Common mistakes new drivers make

New drivers are often the victims of everything from bad advice on maintenance to poor safety advice. This article is for those new to the wheel. If you are an experienced driver, you should also read the article for advice for everyone.

Changing the oil too soon

For years, auto service centers have recommended oil changes every 3,000 miles, and many of us have taken them for granted. Changing your oil too soon won’t damage your car, but it will cost you money and time. Newer cars typically require oil changes every 7,500 miles. Some synthetic oils even say 15,000 miles. This may seem like too much. It’s best to change your oil according to the instructions that came with your car.

Use premium gasoline for more powerful car

Octane number 87 is classified as regular gasoline, 89 is average gasoline, and above 92 is premium gasoline. Which type of gasoline to use depends on the compression ratio of the engine. For compression ratios below 8:1, regular gasoline should be used. For compression ratios above 8:1, average gasoline should be used. For compression ratios above 9:1, premium gasoline with an octane number of 92 or higher should be used.

Vehicles with high compression ratios using regular gasoline will experience premature detonation, causing the engine to lose power. On the contrary, vehicles with low compression ratios using premium gasoline will not cause any harm, but will not increase performance, just wasting money.

Some people think that premium gasoline has a detergent additive to clean fuel injectors. This depends on the country, in the US, the EPA requires all gasoline to have a detergent additive, not just premium gasoline. So what kind of gasoline is suitable for your car? The best way is to consult the owner's manual that came with your car. Never assume that a higher octane car is better.

Regularly use dashboard and tire polish.

Over time, the dashboard will become dusty and the tires will lose their shine. However, using wax polish does more harm than good. Experts say that a shiny dashboard will be dazzling, and the chemicals in the wax will cause the dashboard to age quickly. The same goes for tires, the chemicals in the wax will remove the protective layer of rubber, causing the tire to crack quickly.

Manufacturers often make dashboards out of matte material to avoid glare. Dashboards should be dusted with a damp cloth and tires should be cleaned with mild soap, a soft brush, and clean water.

Wearing a seat belt significantly reduces the risk of injury.

This myth stems from the idea that leaving the car in D (Drive) while braking wastes fuel and causes unnecessary wear and tear on the transmission. In fact, the wear and tear on the engine and fuel consumption are very small.

If you frequently shift from N to D, then step on the gas every time the green light comes on, it can wear out the gearbox and transmission system, even if it's just a little bit. After all, even if you leave the steering wheel in D, no one can measure the damage or not, it's just that some drivers have a habit of fiddling with the steering wheel. For these people (who like to return to N when encountering a red light), they should drive manual transmission cars.

Talking on the phone through a headset to drive hands-free is safe

Whether it's good or bad is up to you to decide, here we're just stating the statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1 in 12 people aged 18 to 24 use a mobile phone while driving. Traffic police say that 1 in 4 traffic accidents are caused by distracted driving, and mobile phones play a significant role. People who cause accidents usually don't have their mobile phones in their hands, and they don't operate the vehicle with one hand. This proves that headphones don't help you avoid distraction.

You don't need to wear a seat belt if you sit in the back seat.

They rarely come out in support of this, but their actions speak louder than words. There are two dangers of not wearing a seat belt in the back seat: one is that they themselves can be seriously injured if the car rolls over. Two is that they become the bullet that shoots at other members of the car in the event of a collision.

Do not lock the door so that rescue workers can easily get you out after an accident.

Sounds reasonable, right? No. Leaving your doors unlocked can cause you to be ejected from your vehicle in a crash, killing about 10,000 people in the US each year. Some newer cars have doors that can unlock automatically when the airbags are deployed, and even if they are locked, emergency workers can still break them down to get to the passengers. Locking your doors is a good way to protect your passengers.

Holding the steering wheel too low

Read and follow the NHTSA advice: The steering wheel should be aimed not at the head but at the sternum, about 10 inches away. But beware, if the steering wheel is too low and the driver has the habit of driving with one hand, he or she will tend to put his or her hand on the top of the steering wheel (12 o'clock position), so in a collision, the airbag will deploy from below and can break the hand.

Note that you should put both hands on the steering wheel, one at about 3 o'clock position and one at 9 o'clock position and sit straight 16 cm from the steering wheel. Sitting like that may not be comfortable at first, but after a while you will get used to it, only then will you save your life in case of a car accident.