If you’ve recently passed your driving test, congratulations! The most nerve-wracking part is over. Now that you can drive on your own, there are a few responsibilities you should be aware of—proper vehicle maintenance being one of the most important. As a new driver, it’s important for you to recognize the signs that your vehicle needs repair.

To keep you and other drivers on the road safe, here are a few things to watch for that might suggest your vehicle needs a tune-up:

Flashing “Check Engine” Light. An illuminated “check engine” light is no need for immediate concern. If the light is flashing, however, you should take your car in for repairs immediately. It’s a sign that something is wrong with one of the hundreds of systems in your vehicle.

Leaks. If your regular parking spot is covered in stains, your engine is probably leaking. With a simple Online search, you should be able to determine the source of the leaking substance. If the stains are coming from the front half of the vehicle, it could be coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, or engine oil. Get your vehicle to a local garage as soon as possible to diagnose the issue.

Strange Noises While Driving. Most people know what their vehicles sound like on a day-to-day basis. Strange or irregular sounds, like dragging, scraping, or banging, coming from the engine or underneath the vehicle are a major source of concern. If you’re hearing an unpleasant grinding sound when coming to a stop, your breaks likely need replacing. Take your vehicle to a local garage as soon as you can.

Exterior Deterioration. Whether it’s their evenly distributed rust, vintage mirrors, or unique interior, we understand why some people just can’t let go of their old cars. If your vehicle is more than 10 years old, it’s important to ensure it’s safe to drive. A cracked windshield, broken or missing mirrors, and broken turn signals or lights are dangerous and should be repaired immediately. Depending on your location, these may be ticketable offences.

Steam or Smoke Coming from Under the Hood. This problem is generally caused by overheating, which could ruin the engine. If your temperature gauge is constantly going up, you should turn off your vehicle until the engine cools, and seek professional help immediately.

Reduced Comfort on Bumpy Roads. If going over a speed bump or driving across a pothole causes your car to shake uncomfortably, or produce scraping sounds from below, your suspension likely needs repair.

Car trouble is one of the most frustrating things you can face while on the road—it’s also the most dangerous. Each time you get behind the wheel, ensure your vehicle is operating safely. For more driving tips, or to sign up for driving classes, get in touch with the professionals at Ambitious Drivers today.

Across Canada, winter brings cold temperatures, snow, sleet, rain, and hail. Slippery roads, snowbank-covered sidewalks, and poor visibility make winter months the most dangerous time of year for drivers—especially new ones. In fact, almost 30% of all car accidents in Canada happen on icy or snowy roads.

To help you stay safe, here is a list of some of the most common car accidents during winter:

Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are a common accident, year-round. With added ice and snow on roads, this accident happens much more often. Icy roads reduce traction and make it difficult for drivers to stop. To avoid a rear-end collision, it’s important to take slippery road conditions into consideration. When stopping at a stop sign or intersection, stop by slowly applying the brake, and give extra room between your bumper and the back of the car in front of you.

Sliding through Intersections
Icy, snow-covered roads are particularly dangerous around intersections. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to stop, and to avoid running through late yellow lights. You should also be extra vigilant of other drivers. Even if you’re being as safe as possible, cars coming from the other direction may slide through the intersection.

Fishtailing
Fishtailing occurs when you lose traction on a slippery road, and results in the back end of your car drifting from side to side. This type of accident can happen backing out of your driveway or at highway speed. The most dangerous part about fishtailing is the natural reaction to want to jerk the steering wheel back into place to correct your position. This motion can lead to further loss of control, driving into the oncoming lane, or rolling. If you feel your car fishtailing, take your foot off the brake and gently steer into the direction of the skid.

Accidents Caused by Reduced Visibility
If you’ve lived in Canada for at least one winter season, you’ve likely experienced driving or riding in a car through a snowstorm. It’s extremely dangerous. Blowing snow, sleet, and hail can reduce visibility significantly. Common accidents caused by poor visibility include colliding with inanimate objects, highway accidents, and driving into oncoming traffic. The simplest solution to avoiding this type of accident: stay home! It’s always worth waiting for the storm to pass.

Learning how to safely navigate winter roads is an essential part of driving in Canada. When driving in adverse weather conditions, it’s important to drive slow, be vigilant, and give yourself plenty of time to stop. For more information about driving during winter, or to sign up for driving courses, get in touch with the professionals at Ambitious Drivers today.

Hitting the road with a group of friends and a stellar playlist is one of the most exhilarating things to do as a new driver. You are completely free, with an open road in any direction.

Before setting off, it’s important to go through a checklist to ensure your car is safe for the long trip ahead. Here are a few suggestions from the driving instructors at Ambitious Drivers:

•Check Your Fluids. This is a must before setting off an any road trip, whether it be a two-hour venture or a three-day haul. You should ensure your windshield wiper fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and engine oil are clean and topped up. Engine oil is perhaps one of the most important fluids on the checklist—and an easy one to check. The type of oil your car requires is generally printed on top of the oil cap. First, pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a rag. Insert it back into the tube and pull it out a second time. Where the oil reaches on a set of hatch marks on the dipstick will determine the amount of oil in the engine. Ensure it is full and that the oil is clean.

•Test Your Windshield Wipers. If you’re leaving on a bright sunny day, you may not think to test out your windshield wipers. There is nothing more dangerous than getting caught in a thunderstorm on the highway with a broken wiper.

•Check Your Tire Pressure. Dealing with a flat tire can be dangerous and time consuming, especially on the side of the highway. With an air pump, ensure all tires are pumped to their recommended tire pressure (usually between 30 and 35 PSI.) Additionally, you should ensure you have a spare tire and that is fully inflated and rust-free.

•Ensure Your License and Insurance is Up to Date. This is especially important if you are travelling out of province or country. Ensuring your insurance is up to date will keep you and others on the road covered in the case of an accident.

•Pack a Basic Emergency Kit. You might be the best driver in the world, but there are some things, like weather, road conditions, and other cars, that you simply can’t control. Stay prepared with a basic emergency kit, including things like rags and work gloves, jumper cables, a flashlight, basic tools, and personal items like water, emergency food, and a blanket.

•Clean the Inside of Your Car. Cars get messy on road trips—it’s inevitable. Fast food, snacks, and baggage gradually spread across the dashboard and floor until the smell of stale French fries becomes intolerable. Be prepared and clean your car out before you set off on your journey.

Some of the best memories are made on road trips. Before you take off, go through our checklist to ensure a safe, hassle-free adventure. For more driving tips, or to sign up for driving courses, contact us today at Ambitious Drivers.