Part II
“Now You’re in The Car”
You have successfully done a circle check of your vehicle, ensured your tires, body, engine and glass are all in place and proper. Now you are one step closer to being a safe road user…almost ready to drive. The next few steps in the process are actually simple and won’t take very long, but they all have to be done.
Documents – Don’t leave home without them
There are three things you absolutely have to have with you when you are on the road. A valid driver’s licence, the permit (ownership) of the vehicle you are operating and proof of valid insurance.
I can hear it now, “But the car isn’t mine!!” Doesn’t matter; If you are driving it, you are responsible for it. That includes the expiration on the permit and the validation sticker on the licence plate. If you are operating it, you have to ensure that it can be operated within the law and that your licence is proper to do so.
Owners Manual – Has lots of hidden secrets
Are you 100% certain you know what each and every control in the vehicle you are about to drive is for? If your answer is no; grab the owners manual, get out of the car and go back in the house to study.
How do you know what to do if a warning light comes on, or what that light even means? Can you operate the windows, wipers, transmission gear selector or turn signals without looking? You have to be able to identify and operate all the controls and know what each warning light means before you move.
Storage/Garbage/Stuff – Clutter causes problems
Before you sit down make sure that there isn’t anything that is loose that could roll under your feet, across the dashboard or fall onto your lap. Any thing that is loose should be secured safely in a compartment or in the trunk. Anything that is heavy or has sharp edges should also be secured. You wouldn’t want grandma’s sterling silver picture frame flying loose inside the vehicle if you were in a collision. If you wouldn’t want it to hit you, then you don’t want it with you.
Seating Position – Sitting right for the road
To control the vehicle you need to sit properly. Sit up straight! You’re not driving a Lazyboy recliner, so don’t sit like it. Laying back makes the seatbelt ineffective and only provides a launch pad through the rear window if you are hit from behind. The higher your head is without being in the roof line the more you can see.
Your feet should be able to press the brake pedal to the floor leaving a slight bend at the knees. You can plant your left foot into the firewall or floor and push yourself back into the seat.
Place your hands on the steering wheel with your left hand at the 9 o’clock position and your right hand at the 3 o’clock position. This conveniently allows you to use your fingers to operate the turn signals, wipers, lights, etc with minimal movement. Your arms when holding the steering wheel should have a slight bend at the elbows.
Mirrors – How to see around you
According to Doug Annett of Skid Control School, “One way to describe setting the inside rear-view mirror is to “frame the rear window” If the sides, top and bottom of the mirror frame the rear window, the middle will likely be correct.”
Hopefully you have power mirrors for the sides, otherwise get someone to help you with this part. Each mirror should be set so that when using only your eyes you can see just the edge of the rear sides of your car. Anymore than that, you will be losing valuable information in the rest of the field of view. The majority of what you need to see is what is beside you in the “blind spots”.
This will minimize the size of your blind spots, and when done properly, what is not in your mirrors will be in your peripheral view.
Seatbelt – What its purpose really is
A seatbelt is designed to keep you in your seated position within the motor vehicle. As a driver, this is very important because it allows you to stay behind the controls. For passengers the importance lies in keeping you away from the driver and other occupants.
A seatbelt is not intended to save your life or prevent injuries. Those are just excellent benefits from using it.
The seatbelt should be worn in such a manner that the lap portion is across your pelvis (hip bones) and the shoulder portion should rest firmly against your chest.
Note: Special thanks to Doug Annett for his technical assistance with this part.
For more information about Doug and the “Skid Control School – Traffic safety solutions for business”, check out the website: http://www.skidcontrolschool.com/
Next Week, Part III
"Get out your keys!!"
Previous Parts
Part I - "Kicking the tires"
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Don't put away your winter driving skills yet!!
Environment Canada's prediction for Toronto over the next 72 hours is not what you might call 'ideal' for safe roads. But, with preparation and information, you can still be a safe driver even if the roads aren't perfect.
1.) Leave yourself extra time by heading to where you need to be earlier than normal. A great rule of thumb is 1.5X the normal travel time.
2.) Leave extra space around you by increasing your following distance. 3-4 seconds is a great choice. Notice it was time...not feet.
