With the growing popularity of cars, traffic accidents are increasing. Hubei Chengli Tanker has summarized a few tips.
Hubei Chengli reminds everyone to be aware of and correct these bad driving habits!
1. Driving during the day with headlights on is bad; Incorrect, it not only causes no harm to the car but can significantly reduce accident rates. In dozens of countries in Europe and America, laws stipulate that headlights must be on both day and night.
2. The brighter the high beams at night, the safer the driving; Incorrect, the wider the angle of illumination, the safer it is. The higher and brighter the lights are aimed, the more dangerous it becomes.
3. Frequently using heavy acceleration is bad for the engine; Incorrect, revving the engine often above 4000 RPM in gear does no harm and can even benefit the engine. Constantly flooring the gas pedal in neutral or long periods at high RPMs are what harm the engine.
4. Habitually pressing the clutch reduces trouble; Incorrect, habitual use of the clutch is not only bad for the mechanics but increases problems, and most importantly, it's unsafe.
5. Locking the central door lock while driving is safe; Incorrect, this is extremely dangerous as it makes it impossible to open the doors in case of an accident, increasing danger. To prevent theft, it’s best to lock the central door lock when stuck in traffic or waiting at traffic lights.
6. After parking, simply pulling the handbrake is sufficient; Incorrect, on uneven ground, it's also necessary to engage a gear after applying the handbrake to prevent sliding.
7. On highways, the slower the speed, the safer it is; Incorrect, if driving a small car, speeds slower than 60 km/h are actually less safe. According to vehicle performance, maintaining speeds between 80-110 km/h is generally safer.
8. Driving in the far right lane is safest; Incorrect, this is the least safe because there are more instances of overtaking and merging from the right compared to other lanes.
9. On single-lane roads, driving along the dashed line is safest; Incorrect, this is most likely to cause accidents as vehicles cannot judge your intentions.
10. During sharp turns, simultaneously pressing the clutch and brake is safest; Incorrect, never press the clutch. Regardless of circumstances, pressing the clutch increases inertia. It’s better to lower the gear first and then apply the brakes.
11. Installing ABS systems on cars shortens braking distance; Incorrect, the biggest advantage of ABS is not shorter braking distance but preventing tire lock-up. Even in emergencies, fully pressing the brake allows steering control. Learning emergency braking and managing the braking distance is key to understanding ABS.
12. Alerting other drivers who are inexperienced or violating rules by honking or flashing headlights is safe; Incorrect, it's best to stay away from them. Honking or flashing headlights will increase their tension, making it harder for them to control their vehicles.
13. Checking the rearview mirror before turning or changing lanes is sufficient; Incorrect, one should first look behind by turning their head and then check the rearview mirror. Sometimes, mirrors may not be adjusted well, creating blind spots. Additionally, turning signals may prompt nearby vehicles to accelerate or decelerate unpredictably, so relying solely on the mirror isn't entirely accurate.
14. Smoking while driving and holding the cigarette in the left hand is convenient; Incorrect, it's easier to flick ash out the window with the left hand, but the left hand should always remain focused on controlling the steering wheel under all conditions.
15. Listening to music while driving distracts the driver; Incorrect, good sound equipment and favorite music can further suppress fatigue and adjust mental states for better focus.
16. While driving, only paying attention to the distance between the front and back vehicles is enough; Incorrect, besides maintaining safe distances front and back, one should also try to avoid parallel driving with vehicles on either side. Adjusting speed to overtake or slow down helps avoid distractions caused by parallel driving, which is especially important for new drivers.
17. Adjusting the driving seat closer to the steering wheel gives more security; Incorrect, this is purely psychological. Being closer to the steering wheel can increase tension instead. Besides not affecting foot and hand controls, the farther the driving seat is from the steering wheel, the better. This provides a broader visual field and reduces leg strain over time. In emergencies, more space between the body and dashboard improves safety.
18. Applying sun film on windows except for the rearview mirror doesn't affect driving; Incorrect, drivers need clear views not just forward but also sideways and backward. Obstructed vision increases danger levels and reduces driving enjoyment.
19. The rearview mirror inside the cabin is for viewing rear-seat passengers; Incorrect, it's mainly for observing vehicles behind and blind spots around side mirrors.
20. Starting in first gear under any condition is better; Incorrect, smooth surfaces make starting in second gear easier. Moreover, on slippery surfaces, using first gear as a brake works better than direct braking.
21. If one side of the wheels suddenly hits a waterlogged surface at high speed, it's dangerous; Incorrect, blindly braking is dangerous. In such cases, controlling the steering wheel is more important and safer.
22. On slippery surfaces, learn to use the handbrake and footbrake to control the car; Incorrect, learn to use gears effectively to control the car.
23. Neutral gear saves fuel; Incorrect, there's no scientific basis. Turning off the engine saves fuel, but neither option is safe.
24. Habitual fast driving means higher driving skills; Incorrect, good drivers make correct and decisive judgments while considering the worst possibilities.
25. When accelerating to overtake, observe the oncoming vehicles first; Incorrect, first observe the vehicles behind. Once confirmed no vehicles are overtaking you, then observe the front situation.
26. At night, turning on the front and rear fog lights makes driving safer; Incorrect, it's more dangerous, especially since the white light from front fog lights strongly affects oncoming vehicles and your own safety. Fog lights should only be used in adverse weather conditions, regardless of day or night.
