Preparing the car for departure

Before you hit the road, check the technical condition of the car. It will take no more than 15 minutes, but during the trip you will be sure that the systems and units are working. The check must be carried out even with daily use of the car, if everything seems to work flawlessly. Part of the work can be done while the engine is warming up, saving a few minutes.

1. Be sure to check the air pressure in the tires and, if necessary, bring it to the recommended for this type of tire. A pressure difference in the range of 0.2–0.3 kgf/cm² can degrade the vehicle's handling characteristics, ride smoothness, and lead to unwanted skidding or skidding when braking. Due to the reduced pressure in the tires, the tread wears out faster and more fuel is consumed.

2. Inspect the parking space under the car. If there are leaks of oil or operating fluids, check the tightness of the units and systems of the car, if possible, eliminate the leak before leaving.

3. Walk around the car. Check:

• set of removable parts (wiper blades, exterior mirrors, etc.);
• integrity of body glass, headlight lenses and lanterns. Do not put off replacing broken diffusers. Replace cracked body glass as soon as possible;
• tire condition. Radial tires have soft sidewalls. Tires with nominal inflation pressure appear to be flat. Remember their appearance (draft);
• presence and condition of license plates.

Attention! Headlights, taillights and license plates must be clean.

4. Check the oil level in the crankcase and top up if necessary.


5. Check the brake fluid levels in the brake master cylinder reservoir and coolant levels in the expansion tank. If necessary, add fluid to the norm.

6. We recommend checking the oil level in the gearbox and topping it up if necessary.

7. Check the operation of the parking brake. To do this, raising the lever all the way, count the number of clicks. If there are more than eight clicks and the parking brake system does not hold the car on a 25% slope, the parking brake must be adjusted.

8. Check the operation of the horn.

9. Check the operation of the headlights, taillights and direction indicators.

10. Before driving, be sure to check the operation of the brake system with the vehicle stationary by pressing the brake pedal. If the pedal without resistance «failed» to the floor, then the brake system is faulty. The operation of such a vehicle is prohibited.

Note. Before a long trip, and also after a long break in operation, check the condition of the spare wheel and complete the car with tools and accessories.

Make a decision if there is a problem (subject to the requirements of the Rules of the road) about starting a trip or about car repairs.