Re: Things you learnt later in your driving journey 1. Be extra cautious around school vehicles:
During my initial days in Pune, an autorickshaw carrying school children was riding on the right most lane (marked as bus lane) and I was on the right lane on the main road. Suddenly I saw something fall from the rickshaw and roll down to the road. I avoided it and went ahead, but suddenly the ricksaw stopped and a girl jumped in front of my bike. I had no time to stop and collided with her, causing a fracture to the poor kid.
The girl had jumped off to pick up her tiffin that had fallen from the rickshaw. After that I am very careful around vehicles ferrying children.
2. Check fuel efficiency during trips:
In one of my trips, I could see a thin black layer on the back of my car. I had assumed that its dirt from the road in the beginning. When the fuel went low, I refuelled without realizing that my car was leaking fuel, until the fuel tank emptied again. Ever since have been maintaining a fuel log to check for difference in fuel efficiency. It helps finding other issues also. Luckily it was a diesel car and a fuel leak was not an immediate fire risk.
3. Engine braking:
Initially I had been taught to press the clutch while braking. Later I realised that the braking is better if you do not press the clutch in the beginning as leaving the gas pedals without engaging the clutch, also helps in slowing down the car. When I got the Duke 390, I realised the power of engine braking even in city traffic.
I had been brakes while driving downhill earlier, till I read about incidents about vehicles losing braking power due to overheating of brakes. Since then I have been using engine braking only while going downhill. Paddle shifters in my automatic is used only during downhill drives.
4. Using cruise control for quicker braking:
When I got my car with cruise control, I still was not comfortable not doing anything with the foot. I started keeping the foot on the brake , to be ready to brake in case of emergencies, so that my response time to braking is quicker.
5. Let cars in a hurry overtake:
When I was younger, I used to be irritated when someone pulled a close overtake. These days, I just let them pass, as it helps keep calm during long drives, instead of getting your stress level higher.
6. Driving in the day time:
I used to drive overnight when I was younger. However, after the night drive, I would be too tired and would come home and go to sleep till late evening, there by wasting the whole day. Now days I start early, around 4-5AM and drive during the day and reaching before sunset. I am much more relaxed after it and also have better options to stop for breaks. |