Five Things You Should Never Do While Driving a Manual Car
Many people opt to drive automatic cars instead of manual
ones, as the prices for automatic cars are becoming more affordable. But every
manual car owner will admit that their car provides a better driving
‘experience’ compared to that of an automatic car. Dubai and the UAE offer
several spectacular places to drive to, which will definitely make you crave a
road trip in a reliable car. If you are considering cruising the streets of
Dubai in a sports car, then you need to first remember that many of these cars
are manual. There are some habits you need to stop doing while driving a
manual rental car, to maintain its performance. They are as follows:
Avoid placing your foot on the clutch pedal when not in use
Many drivers have the habit of placing their foot on the
clutch while driving when it is not being used. If you are one of them, it is
high time you avoid doing so. A half-pressed clutch is being used partially,
leading to reduced fuel efficiency and slippages. It may cause permanent
damages to the car’s bearings.
Your car’s gear is Not a Hand Rest!
The gear’s top half, or its lever, is a simple structure.
One cannot see the complex structures below it, that work to run the car. Underneath,
there are compartments that work together to make the transmission function.
If you tend to rest your hand on the gear, you could end up
causing the selector fork and the rotator collar to come in contact, resulting
in failure of both and causing irreversible damage to your car’s transmission
system.
Use hand brake instead of clutch on an incline
This is a common mistake done by many drivers. When they
reach an incline, they momentarily stop and let go of the clutch at its bite
point. This engages the throttle and stops the vehicle from rolling backward.
Doing so wears the clutch’s material and causes permanent damage to it. Hence,
it is a better idea to use the handbrake in such a situation.
Never Use the Incorrect Gear to Increase Speed
The use of gears the wrong way could damage its transmission
in many ways. If you drive too fast in a lower gear, it could lead to your
engine reaching its ‘redline’. Likewise, if you’re driving in a higher gear,
you can put a tremendous strain on the engine by choosing to floor the throttle
to increase speed.
Never Leave Your Car in Gear When You Come to a Stop
So, you’ve come to a stop sign and you’ll be stationary for
at least a small amount of time. What do you do? The best choice is to take
your rental car out of gear and place it in neutral. This way, you’re not leaving the
clutch depressed for an extended timeframe. This can result in the clutch being
worn out prematurely.