7 Basic Car Repair Safety Tips All Drivers Should Know

Allowing my family to tell the story, they would with all of the drama and sarcasm possible classify me as a doomsday prepper. I'm organized and meticulously prepared, living (above ground) with a moderate amount of canned goods and only a single pallet loaded with bottled water. There's truth to the saying, "if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready." Is this you, too? Sometimes, planning is out of our control, giving rise to the need to consider the next best thing. What do you do when faced with an emergency that's more than you're prepared to handle? When in doubt, if you're like me, finding a trusted, reputable, skilled professional is essential under these circumstances. Many of us are prepared for emergencies at home, however, car repairs or emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times. Take note of these seven basic car repair safety tips all drivers should know.

Thank you to RepairSmith for the courtesy of sponsoring this content by providing informative resources for editorial content purposes. This content may contain affiliate links.

7 Basic Car Repair Safety Tips All Drivers Should Know 

Car ownership is a wonderful feeling. For new and experienced drivers, along with the joy of cruising around comes the pain of auto upkeep for road safety. Who do you trust to take care of your vehicle? We've teamed up with an auto industry leader to share car repair safety tips for drivers. RepairSmith has launched their game-changing auto repair and maintenance service in California and Las Vegas, preparing to roll into additional major cities soon. Bringing confidence and convenience to car servicing, RepairSmith allows car owners the option of having car repairs scheduled on-demand in your driveway or at one of their certified repair shops. 

Tires - Driving on tires that are in proper condition is one of the most important safety tips to keep in mind. Operating a vehicle with low tire pressure causes excessive friction between the road and the tire, which tends to prematurely wear out tires. Overinflated tires reduce traction, affecting your vehicle's ability to brake safely. Inspect and maintain tire treads and pressure levels according to the recommended vehicle standards for your vehicle. Keep your car jack, tire changing tools, and work gloves easily accessible in case there's a need to switch out that unexpected flat tire.

Brakes - Properly functioning brakes stop the wheels from turning once your foot presses down on the brake pedal. For most effective braking capability, brake fluid should be checked and changed as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.

Engine Oil - Adding engine oil is necessary to lubricate, cool, and clean your engine. Without an adequate amount of engine oil, friction and heat can cause damage to the engine, cylinder walls, bearings, rings, and other parts of your car.

Windshield Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid - Smudged, smeared, and splattered windshields are more than an eyesore, they are dangerous obstructions to your view of the road. Windshield wipers and washer fluid levels should be regularly inspected and replaced about every six months or more frequently, if needed.

Vehicle Fluids - Jotting down or keeping a mental note of the need to monitor your car's fluid levels is important to help avoid costly auto repairs down the road, literally. Observe how much engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid your car is using to be able to detect drastic level changes.

Exterior/Interior Lights and Fuses

Vehicle lights are mandatory for safely driving a vehicle. Similar to any other lightbulb, auto lights and fuses must be inspected and replaced periodically. It's dangerous and against the law to drive a car without properly functioning headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and console panel indicators.

Emergency Roadside Kit - Routine car maintenance is helpful, however, there is always the potential for an emergency situation. Refer to your vehicle's owner manual and keep a well- stocked emergency roadside kit stored inside of your car. Here are a few important safety items to include-

First Aid Kit
Disposable Gloves
Fire Extinguisher
Reflective Safety Vest
Flashlight
Light Sticks
Rain Gear
Emergency Blanket
Reflective Warning Triangle
Whistle
Jumper Cables
Tow Rope
Window Breaker/Seatbelt Cutter Tool
Multi-Function Tool
Tire Pressure Gauge
Foam Tire Sealant
Batteries
Work Gloves
Tool Kit
Drinking Water
Blanket

Professional Car Maintenance and Repairs


It goes without saying that the expertise of a skilled, trustworthy vehicle mechanic is a wise investment. RepairSmith features a collective of "expert delivery mechanics, equipped with company vans and state-of-the-art tools and equipment allowing them to handle about 85% of repairs on-site." Currently, servicing Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay Area, and Sacramento, RepairSmith is launching into other major cities soon.

For advanced vehicle servicing, simply drop off your car at a fully-vetted shop, where RepairSmith guarantees all work with a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. How is that for car repair confidence and convenience? Providing customers with upfront pricing, online booking, after-hours support, and a service warranty, RepairSmith makes car repairs and road safety the way to go when you're ready to go out on the road.

Never will I ever pretend that I understand anything about the mechanics (magic) that cause a car to operate. As a planner and organizer, the best that I can do is to know the basic car repair safety tips and visit RepairSmith professionals to help with the rest. 

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