
BALTIMORE, Md. – With car journey nearing pre-pandemic ranges and the beginning of the summer season journey season approaching, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is recommending that drivers verify their autos’ important methods to stop mechanical breakdowns. A easy “Five-Minute Walkaround” can probably save a whole lot or hundreds of {dollars} in car repairs.
“Each year, we see vehicle breakdowns during the hot days of summer that could have been avoided with a simple check prior to a trip,” stated MDOT SHA Chief Operating Officer Andre Futrell. “A vehicle check only takes a few minutes and can help avoid costly repairs and keep you on the road.”
In 2021, MDOT SHA freeway response technicians offered practically 36,000 motorist assists, most of them attributable to car mechanical breakdowns. Common sense preventative upkeep can present a stage of car safety for drivers who’re making ready to journey by motorcar in the course of the sizzling summer season months.
Check the next important car methods:
- Tires. Ensure there’s sufficient tire tread and no obvious defects. Also ensure tire stress is on the acceptable stage.
- Cooling system. Check the situation of cooling hoses and that there aren’t any radiator leaks. An simple technique to verify on that is to place a bit of plain brown cardboard below the radiator for a night and verify the next morning for any leaks.
- Essential fluids. Check the degrees of engine oil, transmission, energy steering and brake fluids.
- Vehicle lighting methods. Ensure headlights, tail lights, working lights and switch indicators are all operational. See and be seen.
- Fuel. Make certain you’ve gotten sufficient gas (gasoline or diesel) within the tank. For electrical autos, ensure there’s a full cost earlier than venturing on a visit.
Should a mechanical breakdown happen, motorists ought to get their car as far out of journey lanes as attainable and stay within the car. Drivers can dial #77 for state police help.
MDOT SHA works arduous to take care of protected visitors mobility in work zones for our crews in addition to our clients. Drivers want to remain alert, deal with driving and, search for decreased velocity limits, in addition to different driving sample adjustments. Please drive such as you work right here and decelerate in building zones.
For a listing of all main MDOT SHA initiatives, go to roads.maryland.gov. For a take a look at real-time visitors situations, go to md511.maryland.gov.