3.) Gas, brake and steering need to be applied gently. Change lanes slowly and only when necessary. If you find your tires have lost traction remove the input that you are using and reapply gently. If you can not regain control full braking...stop your vehicle. (Basic driving)
4.) When stopping at intersections begin the process well away from the your intended stop position. Be prepared to stop well away from the intersection and slowly roll to where you need to stop.
5.) Scan for, identify and predict potential problems. There should be no surprises when using our roads.
6.) SLOW DOWN !!!!!!!!!!
1.) Leave yourself extra time by heading to where you need to be earlier than normal. A great rule of thumb is 1.5X the normal travel time.
2.) Leave extra space around you by increasing your following distance. 3-4 seconds is a great choice. Notice it was time...not feet.
3.) Gas, brake and steering need to be applied gently. Change lanes slowly and only when necessary. If you find your tires have lost traction remove the input that you are using and reapply gently. If you can not regain control full braking...stop your vehicle. (Basic driving)
4.) When stopping at intersections begin the process well away from the your intended stop position. Be prepared to stop well away from the intersection and slowly roll to where you need to stop.
5.) Scan for, identify and predict potential problems. There should be no surprises when using our roads.
6.) SLOW DOWN !!!!!!!!!!
Big Move is on
Toronto Sun
Toronto's highways are among the busiest and most congested in the world.
Decades of inadequate funding, exacerbated by political squabbling, have resulted in chronic traffic delays that drain $6 billion annually from the GTA economy, wastes energy and pollutes the environment.
For drivers stuck in interminable, bumper-to-bumper traffic jams along the 400-series highways, the price is also needless stress, wasted time and exposure to accidents and mayhem on our roads.
And our transit system suffers from the same ills plaguing truckers and motorists, an aging, crowded and patchwork network of trains, subways, streetcars and buses that is driving potential transit users into their cars.
"It's really frustrating to have to travel an hour and a half just to get to work on time," says Marilyn Lee, a hospital health care worker who commutes daily into Toronto from Richmond Hill. "I'm tired of waiting for something better to happen, I hope this means we can finally get moving."
The something better is $9 billion in new transit projects announced this week by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The projects include:
- A new rapid transit line on Eglinton Ave. from Kennedy Station to Pearson Airport;
- Upgrading and extending the Scarborough Rapid Transit Line;
- A new rapid transit line along Finch Ave. from the Yonge Subway Line to Hwy. 27 and Humber College, and east to Don Mills Station;
- More buses and stations and dedicated bus lanes for York VIVA Bus Rapid Transit.
But as significant as the cash and the scope of the projects was a decision by the province to overhaul transit governance for the region.
Municipal politicians, including Toronto Mayor David Miller, have been axed from the board of the GTA's powerful, regional transportation authority -- Metrolinx -- and replaced with 15 private-sector experts.
The province also merged Metrolinx with GO Transit, which carries almost 55 million passengers annually on its rail and bus routes.
Critics said the old board paralyzed effective planning for the mass transit system from Hamilton to Peterborough with political infighting, turf wars over funding disputes, resident opposition and parochial decision-making.
The Ontario government's plan is to quicken the pace of GTA rapid transit construction, and job creation, by taking politicians out of the picture.
Dr. Eric Miller, director of the University of Toronto's cities centre, told the Sunday Sun political squabbling for competing transportation priorities within different jurisdictions has thwarted objective decisions.
"It's important to maintain connections with the municipalities because to a large extent they're going to implement a great part of this," Miller said. "But having something which is objective and focused and regional is a step in the right direction."
Rob MacIsaac remains as chairman of Metrolinx and Robert Prichard, the outgoing president and CEO of Torstar Corporation, was named Metrolinx's new transition advisor.
"It's important to say a different board brings different strengths," MacIsaac said. "Metrolinx had an important role in planning for one and a half years, but the role has changed from focus planning to an implementation role."
Metrolinx's $50-billion regional transportation plan, The Big Move, which is 20 years overdue, is being billed as the largest infrastructure plan implemented in Ontario in years. It calls for the takeover of the province's commuter bus and rail service for a mass transit system and the building of 1,200 km of new rapid transit lines involving 50 transit projects.
"My view is the legislation for our plan will be a very important step forward which will allow the regional transportation plan to move more effectively and quickly," MacIsaac said.
The provincial government also introduced legislation this week to merge Metrolinx with GO Transit.
"The coming together with Go Transit and Metrolinx results in a single organization which is better than its predecessors. It brings good policy and program expertise which Go Transit didn't previously have, and GO Transit has operation and project management expertise, which Metrolinx didn't possess," MacIsaac said.
