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 | Leave a Comment

When you are driving a stick shift car, proper timing on when to change gears is important. Other than saving on fuel, the load that your engine would have needs to be considered as well. There are cars that end up needing an overhauls because of bad gear shifting and surely this will be something we can all avoid. Don’t be in a hurry to shift gears (since most people believe that the early shifter can save on gas). Actually, that is true but it also affects your car engine as far as proper revolution and advances in timing.

As far as wanting more power by shifting late, engines are going to bear that toll. Remember, there are engines the give way due to excess revolution to which the load may eventually lead your engine to shut off and need an overhaul. Aside from driving in the wrong manner, you may find yourself spending for the overhaul and waiting for your car to be finished in the process as well (about 2 to 3 weeks depending on the extent of the damage).

Finally, don’t leave you foot resting on the clutch. Some would use this as a practice so that they can avoid the pains of stepping and then releasing. Remember, when you step on the clutch, load is going to the clutch lining. If you are not careful, you may end up burning those clutch lining and discs and leave your car to need a brand new clutch replacement kit in the end.

Written by Marcel on November 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

People often disregard the importance of parking properly. As long as the car would fit and parking spaces are available, nothing else would matter to them. But the matter of likewise considering how you will leave the parking slot can be a hassle especially if you find yourself parking facing to a wall rather than a reverse position which makes it easier for you to get out.

Parallel parking is also something hard for most drivers to master. Actually, some people find themselves with dents and scratches mainly because they cannot properly fit in to these parallel parking spaces without being guided by another person. But in reality, the key towards being a good parallel parking is through backward approaches to which you can easily use the proper mixture when turning the front wheel.

It is not easy at first but after years of getting used to it, you may be surprised that you can squeeze your car into any slot especially if there is not good parking slot available. Some say that it is easier to park in parallel parking slots using the frontward approach. Depending on the distance and the space allocation, it does not necessarily follow.

Side mirrors are a great help actually. If you think of it, that is perhaps one reason why they are there; to aid you in backward parking in vertical or horizontal places. From the mirrors, you can easily calculate the distance you have from the gutter although it is still wiser to actually see it for yourself.

Written by Marcel on October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In a nutshell, shying away from cars would normally mean lesser people interested in driving. One of the main points for consideration here is the fact that why drive if you cannot afford to have a car of your own?

Aside from not being able to afford a car, there are other factors to consider. The instability of the oil prices and fuel shortage have become another notable aspect that has to be included. With all problems facing the world today, a person can commute or perhaps hitch a ride with no worries for car maintenance and money for fuel to get to the destination that they want to be. So where does this leave the driving schools who make a living from enrolled students who hope to drive someday?

For sure, these commissioned driving schools will feel the brunt of the economic meltdown just like any other business branch we know of in the world today. While it seems apparent that it is something that people can learn without paying, their existence may reach becoming pointless.

Driving schools are a big help. Especially for people who want to learn how to drive. But considering the factors hitting our economy today, they may as well be affected as well.

The economic sector is indeed walking on pins and needles these days. On what may happen tomorrow or the day after is anybody’s guess. Hopefully though some bright light comes out of it all before businesses are shot down one by one.

Written by Marcel on September 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As far as the set age on when to issue a drivers license, there have been qualms on increasing the age to 17 rather than the usual 16. Apparently this is because as far as being responsible drivers is concerned, a lot of debate has been said on the actual responsibility that most new drivers (a lot in their teens) of understanding the dangers of driving on the road at such an immature age.

The convenience of driving your own car is surely there but it is about being a conservative and responsible driver that is really the issue here. Also, the safety precautions as well on the drivers that are released today are showing significant numbers as far as accidents and deaths of younger drivers which have become a prime reason on re-evaluating the set age.

One thing you will not see when studying driving is how that person would really drive in the real world. Once issued a drivers license, they are practically free to drive and do what they want. Apparently, this is something that is lacking but is beyond the control of license issuers. Unless they actually meet an untoward accident that can place them back in their senses, chances are they will not even care on how they drive and where they drive.

Teens are up against a host of distractions, from cell phones to text messages to traffic congestion and aggressive driving. Driving instructor Robert Dicks says raising the driving age might be a good idea.

“Sixteen is very much not experienced,” said Dicks. “They’re very young, they don’t know how to handle one of these things.”

Source

Written by Marcel on September 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

There is a reason why texting has been banned while you are driving. For one, it takes your eyes off the road and will bring you nearer to accidents. When you drive a car, focus on the road and knowing how you handle your car are important. Outside of physical harm to yourself, you are also imperiling the lives of local commuters if you don’t watch where you are going.

Various laws have been passed to discipline drivers. But if you observe, people just cannot avoid texting or entertaining calls while driving. For voice calls, we have seen the offering of hand-free devices to accommodate executives on the go. But as far as texting is concerned, even the people who memorize the text keys are open to potent dangers coming their way.

Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington recently enacted laws that ban sending text messages while driving; 13 other states are reportedly considering similar legislation.

“The potential legal implications of texting while driving go far beyond the possibility of a mere traffic violation,” said Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney at FindLaw.com. “In the case of a traffic accident, proof that the driver was texting while driving may be used to help prove liability for an accident, even in states that do not ban texting while driving.”

(Source) Canadian Driver

The laws are set in almost every country in the world. What needs to be done is to lay them with an iron hand. When that happens, perhaps we can be better drivers and live longer.

Written by Marcel on August 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

One thing about studying driving, it is not only about getting behind the wheel and stepping on the gas pedals and shifting gears. There are basics such as the information you are well-versed on that is important. Though some people may not necessarily look at them as important, driving sensibly and logically still remains these days.

The Q & A of driving exams is quite simple. How can you drive if you don’t know what to do is certain driving situations. Questions such as knowing when to overtake and the distance to which you should be between cars are important. If you are not well-educated in these parts, chances are you will find yourself piling up driving tickets if not eventually land a revoked license problem eventually.

So how does one prepare for these driving exams. For one, you can read on books or ask the veteran drivers. Of the two, it seems the latter is the better option. Learning from the experience that driving road warriors is the best way to understand and digest what it really takes to drive out in the wild world of roads out there.

Rest assured there is no thing as a perfect driver. You may even use plain logic to answer these Q&A exams. But while you are at it, leave some room for errors. If there were perfect drivers these days then perhaps the rate of accidents these days would not be as alarming.

Written by Marcel on August 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment

There is more to driving than jumping on your car and cruising along the roads. There are certain rules and regulations you have to follow such as speed limits and road courtesy. For every component of your car lies a reason for being. For example, signal lights and brake lights are present to avoid accidents and to provides advanced warning on where you are headed. If you will notice, there are laws for having busted taillights and it all boils down to safety on the road for you and the car behind you.

When you enroll in a driving school, these are the basics being taught to you. Knowing the enthusiasm that most people have when they are starting to drive their car, it is almost apparent that they would forget about these things. After they have completed their course, it is all about getting the drivers license and forgetting the things that driving schools teach you.

These instances are sad yet true. Driving schools are being used as ways to secure a driver’s license and are yet overlooked as far as to their purpose. Basics are there but the learning experience is not digested fully. That is perhaps one reason why most people get into accidents after a week or two, mainly because they find out that driving out there alone is totally different when you have an instructor guiding you and stepping on the brakes in case you forget to.

Discipline in driving does not only mean obeying rules and regulations. It all starts from day one of your driving lessons. If at this point you fail to pass simple instructions and understanding, you can expect worst things to come as far as violations and accidents when you drive out the road.

Written by Marcel on July 31, 2008 | 1 Comment

Drivers have their own styles for driving. While some may not tell you up straight, it would be wise to avoid being a clutch driver, assuming you are using a stick-shift vehicle. Manual transmission driving is the best way to be able to drive the right way since it trains you to take hold of a car and really know when to shift gears when the need arises.

One thing you will note is that some drivers keep their foot on the clutch even if they are not moving. Do remember that when you do this, pressure is being placed on your clutch and if you do this frequently, you may find yourself burning the clutch lining and may eventually need to replace it. For the record, replacing your clutch is not cheap. Normally, it takes some years before the clutch parts of your vehicle are replaced.

When you are driving take it easy. Do not be in a hurry to gear up. This is one thing that aspiring drivers presume wrong. When you are immobile or are perhaps waiting for the front car to move, rest your foot on the car flooring. Haste makes waste.

If you hear someone honking at your back, let them. Just follow the proper rules that allow you to move forward. If there is a car in front of you or you are waiting for a red light to go green, you don’t have anywhere else to go. Relax and drive normally. Avoid the tense moments that may lead you to wreck your car.

Written by Marcel on July 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

With rising oil prices these days, who would still want to drive a car? Technically, this will affect a lot of aspiring drivers, particularly the teenagers. But the groups which will surely be hit hard would be the companies that provide driving lessons as their main bread and butter.

For the record, there are many people who enroll in driving institutes to know the basics of driving and be able to drive their own car to get to the destinations of their preference. But with gasoline practically becoming impossible to afford, people are being advised to turn to public transportation or even use bicycles if they really want to avoid these fuel burdens. And if this keeps up, who would want to learn to drive?

Just imagine the fees included in studying driving. It does not come cheap. Enrolling in these driving institutes such as A1 Driving Academy in the Philippines really costs a lot. So when you think of it, you have to pay to be taught to drive and the next thing you have to think of is on whether you can afford the fuel prices. Now that is something that will really make you think twice.

In general, you just have to be practical. For the people who used to drive their car to work, many are taking the bus, trains, and subway or better yet, hitch a ride to people who are still driving cars to get places. So with these options available, would you still want to learn to drive?

Written by Marcel on July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment