As a mom, it’s essential to make sure your family is safe while you’re driving. With the right car safety tips for moms, you can have peace of mind knowing your family is safe on the road. In this blog post, we’ll cover essential car safety tips for moms to keep their family safe and secure while in the car.
Get your car serviced regularly
One of the most important car safety tips for moms is to get their cars serviced regularly. Regular servicing can help ensure that your car is running safely and efficiently and can help you avoid expensive repair bills down the line. It’s critical to make sure you bring your car in for a full inspection at least once a year, or every 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.
During a service appointment, a qualified mechanic will do a full inspection of your vehicle, checking the brakes, tires, oil and filters, battery, and electrical systems. They’ll also check the suspension and alignment to make sure everything is running smoothly. If any parts need to be replaced or repaired, they can do that on-site.
Getting your car inspected for safety annually can help keep you and your family safe on the road, as well as extend the life of your car. Make sure you book regular service appointments and follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule to ensure your car is running safely.
Check your tires
Making sure your tires are properly inflated and in good condition is an important part of car safety. Keeping up with regular tire maintenance will help you avoid flat tires, blowouts, and other potential hazards.
Here are some steps to follow when checking your tires:
- Visually inspect the treads on all four tires. Make sure the treads are even, with no patches of wear or bald spots.
- Check the air pressure in each tire. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can lead to instability and make it more difficult to control the vehicle. Your owner’s manual should have the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tires.
- Inspect the sidewalls for any cuts, bulges, or other damage that might compromise the tire’s structure.
- Look for any exposed metal on the wheel rims where the tire contacts the rim. Exposed metal can cause a slow leak or lead to a tire blowout.
If you notice any of these issues, get your tires serviced immediately by a professional mechanic. Making sure your tires are in proper condition is one of the most important car safety tips for moms!
Check your fluid levels
When it comes to keeping your car safe for you and your family, checking fluid levels is a crucial step. Your car’s fluid levels should be checked regularly to ensure your vehicle is running optimally. Check the brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, engine oil, windshield washer fluid, and transmission fluid. Low levels of any of these fluids can indicate a problem with your car, so if critical fluids such as coolant, brake fluid, or oil are low more than once in a short period of time, it’s important to bring the car in to check for leaks.
To check the brake fluid, open the hood and look for a reservoir labeled “brake fluid”. Look inside to make sure the fluid is at the correct level. You can add more fluid if it’s low. To check the power steering fluid, locate the reservoir and make sure it’s full. For coolant, there will be a plastic tank in the engine compartment; make sure the level is between the maximum and minimum marks.
For engine oil, you will need to look for the dipstick on the side of the engine block. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off, and reinsert it. Then pull it out again and make sure the oil level is between the minimum and maximum marks. The same goes for transmission fluid; locate the dipstick and check the level between the minimum and maximum marks.
Be sure to read your owner’s manual to know when your car is due for an oil change, and stay on schedule to keep it running smoothly.
Lastly, make sure your windshield washer fluid is always filled up as well.
By regularly checking your car’s fluid levels, you can help keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently. Doing so is especially important when driving with your family, as it can help prevent accidents caused by malfunctioning parts or low fluid levels.
Get your car seats inspected
Car seat safety is essential for protecting your little ones from potential harm in the event of an accident. To ensure your car seats are properly installed and functioning, you should get them inspected regularly by a certified child passenger safety technician. Many children’s hospitals, fire stations, police departments, and other organizations offer free car seat safety inspections and training sessions.
When you take your car seat to be inspected, bring the instruction manual and all necessary parts, including the vehicle owner’s manual. A qualified technician will check to ensure the car seat is not expired or recalled, that it is properly attached to the vehicle and that the harness is adjusted correctly and securely fastened. The technician can also show you how to properly secure a baby in the car seat and answer any questions you have.
By taking the time to get your car seats inspected and making sure they’re installed correctly, you can have peace of mind knowing your family is safe when you’re out on the road.
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Nonprofit Hands of The Carpenter provides access to skilled technicians to help working single moms maintain their vehicles. Learn more and apply for the TLC program on our website.
