Check and top up: – Engine oil level (it should be between the marks «MIN» and «MAX» on the oil dipstick);
- coolant level in expansion tank (it should be just below the mark «MAX» on the expansion tank);
- brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir (it should be just below the mark «MAX» on the brake master cylinder).
Without closing the hood (cover it in case of rain or snow), get behind the wheel. Pull the carburetor choke control fully out. Turn the ignition key and start the engine.
During warm-up, inspect the engine again, make sure there are no leaks of fuel, oil, coolant. Listen for any new suspicious sounds in the engine.
Close the hood, but before driving, check the operation of the headlights, direction indicators, rear lights, brake lights, horn, windshield and rear window cleaner and washer, interior heater, rear-view mirror adjustment.
When you start driving, check the operation of the brake system. To do this, after driving literally 2-5 m, very sharply and as hard as possible, press the brake pedal. It is useful to get out of the car and look at the prints of the wheels on the ground or asphalt - this is how the simultaneous braking of the wheels is checked. Stop the engine and start it again by pressing and holding the brake pedal: if the pedal goes down slightly after starting the engine, the brake booster is working. Try pressing the brake pedal a few more times; if it does not «soft» after testing (the brake hose did not break, the brake cylinder did not fail) and does not become «tougher» with every click (no air in the system), you can start the trip.
For the first 15 minutes, try not to turn on the music in the cabin, but listen to the sounds made by the car. By the way, it is useful to do this at the end of the trip before parking the car in the parking lot or in the garage.