CarMinders Safe Driving Suggestions

Light rain loosens oil and dirt and makes an asphalt road more slippery than when it is saturated by heavy rain.

Too much accelerator applied in a front wheel drive car may cause it to run wide (called 'understeer') from the intended direction of turn.

Braking
It’s always better to brake before a bend and power gently through.

It’s also safer to brake in a straight line rather than after your car enters a bend, when it is less stable.

If your car is not fitted with anti lock braking (called 'ABS'), it’s easy to lock a brake with sudden heavy brake pressure. Modern power assisted brakes don’t need heavy pressure. Just squeeze your foot against the brake pedal, instead of stamping on it.

Manual cars
It’s better to brake and change into a lower gear before a bend, rather than stagger through in a higher gear, and then power gently through.

Automatic cars
To obtain additional engine braking, you can shift the transmission lever into '3' or even '2' when descending steep hills. Anticipation is key- just ask top race drivers!

Seating position suggestions

·· Place both hands on the steering wheel in a '10 to 2' position, rather than hold one hand in your lap
·· Position the seat so you sit with your elbows slightly bent, rather than at full stretch
·· Check the rear and side mirrors every 10 seconds or so, to maintain concentration

Tyre and Shock Absorber issues
Uneven tyre pressures, especially at the front, can cause your car to veer to one side under brakes.

Tyre wear is an obvious safety point; there must be at least a match stick’s depth in the tread pattern across the face of the tyre to keep them 'legal'.

If you have been unlucky enough to hit a kerb, have your local mechanic check the tyre for obvious damage to the 'sidewalls' or the tyre valve, which could lead to tyre failure or loss of pressure. It’s also important to have your front wheel alignment checked and reset if necessary after a heavy impact.

Have your car’s shock absorbers, or 'dampers', checked annually, because worn ones can also lead to instability in corners or under brakes.

Car Service and Maintenance with CarMinders

Are you confused or worried about service schedules for your car? There’s no need to be!

Modern cars, with their advanced technology, require minimal attention to stay in peak condition.

What service does my car need?
The most important thing to change regularly is your engine oil and filter. If your car uses conventional 'mineral' oil, the recommended change interval is every 6 months or 5000 kilometres. This is particularly important if most of your driving is in 'stop/start' conditions, when the engine oil barely gets to correct operating temperature. If your car uses 'synthetic' oil, the change interval will probably be longer. Regular engine oil and filter changes is a simple and relatively cheap way to prolong the life of your engine.

Other than checking the radiator coolant and brake fluid levels and the operation of your headlights and brake lights, there’s little else that needs to be done at 6 monthly intervals. Most modern cars even have maintenance- free batteries that don’t need refilling with water!

Once a year, your car will need a thorough check of safety items, including brake pad wear and correct handbrake operation.

How can I minimize my servicing needs?
If you drive 'sympathetically', being smooth with your brake, gearbox and clutch use, you will extend the life of such major components, (which can be expensive to repair or replace). Similarly, by making sure that you are completely stationery before switching your gear selector from drive to reverse or vice versa, you will prolong the life of your automatic transmission.

If you’re unlucky enough to clout a kerb with your front wheels, or even hit a deep pothole on Sydney’s rutty roads, you may alter your car’s wheel alignment, which will cause premature tyre wear unless it is corrected. It’s much cheaper to have your wheel alignment reset than to buy a new set of tyres!

On the subject of tyres, remember that correct inflation pressures will prolong tyre life and even enhance your fuel consumption. Remember that pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold, rather than after a long run. For more driving precision, there’s no harm in raising the tyre pressures a little higher than the manufacturer’s recommended figures, as long as the ride doesn’t become too harsh.

A few more tips
- Remember to use your air conditioner once a week, even during winter, to prevent the seals on the unit from drying out

- Finally it’s worth remembering that many so called 'fixed' advertised service prices just cover an oil and filter change and an 'inspection' of your car, and that any necessary work will be an extra cost. Make sure you get a proper indication of cost before signing the authority that car service centre staff usually thrust in front of you!

What to do in an Emergency?

Do you know what to do if you see smoke or flames coming from under the bonnet of your car?

·· Don’t be tempted to lift the bonnet, as a rush of air will feed the flames!
·· Pull over quickly to a safe place, switch off the engine and get well away from the car!
·· Don’t be tempted to pull into a petrol station, as the flames could have disastrous consequences.

What if your oil warning light comes on?
It is normal for a red oil pressure warning sign or light on the dashboard to come on briefly when you start the engine. If it stays on for any more than a few seconds, this could mean

·· An electronic malfunction affecting the gauge; or
·· A loss of engine oil pressure.

In either case, it’s better to switch off the engine immediately and seek help. Continuing to drive when the oil pressure light stays on can lead to serious engine damage.

Most modern cars feature an orange engine light as well as an oil pressure indicator. If this light comes on or stays on for any length of time, it can also suggest a serious engine problem.

What if your engine temperature gauge climbs into the red zone or a warning light comes on?
If your car has an engine temperature gauge, the needle will move to the central zone once the car warms up and will stay there if the engine is operating normally. Some movement within that zone is normal, on a hot day if the car is idling in traffic.

If the needle moves into the red zone and stays there once the car is moving, this could mean

·· A loss of cooling fluid due to a burst or leaking hose or a failed head gasket
·· A cooling system malfunction or blockage.

In either case, it’s better to pull over, switch off the engine and seek help. Don’t be tempted to pour cold water into the radiator, because

·· You could be scalded by steam or boiling water as you release the cap
·· Cold water can crack the engine cylinder head and cause expensive repairs.

What if a tyre blows?
If you feel your car pulling heavily to one side at the front, this could mean a loss of tyre pressure due to a puncture or a slow leak.

Instead of jamming on the brakes, apply gentle pressure while steering the car to a safe place at the curbside.

If a rear tyre deflates quickly, it may prompt the tail of the car to slide. If you feel that the rear of the car is behaving oddly, just apply the brakes gently and steer carefully to the side of the road.