chapter 9 — your licence Make sure you know how to use the heater and defroster  and windshield wipers — you may need to use them to  keep the windows clear while on your road test. Also, remember to turn off your cellphone and car radio —  you want to concentrate on your driving during the road test. As well, make sure your vehicle is clean and tidy inside,  and that lights and windows are clean. Loose objects inside can be dangerous if you have to stop suddenly, so these should be removed or stored in  the trunk. 145 11.  Fuel gauge on “empty”  — nobody likes to run out of  gas or electricity, and you certainly don’t want this to  happen on your road test. •  excessively raised or lowered vehicles  —  excessively lowering or raising a vehicle can affect  steering and braking control in an emergency. •  accessory “racing” steering wheels  — these  wheels are not equipped with airbags, and installing  one in a 1998 or later car in place of an airbag- equipped steering wheel not only deprives the  driver of airbag protection but can potentially  disable all the vehicle’s airbags. 10.  Unsafe or illegal vehicle modifications  — some  modifications are illegal and unsafe: 9.  Faulty exhaust  — a leaking exhaust pipe or missing  muffler is unsafe and dangerous — it may cause carbon  monoxide poisoning. Excessively loud mufflers are illegal  and interfere with conducting your road test. 8.  Driver’s side and passenger side doors or windows  not operating  — for safety reasons both the driver’s side  and passenger side doors must open and close properly,  from both the inside and the outside. There are times on  the road test that you or the driver examiner may need  to open a window, so they need to function properly. 7.  Airbag or Brake and ABS warning lights stay on  — if these lights stay on, they may indicate a serious safety  problem. 6.  Unsafe tires  — make sure the tires are in good  condition, have plenty of tread and are properly inflated.  Temporary spare tires may not be used on a road test  (they are intended only to get the vehicle to the nearest  repair shop at reduced speeds so that the proper tire  can be repaired or replaced).