Proper Maintenance Can Protect You From Accidents

Posted By : Andrew

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For most vehicle owners, sticking to a maintenance schedule is something they do for three reasons: avoiding costly repairs down the line, keeping their cars on the road as long as possible, and reducing the likelihood of breaking down. There is one more reason that drivers seldom think about despite its importance, and it is related to avoiding road traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, poor auto maintenance can be attributed to more than 44,000 accidents each year, but researchers believe that this figure could actually be higher. The Crash Stats Report of the NHTSA cites mechanical failure as being the cause of 2 percent of all accidents across the United States; however, this is limited to issues identified by external visual inspections.

A neglected or poorly maintained car can easily turn into a road hazard that can endanger the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. By taking a more detailed look at the Crash Stats report, we can learn about the most critical auto maintenance issues that can result in accidents.TiresTire problems make up more than a third of the accidents involving mechanical failure causation, and this makes sense insofar as tires being the only part of your car that actually comes in contact with the road. If you think about it, when you drive in rainy or winter conditions, your tires become your main line of defense, but only if they are in good condition.

Worn out and balding tires that have lost their tread are the most common cause of blowouts, which are always dangerous because they can make you lose control of the vehicle. Not all blowouts are caused by road debris puncturing tires; improper pressure may also cause tires to burst. If you neglect to rotate your tires or get wheel alignments done, they will wear out faster and become less responsive, thus resulting in weak traction and braking.

Brakes

Tailgating and failing to keep a safe distance are often cited as the main causes of rear-end crashes, but there are also brake problems to consider. The NHTSA estimates that brake malfunction accounts for more than 20 percent of mechanical failure accidents. In the case of rear-end collisions, worn-out pads and discs can be problematic because estimating safe braking distances becomes difficult.

Poor stopping performance can be caused by anti-lock brake systems that have not been serviced in a while, and also by hydraulic fluid lines that are leaking or that have become clogged. Brake systems should never put at risk because they play a very important role in terms of keeping you safe on the road. Keep in mind that brake systems should be checked every 30,000 miles at a minimum, and you should never delay repairs when they are needed.

Windshield Wipers

Poor visibility on the highway is the cause of many accidents, and a faulty or deficient windshield wiper system is often to blame. If you neglect to change your wiper blades when they are worn out, your visibility will be compromised. If you do not repair the wiper motors when needed, chances are that they will fail when you need them the most.

Steering, Suspension and Engine Control Systems

As previously mentioned, researchers believe that mechanical failures cause more accidents than those counted by the NHTSA, and this is supported by the 3 percent incidence of collisions involving issues related to steering, suspension, and engine power management systems. Detecting these problems is a little more complicated for accident investigators after collisions, but they can certainly be determined by auto service technicians to lessen the risk of crashes.

Power steering, as well as rack and pinion systems, are more complex than many vehicle owners realize, and the same can be said about suspension systems, which are crucial in terms of providing stability and ease of driving. In the case of engine control systems, imagine not being able to accelerate when making a left turn at a busy intersection with incoming traffic.

When our technicians spot issues that can compromise your safety on the road, they will let you know, and these are the problems that should be fixed right away before they turn into dangerous mechanical failures. Keeping your car safe is always easier if you follow a recommended maintenance schedule.