Section 4 Defensive Driving and Safety
Chapter 12
Vehicle Safety Check
“Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.” - Jeff Cooper
Before a vehicle moves, a routine safety inspection should be performed on the vehicle you are assigned to drive for the day. Inspecting the vehicle again after you work will allow you the time needed to address any problems.
Things to include but not limited to:
- Brake System: check the fluid level in the sight glass to make sure it’s at the correct level. Look for fluid around each wheel. Make note after a drive if you can smell defective brakes.
- Exhaust System: can be checked visually for leaks or defects with the vehicle running. A leaky system could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Perhaps while driving you heard something. Loss or low hanging?
- Suspension: visually check the suspension for defects. Rear of the vehicle too low or high when empty or loaded? Tire clearance between the tire and wheel well incorrect?
- Steering: wheel free play, lost hardware on the gearbox, leaking fluid, tie rod ends lost or worn?
- Lighting/headlights: low beam, high beam, turn, parking, brake or “coach lights” on the side of a limousine and the interior dome and mood lights.
- Wheels: check for missing lug nuts, curb rash that might cause a tire blow out or slow leak.
- Tires: proper tire pressure, proper tread depth, check for tire defects.
- Door lock: make sure the door locks are working both manually and electronically.
- Belts and Hoses: check for cracked, leaking or damaged.
- Fuel System: visually look for leaks, check the gas cap for correct installation.
- Window glass: visually look for defects (i.e. rock chips) and also make sure mechanically the windows are in working order.