Mastering Safe Driving: Avoiding Common Mistakes and Ensuring Road Safety

author

Vikash Jain

. 4 min read

Follow

To what extent do you feel in command of your vehicle, or does it feel more at home in charge of you? Even though automobiles are becoming safer every year, if you don't maintain it or utilise the components appropriately, you might get yourself into a jam when you need it the least. The usage of computers and video chat in today's vehicles has made driving a much more pleasant and connected experience. The system, equipped with advanced technology, may prevent conflicting instructions from being executed and alert the driver through video chat. Next, certain problems that may arise. Airbags, ABS, traction control, and shatterproof glass are just some of the modern safety features included in today's automobiles, enhancing the overall driving experience and ensuring greater safety on the road.


There are Certain Things You Should Still Avoid

Do not turn it off while driving

Considering that you probably just need to press a button to start your automobile, you may have pondered what would happen if you accidentally turned it off while you were on the road. If you are driving at a reasonable pace and suddenly lose control, you may envision a very severe and rapid halt. When you push the button, the automobile will keep going without you having to do anything. In many newer vehicles, a number of fail-safes are activated in the event that this button is pressed inadvertently, averting an accident.

Avoid using the reverse gear while driving

Nothing disastrous is likely to occur if you put your car in reverse while driving. Even if your vehicle is equipped with a rearview camera and a screen in the cargo area, it will not abruptly reverse direction or stop if you activate parking assist features. You probably didn't realise, but curiosity is a fundamental human drive. Vehicle manufacturers devised a safety feature called reverse inhibit to shield us from our own fallibility. In addition to driving backwards. The car's computer should disregard the order to reverse, but you shouldn't test it out anyhow.

While behind the wheel, avoid selecting Park

Incorrect; there will be no explosion or launch into oncoming cars. Putting the car in park while driving might cause a horrible grinding noise and cause the vehicle to keep moving. If you do this accidently once, it generally won't do any harm to your automobile. You should be aware that the car's computer will reject the order if it detects danger. You may cause permanent harm to your car's gearbox if you number four are constantly issuing contradictory directions.

The ignition key shouldn't have too many duplicates

It's probably not a good idea to have the keys to your vehicle, home, laundry room, workplace, and a dozen other places all on the same keychain. Over time, the added weight of this might break your ignition switch. When you turn your car's key, gravity is still at work. These hefty keys will pull and tug on the ignition as you drive over bumps and potholes.

To maintain optimal performance, oil changes should be performed as recommended by the manufacturer

There's logic to its inclusion. Oil changes may be needed as often as every 3,000 miles for certain makes and models. The oil in most modern vehicles can be changed. The safest course of action for drivers of brand-new vehicles is to refer to the owner's handbook every 5,000 or 7,500 miles. The oil in certain vehicles may be quite thin, requiring a change every 500 to 600 miles. Make a note on your calendar or phone to remind you when you need to have your oil changed.

Normal warnings for overfilling include oil leaks and oil stains

If you see smoke emerging from the engine compartment or smell burning oil, it's likely because you overfilled the oil in your automobile. The engine may be damaged as a result. And if that happens, the whole engine has to be replaced. Don't put it off until the gas tank is almost dry, as instructed in the seventh place. There's the danger of stalling on a busy street if you let your gas tank go too low.

The car's catalytic converter might be broken as well

Some symptoms of a broken catalytic converter include a loss of acceleration when the accelerator is pressed, a rapid decrease in fuel emissions, or the inability to start the vehicle. It's also important to remember that even the purest gasoline has some tiny particles that will always sink to the bottom of the tank if left there. When a gas tank is almost empty and the vehicle is being driven on fumes, this residue is sucked into the engine.

Check your tyre pressure

Tire pressure checks are an important safety measure that are frequently neglected. Doing so is especially crucial before embarking on a road trip or before beginning a commute that will last more than thirty minutes each way.

Tire pressure recommendations are brand-specific

Tires with low air pressure may wear down rapidly, requiring replacements before long. Tires will wear out faster and perhaps lose grip on the road if the pressure is set too high. Just making regular checks on your tyre pressure may help you prevent this. If you suspect a tyre is flat, it is probably completely deflated.It should serve as a warning to inspect your tyres more closely.

Make sure the tyres are evenly balanced

If you run into the curb, have the experts at the shop examine your car's balance and alignment. In addition to reducing your steering responsiveness, driving with tyres that aren't properly balanced might cause premature tyre wear. You may also notice that your automobile veers to one side, shakes often, or is sensitive to even the smallest road imperfections. If you can spare a few minutes to let a technician balance and align your automobile, you'll be rewarded with a comfortable drive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while modern automobiles are equipped with advanced safety features and technology that make driving a more pleasant experience, it is still important for drivers to exercise caution and avoid certain actions that can potentially cause harm to their vehicles. Turning off the engine while driving, using the reverse gear while in motion, selecting park while the vehicle is still in motion, and overfilling the oil tank can all result in serious consequences for the vehicle's performance and safety. Therefore, it is essential for drivers to be mindful of these potential pitfalls and follow manufacturer recommendations and best practices to ensure that they remain in command of their vehicles and enjoy safe and smooth driving experiences.