Know Your Vehicle

Part of being a good defensive driver is knowing your vehicle, especially if you drive it on a regular basis. You have many parts both inside and outside of the vehicle that play an important role in keeping you safe. If any of these items is faulty, it can affect things like your gas mileage or ability to easily maintain a straight course. In worst case scenarios, you could lose control of your vehicle or lose the ability to stop it. You could also unknowingly expose yourself and your passengers to carbon monoxide poisoning. Let’s look at some of these critical safety systems now.

Tires: You read about tires a bit earlier. Your tires are what keep your vehicle and you connected to the road. Again, maintaining proper air pressure in all four tires plus the spare is extremely important. Under or over inflated tires can have a negative impact on gas mileage, costing you more money over the long run. Improper inflation can also have a negative impact on how your tires grip the road.

While you know you’ll look at your tires during your preflight check, invest in a pressure gauge. Visible pressure checks will only reveal a tire that is far below its required air pressure. By then, some wear or damage has probably occurred.

If you routinely check your tires with a gauge, you will detect even slight dips in pressure. You can top off the air and prevent long term damage and poor performance. Pressure gauges are inexpensive and easy to use. Also, many air compressors at gas stations have gauges built in to the hose nozzle. Not only that, the device sounds an alert when the pressure in the tire you are filling reaches a preset level. This is typically 32 PSI, or pounds per square inch. If your tires require a different pressure level, you can set the air compressor station to what you need.

If you are unsure about the recommended tire pressure for the vehicle you are in, consult the owner’s manual. Even easier, look inside the door jamb on the driver’s side. You will probably see the suggested PSI on a sticker affixed to the inside of the jamb. Good tire performance is not just about air pressure. Tire treads create traction. Treads with no wear or with the proper depth will give you the best traction. Worn, even bald tires with little to no tread depth will rob your vehicle of any traction – especially on wet or icy roads. Again, a visual check of your treads will only tell you so much.

There is a test that is more accurate, and it only costs a penny!

To get a better idea of the depth of your tire treads, use what is called “the penny test.” Take hold of a penny. Abraham Lincoln’s body should be in your grasp between your thumb and forefinger. Now, look for a spot where a groove in the tire tread looks deepest. Place Lincoln’s head directly into the groove. If Lincoln’s head is fully exposed, it means that the tire is excessively worn. You need to replace it as soon as possible. If Lincoln’s head is partially covered by the tread, the depth is at the very least, serviceable.

Muffler:  Most people consider a damaged muffler to be more of an annoyance – after all nobody likes that loud noise coming from your vehicle. On the plus side, that loud noise is an obvious sign that you need your muffler repaired or replaced. No question about that. On the other side of the coin, though, is something far more dangerous. Your exhaust system, the muffler and tailpipe, muffle the noise that comes from your vehicle and control the amount and direction of the exhaust you emit. That exhaust can be deadly because of CO, or carbon monoxide. This deadly gas is odorless.

Over time, someone exposed to it may feel a bit nauseous or dizzy. Unfortunately, those symptoms resemble symptoms for many common minor ailments. For most victims, they do not realize they have fallen prey to CO poisoning until they need immediate hospitalization – or until it’s too late. Remember, a quick check of the exhaust system is an important part of your preflight check. Just be aware that the lack of a loud noise does not necessarily mean the muffler and pipe are intact. Don’t ignore holes or cracks in the system, even small ones. Never sit in a running car, especially if it is indoors, such as sitting in a garage or under a carport. Never warm your car up in cold weather if the vehicle is inside or directly adjacent to a living space.

Seat (Safety) Belts: Seatbelts save lives. That is why they are in most any vehicle you will operate other than very old ones. Your vehicle may be equipped with a combination of seatbelt systems. The standard lap belt is the older of the two types. It should fit snugly around your waist or hip line. Lap belts keep you from being ejected from a vehicle if you are involved in a serious crash. Shoulder belts, the newer of the two seatbelt systems, can help to keep you from striking the steering wheel or dashboard in a crash or sudden stop.

Always use both systems when they are installed in your vehicle. In newer vehicles, shoulder belts automatically fasten around the occupant as soon as the ignition is turned on. Do not let this lull you into a false sense of security. Even with automatic shoulder belts, manually fasten your lap belt as well. Remember, each type of belt serves a different function. Using both will provide the greatest level of safety. And again, your best option is when you have both seatbelt systems and airbags in use.

Unfortunately, it is far too easy
to find an excuse not to wear your seatbelts.

As of September 2019, all front or rear seat vehicle occupants in Alabama must wear seatbelts. This in itself should be enough to get you to buckle up. The problem is, though, too many people have what they believe are valid excuses for not wearing a seatbelt.

These excuses are based on common myths:

“If my vehicle catches fire or sinks in water, I will be trapped inside.”

That certainly seems logical. Consider this, though. In a serious crash, if you are not buckled up, you may be ejected from your vehicle. Your chances for survival are minimal. If you are wearing a seatbelt, you can unbuckle it and get yourself free from the vehicle. There are even small, inexpensive tools you can buy specifically made to cut through seatbelt straps. Buy one or two and keep them in a secure place within the vehicle if that gives you peace of mind.

What if you are not wearing your seatbelt and are involved in a bad crash but are not ejected? Is there a chance that you’ll at least be tossed around inside of the vehicle? If that’s true, will you become dazed or even knocked unconscious? What are your chances of safely escaping from the vehicle now? There is no easy way out of a serious crash, but if you are buckled up, your chances of survival are far better than if you are not.

“I don’t need seatbelts. I am only going around the corner to the store.”

