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Traffic rules

The traffic rules describe how a road user must act on the public road, which includes obligations but also advice on how to drive sensibly and safely. All road users must know and apply the traffic rules.


7. Vehicle

A vehicle is any means of transport on land, as well as all mobile agricultural or commercial equipment.


The engine is an essential part of the vehicle, make sure it is well maintained.


Some vehicles have a spare wheel, so you can replace a flat tire yourself.


Brake

Only the brakes can stop your vehicle. It is very dangerous if the brakes do not work properly. If the brakes make a lot of noise, give off a weird odor, or if the brake pedal does not work properly, have it checked with your garage. A vehicle that is pulled to one side when braking is also checked.

  • Only the brakes can stop your vehicle, it is very dangerous if the brakes are not working properly.
  • The handbrake serves as a parking brake and not to stop a vehicle.
  • The force on the brake pedal is transmitted to the brake via the brake fluid.

Only the brakes can stop your vehicle, it is very dangerous if the brakes are not working properly.


The handbrake serves as a parking brake and not to stop a vehicle.


Tires

Worn or bald tires can increase your stopping distance and make turning more difficult when the road is wet. Unbalanced tires and low-pressure cause faster tire wear, reduce fuel economy, and make the vehicle harder to steer and stop. If the vehicle bounces, the steering wheel shakes, or the vehicle pulls to one side, have a mechanic check it. Worn tires increase the effect of “hydroplaning” and increase the chance of having a flat tire.

  • Tire pressure should be measured when the tires are cold.
  • Snow chains are sometimes necessary and in some countries mandatory in the mountains.
  • Winter tires are sometimes necessary and in some countries mandatory in the mountains.
  • Some vehicles have a spare tire in the trunk, so you can replace a flat tire yourself.
  • The tire code indicates the characteristics and dimensions of the tire, for example 195/50 R15 (90H).
  • The tread depth of the main grooves of a tire must be at least 1.6 millimeters.
  • Re-cutting worn tires is not allowed and very dangerous.
  • Most tires have wear indicators that indicate when the tire needs to be replaced.

Tire pressure should be measured when the tires are cold.


Most tires have wear indicators that indicate when the tire needs to be replaced.


Fuel

The fuel economy of an automobile relates distance traveled by a vehicle and the amount of fuel consumed. Consumption can be expressed in terms of volume of fuel to travel a distance, or the distance travelled per unit volume of fuel consumed. Since fuel consumption of vehicles is a significant factor in air pollution, and since importation of motor fuel can be a large part of a nation's foreign trade, many countries impose requirements for fuel economy. Different methods are used to approximate the actual performance of the vehicle.


You can refuel at a filling station.


An electric vehicle runs on electricity and can be charged at a charging station.


License plate

A license plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction.

  • All speed pedelecs, mopeds and cars driving on public roads require a license plate.

All speed pedelecs, mopeds and cars driving on public roads require a license plate.



Weight


Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.



Cargo

A cargo or freight refer in particular to goods or produce being conveyed, generally for commercial gain. Cargo covers all types of freight, including that carried by rail, van, truck, or intermodal container. The term freight is commonly used to describe the movements of flows of goods being transported by any mode of transportation.

  • A vehicle together with its cargo may be a maximum of 4 meters high and 2.55 meters wide.
  • A cargo may not protrude beyond the bodywork at front.
  • A cargo without signage may protrude 1 meter beyond the bodywork at the back.
  • A cargo with signage may protrude 3 meters beyond the bodywork at the back.
  • Keep in mind that a heavy loaded vehicle has a longer braking distance.

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.


Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.


Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.

A cargo with signage may protrude 3 meters beyond the bodywork at the back.


Vehicles with dangerous goods prohibited.


Vehicles with explosive materials prohibited.


Vehicles with polluted fluids prohibited.


Windshield

It is important that you are able to see clearly through the windows and windshield. Clear snow, ice, or frost from all windows before driving. Make sure the inside of the windshield and windows are clean as well. Damaged glass can break very easily in a minor collision or when something hits the windshield. Have a damaged windshield replaced. Windshield wipers keep the rain and snow off the windshield. Some vehicles also have wipers for rear windows. Make sure all wipers are in good operating condition. If the blades are not clearing water well, replace them.


Make sure the windows are clear, remove snow and ice from all windows before you hit the road.


Windshield wipers are essential in rainy weather, make sure they are in good condition.


Battery

An automotive battery is a rechargeable battery that supplies electrical current to a motor vehicle. Its main purpose is to feed the starter, which starts the engine. Once the engine is running, power for the car's electrical systems is still supplied by the battery with the alternator charging as demands increase or decrease.


An automotive battery is a rechargeable battery that is used to start a motor vehicle.


You can start your vehicle with jumper cables if the battery is dead or worn out.


Suspension

The suspension is the system of tires, tire pressure, springs, shock absorbers and couplings that connects the vehicle to the tires. The wheel suspension helps to have a good control over the vehicle and ensures a comfortable ride over different types of road surfaces.

  • The suspension is the system that connects the vehicle to the tires.
  • The suspension helps to have good control of the vehicle.

The suspension is the system that connects the vehicle to the tires.


The suspension helps to have good control of the vehicle.


Exhaust

The exhaust system reduces the noise coming from the engine and helps cool the exhaust fumes from the engine. It transports the gases to the rear of the vehicle. Gasses that are released from a leaking exhaust system can be deadly in a short time. Never run an engine in a closed garage or small space.


The exhaust system reduces noise coming from the engine and helps cool the exhaust gases from the engine.


Gases released from a leaking exhaust system can be deadly in a short time.


Engine

A badly running engine may fail while you are driving, this can cause serious problems for you and other road users. A poorly maintained engine is difficult to start, polluting, and uses more fuel.


A poorly maintained engine can have difficult consequences such as a breakdown, air pollution, and fuel consumption.


A poorly running engine can stop while you are driving, which can cause dangerous situations.


Maintenance

Maintenance involves functional checks, servicing, repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, machinery, building infrastructure, and supporting utilities in industrial, business, governmental, and residential installations. Over time, this has come to include multiple wordings that describe various cost-effective practices to keep equipment operational, these activities take place either before or after a failure.

  • The engine oil ensures smooth operation of the engine and prevents overheating.
  • Check the oil level when the engine is cold (or stopped for a while) and horizontal.

The engine oil ensures smooth operation of the engine and prevents overheating.


Check the oil level when the engine is cold (or stopped for a while) and horizontal.