CHECK YOUR CARIt doesn’t take long to give your car a quick safety check. Just give it a regular TWIRL and take it to an expert if you think anything’s wrong.

TYRES • Checkthetreaddepth.Minimumlegaldepthis1.5mmbutthemoretreadyouhavethebetterthegripandthesaferyou’llbe.

• Checkthetyrepressure–correctlevelscanusuallybefoundontheinsidedoorframe.

• Lookforcracksorbubblesinthesides.• Lookforsharpobjectsstuckinthetyres.

WINDSCREEN, WIPERS AND MIRRORS • Checkyourwiperbladesforwearandtear.• Cleanyourmirrorsandwindscreeninsideandout.• Getyourwindscreenfixedifit’schippedorcracked.• Checkyourwindscreenwasherfluidisfullandthesprayisworking.

INDICATORS • Turnyourhazardlightsonandwalkaroundthecar–checkallindicatorsareflashing.

RUST • Lookforobviousareasofcorrosionthatcanweakenthecar’sstructure.

LIGHTS • Checklensesarecleanandnotcrackedorhazy.• Checkyourheadlights,reversinglightsandbrakelightsareworking.Checkyourbacklightsbyreversingclosetoawallsoyoucanseethereflectioninyourrearviewmirror.

THINGS YOU CAN CHECK WHEN DRIVINGThese things can be serious so make sure you take your car to an expert if you notice them or anything else unusual.

BRAKESYoucouldhaveaproblemwithyourbrakesif:

• thebrakepedalfeelsspongy

• there’sasquealingnoisewhenbraking

• thesteeringpullstoonesidewhenyoubrake

• therearevibrationsorpulsingthroughthebrakepedalwhenbraking.

EXHAUST Ifit’ssmokyorsoundingunusual,itcouldbeasignthatthere’saproblem.

SUSPENSION AND STEERINGYoucouldhaveaproblemwithshockabsorbers,whichdirectlyaffectsteeringif:

• thesteeringwheelshakesalotafteryouhitabumporpothole

• yourcarseemsunstableonroughorunsealedroads

• yourcarcontinuestorockaftercomingtoastandstill.

NOISESListenforunusualnoises,theyusuallyindicatesomethingiswrong.

Haveyourcarservicedandmakesureyourwarrantoffitnessiscurrent.Policewillbecarryingoutregularroadsidecheckstomakesurecarsareroadworthy.Gotowww.nzta.govt.nz/checkyourcarformoreinformation.