Driving Tips - Hill Starts

A lot of the modern cars today come with a hill start assist feature, which prevents the car from sliding back when starting uphill. While in India, only the CBU imports have this feature, namely the M Class, Land Rover etc.

While most of us don’t live in San Francisco, we do encounter a lot of Flyovers, especially here in the capital. Also, automatics are not at the top of the list when buying a car here, since they generally are less fuel efficient than their manual counterparts.

So how does one tackle an uphill start when, let’s say, stuck in a jam on a flyover? BTW these flyovers were meant to reduce the jams, but that is a different story. Anyways, here are two ways to prevent the bumper of your car from having a rather intimate conversation with the bumper of the car behind/front in the middle of a jam.

The first method is the hand brake version. Here’s how it is performed. Let’s say you are stuck in a jam on the Moti Bagh flyover, and are halfway up. You pull the handbrake to prevent the car from sliding back. As soon as the cars ahead start moving, with the hand brake still engaged, you put the car in gear and start off in a normal fashion, only with slightly more throttle than usual. This will prevent the car from stalling. Now with your left/right hand slowly let go of the hand brake, incorporating a slight delay, and you should be off. The thing to keep in mind is that you keep your hands on the hand brake, but don’t use it to brake, because if you do, the chances of the bumpers having that intimate conversation I was referring to earlier don’t reduce by that much.

The second method, the one I use, is the foot brake version. It is slightly more difficult than the hand brake version, and also a little rough on the mechanicals. Read clutch and gearbox. Again, let us assume that you are stuck in a jam on the Moti Bagh flyover, halfway up. Keep your right foot on the brake when not in motion to prevent the car from sliding back. Now, as the cars in front start moving, engage the first gear and with your right foot still on the brake, let go of the clutch by about one-quarters to one-third of the way. The car won’t stall even on idle revs. Now quickly move your right foot from the brake to the accelerator. The car won’t slide back. The important thing here is not to gun the throttle, or the bumpers will again end up in an intimate conversation.

I think these tips should come in handy. Until we get some more features on everyday cars, keep practicing.

Is Fast Safe?

If you have seen a 10000 meter track race, you would know that there is a pace setter for the event. The job of the pace setter is to give the competitors a good start. It is his/her job to set the pace in the initial few laps. If the pace setter goes too fast, the competitors will be all too tired before the end of to really push in the closing stages. If he/she goes too slow, they will again be too slow to pick up the pace in the final few laps.

It’s a similar story in a cross country or a marathon. The leader is the one dictating the pace for everybody else behind. That is why it is important to have a good start in these events. If the person behind the leader can keep him within sight, he won’t pick up his pace. If he sees the leader increasing the gap, he will try and catch up with him.

So is the case on roads. You see a gap in front and you just feel like covering up the distance. If there are a smidgen more vehicles in front you, you inevitably slow down. I have been told before that driving/riding fast/faster is generally the safer option. You get out of trouble quicker. But one can also get into trouble as quickly. Think about it for a minute.

I don’t think driving/riding fast/faster is the safer option. Neither is going slow. Infact, going at the optimum relative speed is much safer. Going too fast and you will have to maneuver around the vehicles on the road. Go too slow and there is a chance of someone else having to maneuver around you. On the other hand if you are going at the pace of the rest of the traffic, there is lesser chance of you ending up in an accident.

So remember, you don’t have to be Michael Schumacher on the roads, or Ralf for that matter.

Safe Driving - Tips

Safety includes you being safe while driving. If you have passengers in the car, then their safety is your responsibility. It also includes the safety of the vehicle and the expensive stuff in it. Taking into account the state of our roads and the kind of driving that takes place, being safe should be right up there on the priority list. So here are some things to help you keep safe.

