After you finally earned your driving license, you gotta be so eager to drive right? Or it had already been some time since you last held the steering wheel and it kinda felt awkward to get back on it... Either way, you must somewhat feel nervous or scared to start driving.
I know really well how that felt like. After driving for sometime, here is the list that I think would suit any of you who just getting started on driving. And it's all based on my personal experience, so leggo!
1. Slowing down for bumps
This is my first struggle when I started. Most people would start around the housing area, and it's a pretty basic thing to know. It may sound simple but when you first started you might get to hear loud thud under your car whenever you go over a bump especially on slightly higher ones.
Solution: When you are nearing a bump, notice the few yellow lines beforehand. That is the mark where you should already be pressing the brakes to slow down. And right before your front tire touches the bump, make sure you are pressing your brake fully. AFTER the whole front tire moves over the bump, ONLY THEN can you press the accelerator. If you do it too soon, that will cause the car to touches the bump and producing a loud thud.
2. Paying for gas
If you've been doing this for your parents every time they fill the gas up, you should already be a pro. But if not, shame on you. Lol that goes to me too oops.
Before going up to pay, please look at the pump number where your car is parked.
In some situation, if you see the worker around, you can just pay to them, let them swipe their card and they can 'activate' the pump for you.
There are 2 traditional ways you can do to pay; one can be done at the small over-the-counter hole outside or you can be extra by paying inside the kiosk. If you pay inside, you get free aircond and if you will need to get a change back, this is faster. Bcos if you pay from the outside, they need to move extra between you and the cash machine. Other than that, not going in is a faster option.
After you pay and don't have a change, leave. Give the money and just leave. I cannot stress this enough! Because there is no other thing other than stating your pump number and pay. Literally. Don't wait for them to say 'done', 'ok' or whatever. Unless you need a receipt, ask.
3. Refilling your fuel tank
While parking, pls be aware that the pump needs to be as close as it is to your gas tank. Don't be the dumb newbie who parks the driver's seat side-by-side with the nozzles. This depends but normal people uses Ron 95 unleaded petrol bcos cheaper.
Follow this step-by-step once you've made the payment:
1) Open the driver's door.
2) Pull the gas lever near the driver's seat wherever it may be.
3) The gas flap will open.
4) Unscrew the cap and grab the nozzle.
5) Push your nozzle in the tank and press the trigger.
6) There is a locking method so you don't have to keep pressing. The lock is a small metal slider inside the trigger. What you need to do is simply, press the trigger to the max and pull the lock backwards. That will do the trick.
7) Once the price shows the amount you paid, slowly shake the nozzle slightly so all the excess petrol drips out.
8) Then only remove the nozzle from the gas tank and place it back.
9) Screw the cap back on clockwise and close the flap.
10) And YOU'RE DONE!
4. Knowing the way
This is a crucial thing. How can you drive when you don't know the way? Other than using Waze or Google Maps, what you can do is try picturing the landmarks for every places. When you know the place and the landmarks surrounding it, you can be familiar with the roads. Imagine in your head as if you are travelling through the different roads and seeing the landmarks by your sides. That would be a good practice.
Besides, staying more alert whenever you are being drive around helps as well.
5. Crossing a junction
Junctions are everywhere. Be it at main roads or not, mastering it is important. Couple things you need to be aware of are signals and bumps.
At the junction if a nearing car signals to turn another way, it may also mean that the road in front of it will be clear for awhile and that you are gonna have enough time to take over. This also applies to bumps before any junctions. Cars going over a bump will have to slow down so if a car is, then more time for you to take the lane.
If these aren't the matter, then see whether the speed of the car is slow enough for you to cross. If not, jangan pandai-pandai.
6. Parking spots
Side parkings are the worst. If the parking space is a bit cramped, then reverse side parking is better. But ofc, we newbies would be too scared to try anything reversible. So, be sure that the parking space is spacious enough for you to try and fit in.
7. Parking tickets
The place where you take the ticket before entering any mall has a sensor. The gate would not close as long as the car don't move. So don't panic if you had to change gear, open the door or even wear back your seat belt before moving along. Take your time.
Just don't forget to pay before exit. And be sure to exit within 15 minutes.
8. Avoiding pot holes
Malaysia is famous for pot holes. Our road has so many holes and sometimes it's just hard to avoid while staying within your lane. But do your best to avoid these holes because it is not very good for your tire. It can be damaging and ofc, reduces the lifespan of a tire. But please do not compromise the avoidance of a pot hole with your own safety and the safety of others on the road. Drive smart.
9. Fuel consumption
This isn't really something new drivers need to know but it's good to. I recently found out myself that the air cond inside the car affects the fuel consumption. Therefore ensuring the car's regular service on the air cond also saves your petrol one way or another. But if your parents are still doing that for you, just take this information in for the future lol.
10. Left lanes if you are not overtaking
I was told that left lanes are for the slow drivers who do not intend to overtake any cars. Well in Malaysia at least that's the case. So if you want to drive fast while considering the speed limit, shift to the right. But that is once you are confident with doing so ofc. Personally, I still keep it to the left just because driving fast makes my thoughts run fast as well.
AND THAT'S ALL MY 10 TIPS!! Hope I have given a legit list that could be somewhat useful to you. If I am wrong anywhere within this post or misunderstood certain things, pls forgive me and feel free to comment if anything. I literally read all of the comments. Cos they don't come by so often ahah.
Dropping by,
Melynn.
