Car safety checks

[Gnyce09]

i think that sewing pin is qonna work i been havin problems with that my self

[CappuccinoLX]

My biggest problem is remembering to release the e-brake when I take off...

haha me too. i tend to drive a few feet and then hear the tires skid and go "oh shit!"

[chronicponic]

My biggest problem is remembering to release the e-brake when I take off...

[TomQuick]

I find that self loosening wheel nuts, and especially just 3 days after I've just tightened them, is almost always the result of me forgetting to actually tighten them after I've let the car down off the jack. My mother nearly lost a front wheel off her '89 Accord a few years back for exactly that reason. She called me from the side of the road and said there's this strange noise coming from the front of the car, sounds a bit like a helicopter, and I instantly knew that I'd forgotten to torque those lug nuts down.

[evil_demon_01]

Loose nuts can damage the studs and the holes in the wheel.

Usually the main reason for "self loosening" wheel nuts is that the holes in the wheels are damaged so the nut doesn't seat properly.
Another reason is using wheel nuts with the wrong taper for the particular wheel.

[INTHEWOODSCB7]

Hi I Usually Always Do Routine Saftey Checks But While Coming Home From Work My Steering Started Vibrating It Got Worse And Worse Till I Got Home I Thought It Was My Wheel Bearing While Driving But Then When I Got Home And Checked All The Lugs On The Front Left Were Extremly Loose Almost Completly Off.i Always Torque Em Down To 80lbs And Just Did That 3 Days Ago.was Wondering If Driving On The Loose Lugs For About 10miles At 35mph Couldve Messed Up Anything Else.and Also Why Would They Loosen Up In The First Place Unless Someone Did It But I Dont Think They Did After All I Live Inthewoods.thanks In Advance To Anyone Who Could Help.

[evil_demon_01]

Great to hear people are actually using this!!

Is there anything else people would like me to add after doing this check?

[heero357]

very informative. i did everything on my car myself & i need to make sure it stays rite so i regularly check it out. preventative maintenance saves$$$$.

[project_x]

Who doesnt do this already ya slackerssss

[Lone_Bassist]

i got trapped on the way to WA because i pulled over and slept in the car (24hrs of driving will do that) and when i awoke they were locked-up after 15min of tryin' to free them i gave up.

then i took a fat pee on em' and the were free!
gross... a bit. poor soviet's brakes getting abused BUT it worked.
wish i had some water, or something but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[mtnbikaah]

i believe its just pads to rotor that freeze.

[evil_demon_01]

i never use my E-brake..back right tire locks up, gotta beat on the brake line when that happens lol

Why not just fix the problem?

it's no good when your rear pads freeze to the rotor though..... which happens in the winter
i've had it happen when the fronts were on ice and couldnt move the car, hah. and when the rears have been frozen on ice and been dragged by the fronts.

but yes, it is a good idea to use the e-brake to make sure it works. i just don't recommend using it for parking in the winter unless absolutely necessary (or that it's been dry out).

i most often just leave it in 1st or reverse (for those with a 5sp).

just my 2cents.

Admittidly I don't live in that type of climate, Though If it happens to the fronts, the rears will be the least of your worries.
There must be a way around it though?
What part actually freezes/locks? The caliper or the pads?

[mtnbikaah]

Honestly, I would hope EVERYONE uses their handbrake (for the US inclined - E-brake) everytime they step out of their car.
If an emergency situation is the first time you think you need to use your handbrake then I can't help you.

However I will add handbrake details this weekend for you guys

it's no good when your rear pads freeze to the rotor though..... which happens in the winter
i've had it happen when the fronts were on ice and couldnt move the car, hah. and when the rears have been frozen on ice and been dragged by the fronts.

but yes, it is a good idea to use the e-brake to make sure it works. i just don't recommend using it for parking in the winter unless absolutely necessary (or that it's been dry out).

i most often just leave it in 1st or reverse (for those with a 5sp).

just my 2cents.

[s-Lowcb7]

It's a way of life for those of us with manuals. But, if the cable is not regularly exercised it could become a recipe for disaster.

i never use my E-brake..back right tire locks up, gotta beat on the brake line when that happens lol

[be3p067]

Honestly, I would hope EVERYONE uses their handbrake (for the US inclined - E-brake) everytime they step out of their car.
If an emergency situation is the first time you think you need to use your handbrake then I can't help you.

However I will add handbrake details this weekend for you guys

It's a way of life for those of us with manuals. But, if the cable is not regularly exercised it could become a recipe for disaster.