15 mandatory checks before starting: how not to drive a tow truck and stall after 500 meters

You get behind the wheel, insert the key into the ignition, and a minute later you are racing along the highway. Stop. Are you sure that your the car is ready to go? According to traffic police statistics, 37% of accidents in 2023 occurred due to technical faults that the driver could detect in 2 minutes of inspection. It's not just about a burst tire or a dead battery - a forgotten switched on side light, incorrectly adjusted mirrors or unsecured cargo in the trunk can result in a fine of 500–5000 rubles or an accident.

This article is not a theoretical manual, but practical recommendations from driving instructors and mechanics with 10 years of experience. We'll figure out what to check every time before the trip (yes, even if you are going to buy bread), what car settings affect safety, and how to avoid getting fined for faulty headlights or dirty rooms. Spoiler: automatic diagnostics in modern cars it does not replace a visual inspection.

At the end of the article - interactive checklist, which you can save to bookmarks, and answers to questions that you are embarrassed to ask a mechanic (for example, “is it true that you need to warm up the engine for 10 minutes?”).

1. External inspection: 5 risk areas that 90% of drivers miss

Let's start with the most obvious - and most ignored. According to the survey AutoStata, only 12% of drivers regularly walk around their car before driving. The rest are limited to a quick glance at the wheel, if it clearly deflated. Meanwhile, external inspection takes less than 30 seconds and prevents:

• 🚨 Fine 500–1000 RUR for dirty numbers (part 1 of article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses)
• 💥 Tire puncture due to a self-tapping screw in the tread (repair from 1500 ₽)
• 🔋 Low battery because of a forgotten light
• 🚔 Traffic police stop for a broken headlight or cracked windshield

How to properly inspect a car? Go clockwisestarting from the front bumper:

Check the integrity of the glass (cracks, chips)|Inspect the headlights and dimensions (working, not broken)|Make sure the license plates are clean and legible|Check the tire pressure (at least visually)|Inspect the body for fresh dents or scratches-->

Lifehack for the lazy: if you don't have time for a full inspection, at least check left front wheel and right rear light These are the most vulnerable areas when parking. Also pay attention to puddles under the car: if they are oily or colored, this is a signal of leakage of technical fluids.

⚠️ Attention! If installed on the machine tinted windows in violation of GOST (light transmission less than 70% for a windshield), they can be checked using taumeter — a device that uses DPS. The penalty for this is 5000 ₽ (Part 3.1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).

2. Checking the interior: what should be on hand (and what should not be there)

The driver spends the most time in the cabin, but rarely thinks about it. functional safety. But in vain: scattered things can cause an accident (for example, bottle of water, rolled under the pedals), and the lack of a first aid kit will result in a fine of 500 ₽.

Things to check:

• 🚗 Gear lever: is he standing on neutral (for manual transmission) or in mode P (for automatic transmission)?
• 🔑 Ignition key: Is there a second key left in the trunk lock?
• 📄 Documents: license, STS, OSAGO policy (electronic copies on the phone now equal to the original, but it's better to have both options).
• 🩹 First aid kit and fire extinguisher: Check the expiration date (on the first aid kit it is indicated on the packaging).

What should not be in the salon:

• 📱 Phone on the dashboard (fine 1500 ₽ for use without hands free).
• 👔 Outerwear in the back seat (obstructs the view in the rear view mirror).
• 🐕 Animals without a carrier (fine 2000 ₽ under Part 1 of Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code).

Documents|Gearshift lever|First aid kit and fire extinguisher|I don’t check anything|All of the above-->

Professional advice: if you have manual transmission, before starting the engine, press the pedal clutch - this will reduce the load on the starter and extend its life. For machine gun Before starting to move, wait 10–15 seconds after starting the engine - this time is needed for pumping oil in a box.

3. Dashboard diagnostics: which lights cannot be ignored

Modern cars are equipped with dozens of sensors, but 90% of drivers do not know what the lights on the dashboard mean. Meanwhile, some indicators require immediate stop, and others can be ignored until visiting the service.