Metrolinx has gained more money and legal status and has become a larger organization with a new private sector board. "We grew from 50 people to 1,300 people. It's a much stronger organization with a lot more bench strength and depth of talent. Metrolinx now has the wherewithal to make regional transportation into a reality," MacIsaac said, adding that Metrolinx's new budget is yet to be determined.
The first projects to tackle include VIVA Hwy. 7 and Yonge St. projects in York Region, the upgrade and extension of the Scarborough rapid transit line, and the Sheppard/Finch rapid transit line, which are scheduled to begin this year and create thousands of jobs to stimulate Ontario's dwindling economy.
The U of T's Miller says the best way to relieve congestion is to build integrated regional transit because unless you live in downtown Toronto, there is no viable option.
"We desperately need to have better transit so people have options. Not everyone needs to be on the QEW and 401 every day," he said.
"We can start to control our land use better, orientate our growth and transit corridors. We also need jobs and stores set up so urban sprawl can be well served by transit. If the destination and the population is too thinly spread, there's not enough density on the top ends to make transit cost effective."
He says Metrolinx's Big Move is a good blueprint that takes a broad approach to the problem, but there are still a lot of details to iron out. "I hope it works. If it doesn't, Metrolinx will have failed and we will all fail. It's critical to maintain the region as a viable place to live and for workers to relocate.
"Cities aren't built overnight. To solve the problem of transit we need a lot of stamina to see this through. The technical objective board doesn't have to justify their existence for the next election and can have a longer term prospective," he said, adding it will take decades to build new the infrastructure.
Miller likens Metrolinx to a big ocean liner.
"We're turning in mid-ocean and it's going to take awhile to turn it around."
~Editor's Note~
The 401 through Dixie Road/Pearson Int'l Airport is the most travelled highway in the North America in terms of volume and lanes.
The 400 series higways continually see increases in volumes and capacities. That means more cars throughout more of the day.
Next time you want to use them as a comparison against the autobahns consider the major differences. Less cars on autobahns, less volumes, less lanes, higher speedsmore deaths???
HMMM....doesn't take rocket science.
Toronto's highways are among the busiest and most congested in the world.
Decades of inadequate funding, exacerbated by political squabbling, have resulted in chronic traffic delays that drain $6 billion annually from the GTA economy, wastes energy and pollutes the environment.
For drivers stuck in interminable, bumper-to-bumper traffic jams along the 400-series highways, the price is also needless stress, wasted time and exposure to accidents and mayhem on our roads.
And our transit system suffers from the same ills plaguing truckers and motorists, an aging, crowded and patchwork network of trains, subways, streetcars and buses that is driving potential transit users into their cars.
"It's really frustrating to have to travel an hour and a half just to get to work on time," says Marilyn Lee, a hospital health care worker who commutes daily into Toronto from Richmond Hill. "I'm tired of waiting for something better to happen, I hope this means we can finally get moving."
The something better is $9 billion in new transit projects announced this week by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The projects include:
- A new rapid transit line on Eglinton Ave. from Kennedy Station to Pearson Airport;
- Upgrading and extending the Scarborough Rapid Transit Line;
- A new rapid transit line along Finch Ave. from the Yonge Subway Line to Hwy. 27 and Humber College, and east to Don Mills Station;
- More buses and stations and dedicated bus lanes for York VIVA Bus Rapid Transit.
But as significant as the cash and the scope of the projects was a decision by the province to overhaul transit governance for the region.
Municipal politicians, including Toronto Mayor David Miller, have been axed from the board of the GTA's powerful, regional transportation authority -- Metrolinx -- and replaced with 15 private-sector experts.
The province also merged Metrolinx with GO Transit, which carries almost 55 million passengers annually on its rail and bus routes.
Critics said the old board paralyzed effective planning for the mass transit system from Hamilton to Peterborough with political infighting, turf wars over funding disputes, resident opposition and parochial decision-making.
The Ontario government's plan is to quicken the pace of GTA rapid transit construction, and job creation, by taking politicians out of the picture.
Dr. Eric Miller, director of the University of Toronto's cities centre, told the Sunday Sun political squabbling for competing transportation priorities within different jurisdictions has thwarted objective decisions.
