Maintaining the exterior of your vehicle is a first step in self-defense if you do any amount of traveling. Especially if you travel at night or in less than desirable areas. Breakdowns occur, but less frequently with a well maintained vehicle. You do not need to be a qualified mechanic or spend a lot of money to keep a well maintained vehicle. Many issues can be avoided by just doing a visual inspection of your vehicle.

When approaching your vehicle check for flat or low tires, a broken or cracked window or windshield, tagging or keying, or anything that may have been done intentionally. If there is any evidence your vehicle has been tampered with, make sure there is no one around or in the vehicle. If you suspect the perpetrators to still be in the area, do not get in the vehicle. Instead, walk away from the vehicle, preferably to a populated area and call the police. The first rule of self-defense is awareness.

As we have all seen traveling the streets and highways of the country, trash of all types litter the lanes and gutters. Wind blowing these items can many times cause something to blow under the vehicle and become stuck in any number of areas. Depending on what it is, something stuck under the vehicle could cause a fire, wrap around brakes or wheels, wrap around the drive shaft, break off fluid lines, etc. If you see anything under the vehicle during your visual inspection, try to remove it. If you cannot remove it yourself, take it to a service station or quick lube and ask them to remove it.

Check all lights occasionally. Turn on headlights and tail lights, get out of the vehicle, and make sure they are working properly. Same with the blinkers and flashers. Do not forget to check the middle light on the rear of the vehicle. Brake lights can be tested by backing up to a wall, applying the brakes and looking in the mirrors to be sure the lights glow brighter. The same technique can be used to check the back up lights.

Check under the hood from time to time. Even though you change your oil every 3 months or 3000 miles there are still a few things to inspect on your own. Again has something blown up and around any part of the engine or radiator. Visually inspect the battery cables. If there is a build up of greenish or whitish “fuzz” clean them, or have them cleaned. Many times this “fuzz” is an indication of a leaking battery or a faulty charging system and could cause the battery to “die”. Check for old looking or cracking belts and hoses. If anything looks out of the ordinary fix it or have it fixed before you end up with a broken down vehicle.

Just a few minutes a day or week doing a quick inspection of your vehicle could save you many frustrating hours or days. Self-defense for the outside of your vehicle and self-defense for yourself can be very easy.