With the travelling season again on our hands, the Nigerian motorists’ worst nightmare is having to break down far from where the nearest help may be. For that reason, it’s vitally important to ensure that your car is in a serviceable condition before setting out on any journey, no matter how near or distant it may be.

Outside of your cars periodic maintenance service, cars, like humans, require regular check-ups, especially before a long journey. Making sure that the car is properly serviced by qualified professionals in a proper garage and all preparatory checks are done before setting off such as engine and transmission oil levels, engine coolant levels, brake fluid levels, tire pressures etc are among a host of other things that a good motorist should do to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

With today's computer controlled cars and the ever increasing sophistication in automobile technology, keeping tab of a check list on your average modern car has all of a sudden become a daunting prospect. Car owners have to keep scratching their heads and wondering what to check next.

A badly repaired car and the lack of pre-travel checks are a leading cause of road side breakdowns and traffic accidents and these pose a serious risk to the safety of individuals on the road. A recent FRSC poll showed that over 80 percent of the Nigerian motorists do not bother to have the most basic checks done before setting off on a long distance journey.

On a recent trip by road from Abuja to Lagos, I counted no fewer than 13 broken down cars by the roadside (some of them were in the middle of nowhere) with their engine bonnets opened up and occupants peering into the engine bay at what may appear to them to be a black hole.

With the deplorable conditions of most Nigerian roads and the lack of adequate and efficient roadside breakdown assistance, faith in the Almighty, rather than your car or your mechanic is what you may require to make it from point A to B.

Before embarking on a journey, forward thinking and planning is essential in order to allow reasonable time to carry out any repairs that may be required hence reducing the risk of disappointment. Its more advisable to have your car checked two or three days before your travel date and have it certified with a clean bill of health. This also allows you to test the car properly prior to your travel date.

Taking your car to a qualified mechanic to do a pre-travel check is always recommended if not essential but there are simple checks that you can carry out by yourself so why don’t you start by checking it yourself.

Start by checking the battery and ensure that the battery is capable of cranking the engine and maintaining its charge while under load with headlights, air-conditioning and a few other electrical components in operation. This would also simultaneously check the alternators charging capability. In the event of an alternator failing to supply charge to the battery, all operational electrical components including the ECU (Electronic Control Unit; usually called Brain Box) use up the batteries strength with the consequence resulting in a complete shut down due to low voltage and the car would stall permanently until the problem is rectified.

Another common cause of engine failure is the lack of sufficient engine oil. Always check the engine oil level. Pull out the dipstick and ensure that the oil level is on the top mark. Engine damage could result if your engine oil level drops too low or poor quality oil being used. Ensure that you top up with engine oil of the same grade of engine oil in your car engine. Refer to your car manufacturer’s handbook for the correct specifications. The same applies to your transmission especially if you drive an automatic car.

Check your radiator coolant level and if low, top it up. This is to ensure that your car doesn't overheat and breakdown with a blown head gasket during the course of your journey.

Ensure that your windscreen washer tank is filled with water, so that you will be able to wash your windscreen whenever necessary. Also check for wear on your wipers. Worn out wipers will leave streaks on your windscreen that may obstruct your view especially when driving in rain.

You should always check your tires and their recommended pressures and ensure they are measured to the right values. An astonishing 58% of motorway accidents are a result of tire failures usually caused by incorrectly inflated tires.

Make sure that all head lights, brake lights and indicators are fully functional and any blown bulb replaced.

Also make sure that the brake fluid is at the recommended level and that the brake pads and discs or drums are within their wear limits.
With the engine switched off, check that all engine driven belts are reasonably tight and not too loose.

Check power steering fluid and top up if necessary.

Make sure that you carry an emergency kit at all times such as warning triangles, spare tire, jack and wheel spanner, a tool kit. A few extra liters of water, engine oil, transmission and brake fluid may come in handy in a tight situation.

It’s also essential to keep your mobile phone fully charged as you may need to keep in contact if anything goes wrong.

Make sure that all relevant documents to your vehicle as well as your driver’s license are with you to avoid unnecessary delays at vehicle checking points.

A common mistake that motorists make is setting off without sufficient fuel in the tank usually in the hope that they could always refuel along the way only to be surprised that when the empty tank indicator begins to flash, that the nearest filling station is beyond where the reserve would carry them. Always also ensure that you fill up your tank with sufficient fuel before setting off.

After all these, just say a prayer for a safe journey.

Safe journey and Happy Sallah to all Nairalanders.

Car-Doctor.

Oga, u forgot this:

Always have 200naira change because of those riff-raffs on Oyo road asking 4 road worthiness!

Damojo: Oga, u forgot this:

Always have 200naira change because of those riff-raffs on Oyo road asking 4 road worthiness!

What of the riff raffs on the Benin by-pass?

https://www.nairaland.com/1475870/how-prepared-car-journey

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