The long Spring Festival holiday is approaching, and those who choose to drive home are already eager to reunite with their families, with many already on their way. But no matter how much you look forward to the warmth of the reunion, safety always comes first. Especially considering that during the Spring Festival, the climate, road conditions, and drivers themselves are all in a relatively unstable state, safety issues deserve even more of our attention.
Vehicle Health Is the Foundation of Safety
Tires
Before setting off, check the tread and tire pressure (including the spare tire) to ensure they are in good condition. Tires are among the most heavily worn parts of a car and are also an important factor in driving safety that cannot be overlooked. Generally, tires should be replaced after the vehicle has traveled 60,000–70,000 kilometers. If the tires are heavily worn or have been punctured multiple times, it is also recommended to replace them with new ones. Abnormal tire pressure can affect safe driving, so be sure to inflate them strictly according to the manufacturer’s standards—never do it arbitrarily.
For safety’s sake, it is recommended that car owners install a real-time tire pressure monitoring system. Most aftermarket tire pressure monitors are direct TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems), which involve installing pressure sensors and transmitters directly on the car tires. A receiver inside the car picks up signals and receives real-time tire pressure data from the sensors. Since direct TPMS installs a pressure sensor in each tire, its warning signals are more accurate. Moreover, if a tire is punctured and the pressure drops rapidly, the direct TPMS can provide immediate warnings. This system used to be very expensive, but in recent years, prices have dropped to the range of a few hundred yuan, making it worth purchasing.
Brakes
Before driving, besides checking the electrolyte, engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant level, also check the brake fluid level and quality. Brake fluid easily absorbs moisture, especially in the humid air of southern regions, where it can become diluted and lose its effectiveness. Typically, it should be replaced every two years or after the car has traveled 60,000 kilometers. The braking system relies on fluid to function, so inspect the oil and water hose connections for signs of aging or leaks. Also, check the brake proportioning valve.
Most cars today use disc brakes, so don’t neglect to inspect the brake pads. Road trips can be long, and to avoid having to replace brake pads midway, it’s advisable to replace them immediately if they are less than 3 mm thick.
Lights
Try to avoid driving at night during your long journey home. Driving at night is not only unsafe but also increases the chances of getting lost. If you’re forced to drive at night, there are a few things to keep in mind. Currently, most highways and national or provincial roads lack street lighting. In such conditions, drivers often use high beams, which make oncoming headlights extremely dazzling. Additionally, vehicles traveling in the same direction with non-functional taillights can easily lead to rear-end collisions. Night driving also requires extra attention to pedestrians by the roadside. With no street lighting and pedestrians often not wearing reflective clothing, it’s common to notice them only when very close, creating dangerous situations that frequently lead to accidents.
For this reason, pay special attention to the condition of your vehicle’s lights. Headlights are the eyes of your car, and before any long trip, make sure all lights are in perfect working order. If your headlights have been repaired before, adjust their height and focus according to your driving height. Some cars can auto-adjust the light angle, but others require manual adjustment.
Engine
Many people overlook the cleanliness of the car’s interior, thinking that a dirty engine bay won’t affect driving. But over time, this can cause significant harm to the vehicle. Dust buildup on the engine or other components can lead to rusting. Excessive dust can also impact engine cooling; operating the engine in a high-temperature environment for extended periods can damage it, and plastic components may age or deteriorate. Therefore, before embarking on your enjoyable self-drive journey, open the hood and give it a thorough cleaning.
Finally, the drive belts in the engine bay also need careful inspection, particularly their tension and surface condition. If the tension is too tight, it can accelerate wear on the bearings and pulleys, while scratches or cracks on the belt surface could seriously affect the normal operation of the engine.
Battery
Car batteries tend to have problems in cold weather. If it doesn’t function properly, it can make starting the engine difficult. Additionally, when the battery terminals age, green oxides can form. These green oxides can prevent the battery from charging properly, leading to insufficient power. Before setting off, inspect the battery carefully, especially if you own a second vehicle and plan to use one that has been sitting idle for a while—the battery should be a key point of inspection. If you see green deposits on the battery terminals, rinse them off with boiling water as soon as possible, then sand them down, dry them, and spray on an anti-oxidation protective agent to preserve them.
Wipers
Wipers are mainly used in conjunction with windshield washer fluid to clean the front windshield, ensuring drivers have a clear view during everyday driving. Therefore, while ensuring you have enough washer fluid, check whether the wipers are functioning properly—otherwise, the washer fluid is useless. You can usually tell the condition of the wiper blades by observation. If the wipers perform well in heavy rain but leave uneven streaks on the windshield during light rain, impairing visibility, it means the wipers have hardened.
Replacing wiper blades is simple. Wiper blades are usually fixed with a U-shaped hook—just lift the hook to remove the old blade and install a new one, but make sure the new and old blades are the same model. After replacing the wipers, wet the windshield and observe whether the wipers move normally and wipe effectively. Choosing good-quality wiper blades is key. Aside from opting for premium original equipment manufacturer (OEM) blades, some commercially available blades labeled as containing silicone also offer good anti-aging properties.