You may be surprised to discover that many if not most crashes occur fairly close to a driver’s home. Why? Chances are that drivers feel more comfortable when traveling closer to home. They know all of the streets and traffic patterns. They can predict when there is traffic or when the roads will be quiet. They know where children are playing and where all the stop signs are…… so they let down their guard. Low impact collisions at slower speeds can still injure you. At some point in your driving career, you may be stopped at a traffic light and the vehicle behind you, because of an inattentive driver, will give you a bit of a “love tap.” You will be shocked at the force of the impact from a vehicle going less than 5 miles per hour. Always buckle up, even if you just plan to go down the street. Remember also, you may only be going 25 to 30 miles per hour, but the drunk driver who runs a stop sign and crashes into you can be going much faster. Be secure inside your vehicle. Buckle up.

“Seatbelts save lives. That’s no myth.”

Air Bags:  As is the case with seatbelts, airbags save lives. Just be aware right off the bat, airbags are not a stand alone safety system. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, you will see stickers on the dash or sun visor printed with something like SRS – Supplemental Restraint System. The key word is “supplemental.” Airbag systems only work best when used in conjunction with standard seatbelts.

Quite simply, when your vehicle detects a predetermined impact force, your airbags will activate. Because they have only, and literally a split second to protect you, they explode quickly and with extreme force. In many cases, airbags can injure a driver or passengers. But the injury you might sustain from a crash without airbag protection will probably be far worse.

During the preflight check, you adjust your driver’s seat. When you do this, consider one important factor: you need to be close enough to the steering wheel to comfortably reach and operate the brake and gas. There is, though, such a thing as too close. Because of airbag systems, you should adjust your seat so you can sit as far back from the steering wheel as possible without compromising your ability to control your vehicle. This will lessen the severity of any airbag related injury you might sustain in a crash.

You may have warning lights in your vehicle regarding your airbag system. If there is enough weight placed on a seat, the airbag light may illuminate to show you the system is active.

While this is not dictated by law, make every effort to keep small children from riding in the front seat unless it is completely unavoidable. If an airbag can injure a fully grown adult, think of what can happen to a small child. Keep small children in the back seat if you can. If you drive a two seater or a pickup truck, just be aware of the risk. In newer vehicles, you may even find a switch where you can deactivate the airbag system for the passenger seat. If you have a child 12 or under sitting beside you, consider doing that.

Anti-lock Brakes: When you first start your vehicle, one warning light that will illuminate and then, we hope, go off will read “ABS.” Anti-lock brakes are a critical safety feature on your vehicle. Be absolutely sure you know if your vehicle is so equipped. Anti-lock brakes, as the name implies, keep your brakes and wheels from locking up. You might be wondering how this can happen, and the answer is quite simple. If your vehicle has standard brakes and you press down hard on the brake pedal and keep it depressed, your brakes – and wheels – can lock up. If this happens, you will lose control of the vehicle. Always pump standard brakes. It is the most efficient way to safely bring your vehicle to a stop. And remember, if you have left sufficient following distance between you and a lead vehicle and have been alert and attentive, you should be able to stop safely in most any instance.

When driving a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed when you need to make a hard stop. Sensors in the vehicle braking system send the proper amount of brake fluid to the brakes so that the vehicle stops when you need it to. Also remember this: If your ABS warning light illuminates and stays on at any point, the system may be malfunctioning.

You should have it inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. That being said, if your ABS fails, you have not lost braking capabilities. You have only lost the anti locking function. If this ever happens, remember that you will need to pump the brakes in both a normal and hard stop. Your anti-lock brakes are now performing as standard brakes.

In Alabama, all roadworthy vehicles must have certain
equipment installed and in good working order:

Brakes: All vehicles must have a foot operated brake and a working emergency brake.

Exhaust system: All vehicles must have a working exhaust system free from rust or holes. Tailpipe brackets must be intact and hold the exhaust system securely in place.

Windshield and Wipers: Vehicle windshields must be intact with no large cracks that can obstruct the driver’s vision. Wiper blades should be free from wear and tear. Both wipers should function when             activated.

Headlights: Headlights must be working and must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. Low and high beams must be adjusted properly. High beams must provide visibility to at least 350 feet out.

Other lights:  Brake lights must work as should at least one tail light. There should be working lamps to illuminate your rear license plate. Directional and emergency flashers should all be in good working order.

Rear View Mirror: Your vehicle should have a rear view mirror securely fastened to the windshield. The driver must have a clear field of view to 200 feet behind the rear of the vehicle.

Horn: All vehicles must have a working horn, used to alert others to your presence. It is unlawful to use your horn as a way to call out or say hello to others.

Seatbelts: Seatbelts must be intact with no excessive wear or fraying. All buckles must be operational.

You can be stopped and cited if any of this equipment is
not present or working properly.

“What If ?”

You are on your way to the vet with your 85 pound retriever in the far back. The dog is having a grand old time, looking out the windows and barking at passing vehicles. The quickest route to the vet’s office requires you to get on a freeway for about five miles. Because you are a good defensive driver and aim high in your steering, you see the traffic stopped dead up ahead of you and come to a hard stop. Everything is fine, right?

If you must jam on your brakes for any reason, what do you think happens to bags of groceries or a duffel bag with sports equipment that you had stored in the back? Stored, but not secured? Those objects are now projectiles that will shoot forward into the passenger compartment because of a hard stop. What about your 85 pound retriever? How much injury will an object of that size cause to you or a passenger? How do you think your pet will fare? There are things other than people that should always be secured inside of moving vehicles.