Every time, learning something new, we try to comprehend the basics of knowledge unknown to us correctly, following the clear recommendations of the teachers. Along with learning writing in elementary grades, driving requires just as much effort to establish yourself as a professional driver. It is worth noting that the acquisition of experience is associated with the acquisition of certain habits that are not always safe for both the driver himself and those around him.
Bad habits seem to us to be a salvation from discomfort. In fact, you can safely do without them, especially since the consequences can be very sad for the technical condition of the machine.
If you want to extend the life of your car for a longer period, immediately get rid of the following habits:
1. Riding with a half-empty tank
Let's start with the fuel level in the gas tank. Many drivers prefer to drive with an almost empty tank, only occasionally refueling at 5-10 liters. This is not worth doing, because, firstly, this leads to the formation of condensate, and secondly, the fuel filter will clog faster, which will result in incorrect engine operation and wear of the fuel pump.
2. Depressed clutch on manual transmission
Former owners of cars with automatic transmission, changing to "mechanics", during long stops continue to hold the clutch squeezed out, waiting for the start of movement. Newbies suffer from the same "disease", for whom switching on the gear provides a lot of trouble. This gradually becomes a very bad habit that destroys the clutch disc, pressure bearing, basket and flywheel mirror.
3. Quick start after starting the motor
Particularly hasty drivers have a very bad habit of starting immediately after starting the engine, without leaving the slightest time to warm up. At the same time, many immediately "pile up" such revolutions that the engine, helplessly trying to reach the power declared by the manufacturer, roars like a wild beast. In fact, at this moment there is a strong wear of the piston group, therefore, before starting the movement, be sure to let the engine run for one minute so that the oil is evenly distributed over all channels of the power unit.
4. Leaving the car in first gear
Sometimes bad and even dangerous habits enter our lives from a long-lived past, when it was considered normal to leave the car in first gear at a full stop. Today, this cannot be done for two reasons. And the first of these is forgetfulness. If you start the car in gear, it will jump forward sharply, which can cause significant harm to the cars or pedestrians in front, and your own bumper is likely to be replaced.
The second reason is more serious and is associated with the peculiarities of the gas distribution. Modern engines “prefer” to bleed pressure from the system, which can cause the car to roll off the hill, even if the first gear was engaged, and this is an additional cost and responsibility.
5. Refusal to use the handbrake when selecting the parking mode
Drivers of cars with automatic transmissions have another bad habit of ignoring the use of the hand brake when moving the gearshift lever to the "P" position. In principle, on a perfectly horizontal surface, there will be no great harm to the box and the entire car as a whole, but when parking on a hill, take the trouble to raise or turn on the parking brake after choosing the parking mode. So you will protect the locking mechanism from damage, the repair of which is prohibitively expensive, and also avoid rolling the car down an inclined surface, the consequences of which are scary even to talk about.
Naturally, there are many other habits of motorists that harm the car directly or indirectly - for example, turning the steering wheel all the way when turning, refueling with gasoline with an octane rating that does not meet the manufacturer's requirements, ignoring extraneous sounds from under the hood, and so on.
How to prevent the emergence of bad habits at the stage of choosing a car
Surprisingly, it is the wrong choice of vehicle that can serve as a strong catalyst for the driver to grow into a whole set of habits that destroy the vital technical components of the car.
For example, you should pay attention to a comfortable fit. No matter how expensive and prestigious the car may be, if it is inconvenient for you to be in it, you subconsciously try to make your life easier by putting one hand on the steering wheel, resting the other on the gearshift lever, while expanding the seat like a hammock. According to the rules, such a landing is unacceptable and will lead to unpleasant consequences.
The presence of an armrest follows from the first position. If you are used to sitting comfortably at home, leaning on something with your hands, most likely you will be pleased to transfer your home habit into the car, thereby protecting the transmission from premature wear.
As a calm person in life, you are more likely to transfer your life experience to the world of highways. Do not consider engines with high rpm, because measured driving at 2000-3000 rpm can be fatal for them.
The habit of driving an ordinary "aspirated" engine can kill a turbocharged engine in a matter of days. The turbine needs proper operation - for example, after a long trip, it is recommended to idle up to half a kilometer to evenly cool the equipment. If you are not an avid racer and only use the car for commuting and back, it is better to buy a car without a turbine.
Good habits
Now let's talk about good habits - the best helpers in life situations that drivers encounter on a daily basis, such as emergency braking.
Speaking of brakes, their effectiveness depends not only on the technical condition of the pads and brake discs, but also on the correct position of the driver in the seat. If the seat back is folded down, the same emphasis that is necessary for emergency braking will be absent at the most crucial moment. The only way to brake quickly in this situation is to put your hands on the steering wheel, thereby depriving yourself of the opportunity to drive the car.
Keep the backrest strictly in an upright position - this way you will be able to adequately respond to the variability of the road situation without losing control of the vehicle.
As for management, in an emergency, it plays a major role in minimizing the risks of either being left without a car or ending up in the dock - and it's good if everyone survives. In this regard, it is important to be especially scrupulous about the correct driving style, in particular, to driving.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, as taught in driving school. This position of the hands allows you to turn the steering wheel as quickly as possible in the desired direction, while the reaction speed is maximum.
It will be a very useful habit to regularly inspect the interior of the car for things scattered around it, from the pump to the jack and keys, which often have no place next to people. Even with a minor collision, a flying balloon wrench can do a lot of trouble, causing harm to the life and health of passengers and mutilating the interior of the car.
Be careful not only while driving, but also before getting into the driver's seat. Always buckle up yourself and make all passengers do it. Avoid bad habits and acquire good ones, and then you will be in perfect order with car safety.
Errors resulting from poor driver habits sometimes require quick action. A similar response is needed if you hear disturbing sounds under the hood cars.