OVER a million of the cars on Spain's roads have 'serious defects' with their wheels or tyres, according to alarming figures released by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT).
Most of these defects involve treads of less than the legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres, uneven wear on tyres due to poor suspension or incorrect wheel balancing, or tyres with the wrong pressure – too flat, or too much air.
Yet the latter is a relatively easy problem to solve, with air-pumps at all petrol stations being either free of charge or as little as €1 to use, and the pressure required stated in the car handbook which, if the owner is not in possession of, can be found with a simple internet search.
Headlights, fog lights, rear, brake or indicator lights have not been flagged up as a major issue with cars on Spain's roads, but the DGT strongly recommends changing the bulbs after every 40,000 kilometres or every two years – always both together so they remain even – as they lose some of their brightness over time.
Special attention should be paid to usage, maintenance and monitoring headlights to ensure they are bright enough, but not so bright as to dazzle other road users at night, says the DGT.
Lights should also be cleaned regularly to maximise their efficiency.
Windscreen wipers, even if not apparently damaged, should also be replaced approximately once a year, and windscreens themselves kept clean and dent-free.
Airbags and supports for cameras, sensors and other gadgets which aid driving should be regularly checked, the DGT says, and the registration plates kept clean so the number can be easily read and the car identified.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com