by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2008

Back in the good ol days of clunkers and muscle cars, safety wasn't as much of an issue as it is today. We didn't have airbags, or antilock brakes, or GPS. While we did have seatbelts, there was a time in America when it wasn't necessarily law to strap them on.

With today's advancements in technology and safety testing techniques, you don't have to be stranded in the middle of the desert with no way to call for help. Nor do you have to worry about hitting your head on the windshield, or skidding out of control on a wet highway. Indeed, cars are getting smarter; and savvy drivers are learning how to keep their cars safe.

Let's take a brief look at the Top 10 Car Safety Tips:

10) Familiarize Yourself With Your Airbags. Today, side curtain airbags complement front driver and passenger airbag systems. Read your instruction manual to learn how these airbags operate and what to do in an emergency.

9) Get Oil Changes at Regular Intervals. In the halcyon days of drive-ins and muscle cars, many people changed the engine oil themselves. But with engines becoming more complex, in addition to our lives being so busy these days, it's far easier taking the car to the dealership or quickie lube joint. Don't neglect this important safety tip. Over time your oil thins, making it hard to lubricate the engine. If friction becomes too intense within the engine, it will suddenly and unexpectedly stop (freeze). At that point, you'll need either a new engine or a new car.

8) Ensure Proper Antifreeze Levels. When you have your oil changed, ask them to make sure your antifreeze is at the proper level. If you suspect a leak, tell them and they will perform a coolant system pressure check in addition to ensuring the hoses are in good working order. If your antifreeze is too low or if you have a leak, your engine will overheat, thus leaving you stranded.

7) Keep Your Tires Inflated and Treads Deep. Tires that are too high or too low in air pressure can be a road hazard in addition to poor fuel economy. A very handy high-tech innovation in vehicle safety in recent years is the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The car actually monitors tire pressure and alerts the driver to a specific tire that is below the air pressure threshold. If your car doesn't have a TPMS, check tire pressure monthly. Also check your treads to make sure your tires aren't going bald, and look for signs of dry rot (cracking on the sidewalls). All these things can lead to blowouts and potential accidents.

6) Get a Brake

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