How to Perform a Walk-Around Vehicle Inspection as a Driver?

[StBella]

During the walk-around inspection, the trainee must visibly check the vehicle's exterior and confirm safety before opening the door. The inspection of all four tires should be clearly visible. Check whether all vehicle doors are properly closed. Check for any unsafe factors in the surroundings that may affect the vehicle's start. Also, pay attention to the traffic conditions in front of and behind the vehicle. Observe the rear traffic again before opening the door.

[Eddie]

I follow the vehicle inspection sequence taught in driving school every time. Starting from the front of the car and moving clockwise: first crouch down to check for oil stains, small animals, or obstacles under the car. Walk around to the right side, focusing on whether the tire pressure is normal, if there are any nails puncturing the tires or obvious bulges, and feel the wheel hub temperature to check for abnormalities. When reaching the rear of the car, it's essential to check if the brake lights and reverse lights are working, and clean the license plate if it's dirty. Move to the left side to similarly inspect the tires and chassis, paying special attention to whether the doors are securely closed and if there are any leaves stuck in the window gaps. Finally, return to the front to confirm all lights are functioning properly and the wiper blades aren’t aged or cracked. I’ve maintained this habit for over two years, and once I actually found a screw puncturing the right rear tire.

[OElliot]

I usually focus on checking safety-related parts. When walking around the car, I kick each tire twice to judge the tire pressure by the sound; I squat down to check the level of rust on the brake discs—too much rust can cause slipping in rainy weather. As I pass by the body, I carefully inspect the paint for any new scratches to avoid unnoticed damage. When checking the lights, I press the remote key twice to observe if the turn signals flash in sync. I pay special attention to the areas around the door handles for signs of tampering—once in a parking lot, I found someone had tried to pry open my passenger door lock. At the rear of the car, I always pull the trunk twice to ensure it’s locked. In winter, I also clear any ice chunks from the exhaust pipe opening.

[MacValentina]

My walk-around check is quick but practical: Turn on the phone flashlight to inspect the undercarriage for oil leaks. Quickly feel the sidewalls of all four tires for bulges, while kicking away stones near the wheels. Pay special attention to cracks or obstructions on the front and rear windshields. Walk to the fuel cap and press it a few times to ensure it's locked, preventing fuel theft. Also quickly verify if the rearview mirrors are misaligned. The whole process takes just seconds, but I make sure to do it every day before setting off.

[LeGavin]

I perform a walk-around check every day when picking up/dropping off my kids. It's a four-step routine: At the front, I check for coolant leaks and verify the bumper's anti-collision strips are intact. The right side focuses on the child safety lock indicator light and proper window pinch protection function. At the rear, I inspect if the car seat buckle has been kicked loose. The left side involves checking the school ID tag's alignment on the door. I always pay special attention to toys obstructing the rear windshield view. Last time during my walk-around at the kindergarten gate, I spotted and promptly removed chewing gum stuck to the rear bumper.

[VanWillow]

As a long-distance driver, I pay extra attention to tire inspection during my walk-around check. I wear gloves to feel the tread depth of each tire individually, checking for uneven wear. I use my fingernail to pinch the tire surface rubber to inspect for aging or cracking. I carry a tire pressure gauge to measure at any time, ensuring the pressure difference among all four tires does not exceed 0.1 bar for peace of mind. I also check if the spare tire mounting bracket screws are loose. For the vehicle body, I focus on inspecting the underbody protection plates for scratches, whether the windshield washer nozzle angles are correct, and if the side mirrors fold properly. I keep my phone recording throughout the process, both to document the vehicle's condition and to serve as evidence.