| Car accidents are a major cause of death | | | | and screwdrivers to help you out in the |
| for both children and adults alike. It | | | | times of need. It also helps to keep |
| becomes imperative then, that we take | | | | some motor oil in the trunk. The cabin's |
| enough precautions for our safety. It | | | | air filter also needs to be replaced |
| would be prudent to note that it is not | | | | frequently. |
| just children who require protection; | | | | When anticipating driving in wet |
| grown-ups are just as vulnerable when it | | | | conditions you have to be very careful |
| comes to road accidents. | | | | about the functioning of the engines - |
| One of the ways to keep yourself safe is | | | | as well as cater for small infractions |
| to regularly maintain the car - this way | | | | like the wipers, windshield washer fluid |
| you don't encounter any mishaps | | | | and other wet driving-specific gadgetry |
| occurring due to mechanical failure of | | | | associated with the car. |
| your own car, at least. This is in | | | | If you intend to go on a road-trip, you |
| addition to the professional servicing | | | | have to keep in mind some basic |
| that you should subject your car to | | | | requirements to ensure your safety. If |
| every once in a while. In essence, this | | | | you can't find time to get it |
| is a do-it-yourself type of maintenance. | | | | professionally serviced before the trip, |
| The first step to maintaining your car | | | | take time out and begin by checking your |
| is to keep it clean. If your busy | | | | tires and brakes, while making sure to |
| schedule doesn't permit you to wash it | | | | also check all the hoses and belts. Try |
| regularly, find a good automatic car | | | | to pack at least a Phillips screwdriver, |
| wash location. If it is possible to | | | | a flathead screwdriver, a hammer and a |
| throw in a wax agent, make sure you do | | | | ratchet with a set of sockets. If |
| that. | | | | something happens on the road, it is |
| Another thing that you must do is learn | | | | possible to fix most things if you have |
| how to change your brake pads, and do it | | | | the tools. |
| regularly to keep the car running | | | | Avoiding a car fire is really important. |
| smoothly. It's quite commonplace to hear | | | | While it would be advisable to carry a |
| the telltale screech of the brakes - you | | | | fire extinguisher in the car, it's not |
| need to take time out to change them. A | | | | very practical. If installing |
| note of caution: always allow the car to | | | | accessories by yourself (like the |
| cool by giving it sometime before you | | | | stereo), be extra cautious as they tend |
| attempt to change the brakes. | | | | to catch fire. |
| You must have heard of Murphy's Law | | | | In the final analysis, although safety |
| (anything which has to go wrong will go | | | | and maintenance perhaps can't be spoken |
| wrong). In accordance to the law then, | | | | of in the same breath, they are still |
| your car will break down at the most | | | | just as important - in particular, |
| inconvenient of times and in the most | | | | maintenance for safety. Make sure you |
| uncomfortable of places. You should | | | | keep your car well-maintained and ready |
| always carry a few tools such as clamps | | | | for immediate use. |