Once you develop a systematic approach to checking your car, light truck or van, it takes only a few minutes. Some items should be inspected every day, while others can be inspected on a weekly basis. Information below is laid out in an order that many find to be a logical step-wise flow for an efficient inspection. The tips provide helpful guidance and useful reminders. Click on the links for brief instructional videos or step by step instructions on how to inspect each item, and what you should be looking for during the inspection.
| Item | Daily | Weekly | Tips | Website Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Daily | Weekly | Tips | Website Info |
| Engine Oil | Before starting the engine, check the oil level daily; top up as necessary. | Consult your owner’s manual to confirm the oil you use is the right viscosity if operating in extreme heat or cold. | How to Check Engine Oil | |
| Tires-Air Pressure | Visually confirm tires look to be properly inflated. Check for signs of tire damage or unusual wear. | Use a tire gauge to confirm all tires are inflated to manufacturer recommendations. | Find tire inflation recommendations posted on the driver side door jamb or in the glove box and listed in your owner's manual. | Tire Safety Tips |
| Spare Tire | Use tire gauge to confirm inflated to recommended pressure. | If you have full size spare tire, you may want to rotate it into use to achieve even tire wear. | Tire Maintenance 101 | |
| Tires-Tread Depth | Use a tread depth gauge to check tread depth of all tires. | The Motor Vehicle Act requires that tires be replaced when tread depth wears to 2/32" (or 1.6 mm). At best, that provides marginal traction in ideal road conditions. When roads are wet it's not enough tread to prevent hydro-planing. Plan to replace tires when tread depth is 4/32" or 3.2 mm. | Transport Canada Tire Safety | |
| Headlights | Confirm hi-beams, low-beams and fog lights work. |
Headlight Maintenance
BC Vehicle Lighting Requirements |
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| Tail lights | Check that taillights work. | Between regular wash jobs, use a damp cloth to clean dirt and road film from all light lenses. | ||
| Turn Signals | Confirm both front and rear signal lights work. | |||
| Emergency Signals | Confirm emergency flashers are operational. | |||
| Windshield | Start your driving day with a clean view of the world. Check for rock chips. | Use a clean cloth and automotive windshield cleaner to clean the INSIDE of your windshield. | ||
| Wipers | Confirm wiper controls work, and wiper blades clear the windshield. | Replace wiper blades when you see streaks or gaps in their path. Switch to winter wiper blades in October. | Replacing Your Wiper Blades | |
| Heater / Defroster | Check fan and flow direction controls are working well. | |||
| Horn | Confirm horn works. | |||
| Seatbelts | Confirm seatbelts and mechanisms (latches, emergency restraint, recoil) work properly. | Most vehicles have adjustable shoulder belts; adjust it so that the shoulder belt rests on the middle of your collar bone rather than on neck or shoulder. | Adjust Seatbelt to Protect Yourself | |
| Rear Vision Mirrors | Confirm mirrors are clean, free of damage and adjusted for your driving position. | Set your mirrors for optimal rearward visibility. Use the video links to find out more. | Adjust Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots
Adjust Your Mirrors |
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| In-Cab Ergonomics | Adjust your seat position, steering column (tilt / telescopic) and headrest location for your optimal driving position. | Confirm your driving area is free of clutter. Ensure all items in the cab are secured / stowed. | Vehicle Ergonomics
Ergonomics For Truckers |
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| Parking Brake | Test parking brake for operation and holding capacity (see website). | If your vehicle has a manual transmission, you use your parking brake daily. If you have an automatic transmission, it’s still best practice to set the parking brake when you park. | Test Your Parking Brake | |
| Brakes | As you back out of the garage and before you enter traffic, gently apply your brakes to confirm they are operating as they should. | Find a quiet location with no other traffic (oncoming or behind you) grip the steering wheel and give your brakes a firm application to confirm your ABS system is working. | How To Check Disc Brakes
How To Check ABS Brakes |
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| Instrument Panel - Gauges / Warning Lights | Confirm no warning lights are flashing. If there are, engage a technician to address them immediately. | Instrument lights working. | If your vehicle has gauges (e.g. oil pressure, charge rate, coolant temperature) confirm they indicate normal operating temperatures / pressures. | |
| Body Damage | Look for door dings, scrapes and scratches that may have occurred the previous day. | Watch for loose hubcaps or body stripping, rock chips. Note and report them immediately. | ||
| Battery | Confirm battery is securely mounted; ensure battery terminal connections are tight (tug test) and check for signs of corrosion; confirm battery mount is secure. | How to Check Your Car Battery | ||
| Vehicle Documents | Take your drivers licence with you. Have a copy of the registration on board. | Check expiry dates of insurance documents and renew before expiry. | ||
| Licence Plate | Confirm licence plate remains firmly attached, visible. | Ensure licence plate lights work. | ||
| Transmission | Check automatic transmission fluid level. | Checking Auto Trans Fluid Level | ||
| Steering | Assess the "free play" in your steering system to confirm it remains tight (no excess free-play). | |||
| Engine Belts and Hoses | With the engine off and cool, visually inspect belts and hoses. Gently tug them to confirm they are secure. If you see evidence of leaks, kinks, splits, cracks or abrasion, have a technician check it. | Replace engine belts consistent with manufacturer’s recommendations, or as signs of wear become evident. | Checking Belts and Hoses | |
| Engine Noises | Listen for any unusual sounds (tics, pings, rattles, knocks). | Listen for new or increasingly loud exhaust sounds. | ||
| Roadside Emergency / First Aid Kit | Confirm necessary contents are present. | Check expiry dates and replace items as they expire. | Build Your Own Vehicle Emergency Kit
Winter Driving Emergency Kit |
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| Windshield Washer | Check there is enough washer fluid. | Use washer fluid with bug remover in summer, and winter washer fluid when travelling in sub-zero temperatures. Have an extra container with you for longer road trips in dirty conditions. | ||
| Coolant Level | Visually confirm coolant is within operating range level in reservoir. | Checking The Coolant Level | ||
| Brake Fluid Level | Check reservoir fluid level is within correct operating range. | How to Check Brake Fluid Level | ||
| Power Steering Fluid Level | Check reservoir fluid level is within correct operating range. | How to Check & Add Power Steering Fluid | ||
| Leak Check | As you walk around your vehicle, peer underneath it looking for fluid on the ground or accumulating on component. As you enter your parking spot at work or home, watch for evidence. | If you drive a lot during a day, stop every 2 hours and stretch your legs. While you are walking around your vehicle, check the vehicle for loose wheel nuts, warm brakes, etc. | ||
