You really do need to check, often

There is only one person who has ultimate responsibility for the safety of your vehicle – and that’s you. Relying on others to do it on your behalf is not a wise decision.

Regular checks of your lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, water and oil levels should be accompanied by checks on tyre tread depth, inflation pressures – including the spare wheel – and your wheel nuts.

A case in point. I recently stopped at a store and the vehicle in the bay next to me had one, just the one, wheel nut of the five that should have been there on the left-front wheel. See the photo on this article.

I thought perhaps someone had tried to steal the wheels off his car and were disturbed, but I tracked him down in the store to find out that he had recently got the car back from a workshop. It seems that, for whatever reason, they had neglected to replace all of the nuts.

This serves as another indication, do not take it for granted that your vehicle is returned to you in the correct condition – no matter who you are dealing with. Humans are fallible in all things and you don’t want their failing to result in your harm.

Your safety remains your responsibility.

Author: Morné Condon

Automotive journalist in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, following new models, old cars, car clubs and motorsport. My interests are not restricted to the automotive environment, although this is where I am mostly to be found. View all posts by Morné Condon