Things I learnt with my first car

[DILLIGAFF]

Hi foccers.  I was thinking recently how strange it is that some motorists make the same mistakes every day and never learn to improve.
So, I started a list of mistakes I corrected 50 years ago.

It pays dividends to clean your wing mirrors BEFORE setting off.
It is unnecessary to brake before every bend, gap, tree, oncoming vehicle and does nothing except confuse the guy behind you.
NEVER have anything loose on the floor that can roll under the brake pedal ( brown pants moment!!!)
Indicators go one way for left and the other way for right. This never changes.
Indicators are, as they imply, an indication of intended movement so never use them too early or leave them on after a turn.
If you pull on the indicator stalk when using, IT FLASHES THE HEADLIGHTS, so don't be surprised when an oncoming motorist says thankyou and turns in your path!!!
The gear shift is ALWAYS where you left it so there is no need to look down at it before every shift.
Your car is a lot faster with the handbrake OFF.
You DO need to know what is behind you ( saved me many a speeding ticket)
ALWAYS check your mirrors before turning or opening the door. Cyclists will be very happy to re-educate you on this point.
On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.
White lines are there for a reason and inform you of upcoming road hazards if you take a few minutes to learn the code.
While I am on the code, read and understand The Highway Code. It contains years of hard learned wisdom.
In slow moving traffic, if you need to keep braking, you are too close to the vehicle in front.
Generally speaking, if you need to brake while going uphill, you are doing it wrong.
Generally speaking, if you need to brake excessively while going downhill, you are in the wrong gear.
Expect the unexpected.
Watch the traffic ahead for any changes in speed or position.
Watch oncoming traffic. Are they going to overtake? Is there a hazard (cyclist) which requires them to pull out etc?
Dip your headlights for oncoming traffic at night and turn your bloody rear fog light off when visibility improves.
Be PROACTIVE rather than reactive.
Remember................ CORRECT SPEED, CORRECT POSITION, CORRECT GEAR and CORRECT ATTITUDE.


I am sure you will add to or even dispute some of these but I am proud of the fact that in 50 years of motoring I have never caused nor been involved in a serious accident.

[5LV]

I am sure you will add to or even dispute some of these but I am proud of the fact that in 50 years of motoring I have never caused nor been involved in a serious accident.

you sir, are simply not trying hard enough!

[F4celess]

All common sense. 

Road sense (anticipating other road users actions), plus defensive driving, are probably the only critical "skills" developed (as a car driver), that I've been able to transfer over to riding motorcycles.

On the/a motorcycle, my expectations of other road users then completely changes. 

[Bretty]

I remember when I had my first car and collected it after it's first ever service.
I couldn't believe what a difference it made! The brakes and accelerator had become so much more responsive.  It took me a good few miles to realise the mechanic had just moved my seat forward! 

[Val]

Here are few more car tips:

When you smoke in the car don't wear short pants.
If you do a hooker avoid using the front seat if the car is on a hill. The hooker will kick the gear in neutral.
If you hit an ice patch on the motorway in the winter there is not much you can do. Gentle with the steering wheel after few spins the car will stop eventually.
Never go in the middle of a nowhere without a lady. If your alternator/pump belt brakes in the middle of nowhere use the lady tights as a replacement belt.
Never drink drive. If you do don't ride with 10mph in the night. If a cop stop you and drop your license on the floor, the cop is so drunk he can't get the license - help him. You'll be fine.
If you get out of disco in 2am and try to drive the car backwards to show off to your friends - you probably will hit a barrier in front of cops so drunk that they will don't mind it.
If you are drunk and traveling on the bonnet of a car hold on tight. Same rule is valid for the car roof.

 I also am proud of the fact that in 40 years of motoring I have never caused nor been involved in a serious accident 

[dickturpin]

On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.

Is it??? I never knew that.... maybe my car's aren't modern enough, 😞

[Dudeofrude]

On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.

Is it??? I never knew that.... maybe my car's aren't modern enough, 😞

Here's an example from my car, the little arrow next to the fuel pump points to which side the filler cap is on 👍

[robbo]

On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.

Is it??? I never knew that.... maybe my car's aren't modern enough, 😞

Here's an example from my car, the little arrow next to the fuel pump points to which side the filler cap is on 👍

Or the petrol pump symbol will have the nozzle on the left or right,again to indicate which side the fuel flaps on.Didn't matter on my old Mk3 Zodiac as the filler was behind the number plate,slap bang in the middle of the car,same goes for a 1970 Mustang I had back in the day.

[steve 10562cc]

Thing I learnt from my first car was it didn't hurt so much when you crashed a car, as when you had a spill on a bike.

[Frosties]

On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.

Is it??? I never knew that.... maybe my car's aren't modern enough, 😞

Here's an example from my car, the little arrow next to the fuel pump points to which side the filler cap is on 👍

Another tip is to make note of where the manufacturer has cut a sodding big hole in one of the rear wings 

[F4celess]

Thing I learnt from my first car was it didn't hurt so much when you crashed a car, as when you had a spill on a bike.

....although that feeling, a couple of seconds before impact, when YOU KNOW you just fcuked up!!!.... is just as stomach churning in the car, as it is on a Bike!

(Even if, it's likely to hurt much more on the bike).

[fazersharp]

On modern cars the position of the filler cap is indicated on the fuel gauge.

Is it??? I never knew that.... maybe my car's aren't modern enough, 😞

Here's an example from my car, the little arrow next to the fuel pump points to which side the filler cap is on 👍

Another tip is to make note of where the manufacturer has cut a sodding big hole in one of the rear wings 

Dont matter anyway because the hose will reach

[Skippernick]

How about
"sitting in the back seat trying to pick her locks"
learnt that in my first car.
Extra points for naming the song.

[Edmund]

Remembering that the accelerator isn't the brake pedal!

[fazersharp]

My first car taught me how to fill rust holes and how to spray waxoil in the sills 

[robbo]

How about
"sitting in the back seat trying to pick her locks"
learnt that in my first car.
Extra points for naming the song.

How about Pink Floyd....Run like Hell.

[slappy]

I learnt never to leave a lump hammer on the car roof, doesn't half make you jump when you brake at the end of the street and it flies off onto the bonnet.

[vinnyb]

How about
"sitting in the back seat trying to pick her locks"
learnt that in my first car.
Extra points for naming the song.

 You obviously weren't sent back to mama in a cardboard box

[DILLIGAFF]

and for those who have never seen it...............


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vupgBykQnko

[Skippernick]

How about
"sitting in the back seat trying to pick her locks"
learnt that in my first car.
Extra points for naming the song.

How about Pink Floyd....Run like Hell.

   well done

[Skippernick]

How about
"sitting in the back seat trying to pick her locks"
learnt that in my first car.
Extra points for naming the song.

 You obviously weren't sent back to mama in a cardboard box

Not telling

[Bretty]

Right to Left. ABC!
Accelerator, Brake, Clutch.

[maddog04]

love this thread

just looked at my petrol sign and well, you never

[DILLIGAFF]

And never forget      MIRROR, SIGNAL, MANOEUVRE.


Though more commonly seen, even after years of driving, is manoeuvre, signal, no mirror.

[fazerscotty]

You meant to type "Though more commonly seen, even after years of driving, is manoeuvre, signal, no mirror." especially from the likes of BMW's........