The brake system of your car is one of the most vital safety features that without which driving would be impossible. There are many things that can go wrong with your brakes and as preventive maintenance and regular inspection, it would be best to check on a few parts so you don’t get caught without brakes on the road.

Under the hood of any vehicle there is a container or reservoir as it is called that contains brake fluid and to most drivers, is the most known part of the brake system. Don’t keep this only topped off but make sure you use the right type of brake fluid (DOT 3 is the most common brake fluid grade used). The metal thing this reservoir sits on is called the Master cylinder which contains the pistons that forces the fluid from the reservoir into the brake lines (more on the other parts as we go on) to the wheel cylinders. Directly behind that is a metal drum like thing that is the brake booster which has a rubber gasket inside which multiplies the amount of force exerted by your foot on the pedal into immense pressures to stop your car. The brake fluid then goes through the brake lines to each wheel which are actually metal pipes with some rubber hoses in tight corners and moving areas to the wheel cylinders. The wheels all have individual cylinders or pistons that push the brake pads or drums to close and stop the vehicle. The parts the pads come in contact with are the rotors for disk brakes and drums for drum brakes.

More on the next post regarding maintenance and troubleshooting of the brake system.

Written by Marcel on July 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Well, this might have to do more with the way the human body is designed and how much information we can process in a short period of time. Scientific data has shown that our actual active line of sight window (or the area of our vision which is fully analyzed and can be reacted to instantaneously) is limited to a few square inches in front of you. The rest is what is considered to be the peripheral vision area which we are aware of but do not have too much concentration on. Add to it the tunes playing on the radio, the shifting combination of the depressing the clutch and changing gears and you have a lot of information to handle for the human body to actually process (try this test to see if you are a safe distance from the car in front of you).

At 40 kmh, the average car (with stock brakes) can stop reliably in about 5 car lengths which translates to around 50 or 60 feet. This might sound quite far but this is true. Now back to the speed limit thingy, well these are placed due to many considerations such as the type of road surface, the amount of traffic that is to be expected, and the surmised fuel savings and so on and so forth. The one about speed in relation to fuel consumption is a good one, for at 80 kmh, your vehicle is running in balance with it’s weight and the momentum or it’s forward thrust that the engine is running efficiently burning only enough fuel to maintain that speed no more and no less. Now with most carburetor type vehicles that would be a good idea for these vehicles do not have computer brains like the newer models of cars which seem to have technology crammed into each and every corner.

The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or computer of newer cars has the necessary programming to obtain information from a bank of sensors on the engine (temperature, idling speed, revolutions, amount of air entering the engine and many more) that allows it to adjust the performance of its parts to provide or attain maximum efficiency while maintaining fuel economy. Depressing the gas pedal on a carb-type vehicle and you pour gas into the engine even if it doesn’t need it sending some into the overflow line onto the street. Newer cars have recovery lines which send excess fuel back into the fuel delivery system or the gas tank for re-use. The speed limit is the determined safe speed to maintain necessary distances for braking allowing you enough time to react properly to the events that unfold such as in emergency cases in front of you. The human body reacts quite fast (in milliseconds actually which is the time your eyes see the information, sends it to the brain, processes it and comes up with the necessary response and sends the nerve impulses to the necessary muscles on your limbs for you to react) but at high speeds, that might not be enough. Why race down a street which is only a few blocks long? Just ease on the gas pedal and accelerate gradually for it not only saves fuel, it also saves on the wear and tear on other parts of the vehicle(brakes, suspension and other parts). Enjoy the trip and not the ride for it allows you to ponder about better things than the darned traffic jam ahead of you.

Written by Marcel on June 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Thinking back, I should have posted this before the previous article. You see, I saw a comment by one of our readers asking for posts on automatic transmission. That is why I am on a seemingly “automatic mode” right now. Anyhow, I realized that as simple as this topic may be – driving can’t get any simple than automatic, right? – it will still be useful for some.

So this is what you do to get started…

Once in the car, take a look at the two pedals on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. The pedal on the right is the accelerator and the pedal on the left is the brake. Unlike with the stick shift, you only have to use your right foot to man those two pedals.

Look to your right and get to know that gear shifter by heart. The automatic gear shifter will normally have settings with these labels: P, R, N, D, 2, and 1. P stands for park, R for reverse, N for neutral, D for drive, 2 for 2nd gear, and 1 for first gear.

