Car Components Advanced Driving 

How to make driving comfortable

Seat too upright, forcing you to bend your arms. Steering wheel to far away, making you bend your legs. Some cars seats can force you to slump too low down. The ideal position with legs and arms angled for maximum comfort. You often have to compromise on a seating position because of lack of full adjustability. Common problems are a fixed seat that is too upright, forcing you to bend your arms to allow your feet to reach the pedals; and a steering wheel that is too far away, forcing…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Overtaking with care

Always keep an eye out for drivers who try to pass cars one at a time if they are stuck in a long queue —they are dangerous. Sometimes the second or third driver in the queue may try to charge past all those in front of him in one go. If you are about to overtake a slow-moving vehicle in front of you and there is a tail of traffic behind you, check the rear view mirror even more carefully for queue jumpers. Hazards Many accidents occur when drivers overtake…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Preparing for the summer

In winter, the fan will not have had much to do and may be inoperative without you realizing. Check that it does in fact come on with the engine hot – say at idle just after a run. Some fans run all the time. One of the good things about a modern car is the way it adapts automatically to climate changes. Come rain, snow, ice, or a scorching day in summer, cars cope with changes in temperature and environment. But although much of the time seasonal changes bring no…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Road positioning

The way you position the car can help to supplement the information given by the direction indicators as to the way you intend to go. However, in towns and other dense traffic situations, it is not always possible to place the car exactly where you’d like – it may be necessary to move away from the ideal position to make room for other traffic so that you avoid causing a jam. In normal driving you should aim to occupy the middle of your lane, so that you are clear of…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Driving in wet weather

Roads seldom flood for any great distance, as the water runs down to fill the low spots. In dips, the water can be quite deep, so it is a good idea to test the depth with a stick first to make sure that you’ll be able to get through. Standing water, even when it is shallow can cause aquaplaning. Water under trees and in other areas of shade will be the last to dry. The assumption that the good grip of modern tyres means you are always safe on wet…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Fuel-efficient driving techniques

Areas to check for fuel saving One of the largest single expenditures in running a car is fuel, and great savings in motoring costs are made by reducing fuel consumption. This means adopting a driving technique that minimizes the amount of accelerating and heavy braking you have to do. Driving for economy is all about sustaining momentum building up speed steadily and trying not to lose it. Throttle control The actual running costs of a car are taken up by fuel, tyres, servicing and repairs. Fuel accounts for more than…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Crossing train tracks safely

In this type of crossing the barrier descends only over the left-hand half of the road on each approach side. Flashing lights are operated automatically by the train. Warning amber lights flash first then red ones. You should never try to drive in a zigzag round the closed barriers, against the lights. This could be fatal. As you drive over the crossing don’t be tempted to look up and down the track. Keep your eyes on the crossing. As you approach the level crossing and you see the barriers are…

Read More
Car Components Advanced Driving 

Steering

The ‘boy racer’ straight arm technique — fine for the narrow confines of a racing car cockpit, but totally unsuitable for a road car. As you come out of a turn, straighten up by reversing the method. Do not allow either hand to stray beyond the `12 o’clock’ position, because this greatly reduces the degree of fine control you have over the steering. Even when you have applied considerable lock through a tight turn, your hands should still remain opposite each other, ready to apply corrective lock if you skid…

Read More
the-boy-racer-straight-arm-technique-fine-for-the-narrow-confines-of-a-racing-car-cockpit-but-totally-unsuitable Car Components Advanced Driving 

How to steer a car when turning

It is important to use correct driving position. In short, you should not sit on the steering wheel, also do not too far away. You should be comfortable, but not too relaxed. You should hold the wheel with your hands at the ‘ten-to-two’ or `quarter-to-three’ position, and your arms should be bent to an angle of between 90 and 120 degrees. With your hands correctly positioned, you are best placed to make a sudden yet accurate and controlled movement of the steering, should a violent change of direction be demanded.…

Read More