How to Drive a Car
March 25, 2009 | In: Motoring, Self Improvement
Drive A Car
Most young people always dream of being able to drive their own car someday. At least when they know how to drive already, they will no longer need to request their parents to drive them to their destinations or join a car pool. Driving a car gives one a feeling of independence while on the road and in countries or cities where public transportation is rare, being able to drive your own car is really a necessity.
There are two types of vehicles that one needs to learn to drive. You can choose between the automatic and the manual transmission types but it would be best to learn to drive both. When you’re flexible and in instances when one of the two types is not available, you will still be able to drive the vehicle.
An automatic car should be very easy to drive as you will only have two pedals to control (accelerator and brake). A vehicle with a manual transmission will require you to control the stick shift while at the same time pressing the pedals.
While you’re learning to drive, it’s also ideal to learn the important parts of the car and how each affects the vehicle’s running condition. This is essential so you would know which components may need to be checked in case your car malfunctions in the middle of the road.
As you’re preparing to drive a car, ensure that your feet reaches the pedals. If not, adjust your seat to the right position. You can use driving shoes or if you’re a first timer, you may drive with your bare feet to get the right feel of the pedals.
Next is to check tire pressure, the gasoline meter and make sure that the gears are set in neutral. Now fasten your seatbelt for your protection and insert the key and then start the car engine.
If you’re driving an automatic car, first make sure that the car is in park mode (marked P) and then apply the brakes before putting it into the drive mode (marked with D). Now gradually press the gas pedal and adjust the wheel depending on your route. When you need to stop such as in the middle of a traffic, you just have to press the brake pedal. When it’s time to go, release the brake and press the gas pedal again. Upon reaching your destination, just press the brake and put the gear shift into the park mode.
For a manual transmission, there are three pedals to control – (starting from the left) the clutch, brake and gas. The stick shift handle has a diagram on how to use gearshift. It looks like an H with three legs but it actually shows how the six gears including the reverse should be applied.
Before starting the car, press the clutch first and adjust the gearshift into neutral. As you start the car, press the clutch then go into first gear and slowly press the gas pedal while releasing the clutch. The car should be moving at this time so accelerate until you reach 3,000 rpm and you can then release the gas while pressing the clutch and going into second gear. Gradually press the gas pedal again while releasing the clutch. This should be done alternately as you achieve a comfortable speed.
If you want to slow down, just slowly release the gas pedal. The same is true for the automatic vehicle. When you park, apply the clutch and brake at the same time while putting the car into first gear.
Practice driving while you can so that by the time you take the test, you will immediately pass with flying colors.
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