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BLOWBAGETS: 10 Things To Check Before You Drive: Venus Zoleta

BLOWBAGETS is a mnemonic that stands for 10 things drivers should check before getting behind the wheel: battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self. Checking these items helps prevent accidents and breakdowns. The acronym breaks down each letter and provides tips for inspecting the battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, tire pressure, gas level, basic engine operations, tire tread wear, and one's mental and physical state. Regularly inspecting these areas according to the BLOWBAGETS list can help keep drivers and passengers safe on the road.

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3K views

BLOWBAGETS: 10 Things To Check Before You Drive: Venus Zoleta

BLOWBAGETS is a mnemonic that stands for 10 things drivers should check before getting behind the wheel: battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self. Checking these items helps prevent accidents and breakdowns. The acronym breaks down each letter and provides tips for inspecting the battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, tire pressure, gas level, basic engine operations, tire tread wear, and one's mental and physical state. Regularly inspecting these areas according to the BLOWBAGETS list can help keep drivers and passengers safe on the road.

Uploaded by

earl soriano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BLOWBAGETS: 10 Things

to Check Before You Drive


Venus Zoleta
15 April 2019

BLOWBAGETS: Tips for Road Safety | Moneymax


Ever heard of BLOWBAGETS? This motoring term stands
for battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self.
Sounds a little funny, yes, but it’s a serious reminder about checking your car to
prevent an accident or breakdown (We have the PNP-Highway Patrol Group to
thank for this handy mnemonic).
Whether you’re heading out on a summer road trip or just driving to work, make it
a habit to inspect your car. It’s impossible to check every nook and cranny of your
four-wheeled machine when you’re rushing to your destination. But minding your
BLOWBAGETS before driving off will keep you and your passengers safe on the
road.
Don’t be a kamote driver by always checking your BLOWBAGETS. What does it
really mean? Let’s break it down for you.
Battery

BLOWBAGETS - Battery
Your car won’t start with a dead battery. If your battery dies in the middle of
driving, you’ll get stuck on the side of the road. You know how dangerous that is.
Before you get in your car, make sure your battery has a strong charge, clean
terminals, and proper cable-to-terminal connection. Car batteries typically last for
three to four years. Replace yours if it’s almost near the end of its service life.
Lights
Fully functioning auto lights are a safety must-have for nighttime driving.
However, their bulbs burn out or get defective over time. This is why you have to
inspect your car’s lights regularly.
Test your headlights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, and tail lights in the
garage. The light beam should reflect on the wall. To confirm if the lights are
working properly, ask someone to stand in front and then behind the car as you
operate the lights.
Check also your lights for dirt, cracks, and breakage. If you spot any, have your
lights cleaned or fixed.
Oil

BLOWBAGETS - Oil
Your car needs oil to lubricate all engine components. Too little oil is bad for your
engine—it can cause wear and tear on its moving parts. When your vehicle runs
out of oil, your engine will stop working, and you’ll be dealing with expensive
repair bills.
Check your engine’s oil level and color. When the oil is below the minimum level,
it’s time to refill. Look also for leaks, as they’re a sign that your car is quickly
losing oil.
Water
Overheating is every motorist’s worst nightmare. A simple check of the water in
your radiator will save you from that road disaster.
It also helps to have several one-liter bottles of water in your trunk, just in case
your car overheats while you’re driving and you need to put water in the radiator to
cool the engine down.

Brake

BLOWBAGETS - Brake
Faulty brakes are a disaster waiting to happen. Lower your chance of meeting a
road accident—ensure that your brake system is working properly before you take
your car out of the garage. Push the brake pedal all the way to the floor. It
shouldn’t feel spongy and have little to no resistance. Otherwise, it isn’t safe to
drive when the brakes are weak.
Air
Are your tires properly inflated? Keep the right tire pressure to prevent accidents
and decreased fuel economy. Tires, regardless if they’re old or new, lose air over
time. This problem isn’t easy to detect with the naked eye—you’ll need to use a
tire pressure gauge. Check the tires also for nails and other sharp objects that
puncture them.
Gas

BLOWBAGETS - Gas
Especially during long drives, a full gas tank is important. Imagine how
troublesome it would be if you run out of fuel while you’re stuck in traffic or
driving along the road where a gas station is nowhere in sight.
So don’t forget to check your fuel level through the fuel gauge before you take
your car out for a drive.
Engine
It’s better to detect an engine problem before you drive off rather than deal with it
in the middle of the road. Check for leaks that indicate an engine problem. Also,
start the engine and listen to its sound. If you hear pinging, tapping, knocking, or
any weird noise, better have a mechanic check your engine.
Tire

BLOWBAGETS - Tires
Driving with worn-out tires can lead to a fatal accident. So before you leave for a
road trip, spend a few minutes to check your tires for bulges, bumps, tears, and
other signs of damage.
To check your tire tread depth, insert a coin into the tire’s grooves. If you can see
much of the coin’s outer band, that means the grooves are already shallow, and you
need new tires soon.
Self
Human error is the leading cause of road accidents in Metro Manila. A report from
the Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System cites fatigue,
sleepiness, drunkenness, and medical problems like asthma and dizziness as
examples. Are you physically and emotionally fit to drive today? Check yourself!
If you’re sick, dizzy, tired, sleepy, or drunk, you better let somebody else take over
the steering wheel.
Driving under extreme emotional stress is also dangerous because you’ll lose
concentration on the road. So avoid driving when you’re emotional. Also, check
your documents before you hit the road. Your driver’s license, LTO registration
papers, and proof of car insurance should be within reach when you get pulled over
on your road trip.
Final Thoughts
Sharing is caring! Share this BLOWBAGETS guide with your loved ones to
remind them about car maintenance and safe driving.

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