Truck drivers, the drivers of those 18-wheel monstrosities we see on the roads around McHenry, are required by law to conduct a Pre-Trip Inspection each day before they drive. It makes a lot of sense considering how much damage a 40-ton tractor-trailer can do if something goes wrong.

Performing an inspection before you drive makes sense for those of us operating 4-wheel, 1-1/2-ton little monsters, too.

If something breaks while a 40-ton truck is hurtling down the road, get out of the way. But, if something goes wrong while you’re steering your car down a McHenry road, the potential for injury and worse is very real.

How do you avoid having something break while driving? It’s impossible to absolutely avoid this potentiality. Things break. That’s all there is to it. But you can dramatically reduce the possibility of something going wrong while you drive down the road by staying on top of your vehicle’s condition. Of course, a pre-trip inspection of your car can also help you to avoid issues that, while not necessarily creating hazards, can be costly in repairs.

What should you look for when conducting an inspection? Here’s a Quick Inspection Check List you can use to Pre-Trip your car before heading out on the road from your McHenry home or office:

• Lights: this includes the headlights, high beams, running lights, turn signals, reverse lights, and brake lights.
• Wipers: check the rubber on the wipers and make sure they operate properly. Check that the spritzers operate properly when you want to spray windshield washer solvent on the windshield.
• 4-Corners: This refers to the tires and wheels. Do all your tires have correct inflation? Do they have sufficient tread depth and a lack of visible damage – cuts, bulges or abrasions? Are all the lug nuts holding the wheels to the car secure? Do the brake rotors appear scored or worn? Is there enough pad left to the brake pads?
• Body: check that all body parts are secure and that nothing is hanging improperly below the vehicle.
• Under the hood: Check the oil, coolant/antifreeze, washer-solvent reservoir, brake fluid and power-steering fluid. Make sure there is no sign on the pavement below the vehicle of any of these leaking. Check that the battery connectors are secure and that there is no corrosion. Check the belts that they are not cut, frayed or loose (about ¾” play when you press on the belt).
• The trunk: Check that your spare tire has sufficient air and that all the jack equipment is present and in good condition so you can change the tire if necessary. It’s winter so you should make sure that you have a spare blanket, in case you have a breakdown, as well as some kitty litter to put under the tires if you need traction when stuck somewhere. Jumper cables or a battery pack to jump start the car if your battery dies is a good idea, too.
• Inside: You should already have checked all the lighting controls. Press your foot on the brake and check that it is operating properly. Check that the heater is operating correctly and that the defroster is blowing air up on the windshield. Do you have a proper ice-scraper and brush?
• In your pockets: Make sure your cell phone is charged, that you have your charger and/or bring a battery backup along. Make sure you have your driver’s license and insurance card. It’s a great idea to have roadside assistance, too.
• Once driving: observe that the brakes feel the way they should and stop the car as intended? How does the steering feel? Is there an unusual looseness to the steering wheel? Are there any unusual sounds or smells?

Doing all of these checks will go a long way to helping you avoid problems while driving. They’ll also help so that you’ll catch problems before they become severe and spread. A Pre-Trip Inspection of your McHenry car simply makes as much sense as a Pre-Trip of an 18-wheeler even if the prior is not required by law.