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Minimum requirements for the vehicle 1.0 Minimum requirements for the vehicle



This section is NOT about engine, drive train, suspension, wheels etc. Instead we look at what are the MINIMUM things that you as a driver should check for and insist before you step behind the wheel.



These are:

1. Safety belts

2. Brakes

3. Headlights (high and low beam)

4. Tail and brake lights

5. Wipers

6. Defroster and fan control

7. Rear-view mirrors

8. Horn



1. Safety belts

Duh, most of today's cars have seat belts. The point is, are you positive that the one in your car works? We should test our seat-belts regularly. Brake a bit aggressively and see if the seat belt grabs you and stops your forward movement. A non-functioning seat-belt is of no use.

Equally important is to wear the seatbelt and insist that everybody in your car (including back-seat passengers) wears the seat-belt, irrespective of whether it is mandated by law or not. A un-belted passenger in the rear-seat can unintentionally kill the person seated in the front in case of an accident.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKHY69AFstE



2. Brakes

Everybody’s brakes work, but how good are they? Have a good understanding of the stopping distance of the car that you are driving. This understanding helps in terms of deciding how hard you should push the brakes and how soon. Even if you have good reaction time and good brakes, if you apply more force than needed you might end up locking the wheels and losing vehicle’s control, with results almost as bad as a collision.

Having ABS with EBD in your car is highly recommended. When you are in the market for your next car, please choose a model and a variant that comes with ABS+EBD. The few thousands extra that you have to shell out are peanuts, if you consider the stakes (i.e. your and your family's life).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgeU7c8HA9U

Does your parking-brake work? It comes in handy if your main brakes fail.



3. Headlights (high and low beam)

Do your high as well as low beams work? If not, get it fixed immediately. Most of us have been surprised at least once by a oncoming car or a truck with only one headlight working.

Besides not getting others into trouble, properly working headlights ensure that you yourself can see better on the road.

Equally important is to actually turn on the headlights when the ambient light starts reducing. In India, there is a tendency to switch on the headlights as late as possible. Some folks just drive with the help of street light and don’t bother to switch on their own lights. This is highly risky. If your car is not visible, the chances of being hit by other vehicles increases substantially. In many states in US, bikes are supposed to have their headlights on even during broad daylight!



4. Tail and brake lights

Do your taillights and brake-lights work? How many of us have been surprised on a highway by a truck in front with non-functioning tail-lights?

If your tail-lights don’t work, the chances of someone rear-ending into you are higher. Ditto for brake-lights. Brake-lights provide an additional visible cue about the vehicle in front slowing down or having stopped.

Unlike headlights, problems with tail and brakelights do not get noticed easily. Take the help from a friend or spouse, but ensure that your tail-lights and brake-lights work. In US, if the plastic casing of your taillight is cracked or has a hole, you MUST put a tape on it till you get it repaired. The bulb’s light is bright and causes problems for the driver behind your car if any hole in the casing is not covered.

BTW, does your reversing light work?



5. Wipers

Do your wipers work really well? Driving in rain, in the night, with bad wipers is practically suicidal. Even in seasons other than monsoon, ensure that your wipers are clean and working. Bird-dropping, dust, bugs, all sort of muck from the road and splashes from a puddle can get your windshield dirty in all seasons. Also are the wiper-blades of the right size, do they cover the windshield really well? (max one inch area of the windshield side should be outside the reach of the wipers)



6. Defroster and fan control

A lot of people don’t know how to use the defogger correctly to de-mist their windshield. The mist builds gradually and some folks don’t even notice it. Those who notice it might use a hanky to get rid of it rather than using the defroster. Avoid touching the windshield from inside. Fingerprints and smear marks on the inside of the windshield are as bad as swirl-marks on the outside.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7avaF6_tI4



7. Rear-view mirrors

Does your car have at least 3 rear view mirrors? Maruti believes that left-side ORVM is an accessory for their low end cars! Are the mirrors clean? Are they folded or open? Are they adjusted correctly? Have you read and understood “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”? Do you have a fair idea about “How much closer do they appear?”. More importantly: When the mirrors exist, are adjusted correctly, are clean and are actually open, how frequently do you glance at it?