Now you may be wondering what the gears are there for – it’s an automatic car right? the first and second gears are there in case you need them for bad weather conditions. Don’t diss them just yet – you will find them handy one of these days.

Now you’re ready to drive. Check that the gear box is set to P. Most cars will not start unless it is on P anyway, but just make sure. Step on the brake, and start the engine. Now shift the gear box to D or R, depending on whether you have to go forward or back up. Slowly ease up on the brake until the car begins to move. (If you’re used to driving manual, this first movement might be a bit surprising.) Put your right foot on the accelerator and go!

Written by Marcel on June 10, 2009 | 2 Comments

In my last post, we took a look at some of the most common sense tips to help you keep safe while on wet roads. Here are some more that you can bear in mind.

Stay away from the side of the road.
As much as possible, drive as near to the middle of the road as you can. The rationale behind this tip is the fact that most of the roads in the United States are crowned in the middle. As a result, the water tends to run off to the sides of the road. In many cases, the water gathers toward the sides, posing a hazard to motorists.

Always turn your headlights on.
This is the law in many places actually, but not everyone really does it. If I were you, the moment that a light rain falls, I would turn my headlights on. Even if you can see relatively clearly ahead of you, it would still help. More so, your headlights would alert other motorists to your presence. A word of caution: do not use your high beams when there is a fog. Instead, use your fog lights if you have them.

Keep your eyes on the car ahead of you.
While you have to keep your eyes on the road and the condition, you also have to pay attention to the car in front of you. Make sure he has enough space, especially if he has to suddenly brake. Also, seeing how the car in front of you “behaves” will give you a pretty good idea of what is ahead.

Drive safe!

Written by Marcel on May 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the weather has been crazy these past few months. Where it is supposed to be summer, they are getting storms. Where it is supposed to be cold, the temperatures are way up. In case you find yourself driving in the rain, here are some tips that will help you stay safe.

Pay extra attention when it suddenly rains after a long dry spell.
This may seem common sense but sometimes, people overlook like. The fact is that during dry spells, engine oil and grease build up on the road surface. When it suddenly rains and the road gets wet, the grease and oil mix, making more dangerous than usual.

Brake sooner and with less force.
Slippery roads make for dangerous times when you brake. As such, when driving in the rain, do brake sooner than you normal would. Also, do not press on the brakes with as much force as you normally would. This would not only give you more distance between your car and the car in front of you but it would also give the driver behind know enough time to hit the brakes himself.

Do NOT use cruise control.
Cruise control was invented for a reason but it was never meant to be used in bad weather. Do not feel lazy when driving in rainy weather but instead be alert as you possibly can.

These are some of the most simple tips that can help you in bad weather. More to follow in the next post.

Written by Marcel on May 15, 2009 | 2 Comments

In a recent post, I wrote about how defensive driving can really help you out. But what exactly is defensive driving? Here are some practical tips that you can bear in mind while on the road. These are REAL defensive driving techniques that can keep you in one piece as you travel from point A to point B.

Go with the flow
Say you are on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph. The people in the slow lane are driving at 63 mph, and the people in the fast lane are moving at 70 mph. What should you do? Let’s say that your preferred speed is 65 mph – the limit. Technically, you really should not go beyond the speed limit, so the best choice would be to slow down and go on the slow lane. Your other option would be to speed up and break the law. What you shouldn’t do, really, is stay in the fast lane and hold up traffic by going at 65 mph. This will just frustrate everyone else there and you might even cause an accident.

Anticipate
This is perhaps the most used item in the defensive driver’s arsenal. Anticipate the needs and moves of other drivers in your immediate vicinity. If the car in front of you suddenly brakes, then you can adjust accordingly. If you see a car behind coming up quickly wanting to pass, then you can act accordingly as well.

Know the road
If you are traveling to a new destination, make sure that you have an idea of the road conditions. You can easily do this these days by searching for information on the Internet. It is not that hard to do. Knowing what to expect will help you drive better and safer.

Written by Marcel on March 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment

They say that you will never face a better test of your driving skills until you have to drive in winter. While the season is almost over, we do know that the global climate changes have made things a little crazy in this department. There are still cities and states which are experiencing an extended period of bad weather. As most of us face the tail end of the winter, here are some of the best winter driving tips that you can bear in mind.

