Ever Heard of the Term ‘FLOWERY’ Associated With Your Vehicle?
Now the temporary six-month MOT exemption ruling is in place (though subject to change so keep checking www.gov.uk for updates.), it’s more important than ever before that you regularly carry out safety checks on your vehicle. By law, drivers will still be expected to maintain their cars and keep them roadworthy all year round and during its exemption period. Hefty fines can be issued should your car be deemed as unsafe and could also not be covered under insurance in some circumstances.
So, what should be included in a vehicle safety check? FLOWERY, of course! If you follow the FLOWERY guide, then you can ensure your car is maintained as well as it can be without our intervention. FLOWERY stands for –
- F – Fuel
- L – Lights
- O – Oil
- W – Water
- E – Electrics
- R – Rubber
- Y – You
F is for FUEL
Always keep tabs on your fuel level. Do not let it run to red, as the vehicle will end up running on the dregs from the bottom of the tank which is not good for the engine.
An obvious one, but make sure you know what fuel type to put in. It can be a very expensive mistake to make if you put the wrong type in your tank.
L is for LIGHTS
By law, all external lights on a vehicle MUST be working at all times. For example, it doesn’t matter if you only drive in daylight, the headlights should still work. Reverse and brake lights can be checked by a friend (safely, of course) and you can check your headlights and indicators yourself when the car is in a safe place and is stationery. Keep a bulb kit in your car; they are not very expensive and much cheaper than if you are stopped and issued with a fixed fine and points on your license.
O is for OIL
Try and check your oil level each week. Don’t assume that the oil warning light will flash up when your oil level is low and will give you enough time to stop and fill up. If you’re on a short, slow journey and close proximity to where you can get engine oil, the warning light should give you enough distance to top up. However, if you’re on a long journey on a motorway and miles from the next services, you run the risk of overheating the engine and possibly seizing up altogether – which costs an eye-watering sum to repair.
W is for WATER
Water covers both the engine coolant level and the windscreen washer fluid. Coolant stops the engine from overheating. Check that the level always sits between the maximum and the minimum lines. Windscreen washer fluid can sometimes feel like it lasts forever or runs out the day after you’ve topped it up, it just depends on your driving. A long motorway journey on a wet day will need a lot of windscreen spraying! It is against the law for you to have no water in the windscreen washer reservoir, as it can be seen as a deliberate obstruction to your windscreen and deemed unsafe.
E is for ELECTRICS
Vehicle electrics work the horn, wipers, demisters, radio among other areas. Faulty wipers or a faulty horn are both things you can be fined for. They can also be a sign that other electrics in the vehicle have failed, or certainly will do soon. All cars these days are fitted with a CPU (an internal computer if you like) which can flag up problems with the electrics in the car.
R is for RUBBER
It is not just about tyres! The rubber on windscreen wipers should also be well maintained and keep a clear windscreen at all times.
Tyres should have no cuts or bulges. There should be at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyres. Tyre tread is extremely important on wet roads as they help you to steer, brake and accelerate properly and safely.
Make sure you have the correct level of air in all of your tyres to ensure the handling and grip of each tyre on the road is at its correct and safest level.
Y is for YOU
Are YOU fit to drive? When did you last consume alcohol? Are you on any medication that may alter your judgement on the roads? Have you had your eyes tested recently? Are you tired? Ask yourself every time you get behind the “Am I fit to drive?”. This doesn’t just affect you, but all other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians that you encounter when out on the road.
If you are concerned that your vehicle may be unroadworthy and in need of a service or essential maintenance, get in touch with our expert team