50 | Driver’s Manual between your thumb and forefinger. Place Lin- coln’s head first into the deepest looking groove.  Can you see all of his head? If yes, your tires are  too worn – don’t drive on them, and make sure  to get them replaced. It is also illegal to drive with  tires that have cuts down to the cords, bumps or  bulges. Refer to your owner manual or a tire store  about correct tire pressure, and check it often  with a reliable gauge. receive a 120-day suspension for a first conviction  and a revocation of at least one year for subse- quent convictions within six months of the time a  license is restored after suspension. GLASS  - Keep your windows clean and clear. Replace worn wiper blades. Keep your defroster  and rear window defogger in good condition and  make sure there is enough windshield fluid in the reservoir. Any broken or cracked glass must  be repaired or replaced. New York State Law requires that all vehicles  registered in New York pass an annual safety  inspection, but that does not mean it is the only  time you should have safety equipment checked.  Follow your owner’s manual for routine mainte- nance. Have problems corrected by a qualified  mechanic as soon as possible. Do not wait until  mechanical problems cause breakdowns or crashes.  Pay special attention to the maintenance and  repair of the brakes, steering mechanism, lights,  tires and horn. Depend on your owner manual  and an experienced mechanic as keys to a safe  vehicle. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure  that the vehicle being driven is safe.  HORN  - Your horn is important safety equipment  that could become your only means of warning  other drivers or pedestrians of possible problems.  If the horn does not work, get it repaired as soon  as possible. It should be used properly, not to  express anger at other drivers or pedestrians. Here are some common problems, and some  equipment checks you can do: BRAKES  - Brakes that pull to one side may be  wet or may need to be adjusted or repaired. If  wet, you can dry them riding the pedal lightly. If  this does not help, have your brakes checked by  a mechanic. If you notice any change in the brake  performance, have them checked immediately. STEERING  - There should not be much free  movement in the steering wheel. If your vehicle  has power steering, check the fluid level periodi- cally. A noise like a whine when you make a sharp  turn can indicate a problem. LIGHTS  - Keep your lights clean and free of dirt,  snow and ice. Broken lenses can cause danger- ous glare for other drivers, so replace them as  soon as you can. Make sure headlights are adjust- ed correctly to give you the best view of the road. TIRES  - The law requires that your tires have  at least 2⁄32nds of an inch (.16 cm) of tread. Most  tires for passenger cars and light trucks have  indicators called “wear bars” that show across the  tire grooves when the minimum tread depth is  reached. You can check your tread depth with a  penny. Hold a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s body  Before you move on to Chapter 9, make sure you  can answer these questions: QUESTIONS VEHICLE CONDITION • Should you always look straight ahead when  you drive? • If there is no posted speed limit, what is the  fastest you can legally drive in New York  City? • Is it always safe to drive at the assigned  speed limit? • What is the purpose of minimum speed  limits? • Who must wear seat belts? Who should wear them? • How can you prevent fatigue on a long trip? • What is road rage? How can you prevent  becoming involved in road rage? • How should you drive safely through a work zone? A roundabout?