Additionally, winter car maintenance knowledge includes:
In cold winters, cars become our warm shelters. However, in low temperatures and snowy weather, how do we ensure our cars safely endure the winter without being adversely affected?
1. Necessary items: Besides regular checks, some equipment needs preparation, like gloves, coats, dry cloths, brushes, sunglasses, and fire extinguishers. These items might seem trivial but can be very helpful in harsh winter conditions.
2. Checks: In cold winters, engines need more care. Check the engine oil grade and the antifreeze level in the radiator. If using all-season antifreeze, it can last about two years, but check its freezing point. Pay more attention to the oil. The international standard SAE classifies oils based on their operating conditions. The 'W' on oil packaging stands for winter, and lower numbers (0W, 5W, etc.) indicate better cold-start performance. For example, 0W indicates excellent lubrication and flow at -30°C. Besides low-temperature viscosity, high-temperature viscosity grades like SAE 20, 30, 40, 50 show better high-temperature lubrication and more stable viscosity.
3. Parking position: In winter, frost and ice on glass are common due to temperature differences. Before parking at night, open the windows for a few minutes to reduce internal temperature, avoiding frost on the windshield in the morning.
If possible, park indoors or in underground garages. If outdoors, choose sunny, wind-sheltered, flat, and dry areas. Park with the front facing away from the wind to reduce harm to the water tank and engine from wind and snow. Avoid parking under buildings where objects might fall and damage your car. On slopes, face uphill to prevent condensation from flowing back into the exhaust system. Avoid parking on icy or wet grounds to prevent wheels from freezing.
4. Handling ice: After washing the car or melting snow, car windows and door locks can freeze. Wipe the keyholes and surrounding areas dry after washing. Lubricating the keyhole can help prevent freezing. Don’t pour hot water directly on frozen parts, as sudden temperature changes can damage components. Start the engine, turn on the heater, and use an ice scraper specifically designed for car glass. Alternatively, use alcohol-based solvents to melt the ice.
5. Low-temperature start: In cold weather, many vehicles struggle to start or stall unexpectedly. The correct approach is to limit each start attempt to about 5 seconds. If three attempts fail, wait a few minutes before trying again to avoid damaging the battery. In extreme cold, remove the battery and keep it indoors overnight to ensure a smooth start in the morning.
Since winter temperatures are low, oil thickens and flows less easily. After starting the engine, drive slowly to preheat it. Do not press the accelerator hard, and keep the RPMs low. Preheating doesn’t take long; once the temperature gauge begins to rise, it’s ready.
6. Window defogging: Many cars have defogging vents at the bottom of the front windshield. Use the air conditioning, set it to defog mode, and enable external circulation. Using cool air to reduce the temperature difference between the glass and the interior is effective. Both cool and warm air achieve similar results.
For rear windows, activate the electric resistance heater, a standard feature on most vehicles. Simply press the button on the center console.
Car-specific anti-fog agents can also be purchased. Clean the windshield thoroughly before application, spray the agent evenly, let it solidify, and wipe clean with a cloth. The agent creates a hydrophobic layer, preventing moisture from forming on the glass.
7. Driving: Winter driving requires careful starts and stops, especially for beginners or manual transmission drivers. Ice reduces tire-road friction, lowering traction. When driving a manual transmission, start gently and slowly, "slowly lifting the clutch and lightly pressing the gas." This minimizes engine load and gradually warms the tires. Gentle acceleration applies to automatic transmissions as well. If still unable to start, improve traction by placing grass, wooden boards, or branches under the tires or installing anti-skid chains.
When shifting gears, change frequently, choosing appropriate gears and coordinating the clutch and throttle smoothly. Incorrect gearing can cause loss of control, especially on icy roads. Start in a higher gear to prevent excessive power causing wheel spin.
When starting, maintain steady speed, avoiding abrupt acceleration or braking, especially on icy roads. Drive smoothly, maintaining straight lines and avoiding frequent lane changes. When cornering, slow down in advance, shift to a lower gear, and avoid sudden steering or braking.
Additional tips:
1. In winter snow, avoid pulling the handbrake too tightly, especially for automatic transmissions, as it can freeze the rear brake pads and discs, making the car immobile the next morning. On flat surfaces, pull the handbrake slightly.
2. Avoid washing the car in freezing temperatures to prevent water from entering the door locks and freezing them shut. If locked out, warm the key with a lighter before inserting it.
3. Prevent ice and fog on windows by equalizing the car's internal and external temperatures overnight. Lower the windows slightly or leave the doors open briefly before locking up.
4. Clear snow from the car before driving. If the wipers are frozen to the glass, don't force them. Place a plastic sheet between the wipers and the glass before freezing nights to prevent sticking.
5. Use a car cover during prolonged snowfall to make clearing snow easier in the morning.
6. Develop good starting habits: Wait for the car’s self-check to finish before starting.
7. Electronic fuel injection cars can be driven immediately after starting, but it's better to wait 60-120 seconds until the RPM drops to around 1000 and the engine temperature rises.
8. Avoid aggressive acceleration during the first few kilometers. Maintain idle or low-speed driving initially.
9. Turn on air conditioning or heating after the engine warms up to reduce load.
10. Listen for unusual sounds from the car. With practice, you'll recognize potential issues.
11. If repeated starting is needed despite following the above steps, consider cleaning the throttle body. If problems persist, visit a service center to check the fuel pump, fuel lines, ignition wires, and spark plugs.
Reference materials provided by the official website of Environmental Sanitation Garbage Trucks and garbage truck manufacturers.