeliness of an accident goes up with more cars on the road and with more inexperienced drivers with schools out of session. Should you see any of those warning lights while driving, it’s important to find a knowledgeable service center that can properly diagnosed and repaired before a larger, more catastrophic incident can occur. No one wants to spend all their money on costly repairs so if your vehicle needs service, don’t delay and seek help immediately.
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