8. Horn

Is the horn audible to others, as well as to you with windows rolled up? Do you use the horn to alert other road-users or to express your feelings?

Do you have a reversing horn? This section is NOT about engine, drive train, suspension, wheels etc. Instead we look at what are the MINIMUM things that you as a driver should check for and insist before you step behind the wheel.These are:1. Safety belts2. Brakes3. Headlights (high and low beam)4. Tail and brake lights5. Wipers6. Defroster and fan control7. Rear-view mirrors8. HornDuh, most of today's cars have seat belts. The point is, are you positive that the one in your car works? We should test our seat-belts regularly. Brake a bit aggressively and see if the seat belt grabs you and stops your forward movement. A non-functioning seat-belt is of no use.Equally important is to wear the seatbelt and insist that everybody in your carwears the seat-belt, irrespective of whether it is mandated by law or not. A un-belted passenger in the rear-seat can unintentionally kill the person seated in the front in case of an accident.Everybody’s brakes work, but how good are they? Have a good understanding of the stopping distance of the car that you are driving. This understanding helps in terms of deciding how hard you should push the brakes and how soon. Even if you have good reaction time and good brakes, if you apply more force than needed you might end up locking the wheels and losing vehicle’s control, with results almost as bad as a collision.Having ABS with EBD in your car is highly recommended. When you are in the market for your next car, please choose a model and a variant that comes with ABS+EBD. The few thousands extra that you have to shell out are peanuts, if you consider the stakes (i.e. your and your family's life).Does your parking-brake work? It comes in handy if your main brakes fail.Do your high as well as low beams work? If not, get it fixed immediately. Most of us have been surprised at least once by a oncoming car or a truck with only one headlight working.Besides not getting others into trouble, properly working headlights ensure that you yourself can see better on the road.Equally important is to actually turn on the headlights when the ambient light starts reducing. In India, there is a tendency to switch on the headlights as late as possible. Some folks just drive with the help of street light and don’t bother to switch on their own lights. This is highly risky. If your car is not visible, the chances of being hit by other vehicles increases substantially. In many states in US, bikes are supposed to have their headlights on even during broad daylight!Do your taillights and brake-lights work? How many of us have been surprised on a highway by a truck in front with non-functioning tail-lights?If your tail-lights don’t work, the chances of someone rear-ending into you are higher. Ditto for brake-lights. Brake-lights provide an additional visible cue about the vehicle in front slowing down or having stopped.Unlike headlights, problems with tail and brakelights do not get noticed easily. Take the help from a friend or spouse, but ensure that your tail-lights and brake-lights work. In US, if the plastic casing of your taillight is cracked or has a hole, you MUST put a tape on it till you get it repaired. The bulb’s light is bright and causes problems for the driver behind your car if any hole in the casing is not covered.BTW, does your reversing light work?Do your wipers work really well? Driving in rain, in the night, with bad wipers is practically suicidal. Even in seasons other than monsoon, ensure that your wipers are clean and working. Bird-dropping, dust, bugs, all sort of muck from the road and splashes from a puddle can get your windshield dirty in all seasons. Also are the wiper-blades of the right size, do they cover the windshield really well? (max one inch area of the windshield side should be outside the reach of the wipers)A lot of people don’t know how to use the defogger correctly to de-mist their windshield. The mist builds gradually and some folks don’t even notice it. Those who notice it might use a hanky to get rid of it rather than using the defroster. Avoid touching the windshield from inside. Fingerprints and smear marks on the inside of the windshield are as bad as swirl-marks on the outside.Does your car have at least 3 rear view mirrors? Maruti believes that left-side ORVM is an accessory for their low end cars! Are the mirrors clean? Are they folded or open? Are they adjusted correctly? Have you read and understood “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”? Do you have a fair idea about “How much closer do they appear?”. More importantly: When the mirrors exist, are adjusted correctly, are clean and are actually open, how frequently do you glance at it?Is the horn audible to others, as well as to you with windows rolled up? Do you use the horn to alert other road-users or to express your feelings?Do you have a reversing horn? Last edited by SDP : 14th January 2013 at 14:21 .