Periodic Safety Checks You Should Perform Outside the Vehicle

Tires

Inspect the tires for excessive or uneven tread wear. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects embedded in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges. Check the wheel nut/bolt torque. Check the tires (including the spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.

Lights

Ask someone to observe the brake lights and exterior lights while you operate the controls. Check the turn signal and high beam indicators on the instrument panel.

Door Latches

Check that the doors close, latch, and lock properly.

Fluid Leaks

Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking for leaks of fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluids. In addition, if fuel vapor is detected, or if fuel or a brake fluid leak is suspected, the cause must be located and corrected immediately.