How to Keep Your Car Safe Every Day

Tyres and Brakes: The Two Things You Should Never Ignore

To keep your car safe to check your tyre and brake daily

Hey, let’s talk about the stuff that actually keeps you alive on the road—your tyres and brakes.

Tires: Your Car’s Only Contact with the Road

1. Air Pressure – Do It When the Car Is Cold

Every morning, before I drive anywhere :

I keep a cheap tire gauge in my car.

• Open driver’s door.

• See the sticker (like 33 front, 35 rear).
• Remove cap, press gauge, add air if low.

Pro tip: Gas stations have free air. Use it!

Hyundai drivers: Your dashboard shows each tire’s pressure. If the TPMS light turns on, one tire is likely 4–5 PSI low.

2. Check for Damage (30-Second Walk

Just walk around the car:

• Is a tire flat or leaning?

• Any big cracks, bubbles, or nails?
• Tread too smooth? Do Penny test: → Put a penny in the groove, Lincoln’s head down. → If you see the top of his head → get new tires.

Penny Test – Super Simple Way to Check Tire Tread

1. Take a penny (Lincoln’s head facing you).
2. Push it into the tire groove (the deep lines in the tread).
   • Lincoln’s head goes in first (down).
3. Look:
   • Can’t see the top of his head? → Tread is deep enough (safe).
   • See the top of his head? → Tread is too worn → Replace tires now.

Why?

• Legal/safe tread depth = 2/32 inch (1.6 mm).
• The distance from the edge of the penny to Lincoln’s head = exactly 2/32 inch.
• If his head shows → less than 2/32 inch left → slippery in rain, risk of blowout.

Do this on all 4 tires, in multiple grooves. Takes 1 minute.

Rotate Tires Every 10,000 km

• Front tires wear out faster, especially with lots of turns.
• Swap them front to back at a shop for about $30.
• Helps all four tires last longer.

Real Brake and Tire Problems I’ve Faced

• Vibration at 100 km/h: Steering wheel shook. Got tires balanced for.
• Car pulled left: Had to fight the wheel to drive straight. Got a wheel alignment.
• Slow leak: TPMS light came on every 3 days. Patched a nail hole.

Brakes: Your Life-Saving Button

Brakes: Your Safety Stop

1. Listen When You Brake

• Squealing? Brake pads are wearing out. Safe for now, but replace soon.
• Grinding? Metal is scraping. Don’t drive—call a tow truck.
• Soft pedal? Pedal goes too far down—could be low fluid or a leak. Get to a shop today.

Check Brake Fluid Monthly

• Open the hood and find a small plastic tank near the back wall (firewall). It’s labeled DOT 3 or DOT 4.
• Fluid level should be between MIN and MAX marks.
• If the fluid is brown or black, replace it (every 2 years).

Check Your Brake Pads

• Look through the wheel spokes at the metal caliper and shiny disc.
• The brake pad is between them.
  • Thicker than a pencil? All good.
  • Thinner than a coin? Replace soon.
• I changed mine after watching a 10-minute YouTube video and saved $200.

Brake Warning Signs

• Red “BRAKE” light: Parking brake is on or brake fluid is low.

• Yellow ABS light: Sensor is dirty or broken.

• Shaking when braking: Rotors are warped—resurface or replace them.

My Quick 2-Minute Morning Car Check

1. Walk around the car and check tires for flats or damage.
2. Get in, press the brake pedal (engine off). Feels firm? All good.
3. Start the engine. No red brake light? Ready to go.

When to Call a Mechanic Right Away

• Hear a grinding noise when braking.
• Brake pedal feels soft and sinks to the floor.
• Smell burning when you stop the car.
• Steering wheel shakes a lot when you brake.

My Money-Saving Car Tips

• Order tires online (like Tyre Rack) and get them installed locally.
• Replace wiper blades and air filters myself.
• Check tire pressure weekly to save fuel and extend tyre life.

Final Note

Tires and brakes don’t care about your car’s brand or age. Spend 5 minutes a week checking them. Do it for your family’s safety. Go check your tyres now!

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