Let's sort it out top 5 critical signalsthat cannot be ignored:

Icon	What does it mean	Actions	Consequences of ignoring
🔴 Oil can	Low oil pressure	Stop the engine immediately and check the oil level	Seized engine (repair from 100,000 ₽)
🔴 Battery	Battery charging fault	Check alternator belt and terminals	Battery drains while traveling
🔴 Thermometer	Engine overheating	Stop, let the engine cool, check the antifreeze	Damage to the cylinder head (from RUB 50,000)
🟡 Exclamation mark in brackets	Brake system malfunction	Check the brake fluid and pad levels	Brake failure
🟡 ESP/OFF	Stabilization system disabled	Press the power button (usually next to the gearshift lever)	Poor handling on slippery roads

Important! If it catches fire check engine (🟡 engine silhouette), this is not always critical - sometimes the reason is bad gasoline or loose tank cap. But if the light bulb flashing, this is a signal about misfires — you need to go to the service center without loading the engine.

What to do if the ABS light comes on?

If the dashboard light is on 🟡 ABS, this indicates a malfunction of the anti-lock braking system. The brakes will work, but without skid protection. In this case:

1. Check the fuses (the number is indicated in the manual).

2. Inspect the ABS sensors on the wheels (they may be dirty or damaged).

3. If the light comes on after washing, dry the sensors - sometimes moisture causes false alarms.

If the problem persists, contact a service center - driving with faulty ABS is dangerous on slippery roads.

4. Checking lights and signals: how to avoid getting fined for headlights

According to Autoreview, every fifth traffic police fine in 2026 will be issued for improper use of lighting devices. And we’re not just talking about the forgotten dimensions, but also about mismatch between light mode and time of day.

What to check:

• 💡 Low beam: must be enabled always (even during the day) according to clause 19.5 of the traffic rules.
• 🔦 High beam: Check the switch (should not be turned on in the city).
• 🟠 Fog lights: Can only be used in conditions insufficient visibility (fog, rain, snow).
• 🚨 Stop lights and turn signals: Have a helper check their work from behind.

Lifehack: if you have LED lamps in the headlights, check them once a month - they burn out less often than halogens, but if one lamp fails, it can blind oncoming drivers due to the uneven light flux.

⚠️ Attention! For xenon in halogen headlights (non-standard installation) the fine is 5000 ₽ with confiscation of lamps (Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code). If you have LED lamps, make sure they are certified for your model - otherwise it is equivalent to xenon.

5. Brake system test: how to make sure the car will stop

Brakes are the most important safety feature, but 80% of drivers never check them before driving. But in vain: wear of the pads or leakage of brake fluid can lead to brake failure at speed.

How to check your brakes in 10 seconds:

1. Start the engine and press brake pedal 2–3 times. She must be elastic and don't fail.
2. When pressed there should not be squeaks or vibrations This is a sign of worn pads or discs.
3. If the pedal "cotton" (soft), check the brake fluid level in the reservoir (it should be between MIN and MAX).

Critical signal: if after pressing the pedal it does not return to its original position, this means brake booster failure - You can’t go!

For disc brakes normal pad thickness - from 5 mm. If it’s less, it’s time to go for a replacement. You can check this visually through the wheel spokes or using wear indicator (if your model has it).

6. Checking the wheels: pressure, tread pattern and “surprises” in tires

Wheels are the only point of contact between the car and the road, but most drivers remember them only when there has already been a puncture. Meanwhile, incorrect pressure or worn tread increases braking distance by 20–40%.

What to check:

• 📏 Pressure: must comply with the manufacturer's recommendations (usually listed on sticker on the driver's door or in the manual).
• 🔍 Protector: minimum depth - 1.6 mm (for winter - 4 mm). You can check with a coin (edge of a 10-kopeck coin = 1.5 mm).
• 🔩 Fastening bolts: check at least once a month to see if they are loose (especially after tire fitting).
• 🚫 Foreign objects: screws, nails, stones in the tread.

Important for winter: if you have studded tires, check whether the spikes have fallen out. To do this, run your hand over the tread - if you feel smooth areas, which means the studs are lost and grip on ice has deteriorated.

⚠️ Attention! If the wheel has bloating (hernia), you can’t ride on it - it can burst at speed. Even if it happened on the rear axle, the risk of loss of control is high.

