w hat ’ s the B u z z ?
Motor vehicle myth busters every woman should know
In acknowledgement of women’s month
in August, Les McMaster, chairman of
the Motor Industry Workshop Association
(MIWA), shares some important myth
busters every woman should be aware of:
At most speeds, if the car window is open,
the coefficient drag is enough to make
your car work harder thus using more fuel.
In fact, it uses about the same amount of
fuel as having your air-con turned on.
Storage Compartment: It’s a car... not
an extension of the wardrobe! The more
weight you’re carrying around, the more
fuel you’re using, and therefore, the more
it’s going to cost you! Assign one day a
week to empty out the contents of your car.
Just think, with what you save on wasted
petrol you could end up with enough for a
whole new wardrobe!
Seat upright close to steering wheel
position: Sitting in an upright position
close to the steering wheel is not a
wise position as it inhibits the amount
of movement that is required to safely
manage the controls.
Checking your oil and water levels is
definitely one thing that you should not
put off!: Basically, if your car runs out of oil,
the engine will have no lubrication, seize up
and die, leaving you with a car that doesn’t
work and a hefty mechanic’s bill.
Checking your oil once a month can
prevent this. Make sure your car has been
stopped for five minutes or so (the engine
turned off!), open the bonnet, pull out the
dipstick from the engine then wipe and
replace it, before pulling it out again - the
oil level should be between the minimum
and maximum marks. If it’s not, then it’s
time to top up.
Having your air-con on uses more fuel
than opening the window: Ever heard
the common myth that having your air-con
turned on uses more fuel than opening the
window?
Female drivers are prone to adopting this
position as they need to see the nose of
the vehicle for accurate measurement of
distances. Adopt a more reclined position
with your arms at a comfortable “v’”
shape i.e. slightly extended and not an “L”
shape with your elbows tucked up against
your sides.
Testing the fuel gauge: This may sound
a little bit silly but the ‘E’ on your petrol
gauge does not stand for ‘enough’! If
you’re running on reserve find the nearest
petrol station and top up. Not only is it
dangerous if you get caught out without
fuel, it’s not good for your engine either.
Stockings do NOT make a good
replacement for a fan belt: Unless you’re
driving a 1969 Ford Escort, stockings do
NOT make a good replacement for a fan
belt.
Modern motor vehicles have a serpentine
belt which drives all the moving
components attached to the engine and
pantyhose stockings will not be able to
drive these components. Make time to
understand how the serpentine belt works.
Changing tyres or getting a flat: Putting
the gear lever into “park” won’t stop the
vehicle from moving and falling off the
jack, once lifted. If you have passengers
on board, have them get out, and apply
the handbrake as tight as it will go. Switch
the engine off.
Clutch riding: Keeping your foot on the
clutch while driving will not help you
change gears more smoothly. Rather the
thrust bearing is being overworked by
constant pressure from the fingers of the
pressure plate which will ruin the thrust
bearing and cause premature clutch failure.
Open the boot and ensure that the spare
wheel is at hand before undoing the
wheel, as I’ve seen many a rear end of
a vehicle in the air with wheels off and
the driver unable to get to the spare
wheel in the boot. The biscuit wheel
is an emergency wheel and cannot be
used indefinitely. Have the flat repaired
immediately.
“Remember to regularly get your vehicle
serviced. It’s far more cost effective and
less dangerous to maintain your vehicle
rather than waiting for a part to break and
then replacing it. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions about your vehicle and what is
being done during a service and always
use a reputable workshop,” advises
McMaster.
The AA gives tips on how to prevent road rage
Simple tips can prevent a minor traffic
event from escalating into an incident of
so-called road rage. This is according
to the Automobile Association, which
says drivers should not over-react to
minor traffic events. Common triggers
for on-road incidents are when people
don’t wait their turn at stop streets, or
cut other motorists off or tailgate them
when driving. “What is the maximum loss
of time caused by someone not waiting
their turn at a stop street? It is rarely more
than five, maybe ten seconds,” the AA
points out. “Reports of road rage incidents
seem to show that people spend more
time arguing over the initial error than they
would have lost by simply taking it in their
stride.”
| words in action
20
The AA reminds the public that all
drivers occasionally make mistakes and
advises motorists to defuse situations
by apologising immediately if they make
errors which inconvenience another
motorist. “When we drive, we should take
our cue from normal behaviour outside of
the vehicle,” the AA says. “Society runs
smoothly when we are able to tolerate
minor failings politely. W e can make driving
safer for everyone by carrying this attitude
into our vehicles.”
september 2014