If you are planning to save for your first car and start driving there are some essential things that you need to learn before you can go out and drive on your own. Hiring a professional driving instructor Leicester can be very helpful in teaching you the basic rules of driving and also safety road measures. However, more things need to be uncovered to ensure that your car remains to be in excellent working condition and to avoid potential road accidents that cause you a major headache. Here is some additional knowledge that is worth sharing.
Know how to use your shift gears properly
If you are driving an automatic car, you might find it a little confusing when you shift into manual transmission. The main difference is the presence of a clutch and multiple gears found in a manual car. Not knowing how and when to shift gears will eventually damage your cars’ transmission. You might end up spending a significant amount of money to have it fixed.
Make sure that your vehicle is always in excellent condition
Whether you are driving a brand new or second-hand car, it is essential to have it maintained regularly by bringing it to a service centre or a local garage. Routine inspection and work up such as oil change, wheel alignment, replacement of brake pads should be done every time your car reaches a certain mileage. If you are planning to drive a long distance, it is best to have your vehicle serviced regularly. Do not forget to refer to your owner’s manual for more guidelines.
Make sure to always buckle-up
Before driving towards your destination make sure that you and other passengers are wearing their seat belts properly. The latest car models come with a seat belt light indicator that comes on if a passenger is not wearing this safety feature properly. Seat belts may be uncomfortable for some people; however, this can save your life in case of a significant head-on collision. If you have small children riding with you make sure that they are wearing age-appropriate car and booster seats.
Do not use your cell phone while driving
Some places have strict laws against using mobile phones while driving because it can also cause innocent lives on the road. If you need to answer the call, you can put your phone in speaker mode or invest in a hands-free bluetooth headset so you can still focus on your driving. Your text messages can wait until you reach your destination or your passenger can reply on your behalf. The last thing that you want to happen is for a traffic enforcer to call out your attention and issue you a ticket for this particular violation.
Being a responsible car owner means that you are willing to care for your vehicle and passengers. Be an advocate of road safety by following traffic rules, giving way to pedestrians and emergency vehicles and extending your patience towards other drivers. Remember that being pleasant and courteous on the road goes a long way.
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