Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
Includes the following, but not limited to:
•Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
• Driver Seat Belt Unbuckled
• Passenger Seat Belt Unbuckled
• Traction Control Off
• Washer Fluid Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Oil Change Due
• Fuel Low
• Service Anti-lock Brake System
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Service Power Steering
• Cruise Off
• Cruise Ready
• ACC Override
• Cruise Set To XXX MPH or km/h •
Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s)
• Service Tire Pressure System
• Park Brake Engaged
• Brake Fluid Low
• Engine Temperature Hot
• Lights On
• Right Front Turn Signal Light Out
• Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out
• Left Front Turn Signal Light Out
• Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out
• Ignition or Accessory On
• Vehicle Not In Park
• Remote Start Active Push Start Button
• Remote Start Canceled Fuel Low
• Remote Start Canceled Too Cold
• Remote Start Canceled Door Open
• Remote Start Canceled Hood Open
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 263
