Getting the Keys

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DO
Find out which gas your car uses and learn how to fill your tank. You may never have to do it yourself in this part of the world but you will almost certainly have to if you drive overseas.

  • Know how much pressure should be in the tyres. Most garages can help but you can also find this in the handbook. Learn how to put air in the tyres and be aware that, in many countries, garages are self-service so you will need to do this yourself.
    Learn how here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8dBrT5q4aY
  •  If you have a spare tyre, ensure it is in a good roadworthy condition. Remember, it’s definitely not OK to just put the spare on and leave it there to do the job of a regular tyre. Most manufacturers give a maximum mileage recommendation for spares and there’s good reason for this.According to www.popularmechanics.com since the spare is used so infrequently, carmakers have switched to narrow, compact tyres to save space and weight. A temporary spare isn’t as durable as a normal tyre, with fewer layers of steel and polyester. This greatly limits puncture resistance and cornering ability. Traction is reduced, increasing stopping distances and making handling potentially unpredictable in emergency manoeuvres. It also means ABS and traction control aren’t as effective at keeping you out of danger.There can also be mechanical problems as the spare is marginally smaller than the other regular tyres, meaning it has to turn at a different speed to keep up — this can increase wear on the gears.
  • If a compact spare is ever damaged, either the tyre itself or the wheel, the entire spare should be replaced rather than repaired. And don’t forget to check the pressure in your spare every time you check the pressure in your other tyres. It’s important to make sure your safety net is, in fact, safe.
  • Know where to add water to both the radiator and the window washer – there are few things worse than driving in desert-style muddy rain and being unable to get your windows clean. And, while we’re on the subject, make sure you know where the bonnet (hood) release catch is and how to actually get it open (yes, we’ve been caught out on this one).
  • Wear you seat belt — failing to do so is not only dangerous, it’s also breaking the law under article 45 of the new traffic law introduced in 2017. According to World Health Organisation statistics, in case of an accident, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of a fatal injury by up to 50 per cent for front seat passengers, and 75 per cent for those in the back. In new cars, particularly hatchbacks in which the seats can be folded down, rear seat belts will often be tucked away beneath the seats, so ensure they are visible and useable for your passengers.
  • Children under 10 years are not allowed to ride in the front of the car and all kids should be in an age/height appropriate child seat. You can fit this yourself if you follow the instructions carefully but it’s a good idea to have a professional do it for you; after all, you wouldn’t carry your best china unrestrained on the back seat of a moving vehicle — surely your kids are more important!
  • Go through your vehicle handbook and learn what the lights on your dashboard mean, many of them will be warnings, such as those that tell you if you need oil, water or petrol – ignore them at your peril! Also, make sure you know where the hazard light switch is.
  • Do give way to emergency vehicles; move out of their path when it’s safe to do so or pull off the road completely if necessary.
  • If you break down, pull off the road and put your hazard lights on. The same applies if driving conditions become dangerous, such as in fog or a sandstorm.
  • Particularly on long journeys, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive; that way there’ll be someone looking for you if you don’t get there when expected.

DON’T

  • Have free-range children on your lap or climbing around the vehicle (see above); it’s distracting and incredibly dangerous if you have to brake suddenly.
  • Drive on the shoulder of the road – this area is for broken-down vehicles and to allow emergency services to move quickly through heavy traffic; it’s not for you to reach your turn a few minutes faster!
  • Don’t use a hand-held mobile or text while driving, it’s dangerous and against the law and carries a fine or prison sentence.
  • Undertake. Other drivers will not be looking for you coming up on their inside and you could cause a collision.
  • Move across lanes without indicating.
  • Park in disabled spots or block traffic.
  • Don’t drive with your hazard lights on, that’s not what they’re for!

JUST IN CASE

  • Driving should be both fun and functional. Keep these things in your car to help achieve that aim.
  • A high-powered torch. Check it regularly to make sure it’s working and the batteries haven’t run out.
  • First aid kit. Hopefully, you will never need it but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • Water, both for you and the car.
  • Comfortable, flat shoes. A properly maintained car should serve you well but you just never know when you might have to get out and walk.
  • Tow rope.
  • Jump leads (and learn how to use them).
  • Spare sunglasses.
  • Mobile phone and charger.
  • Map — the Internet will not always work.
  • A small emergency fund of cash.