"It's important to maintain connections with the municipalities because to a large extent they're going to implement a great part of this," Miller said. "But having something which is objective and focused and regional is a step in the right direction."
Rob MacIsaac remains as chairman of Metrolinx and Robert Prichard, the outgoing president and CEO of Torstar Corporation, was named Metrolinx's new transition advisor.
"It's important to say a different board brings different strengths," MacIsaac said. "Metrolinx had an important role in planning for one and a half years, but the role has changed from focus planning to an implementation role."
Metrolinx's $50-billion regional transportation plan, The Big Move, which is 20 years overdue, is being billed as the largest infrastructure plan implemented in Ontario in years. It calls for the takeover of the province's commuter bus and rail service for a mass transit system and the building of 1,200 km of new rapid transit lines involving 50 transit projects.
"My view is the legislation for our plan will be a very important step forward which will allow the regional transportation plan to move more effectively and quickly," MacIsaac said.
The provincial government also introduced legislation this week to merge Metrolinx with GO Transit.
"The coming together with Go Transit and Metrolinx results in a single organization which is better than its predecessors. It brings good policy and program expertise which Go Transit didn't previously have, and GO Transit has operation and project management expertise, which Metrolinx didn't possess," MacIsaac said.
Metrolinx has gained more money and legal status and has become a larger organization with a new private sector board. "We grew from 50 people to 1,300 people. It's a much stronger organization with a lot more bench strength and depth of talent. Metrolinx now has the wherewithal to make regional transportation into a reality," MacIsaac said, adding that Metrolinx's new budget is yet to be determined.
The first projects to tackle include VIVA Hwy. 7 and Yonge St. projects in York Region, the upgrade and extension of the Scarborough rapid transit line, and the Sheppard/Finch rapid transit line, which are scheduled to begin this year and create thousands of jobs to stimulate Ontario's dwindling economy.
The U of T's Miller says the best way to relieve congestion is to build integrated regional transit because unless you live in downtown Toronto, there is no viable option.
"We desperately need to have better transit so people have options. Not everyone needs to be on the QEW and 401 every day," he said.
"We can start to control our land use better, orientate our growth and transit corridors. We also need jobs and stores set up so urban sprawl can be well served by transit. If the destination and the population is too thinly spread, there's not enough density on the top ends to make transit cost effective."
He says Metrolinx's Big Move is a good blueprint that takes a broad approach to the problem, but there are still a lot of details to iron out. "I hope it works. If it doesn't, Metrolinx will have failed and we will all fail. It's critical to maintain the region as a viable place to live and for workers to relocate.
"Cities aren't built overnight. To solve the problem of transit we need a lot of stamina to see this through. The technical objective board doesn't have to justify their existence for the next election and can have a longer term prospective," he said, adding it will take decades to build new the infrastructure.
Miller likens Metrolinx to a big ocean liner.
"We're turning in mid-ocean and it's going to take awhile to turn it around."
~Editor's Note~
The 401 through Dixie Road/Pearson Int'l Airport is the most travelled highway in the North America in terms of volume and lanes.
The 400 series higways continually see increases in volumes and capacities. That means more cars throughout more of the day.
Next time you want to use them as a comparison against the autobahns consider the major differences. Less cars on autobahns, less volumes, less lanes, higher speedsmore deaths???
HMMM....doesn't take rocket science.
Alcohol / Speed factors in 2 Deaths
Toronto Sun
Impaired driving and speed are believed to be behind two separate accidents that claimed two young lives early yesterday.
The first fatality occurred near Bloor and Bathurst. Sts. around 2:30 a.m. when a woman, 25, out celebrating a friend's birthday was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver, Toronto Police say.
"It was just bad timing," Sgt. Tim Burrows of Traffic Services said yesterday of the city's 10th traffic fatality of the year.
A woman, 24, who was driving a Chevy Uplander pulled out of a parking lot on Lippincott St. and drove north toward the victim and her friends, who were standing on the sidewalk just south of Bloor St., police said.
"As the Chevy Uplander was passing by, the pedestrian tripped and fell backward onto the road," Burrows said, adding the minivan allegedly "ran over" the young woman.
DRINKING
Burrows said some among the group had definitely been drinking. But he was unable to say if the victim, whose name was not released, had consumed alcohol.
The driver, Sin Jung Cho, was arrested at the scene and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death and driving over 80 mg causing death. She was later released on bail.
