Hi,
just
thought of penning my thoughts down... my wife started her driving classes...
and I was giving her some tips... so thought I would might as well pen
them down... phrase them correctly and then make it into a neat article
Day1:
I went along with her to her class, and it was a theory class... With due
respect to the instructor, I truly enjoyed the way he explained the CAR to my
wife... who is a chartered accountant... (She and car theory are two parallel
lines - this was the onset)
I
would address the instructor as Rameshji, (R).
R
told her about the car dashboard, the instruments, the signals and the
switches. Then he went on to show her how to open the bonnet... that was the
best part: he told her, "see, inside this is the engine, all the other
parts are engine parts"
I
was thinking... and forgot everything else that was on my mind...
Then
he told her that they are not allowed to open the fuse box and also misled her
to believe that water was poured directly into the radiator. He termed it as ‘engine
pani’... which I would understand as coolant. But my wife actually asked me,
why we poured the “Green coloured liquid” into the engine and not water.
So
much for that episode. Once we got home, I showed her in a little more detail
about how the gear works, and also the different components of the engine and
the battery water etc etc.
While
teaching her, I realised, it would be a nice idea to just blog about it, and
detail some of the little tips which are missed out by the instructor, in the
excitement of the new driver and just an another job for the instructor.
Just
to detail them, I would like to bullet the points
Just
broadly classifying them into 2 aspects, being Before Ignition and After
Ignition (starting the car)
Before
Starting the Car – Before Ignition
1.
Sit
in the seat
2.
Depress
the Clutch fully, and check if you are comfortably sitting.
3.
Adjust
the seat accordingly – back and forth – this would minimise the stress while
clutching and also reduce the chances of half clutching – both are a major wear
on the car
4.
Once
seat is adjusted – check the internal rear view mirror – ideally this would
show you the rear windshield and you should be able to see the “C”* pillar in
the extremes of the mirror
5.
Adjust
the back rest accordingly so u are sitting comfortably and can see the rear
side of the car as well, after adjusting the internal rear-view mirror.
6.
Then
adjust the right side external rear view mirror – thumb rule, the inner 1/3rd
of the mirror to show the rear end of your car, and 2/3rd to show
you the road.
7.
Do
likewise for the left hand side mirror as well
8.
After
you have adjusted your seating and mirrors, then put on your seat belt. This I
say, since once you put on your belt, it would be difficult to make the
adjustments to the seat and the mirrors.
9.
Once
strapped in, recheck if you are sitting comfortably and have a good view on the
mirrors
10.
Turn
on the key to ignition position – this should tell you if there is any issue
with the car: say low engine oil or fuel etc – today’s cars are intelligent to
display any malfunctioning part or the vitals of the engine.
11.
Depress
the clutch fully
12.
Change
gear to neutral
After
Starting the Car
1.
Release
handbrake – if engaged
2.
Check
your left and right side – assuming that u have a clear road ahead
3.
Indicate
accordingly – left or right
4.
Re-check
for any incoming vehicle on either side
5.
Engage
gear
6.
Happy
and safe driving
