Most car owners know that vehicle maintenance is essential. If check-ups are not regularly performed, a short trip to the store or out-of-town journey may lead to misadventure, frustration and even a crash.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 2% of road crashes are attributed to vehicle breakdowns or improperly maintained vehicles. At a moment’s notice, a car-related issue may turn into a tragedy. That is why it is essential to not neglect vehicle maintenance.
Tires, brakes and steering
More than a decade ago, the NHTSA did a study on the causes of motor vehicle crashes. The agency conducted its National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey during a 30-month period from 2005 to 2007, determining that poorly maintained vehicles led to 44,000 crashes during that time. That amount is equivalent to nearly 18,000 crashes per year.
Those crashes were due to an assortment of vehicle-related problems, including:
- Tire- and wheel-related (35%): Keep a steady eye on those tires. Problems with treads, baldness, blown and underinflated tires may lead to a driver losing control of the vehicle.
- Brakes-related (22%): Brakes that fail to work properly, sometimes, come into play, leading to the driver unable to stop the car. Causes may include degraded or overheated brakes as well as worn brakes lines, pads and discs.
- Steering/suspension/transmission/engine failure (3%): With steering and suspension problems, a driver may lose control of the vehicle. Transmission and engine problems may lead to quicker acceleration.
- Other problems (40%): This may include a range of issues from non-functioning headlights and taillights to worn-out and inoperable windshield wipers.
Stay on top of vehicle maintenance of your car. You will thank yourself for doing so.
Avoiding future problems
Please make sure to have a mechanic regularly perform maintenance to your vehicle. A mechanic may spot an existing problem as well as problems that may surface in the future. A good-working car may minimize the chance of mechanical failure that could lead to a crash.