About half an hour after the woman was killed, crews responded to another accident on Hwy. 403 near Eglinton Ave. just west of Toronto.
A Mississauga man driving a Mazda 626 drifted across three southbound lanes and smashed into a steel guardrail, OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said, adding speed was likely a factor in the deadly crash.
Woodford said investigators are looking into other possible factors, such as mechanical problems or fatigue. But alcohol is not believed to have been involved.
The victim, 24, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHRIS.DOUCETTE@SUNMEDIA.CA
Impaired driving and speed are believed to be behind two separate accidents that claimed two young lives early yesterday.
The first fatality occurred near Bloor and Bathurst. Sts. around 2:30 a.m. when a woman, 25, out celebrating a friend's birthday was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver, Toronto Police say.
"It was just bad timing," Sgt. Tim Burrows of Traffic Services said yesterday of the city's 10th traffic fatality of the year.
A woman, 24, who was driving a Chevy Uplander pulled out of a parking lot on Lippincott St. and drove north toward the victim and her friends, who were standing on the sidewalk just south of Bloor St., police said.
"As the Chevy Uplander was passing by, the pedestrian tripped and fell backward onto the road," Burrows said, adding the minivan allegedly "ran over" the young woman.
DRINKING
Burrows said some among the group had definitely been drinking. But he was unable to say if the victim, whose name was not released, had consumed alcohol.
The driver, Sin Jung Cho, was arrested at the scene and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death and driving over 80 mg causing death. She was later released on bail.
About half an hour after the woman was killed, crews responded to another accident on Hwy. 403 near Eglinton Ave. just west of Toronto.
A Mississauga man driving a Mazda 626 drifted across three southbound lanes and smashed into a steel guardrail, OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said, adding speed was likely a factor in the deadly crash.
Woodford said investigators are looking into other possible factors, such as mechanical problems or fatigue. But alcohol is not believed to have been involved.
The victim, 24, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHRIS.DOUCETTE@SUNMEDIA.CA
Friday, April 3, 2009
Fast and Furious Movie Release - 09.04.03
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1632714912?bctid=18534104001
Michael Serapio of CityTV interviews Anna HE, a Toronto racing entusiast. Anna gave a great quote..."Any type of driving and racing especially is not simple."
I truly wish more people would understand that...driving is not simple. It is a skill that takes a great deal of attention, awareness and consideration for other people's safety.
Michael Serapio of CityTV interviews Anna HE, a Toronto racing entusiast. Anna gave a great quote..."Any type of driving and racing especially is not simple."
I truly wish more people would understand that...driving is not simple. It is a skill that takes a great deal of attention, awareness and consideration for other people's safety.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Operation Safe Delivery - Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Blitz
Media advisory,Thursday, April 2, 2009, 8 a.m.,
Woodbine Entertainment Complex, 555 Rexdale Boulevard,Operation Safe Delivery,23
DivisionBroadcast time: 05:00
Thursday, April 2, 2009
23 Division
416−808−2300
On Thursday, April 2, 2009, at 8 a.m, at the Woodbine Entertainment Complex, 555 RexdaleBoulevard, northwest parking lot, 23 Division officers will conduct a heavy truck andcommercial vehicle enforcement blitz, entitled “Operation Safe Delivery,” that will end onFriday, April 3, 2009.
This enforcement initiative will be a joint venture involving the Ontario Provincial Police, PeelRegional Police, York Regional Police, and the Ontario Ministries of Transportation,Environment and Revenue.The primary goal is public safety, through the removal of unsafe and potentially dangerousvehicles from our highways.
Constable Tony Vella, Public Information, for Sergeant Jeff Alderdice, 23 Division
Results of "Operation Safe Delivery"
Toronto Police News Release
During the blitz, 116 vehicles were inspected by police; 71 had safety defects and 96 charges
were laid.
Commercial motor vehicle inspections are an integral part of highway safety. These vehicles
move large amounts of commercial and industrial items throughout our city and their
roadworthiness is of paramount importance.
When commercial motor vehicles, or their loads, cause or are involved in an event such as a
collision, the results are often a substantial loss of productivity and a severe interruption to the
free, safe and efficient flow of traffic.
The Toronto Police Service will continue with a wide variety of programs, designed to protect
public safety and promote the smooth, safe flow of traffic.
