Whether you’re driving your own car or using one of the many ridesharing services available, there are a few things that you must know to ensure your safety on the road.
In order to keep your vehicle safe on the road, you must use all of your senses while you’re behind the wheel. This includes sight, hearing and smell.
Steering
Steering a car is an important skill for any driver. It requires concentration and patience, so it is crucial that you master it quickly before you can move onto more advanced driving skills.
The steering system in your vehicle is made up of a series of linkage gears that transfer the steering wheel’s motion to the wheels. These gears are typically worm-and-sector, rack-and-pinion or recirculating ball.
Several key components in the steering system, such as tie rod ends, ball-joints and bushes, can wear out over time due to constant use. This can make the steering feel “loose” or shimmy from side to side, while also causing a knocking noise when hitting bumps.
You can avoid this issue by checking the quality of your power steering fluid every five years or 50,000 miles. It should be clear, without any dirt, debris or sludge. If it looks dark, dirty or contaminated, then you need to replace the fluid immediately.
Another important point to keep in mind is that you should steer when the car is moving, not while it is stopped. If you spin the steering wheel while the car is stationary, it can cause dry steering which causes unnecessary stress on the engine and leads to premature wear of the front tyres.
Handling the steering wheel can be a tricky skill, but there are a few tricks you can use to get the best results. First, don’t grip the wheel tightly. If you do, it can wear down your hands and make it difficult to rotate the wheel safely.
Instead, try a “push-and-pull” technique. This involves pushing the wheel up with one hand while pulling it down with the other.
Once you have mastered this technique, you will be able to change lanes or turn into junctions with ease. This is an excellent practice for beginners as it will prevent you from wearing down your hands while driving.
There are two main types of power steering systems: hydraulic and electric. Hydraulic systems are often used in commercial vehicles, while EPS systems are more popular on passenger cars. EPS systems offer better fuel economy and don’t need the use of hydraulic fluid, which means they can be less expensive to run. They can also be used for lane-keep assist and other features that require steering adjustment but don’t rely on manual control by the driver.
Acceleration
Whether you’re turning around a tight corner in a car, slamming on the brakes to slow down or simply taking a breather after a long journey, acceleration is a fundamental part of driving. It’s the force that causes a vehicle to speed up or slow down, and it’s also what makes a car feel like it’s pushing you to the edge of a road when it’s in a turn.
It’s a feeling that can be very scary and it’s important to understand what it is when you drive, as accelerating can take you into dangerous situations. But it’s also a skill that can be mastered and used safely, as long as you know how to apply it.
When you accelerate your car, it will begin to push harder on the tyres than when you’re braking. This is why drivers often complain that their cars are ‘jerky’ when they’re accelerating, and why it’s vital to learn how to accelerate skilfully.
In the first few seconds of acceleration, your car’s tyres will have a large force applied to them, but these will then gradually decrease until they’re not applying any pressure at all. Once your tyres have reached their friction limit, they will start to spin, which can throw you off course and cause an accident.
The most common causes of acceleration problems include:
Clogged air filters starve a car’s engine of much-needed oxygen. They also affect the way in which a fuel-rich air/fuel mixture is delivered, which can result in poor acceleration and low power.
A faulty sensor or a faulty throttle can also lead to a slow acceleration. If the problem persists after fixing these issues, it’s best to have a professional mechanic look at your vehicle.
Acceleration is an extremely sensitive skill and requires experience to master. It’s not something that can be learned overnight, but it’s a skill that will help you avoid accidents and make your driving life easier.
It’s also important to note that slamming the accelerator down too hard when accelerating isn’t the safest thing to do, as it can cause a wheel spin and reduce your gas mileage. You should try to avoid this when you’re learning to accelerate, by:
Braking
Braking is the process of slowing a car down to a safe speed. This is essential for a number of reasons, including safety and avoiding accidents. It can also help you maintain a good following distance, which will improve your visibility on the road and give you time to react in the event of an emergency.
Brakes need to be applied with a certain degree of force and pressure in order to work efficiently. If you try to slam on the brakes too quickly, they will not be effective and can be dangerous for both you and other drivers on the road.
There are a few different techniques used by professional drivers to brake effectively, but they should only be learned from a qualified driving instructor. Some of these include cadence braking, interference braking and ABS (Automatic Braking System) braking.
Cadence braking is the use of constant pressure on the brake pedal as the car slowly brakes to a safe stop. This will keep the steering wheel from jerking as the car brakes, which can be dangerous.
Interference braking is similar to cadence braking, except that it occurs in a different direction and involves applying less pressure on the brake pedal. This prevents the steering wheel from jerking and is usually necessary in emergency situations.
A good driver will also know when to use engine braking instead of the brakes. While it will take longer to slow down in this manner, it can be more efficient and avoid the brake fade that occurs when a driver uses too much force on the pedal.
Pedal braking is often inconsistent and can upset the balance of a vehicle, whereas engine braking creates a smooth consistent force that is more in keeping with the nature of the car’s suspension. This can be a valuable tool when you’re on a decline, such as when going downhill.
If you’re unsure how to brake safely and effectively, talk to your nearest UbiCar garage. They will be able to advise you on the best ways of braking to suit your individual vehicle and situation, and will even reward you for improving your driving skills by reducing your insurance premiums.
Turning
Turning is one of the most important skills to master when learning to drive a car. It’s a skill that you will need to use for many different situations, such as turning right or making a left turn on a highway.
Practicing turns in an empty parking lot or another space without traffic and pedestrians is important to learn how to do them properly. You should practice making both wide and tight turns until you feel comfortable with them.
It’s very important to position your vehicle for a turn well in advance. If you are not positioned correctly, you can potentially crash into other vehicles or pedestrians while making the turn.
You should also take into account the fact that turning can increase your speed, which can be dangerous. Try to maintain a consistent, stable speed before and after making the turn, so that you don’t lose control of your vehicle.
In addition, you should always make sure that you are in the correct lane for the turn before making it. If you aren’t, other drivers may not yield to your signal and you could end up colliding with them or crashing into the back of their car.
When turning, you should use a method called the “push-pull” technique. This means feeding the steering wheel through your hands so that one hand remains gripping the wheel and the other hand pushes the wheel around.
New drivers are often confused about how much steering is needed to make a turn. They think they need to turn a full circle of the wheel, but this isn’t necessary.
Instead, you should start by pushing the wheel a certain amount at the beginning of the turn. This will help to reduce the amount of steering needed during the turn.
Then, you should move the steering wheel gradually until you are able to straighten it out. This will prevent your wheels from being pulled too far to the side, which can lead to a wide turn.
Using the hand-over-hand method can be challenging for beginner drivers, but it’s worth learning as you progress to driving on a busy road. This method will allow you to make smooth, controlled turns while avoiding weaving in and out of parked cars.