Your pre-flight checks routine?

[Muddle238]

Do you have a set routine when you get in your car? Or is a mish-mash of fumbling about? Sometimes I see drivers pulling up to junctions at the end of their road still reaching for the seatbelt, or others who set off and only decide half way down the road that maybe headlights might be a good idea. My guess is Mr and Mrs Smartphone aim to send their text just as they turn on their engine, then as quickly as possible get to their destination so they can reply to the next text, adjusting seat/mirrors (not likely that one), putting seatbelt on etc along the way to save time.

I don't have a set routine, although the first thing I normally do is switch on the ignition, check the dash then crank the engine. Then while the oil is beginning to warm up, I turn on the required lights, get the demist/heater/air con going, wipe the windscreen of any water, put my belt on, store various keys/phone/wallet etc, raise my armrest and once comfortable, set off and enjoy the drive. It only takes a few seconds, I'm just amazed how many others seem to try and do all this after they've started moving.

[BGarside]

Check in neutral, start engine, close door, belt on, wait 15-20 sec for oil to circulate - if cold, look around, into gear, handbrake off, pull away.

[Monty Python]

Open garage door, get in car, start engine, reverse out, get out of car and close garage door, open passenger door mirror, get back in car, reverse out of drive and drive off (avoiding various obstacles and small animals of the feline persuasion).

[andy-xr]

Get in, start car, seatbelt on, put in gear, set off

[schmalex]

Jump in, switch on, drive off, seatbelt on

[Eddh]

I just stand there and see what the butler brings round each morning.

[Dodsy]

Get in, insert key and turn on engine. Seat, pedals, steering wheel and mirrors motor into the correct position automatically. Front and rear heated screens come on automatically if required as do lights and wipers. Turn on heated seat if its cold. Drive away.

[Dannbodge]

Open garage
Open car
Chuck bag in boot
Jump in the car
Ignition on
Window down
Start car
Set heating to desired level
Reverse out of garage slowly
Once clear jump out and close garage (sweep before closing if there is loads of mud/leaves on the floor)
Jump back into car
Sort out wallet, radio etc
Seatbelt on
Turn around and drive out of garage block.
Once out of narrow garage block entrance, put up window (if raining/snowing or very cold then window doesn't get put down in the first place)

[Riley Blue]

Look to see if Lady Blue's cute little botty has hit the seat and she's buckled up. Then floor it, zipping in and out of traffic like our lives depended on it whilst fingering the gear knob suggestively and giving her a peck on the cheek murmuring, "Later darling, later..."

Then I wake up and find I've bitten an ear off my Teddy Bear.

[xjay1337]

I check my bad self.

[cjb1]

Ignition on, check
Seat belt on,check,
heated seats on, check,
Sufficient humbugs for journey, check,
AC set to 22C, check

Prepare for lift off...........

[EuroFighter]

1. Walk towards car checking for damage and looking at all 4 tyres to check they look okay (e.g. Tyre Pressure.. I have a TPS onboard anyway)
2. Open Car
3. Foot on clutch to start
4. Turn on the headlights (regardless of lighting conditions)
5. Let The Car 'Warm Up' (Oil circulate)
6. Set heating to AUTO @ 21 degrees unless it is warm etc.
7. Connect MHL cable to Galaxy Note Edge to connect phone to my AppRadio
8. Check front and rear dashcams work (the screen on the back is permanently on but the front times out at 30seconds)
9. Unfold the mirrors using the power folding mirror button
10. Put on my belt
11. Indicate, Release handbrake and leave.

Edited by EuroFighter on Wednesday 25th February 15:51

[R_U_LOCAL]

We're in?

We're off.

[xjay1337]

EuroFighter said:

1. Walk towards car checking for damage and looking at all 4 tyres to check they look okay (e.g. Tyre Pressure.. I have a TPS onboard anyway)
2. Open Car
3. Foot on clutch to start
4. Turn on the headlights (regardless of lighting conditions)
5. Let The Car 'Warm Up' (Oil circulate)
6. Set heating to AUTO @ 21 degrees unless it is warm etc.
7. Connect MHL cable to Galaxy Note Edge to connect phone to my AppRadio
8. Check front and rear dashcams work (the screen on the back is permanently on but the front times out at 30seconds)
9. Unfold the mirrors using the power folding mirror button
10. Put on my belt
11. Indicate, Release handbrake and leave.

Edited by EuroFighter on Wednesday 25th February 15:51

Do you unlock your car at all in the process here?
Tell me - I must know.

[carparkno1]

Engine on, Windows down, flash lights, let doggers approach.

My driveway is a bloody busy place.

[TurboHatchback]

1: Get in
2: Close door
3: Seatbelt on
4: (Optional) Set satnav destination
5: Start engine
6: Into gear and go

No fannying around with 'warming up' (which is completely counterproductive) and all the heating controls are left how I like them from last time. I do agree that attempting to put on seatbelts, manipulate satnavs etc after having set off is stupid.

[carreauchompeur]

R_U_LOCAL said:

We're in?

We're off.

No POWDER check?

You've changed

[jjones]

I do the FUFO check

fire up, fk off

[crispyshark]

unfold wing mirrors, unlock, get in, disable immobilizer, depress clutch, prime oil pump, fire engine.....enjoy burble for 1 minute, go.

[Monkeylegend]

So few unlock their cars and open the drivers side door first.