Woodbine Entertainment Complex, 555 Rexdale Boulevard,Operation Safe Delivery,23
DivisionBroadcast time: 05:00
Thursday, April 2, 2009
23 Division
416−808−2300
On Thursday, April 2, 2009, at 8 a.m, at the Woodbine Entertainment Complex, 555 RexdaleBoulevard, northwest parking lot, 23 Division officers will conduct a heavy truck andcommercial vehicle enforcement blitz, entitled “Operation Safe Delivery,” that will end onFriday, April 3, 2009.
This enforcement initiative will be a joint venture involving the Ontario Provincial Police, PeelRegional Police, York Regional Police, and the Ontario Ministries of Transportation,Environment and Revenue.The primary goal is public safety, through the removal of unsafe and potentially dangerousvehicles from our highways.
Constable Tony Vella, Public Information, for Sergeant Jeff Alderdice, 23 Division
Results of "Operation Safe Delivery"
Toronto Police News Release
During the blitz, 116 vehicles were inspected by police; 71 had safety defects and 96 charges
were laid.
Commercial motor vehicle inspections are an integral part of highway safety. These vehicles
move large amounts of commercial and industrial items throughout our city and their
roadworthiness is of paramount importance.
When commercial motor vehicles, or their loads, cause or are involved in an event such as a
collision, the results are often a substantial loss of productivity and a severe interruption to the
free, safe and efficient flow of traffic.
The Toronto Police Service will continue with a wide variety of programs, designed to protect
public safety and promote the smooth, safe flow of traffic.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Basic Driving Series
Driving 101
During the next several weeks, we will take an in-depth look at the basics of driving. The hope is that at the end of each part you will be a better driver and a safer road user. Topics will cover as much “know how and how to” as possible to work towards the goal of making the urban traffic environment in Toronto as safe as possible. I will take one liberty…I will assume that I am writing this for drivers who have a licence and have met the provincial minimum for driving privileges in Ontario.
Part I
“Kicking the Tires”
Before you get into any motor vehicle, you need to know that your mode of transportation will get you where you need to go, safely. Avoiding a mechanical break down through simple prevention is a very good first step to safer road use. The following should be done once a month minimum, once a week is better.
Tires – The most over looked safety feature of transportation!
Have you ever considered that the 2-3 thousand pounds of machine you are operating rides on the road on four points that is roughly the size of an open hand. Every control and input you apply relies on those four contact points being in excellent condition. Air pressure, tread depth and tread wear all need to be monitored and adjusted. The sidewall of the tire will tell you the correct air pressure that is recommended for your tire and will be in PSI or kPa. Buy a good air pressure gauge; don’t trust the ones on the air machine at the gas station. There should be uniform even wear on the face (tread) of the tire. A ‘Wear Bar’ is a small bridge of rubber inside a longitudinal groove going around the tire and connects two tread blocks. Once those are apparent, the tire is done.
Gilles Paquette of the Rubber Association of Canada recommends the website, www.betiresmart.ca for more great information, including the, “Bluenose Tire Test.”
Lights – Straight forward and simple
Make sure every light on the exterior of your car works properly. Low beam / high beam headlights, (legally you need two); turn signals, parking lights, brake lights. Get a friend, neighbour or family member to help you with this.
Body – Know your vehicle
It’s a great idea to walk around your vehicle to examine if there is any body damage that wasn’t there the last time you looked. This can be a great indicator if your ride has been in a collision while it was out of your control, ie – parked, lent to a friend. Any loose or hanging parts should be removed and or fixed. The walk around is also a great time to look for any children or their toys, bicycles, etc around your vehicle before you move it. While walking around, look at your lights for any damage, the tires for obvious trouble, wiper blades for cracks, frays or metal and below your engine area for evidence of leaking fluids. Also, ensure that your gas cap is secure and tight.
Engine – Big noisy thing under the hood
There are a lot of things to look for here…but only computers now-a-days know what they are, so I will tell you about six things.
Engine oil is the blood of your car…no oil, no life. There is a dipstick that you pull out to which will show you where the level is. Not enough add as required. If there is too much – uh oh. Never add past the ‘full’ line on the dipstick.
The belt needs to be checked for frays, cracks and damage. If there are any of those, get it replaced.
Washer fluid tank should be re-filled every time you check your engine. When you need it most is not the time to find out that it’s empty.
Radiator fluid is best looked at via the overflow jug. If there is no fluid there, you may have a problem. If you don’t have a visible overflow, then remove the rad-cap, but only if the engine is cold.
Transmission fluid also has a dip-stick. Check in the same manner as you did for the oil.
Brake fluid should not be checked by you, unless you are comfortable with possibly damaging the primary component for stopping your vehicle. Leave this to an expert.
Windows – All that glass
Your windows should be cleaned regularly, both inside and outside. Clean glass reduces the reflection of the sun or headlight glare at night. While cleaning them, look for cracks and chips in the windshield. A proper windshield makes up a great deal of the strength of the top portion of your car. Might not mean much now, but if you park on your roof, you’ll be happy you had a good windshield.
~~~
Next Week, Part II
“Now You’re in The Car”
During the next several weeks, we will take an in-depth look at the basics of driving. The hope is that at the end of each part you will be a better driver and a safer road user. Topics will cover as much “know how and how to” as possible to work towards the goal of making the urban traffic environment in Toronto as safe as possible. I will take one liberty…I will assume that I am writing this for drivers who have a licence and have met the provincial minimum for driving privileges in Ontario.
Part I
“Kicking the Tires”
Before you get into any motor vehicle, you need to know that your mode of transportation will get you where you need to go, safely. Avoiding a mechanical break down through simple prevention is a very good first step to safer road use. The following should be done once a month minimum, once a week is better.
Tires – The most over looked safety feature of transportation!
Have you ever considered that the 2-3 thousand pounds of machine you are operating rides on the road on four points that is roughly the size of an open hand. Every control and input you apply relies on those four contact points being in excellent condition. Air pressure, tread depth and tread wear all need to be monitored and adjusted. The sidewall of the tire will tell you the correct air pressure that is recommended for your tire and will be in PSI or kPa. Buy a good air pressure gauge; don’t trust the ones on the air machine at the gas station. There should be uniform even wear on the face (tread) of the tire. A ‘Wear Bar’ is a small bridge of rubber inside a longitudinal groove going around the tire and connects two tread blocks. Once those are apparent, the tire is done.
Gilles Paquette of the Rubber Association of Canada recommends the website, www.betiresmart.ca for more great information, including the, “Bluenose Tire Test.”
Lights – Straight forward and simple
Make sure every light on the exterior of your car works properly. Low beam / high beam headlights, (legally you need two); turn signals, parking lights, brake lights. Get a friend, neighbour or family member to help you with this.
Body – Know your vehicle
It’s a great idea to walk around your vehicle to examine if there is any body damage that wasn’t there the last time you looked. This can be a great indicator if your ride has been in a collision while it was out of your control, ie – parked, lent to a friend. Any loose or hanging parts should be removed and or fixed. The walk around is also a great time to look for any children or their toys, bicycles, etc around your vehicle before you move it. While walking around, look at your lights for any damage, the tires for obvious trouble, wiper blades for cracks, frays or metal and below your engine area for evidence of leaking fluids. Also, ensure that your gas cap is secure and tight.
Engine – Big noisy thing under the hood
There are a lot of things to look for here…but only computers now-a-days know what they are, so I will tell you about six things.
Engine oil is the blood of your car…no oil, no life. There is a dipstick that you pull out to which will show you where the level is. Not enough add as required. If there is too much – uh oh. Never add past the ‘full’ line on the dipstick.
The belt needs to be checked for frays, cracks and damage. If there are any of those, get it replaced.
Washer fluid tank should be re-filled every time you check your engine. When you need it most is not the time to find out that it’s empty.
Radiator fluid is best looked at via the overflow jug. If there is no fluid there, you may have a problem. If you don’t have a visible overflow, then remove the rad-cap, but only if the engine is cold.
Transmission fluid also has a dip-stick. Check in the same manner as you did for the oil.
Brake fluid should not be checked by you, unless you are comfortable with possibly damaging the primary component for stopping your vehicle. Leave this to an expert.
Windows – All that glass
Your windows should be cleaned regularly, both inside and outside. Clean glass reduces the reflection of the sun or headlight glare at night. While cleaning them, look for cracks and chips in the windshield. A proper windshield makes up a great deal of the strength of the top portion of your car. Might not mean much now, but if you park on your roof, you’ll be happy you had a good windshield.
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Next Week, Part II
“Now You’re in The Car”
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