1. Seatbelts. Thank the government for the regulations, otherwise the manufacturers would have skipped on them too in their endeavor to cut costs. So use them. In an event of a crash, it is the first line of defense.
2. Check the lights. Make sure all the lights are working properly. This includes the indicators, headlamp and tail lamps. Change any bulbs that are in need of replacement immediately. They are of immense help warning the oncoming traffic as well as the traffic behind. Never drive at night if your headlamps are non-functional.
3. Driving position. The seat should be upright and not leaned too far back. To see if you are seated in the correct position put your hands on top of the steering wheel and your wrists should rest on it.
4. Head rest. Don’t remove it just because you want to see better while reversing the car. In an event of a crash, they protect your head from whiplash and prevent spinal injuries.
5. Position the mirrors. Before you set off, position the inside rear view mirror and the ORVMs. Fiddling with them while driving distracts you and your total concentration is not there on the road. And if you want to check out the hottie in the car you just passed, don’t.
6. Cell phone. If you have a call to make or are expecting a call, then pull over to the side of the road or better still don’t drive at all. Switch off the phone if you are alone or let the passenger receive the call for you.
7. Speed Limit. Respect the law and drive within the specified speed limits. Driving too fast doesn’t give you as much time to react while driving too slow, will make you a rolling obstacle for others. In either case, you are not safe.
8. Keep Distance. Keep at least three car lengths distance between you and the car ahead. This will give you enough time to react to his sudden braking.
9. Overtaking. Always give a signal to the car you want to overtake. This can be done by means of the horn during the day or by using the dipper/high beam flasher during the night. Wait till you get some space to pull off the overtaking safely. If he/she is not giving you any space, there may be a good reason for that, so wait. Always overtake from right. Overtaking heavy vehicles from the left will put you in danger, since most don’t have ORVMs and it’s all a big blind spot on the left for them.
10. Anticipate. Anticipate the traffic conditions ahead of you. If you see too many tail lamps, you are about to catch up with the traffic. That tiny flash of red in the sky is the traffic signal showing red, so be ready to brake. Etc, etc.
11. Braking. Don’t leave the braking for too late. If you did, it just might happen that the guy in front did too and braked harder than you did. You will end up rear ending him. Early braking will give you ample time to react to any mishap that might take place ahead.
12. Alcohol. A strict no-no. If you are out in a group, nominate someone for driving duties. The only beverage he/she should be having is a hot cup of cappuccino. If you are alone, please don’t drink and drive. If you’re in the mood to drink, stay home and drink till your bladder bursts, but don’t drive.
13. Leave early. If you have to be some place at a particular time, leave early. Anticipate the traffic conditions you might encounter on the way and start accordingly. Speeding to your destination will only put you and the passengers in danger. If you are late already, don’t bother rushing. Five minutes of fifty, once you’re late, you’re late. Might as well use the time to look good for the date or prepare for that interview.
14. Rash driving. Cutting across lanes and driving like a maniac will increase your chances of a visit to the emergency room and if you’re lucky, some road rage (Also see 21) from the fellow you just ticked off. Also if you’re a wannabe Karthikeyan and thrash your car too much, the mechanicals will wear and tear that much quicker.
15. Hands on the wheel. Both hands on the steering wheel will give you better control. It’s a normal tendency to rest one hand on the gear shift and using the other to turn the wheel. Trust me, two hands are better than one. You have much better control on the steering with both hands. Remove the left hand only when you have to shift a gear. Also if you rest one hand on the gear shift, you might accidentally shift it into neutral.
16. Music. Don’t fiddle with the music system while driving. Set the radio channel or the track on the disk before you start driving. If the RJ is annoying you, just bear him/her for a while, it’s their job. As it is they will have to play a track sooner rather than later. If there is a passenger along, let him/her be the DJ. On the other hand if you have steering mounted controls (Also see 15), go ahead and show that RJ who’s boss.
17. Bus Stops. Steer clear of these. Buses start off without an indicating and going slow around bus stops is a good idea. Also a favorite spot for the jaywalkers to show you what they are made of. No, they will not use the safer options like overhead bridge or the underground pass. They are lurking there around the overcrowded buses just waiting for you to show up and scare you with their athletic abilities.
18. Parking. Always park your vehicle properly at an authorized parking only. Don’t park in a hap hazard manner. If you left that boot hanging out, you just might find the tail lamp dangling like a Christmas tree decoration when you come back. Lock everything properly, and don’t leave your keys behind with the attendant. If they insist, find yourself some other place to park.
19. Morons. Everybody else is a moron. Keep that in mind while driving. You can never be too sure of what will happen next and its better to be prepared (Also see 10, 14).
20. Anger. If you just had a fight with your girl or you just knocked the day lights out of your boss, don’t drive. Driving in anger usually leads to you speeding (Also see 7, 14) and driving like an overall moron (Also see 19). So please refrain. Cool down. Switch on the music, and just sit in the car. Cause if you drive thinking about what just happened and not concentrating on the road, you’re in for some trouble.
21. Road Rage. The worst thing to do. Ever wonder why people get all worked up about a small scratch or a dent? Or when a moron (Also see 19) parks his car where you usually park yours? I understand you love your car a lot, don’t we all? But just think about this. It would cost a lot less to fix something on your car than having a surgery. Now, rage can be directed at you too if you were being the moron (Also see 19) and were driving in a dangerous manner (Also see 14).
22. Theft Protection. A lot of cars now have features like remote locking, immobilizer etc. Its also a good idea to get a gear and a steering lock for your car. Don’t leave valuables in the car when parked. Car parks (Also see 18) are a nice place to get your laptop nicked if you were not careful with it.
23. Lastly. If you can, do buy a car with all the safety equipments like Airbags and ABS. You might have to shell out a little more on the buying part, but your life is worth much more.

Yes, it’s a long list. But what can I say, you can never be too careful. Drive safe.

Driving/Riding Tips – Economical Driving

Well, fuel prices have been hiked as you already know. Thought it was a good time to share a few driving/riding tips on how to drive/ride in an economical manner. Here’s a list of things I do.

Tire Pressure: Always check the air pressure in the tires, every three or four days. Hardly takes any time. You’ll be amazed how many times the pressure is low. Three to four days, not seven as usually advised.

Watch the speed: Don’t be a speed junkie. The more you rev the engine the more fuel you burn. Drive/Ride at around 55 kmph and resist the urge to floor/twist the throttle.

Traffic Lights: Turn the engine off at red lights, if you have to wait for more than a minute. That timer is there for a reason.

Gear Changes: Up shift as soon as possible. Higher gear equals lower revs and less fuel. But that doesn’t mean you ride the clutch all the time. Replacing the clutch will cost more.

Breaking: Break early. You don’t have to give the driver in the car in front a heart attack every time you stop. When you brake early, you come off the throttle early, hence saving fuel.

Fuel Quality: Using premium quality fuel is best, unless you’re driving a Premier Padmini like my dad or riding an RX100 for that matter. Engine stays healthy saving money in the long run.

Tell me if you found these useful, and I’ll be glad to hear some tips from you.