Don’t drive in bad weather.
That’s the best tip of all, actually. If you hear about a snowstorm on the radio or on TV, the smartest thing to do would be to stay put and wait it out. And once the storm is over, do not be in a hurry to get out and drive. Make sure the plows have done their job and that there is no ice on the road.

Take your foot off the accelerator.
If you cannot stay put and you find yourself driving on icy roads, your best bet would be to go against your need for speed. That accelerator is also meant to be stepped on lightly, you know. Decrease your speed, brake gently.

Never use cruise control.
While cruise control is FUN, it will not do you any good to use it on bad roads. Driving in bad weather requires all your attention and focus. It’s best for you to pay attention and not leave things up to cruise control.

Written by Marcel on March 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

This is not meant to be a pessimistic post. It is only meant to open your eyes to the reality that everyone faces out there while driving on the road.

When you drive, do you trust other drivers to drive well? Do you trust them to do the right things like follow the law and drive carefully? As noble as this kind of attitude may sound, it might not be the best route to take when driving. You see, having this kind of attitude is akin to trusting your life to a stranger.

If you think that everyone around you – all the other drivers – are going to drive wisely and safely and that they are going to obey the law, then it could be that you would become lax and less of a defensive driver. Things could be well and fine until the day that you meet that one driver who is not worthy of that trust. And all it takes is one – then you might end up at the hospital, or worse.

So how do you deal with this? It is simple – when it comes to driving, do not trust anybody. In other words, do not place the responsibility of driving safely in the hands of other people. What you should do instead is to make sure that you drive safely and properly AND always be on the lookout for drivers on the road who may not be practicing the right driving techniques. In this manner, you not only drive the right way but you also protect yourself – and your passengers – from potential danger due to other people’s irresponsibility.

Written by Marcel on February 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment

How many times have you heard a motorist say “I never saw him!” after getting into a road accident? I bet that you have heard this excuse so many times you cannot even count. You might have even used this excuse yourself.

Let me tell you this, though, that line just doesn’t cut it. More often than not, when a motorist says he didn’t see the other vehicle, it is a case of not paying enough attention to the road and surroundings. Inattention is actually a general term that can involve one or more of the following:

• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Daydreaming
• Distractions such as texting, talking to the passengers in the car, talking on the mobile phone, etc.
• Fatigue
• Etc.

These things – and more – can cause a driver to be inattentive while on the move. As a driver, your primary responsibility is to be alert and to be able to see an accident coming and be able to avoid it. However, what normally happens is that when you are a seasoned driver, the task becomes automatic, making it highly likely that your mind will wander.

Think about it – as you get in your car later, try to focus only on driving. Think about nothing else. Just look at the road ahead of you, check your side mirrors and rearview mirrors. Think about using the blinkers when changing lanes, and so on. Try and see how long you can keep that up without thinking of any other thing. I bet that you won’t last 5 minutes without thinking of something else.

That is how easy it is to be inattentive while driving. But you and I know that paying attention can save your life and the lives of others. So, as you hit the road, do try to focus on your task. Leave your woolgathering or texting or whatever for later.

Written by Marcel on February 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment

At times when you are on the road, you are bound to see police cars, ambulances or VIPs flashing blinkers and sirens meaning they are in a hurry. Well, they are always in a hurry to reach their point of destination and as a sign of courtesy, private and public vehicles know for a fact that they have to give way or clear the road to let them pass.

That is a common practice that is done anywhere in the world today and for sure, no one wants to get into trouble or be ticketed as an obstruction for refusing to give way. As a rational driver, emergency or not it would be wise to allow them to pass since you never know what could happen and may be held accountable in the end if the emergencies fail to reach their actual point of destination.

As far as having blinkers and sirens is concerned, there are some people who install them without licenses or permits. By doing so, you are placing yourself in a lot of trouble. In most countries, unless you are licensed or authorized to have such things installed on your car, it would be best to keep that thought clear.

These gadgets are normally restricted to the proper people commissioned to do them. It goes in hand with their work. Some use them for status symbol while others just want to feel powerful. They are used for a purpose. Do not install one unless you have the right to have them.

Written by Marcel on December 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment