Four Wheeler’s Driving Lessons

Hi Guys, in this article you will learn how to drive a car simply. You can bookmark this article as a beginner’s guide. You will be thinking without practically driving the car how can we learn, let me tell you it is easy to learn anything if you can virtually think what are the practical difficulties you will incur. So, when you perfectly understand the execution of the art. You can learn things fastly, maybe in the first attempt itself.

I have experimented with this and then only am writing this blog as it helped some of my friends and families as well.

First of all, you should know how a car works, for that you can refer to my previous blog. If you know that then it helps you to understand the clutch movement of the car.

What are the steps to consider for driving?

Typically, manual cars will have three pedals: clutch, brake and accelerator (in that order, left to right).

The brake and accelerator pedals are pretty simple – press the brake to slow down (the firmer you press it, the quicker you’ll lose speed), while using the accelerator increases the engine’s revolution and causes you to speed up (the firmer you press it, the quicker you will speed up).

There are very few steps to consider in mind before driving:-

• Car is a sedan, compact or SUV depending on the type of car the width, body and length of the vehicle differ, so we have to analyze it by checking how much road it is taking from the edge of the road.
• The most important thing is we need to have a side mirror on left and right open and middle mirror (little tilted towards you for the center which gives opposite view means left will be in right, likewise) these mirrors help in having a better idea of the car body and width from inside. The left mirror gives the idea of the tires distance with the road edge. Right is meant for checking the vehicles while entering into the overtaking lane.
• The type of vehicle i.e, petrol or diesel, petrol vehicles have more pickup then diesel. That can be felt only while the acceleration of the vehicle. So it is safe to learn the vehicle in half clutch (an important movement of the Clutch just before giving the acceleration while the vehicle movement from Zero, let me explain to you that in 4th point clearly) irrespective of the vehicle types.
• You need to know the braking system of the vehicle as we have to know the controlling first. While learning the first thing to come in mind to stop a vehicle is by brake only. There are different types of brakes like drum brakes, hydraulic brakes, pneumatic brakes- commonly called air brakes.
• Clutch movement’s understanding is very very important. When you start the vehicle and engage the gear by pressing the clutch, your vehicle gear is engaged with the wheels. Slowly when we depress (pulling the leg and clutch back slowly) the clutch till 10-20 degrees of movement, the vehicle starts vibrating (that sound can be felt) and moving, this is the half clutch movement. If you keep the leg movement like this and drive the vehicle you can easily have the time for understanding the steering, brake, vehicle road contact and even turns- left or right calculation. Note:- Make sure the vehicle is not on an ascent or descent, it should be a straight road or empty field for learning on the half clutch.
• Understanding the steering type is it a normal or power steering, I would suggest it is better to learn on normal steering. It gives a better idea of vehicle navigation. I will be writing a blog on steering mechanisms soon then you will understand the difference easily. It is easy to understand steering while in driving in half clutch, you have to see straight while driving, not close on the road or on steering because you will get confused, for example:- when we learn cycling, in the beginning, we tend to concern more about the handle but when we see straight we understand and balance the cycle easily, the Same thing applies here as well unless the balance everything you will learn.

• Gears Positioning and understanding when to make a shift to that gears. In Maruti 800 and other models, the gear system was till 4 gears + One reverse, but now in modern vehicles minimum, 5 – 6 gears + one reverse is there (Manual Transmission). Some of the vehicles have 9-12 gears but those are generally in Automatics. Gears are used for scaling up the speed of the vehicle. Gears should be shifted depending on the speed, type of road (ascent, descent, curves or straight) and load (passengers in the vehicle).
• Indicators, pass, headlights, fog lights, wipers switches positions we should know. In some vehicle brands, these positions differ.
• Understanding the road signs and types. There are three kinds of road signs in India, which are as follows:-
• a. Mandatory Signs
• b. Cautionary Signs
• c. Informatory Signs

How to drive a car?

Now as you have full knowledge of car working i.e. from my previous blog to best understanding of vehicle before driving it practically. Let us get it into the detail.

• First things first, you need to make sure that you are comfortable behind the wheel of the car you plan to drive. Therefore, once you are in the driving seat, adjust it as per your height and comfort. Next, adjust the mirrors, both the inside unit and the ones on the outside. Being comfortably seated would help you keep your calm when you start driving for the first time.
• Also, make sure you don’t overthink the situation. Driving is an experience that requires multi-tasking as your brain needs to analyze a lot that’s going on around you. There are some basic rules that you must follow. While it is highly important to use turn indicators and to understand the road signs, it’s of even higher importance to make sure your mind is not pre-occupied, which might, in turn, hamper your focus on the road.
• It’s natural to feel a bit nervous when driving for the first time. Therefore, it will be a good idea to have an experienced driver in the co-driver seat to help you with some basic guidance where and when required. There is a reason that it’s compulsory to have a learned driver in the co-driver seat when you start driving on a learner’s license. He can go on to help you make minor corrections in your driving.
• When driving for the first time, it’s a pretty good idea to stay in familiar territory. This way, you won’t have the additional burden of looking for directions. Hence, it’s recommended to start driving on roads near your home or where there isn’t too much vehicular movement. Also, stay away from highways and busy intersections. While it will be important to learn how to drive on highways, it’s good to leave that for the future, when you’re comfortable driving in the city.

How to drive a manual Transmission Vehicle :-

A manual car has three pedals, one each for the accelerator, brake and clutch.

• The brake and accelerator pedal are operated through the left leg, while the right leg is for the accelerator. The brake pedal is to slow down the vehicle. It should be noted that the firmer you are on this pedal, the faster it will slow you down. The accelerator will increase the engine speed, which, in turn, will speed up your car.
• The clutch pedal makes driving a manual car difficult. The clutch pedal is used to help you shift gears.
• To shift gears, fully press the clutch pedal, while lifting off the accelerator pedal.
• Slot into the gear you desire to drive in, and slowly, start lifting off the clutch pedal. (I would recommend to be in half clutch and learn the vehicle).
• Meanwhile, as you start releasing the clutch pedal, slowly, start pressing the accelerator pedal. If you are in an empty boundary or empty road slight acceleration is fine.
• Gradually, release the clutch pedal completely and use only the accelerator pedal to control the speed of the car.
• Once it reaches speed to 10 or 20 kmph change the gear to second by pressing the clutch and shifting the gear to two, and depressing the clutch fast as the vehicle is in running. we will depress the clutch slowly while starting.
• It needs to be kept in mind here that lifting your foot off the clutch pedal or not pressing the accelerator while you start releasing the clutch might stall or damage your car.

How to reverse a car :-

Many people find it tough to reverse a car especially in India as we know the parking lots are tight, even parking on a roadside is also very tight. While reversing a car might seem tough in the beginning, it’s pretty easy once you keep the following things in your mind:-

• Slot the gear lever into reverse.
• Look over both your shoulders to ensure there is no one in your path while reversing.
• Gently, start driving backward. To reverse slowly, you can even forget about putting your foot on the accelerator as it can move as you start releasing the clutch and lift off the brake pedal.
• It’s important to note that the steering wheel is “reversed” when you need to reverse. When driving forward, you turn your steering right to turn right and turn the steering left to turn left. But when you reverse, it’s not the same. Turning your steering right will move your car back towards left while turning your steering left will turn your car towards the right.
• Of course, you need to use the brake pedal to slow down.

How to drive a car in a hilly area?

Attempt to drive on a hilly area must be done after having an experience of driving a car on small steeps and slopes nearby and even stopping in those steeps and then practicing to drive the car without back movement of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not going back and your movement of moving uphill is smooth and slow then you can attempt for a hilly area journey.

These are things to keep in mind while on a hilly area:-

• Driving in planes is a lot easier driving in hilly areas. Therefore, before you start driving in the hills, you need to check your brakes before the start of the journey.
• Also, while going uphill, you need to engage the right gear for the climb. Unless you end up over-revving, complete the entire ascent in the same gear.
• Also, while going uphill, make way for bigger vehicles like trucks or buses.
• Also, never attempt to overtake near bends or at the crest of the hill as it is tough to see the oncoming traffic.
• Always sound the horn and use the pass-beam at blind corners and sharp turnings. Also, you need to follow road traffic signs more carefully.

You have to use the hand brake like while releasing the brake, the same half clutch and acceleration pedal press should be given with smooth release in hand break while the vehicle is in movement condition.

Or if you can use the half clutch and give smooth acceleration movement to your vehicle while moving uphill without going back.

How to Drive a Car Downhill / Slope?

Some of the difficult things is driving a downhill, as we have a high chance of tire skidding while braking and steering control issue during the turns.

These are things to keep in mind while driving car in a slope:-

• While driving downhill, never apply brakes but use engine-braking to slow down. Overuse of brakes while going downhill would lead to increased wear and tear, and ultimately, brake failure.
• When parking your car on an uphill gradient, use the parking brake and leave your car in first gear.
• Similarly, when parking your car on a downhill, use the parking brakes and leave the gear lever in a reverse position.
• Never turn off the engine or put the gear in a neutral position while going downhill as it gets difficult to control the vehicle, as brakes and steering get tight because there will be a change in the flow of hydraulic fluids (viscosity difference).

Car Driving Tips for Nervous Drivers

While most would be nervous when driving for the first time, some are nervous about driving. Here are some car driving tips for nervous drivers-

• Knowledge is power so try to read as much as possible before you start driving.
• Drive during daytime and in good weather, so that you have good visibility and make this practice unless you start getting comfortable behind the wheel
• Drive when you are most alert and not sleepy or distracted
• Avoid highway driving unless you are comfortable behind the wheel as driving on the highway requires you to be fully confident and skilled
• It pays to have an experienced driver in the co-driver seat, who can help you guide on the road.