I drive mine a lot never hurts to take a look.

 

I do like pie, but I didn't know I could vote twice! I don't neglect fluid levels, inflation, or belt tension but I generally check them at odd times in the garage so I don't really "pre-flight."

 

I guess this will help explain my "Other" selection when I voted. When I was regularly drag racing my '5, I would invariably chase water pump leaks and properly tensioning the belts as well as making sure all fluid levels were topped off. A very good motor head and friend, Paul Richards, kinda' took me under his wing and drilled into me a "pre-flight" checklist. He said, "Take ownership of your car. You are responsible to minimize breakdowns. Take ownership of your car." I've never forgotten that.

Be prepared by checking off (initially I actually wrote a list) and going over (putting a wrench to her) carb bolts, fuel line connections, water pump bolts, belt tension, condition of hoses, topping off oil, installing a catch can for the overflow hose (drag strips don't like fluid dumps), fan bolts, lug nuts on all wheels, brake fluid level, tire pressure and all caps on oil, radiator and gas) are in place and tight. Over time I'm very comfortable going over these and got into a good habit of after every drive, upon shutting her down, I pop the hood and disconnect the battery (knife blade type), LEAVING THE HOOD UP. What that forces me to do behind simplifying reconnecting the battery for my next ride is to eyeball hoses, look for any oil or gas pools around the carb and intake and check fluid levels. I do look under her before I start her for any leaks.

With us, we are always looking forward to more long trips. Besides the safety aspect, this approach tends to minimize breakdowns away from home.

Jim
In God We Trust!

 

same here, so that pretty much leaves me with "none of the above" for the poll - except for pie, that is.....

 

I just make sure I have the right set of keys, then I'm good to go!

 

I sort of look at turning the key as a system check. If it starts, I consider it good to go. If not, I look for problems. I made a living as a pilot for many years and I never did find anything wrong in a pre-flight on an airplane that I maintained. Same is true for my cars, I built both of them and I do all the maintenance on them. Since I am always tinkering with them, I sort of do a continuous inspection. I too subscribe to the kick the tires and light the fires approach.

Doc

 

I just like pie,

And okay, after pie I also do a quick inspection for puddles, and I always keep an eye on the temp gage and oil pressure throughout the drive, just to be sure

 

Check the tires about once a month. I maintain her myself, so I'm kind of checking her all the time. Complete body off frame restoration about five years and 17000 miles ago, so she's pretty much a new car