Car safety warning signs you should never ignore
Keeping your car in top shape is important, but even if you’re committed to its upkeep there are some warning signs that are almost always bad news. For the safest driving experience possible, remember to slow down and take a breath if you notice any of these things:
1. Lit indicators
These days technology is smart enough to let us know there’s a problem with our car without us having to check for it ourselves. Although it might be tempting to ignore the little blinking red lights by the steering wheel, it’s important that you address the issue as soon as you can. The indicators could be warning you of a range of problems, from oil pressure issues to failing breaks, a battery malfunction or an overheated engine.
2. Brake noises
Everyone knows how important brakes are from an incident in childhood where their bike didn’t quite stop in time before they crashed into someone. When driving a car, it’s even more essential that you can make those emergency stops. Hearing any kind of squeaking or grating is a cause for concern and not an issue you should ignore for long. Changing your brake pads is a simple enough procedure and worth the extra time added on to your day if it means saving lives.
3. Smoke and smells
You’ll be used to the typical kind of emissions from your vehicle, but noticing something different could be a bad sign. Lots of smoke that’s dense or black in colour might mean something is burning or in danger of exploding. In this scenario, it’s a good idea to stop somewhere safe while you figure out exactly what’s going wrong.
4. Engine sounds
Similarly to the last point, you’ll know what your engine sounds like most of the time. If it’s suddenly much louder or making a grinding sound, then anything from parts coming loose to a punctured tire could be wrong. The engine is the heart of your vehicle, so if something’s wrong, you’re unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Car safety should always be your priority and by paying attention to these four signs, you can protect both yourself and other drivers on the road.
1. Lit indicators
These days technology is smart enough to let us know there’s a problem with our car without us having to check for it ourselves. Although it might be tempting to ignore the little blinking red lights by the steering wheel, it’s important that you address the issue as soon as you can. The indicators could be warning you of a range of problems, from oil pressure issues to failing breaks, a battery malfunction or an overheated engine.
2. Brake noises
Everyone knows how important brakes are from an incident in childhood where their bike didn’t quite stop in time before they crashed into someone. When driving a car, it’s even more essential that you can make those emergency stops. Hearing any kind of squeaking or grating is a cause for concern and not an issue you should ignore for long. Changing your brake pads is a simple enough procedure and worth the extra time added on to your day if it means saving lives.
3. Smoke and smells
You’ll be used to the typical kind of emissions from your vehicle, but noticing something different could be a bad sign. Lots of smoke that’s dense or black in colour might mean something is burning or in danger of exploding. In this scenario, it’s a good idea to stop somewhere safe while you figure out exactly what’s going wrong.
4. Engine sounds
Similarly to the last point, you’ll know what your engine sounds like most of the time. If it’s suddenly much louder or making a grinding sound, then anything from parts coming loose to a punctured tire could be wrong. The engine is the heart of your vehicle, so if something’s wrong, you’re unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Car safety should always be your priority and by paying attention to these four signs, you can protect both yourself and other drivers on the road.
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