7. Warming up the engine: myths and reality in 2026

One of the most controversial issues among drivers: Is it necessary to warm up the engine? Old manuals advise warming up the car 10–15 minutes, and modern manufacturers (for example, Toyota or Hyundai) claim that it is enough 30 seconds. Who to believe?

Let's look at the points:

• ❄️ Winter (below -10°C): warming up is required, but no more 2–3 minutes. Longer means excessive fuel consumption and environmental harm.
• 🌡️ Summer or temperatures above 0°C: enough 30 seconds at idle speed, then you can drive without loading the engine.
• 🔥 Turbocharged engines: warm up necessarily, but without load (do not accelerate immediately after the start).
• ⚡ Electric cars: warming up is not needed, but in cold weather it is better to wait until the interior warms up (this will increase the power reserve).

What happens when it warms up?

• The oil is diluted and distributed evenly throughout the engine.
• The gaps between the parts return to normal (the metal expands when heated).
• The sensors begin to work correctly (especially important for injection systems).

What not to do:

• 🚫 Gas on a cold engine - this accelerates wear of the piston group.
• 🚫 Leaving the car unattended while warming up (risk of theft or fine for idling in some regions).
• 🚫 Use "autorun" for more than 10 minutes - this consumes fuel and drains the battery.

What happens if you don't warm up the engine in winter?

When starting a cold engine, the oil is thick and does not immediately reach all parts. This leads to:

1. Accelerated wear piston rings and cylinders (repair from RUB 30,000).

2. Increased fuel consumption (up to 20% more for the first 5–10 km).

3. Risk of jamming engine in extreme cold (below -25°C).

However excessive heating (more than 5 minutes) is also harmful - it leads to excessive fuel consumption and carbon deposits on the spark plugs.

8. Last checks: what is easy to forget, but what will save you from problems

You are almost ready for the trip, but there are a few more nuances that many people forget about:

• 🔒 Are the doors and trunk closed? It's not enough to hear a click - pull the handle to make sure.
• 📶 Is mobile communication working? If you are driving to an unfamiliar area, check if your phone has reception (in case of an accident or breakdown).
• 🚰 Is the gas cap closed? If you forget to close it, it will light up check engine, and dirt may get into the tank.
• 🎵 Music volume: it should not drown out sounds from the street (sirens, signals from other cars).
• 🧭 Route: if you are driving using a navigator, check if it is leading you along toll roads or restricted areas (for example, sign 3.33 - truck traffic is prohibited).

Bonus lifehack: if you have hybrid car (for example, Toyota Prius or Hyundai Ioniq), check before travel battery level in the on-board computer menu. If it is below 20%, the car will use the gasoline engine more often, which will increase fuel consumption.

And the last thing: fasten your seat belt. According to statistics, this reduces the risk of death in an accident by 50%. Even if you are driving “side by side” or a short distance.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Do you need to warm up your car in summer?

Yes, but enough 20–30 seconds at idle speed. This is necessary so that the oil is distributed throughout the engine. However don't stand longer — modern engines are designed to move with minimal load after a short warm-up.

❓ What happens if you drive with the ABS light on?

The brakes will work, but without anti-lock braking system, meaning the wheels may lock up when braking hard. This is dangerous on wet or slippery roads. Braking distance may also increase. It is recommended to have the system checked by a service center as soon as possible.

❓ How often should you check tire pressure?

Minimum once a month and before a long trip. Also check the pressure when sudden changes in temperature (for example, if it was -10°C at night and +10°C during the day). The pressure changes by approximately 0.1 bar for every 10°C.

❓ Is it possible to drive if the check engine lights up?

If the light is on constantly, you can drive to the service station, but avoid high speeds and loads. If the light bulb flashing, this is a signal about misfires - need stop immediately, as this can damage the catalyst (repair from 20,000 ₽).

❓ Do I need to turn on the low beams during the day?

Yes, according to clause 19.5 of the traffic rules, Low beams or DRLs must always be on (round the clock). For violation - a fine 500 ₽. Exception: if the machine has fog lights, they can be used instead of low beams.