Note for new drivers facing awkward situations on the road

1. Shift into gear without starting the engine

Normally, for automatic transmission vehicles, when the engine is turned off, you will not be able to shift from P to N, R or D. So in case the vehicle stalls and stops in a dangerous position such as the middle of the road, if you lack experience, you will be confused and not know how to safely pull the vehicle to the side of the road.

Manufacturers have made a small latch so you can change gears without starting the car. This button is called “Shiftlock”, it is usually “hidden” under a plastic cover arranged around the gear lever or above the steering wheel shaft. To use it is very simple, you just need to pry off the plastic cover, press the small latch below and change gears, finally you just need a few more people to help push the car to a safe position.

2. What to do when encountering animals on the road

When driving at 80km/h and you encounter a buffalo, cow or dog in front. If handled improperly, they can break the front of the car, burst the radiator or even cause you to lose control of the steering wheel and cause an accident.

Drivers often say “dogs avoid the head, buffaloes avoid the tail”. Depending on the characteristics of each species, when encountering an approaching object, dogs often turn their heads and run in the opposite direction, unlike buffaloes and cows, which continue to charge forward. Therefore, depending on the species you encounter, you will steer your car to avoid its head or tail.

3. Avoid right leg cramps

When driving for too long, your right leg will become numb and cramped. This condition is more common in low-slung sedans than SUVs. Therefore, after every 1.5 hours of continuous driving, you should rest for 10-15 minutes to let your muscles stretch. In addition, wearing high and heavy shoes will cause your right ankle to "stretch" when pressing the accelerator or brake, which can easily lead to cramps.

In addition, you should use the automatic throttle mode to rest your right foot for a few seconds, but you should not bend your foot for too long because if there is an unexpected situation on the road, you will be a few seconds late to handle it.

4. Avoid slipping when driving a manual transmission car

The bridge test is a "nightmare" for many people taking the driving test. If you encounter this situation in real life, such as traffic jams when going uphill in tunnels or traffic jams when going uphill on bridges, it will be very dangerous if you do not master the "clutch out, gas in" technique. The following method will be easier for new drivers to do.

First pull the handbrake to keep the car still, then release the clutch and press the accelerator slightly. If the engine makes a howling sound, don't worry. Next, slowly release the handbrake, the car will slowly move up the hill without rolling backwards.