Driving is a necessity in today’s world, but it is also a killer. Driving can be dangerous and deadly if you don’t have the right tools.  Driving defensively and aggressively includes being courteous. For example, if you see someone is tailgating you or following too closely behind you, move over to another lane (if possible) so they are able to pass you. This is something simple and considerate you can do to avoid a potentially dangerous or deadly accident.  Being aggressive, means don’t let another driver bully you. For example if you don’t feel comfortable driving in the fast lane, don’t move over just to make another guy happy.  In addition, go the speed that you feel comfortable with, as long as it’s within the speed limits. There are some drivers that like to drive fast, while some like to drive slow; drive where you are comfortable. However, this does have some restrictions; if you are going drastically over the speed limit you are not only putting yourself at risk, but also other drivers. While at the same time if you are going dramatically under the speed limit you will probably either cause a traffic jam, cause others to rear end or worse.

This also goes along with this is not fighting other drivers. If you are behind a slow car and there’s no way around the car just slow down. Don’t try to make the driver go faster by tailing that will only frustrate you and make for a dangerous situation.

Constantly be aware of your surroundings while in the car. Not everyone, as a matter of fact most people don’t, use turning signals so anticipation is a huge part of driving. You of course are not a mind reader (or maybe you are) so you won’t be able to detect what another person is going to do next. However, it is important that you keep a safe distance between you other surrounding cars. So that if someone does to decide to haphazardly switch lanes you will be prepared.

The car manufacturers put three mirrors in the car for you to use them, so use them! Be aware of what is going on behind you, but not for too long.  Use your side mirrors before you are planning on switching lanes or making a turn. They are also helpful to know when another driver is planning on switching over into your lane.  Make note, however, that there on blind spots on both sides of the vehicle. So before switching lanes it is important that you not only look in your side mirrors but also turn to look on the side of your car.

Keeping your distance between the car in front and behind you is also very important. You never want to be too close to another driver, while at the same time you never want to let another car get to close to you.

Using all of these tips in a combined effort is sure to get you safely to where you’re going and back!

There are two types of transmissions that are available when buying a car; the first being an automatic transmission.  An automatic transmission vehicle is where the car does all the work for the driver. The only thing the driver has to do is push the gas and the brake pedals; everything in between is doing automatically by the car.  While the second option being a manual transmission.  A manual transmission is where not only does the driver have to control the gas and brake pedals but the clutch that controls the gears as well (could be a 5 or 6 gear car depending).  However, both options have benefits and downfalls to them. This article will help to become more informed and chose the best option for you.

The benefits of choosing an automatic transmission over a manual transmission include it being less work for the driver, there is no clutch or shifter to maneuver while driving.  Automatic cars seem to have a wider appeal, depending on what country you live in, but especially in America. With carpooling being such a popular option, there has to be a standard appeal so that everyone driving will actually be able to drive.  And lastly, when going to sell or trade in your vehicle there is more value in automatic transmissions than manual because more people can drive them.

The downfalls of an automatic transmission start with it costing initially, more to purchase. Because of the appeal an automatic car has car dealerships can charge more for it, and often they do.  There are some times the driver will be able to feel the car shifting into different gears because of the speed variations. With automatic cars the gear the driver is in is completely up to the car.  Finally, it has been widely known that automatic cars don’t get very good gas mileage compared to manual transmissions. Though this could change in the near future with widely popular hybrid cars that are automatic.

The benefits of driving a manual transmission car are the driver has more control over the car. The driver tells the car what to do, not the other way around.  Manual transmissions get excellent gas mileage compared to automatic transmission cars. Manuel transmission vehicles have the ability to go much faster.  So, if you are into drag racing, speed racing, or just bobbing and weaving through traffic you definitely need to go with a manual transmission car.

The cons of a manual transmission car include it being a lot for the driver to do all at once. The driver has to steer, control the gas and brakes pedals, as well as controlling the clutch. This can be a lot of anyone person. Manual transmissions are not good for hilly terrain or stop and go traffic i.e. rush hour.  In addition, manual transmissions are not the easiest thing to learn how to control. There is a lot of room for error and mistake, and error and mistake will cost a lot of money to fix with manual transmissions.

There are always pros and cons to both sides of any debate. At the end of the day you have to choose what is best fit for you and your lifestyle. Good luck and safe driving! Don’t forget to buckle up!

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of learning from a private driving instructor, do visit our home page for more details

Manual driving is the use of a manual gearbox which normally involves a gear stick as well as a clutch. This is operated by your left foot in order to change gears in a vehicle while your right foot is controlling the break and gas pedals.

One of the biggest setbacks that can be seen from learning manual driving is the learning curve. There is a large learning curve as when compared with automatic transmission vehicles because the process of changing gears and operating the clutch takes skill. The transition from one gear to the next has to be smooth and becoming experienced in doing so requires a lot of practice. Developing a feel for engaging the clutch as well as changing gears is needed in order to drive smoothly. This is why most inexperienced drivers will experience stalling and jerking or jumping of the car. This can be especially dangerous on a small road or highway.

Although manual transmission might be more difficult to learn, it is still vastly sought after due to the benefits that it carries.

Benefits

Fuel costs

Manual transmission cars lack the bloodsucking fuel consumption that an automatic transmission car has. This is because of the automatic transmission hydraulic pump which causes the car to move despite no acceleration applied on the vehicle. Manual transmission cars also do not require active cooling because they are simpler than automatic transmission cars and weigh less than their counterparts.

Long Lasting and Costs

Because manual transmission cars have generally less moving parts than automatic transmission, they require lesser maintenance and costs much less to maintain. Another huge difference is that can also be observed is that manual transmission cars generally cost much less than automatic transmission cars. You can stand to save approximately $4000-$5000 for opting for a manual transmission car.

Control and Performance

Manual transmission generally has a higher selection of gear ratio which makes it more suitable especially if you want to have more control over the vehicle. The driver can choose to fully exploit the engine power at high or low speeds. Because the driver has more direct control over the car’s RPM as well as gear transmission, the driver can control the amount of torque that goes to the wheels and maneuverer accordingly.