Outdated Driving Advice You Should IGNORE
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Published 2024-02-18
1. Warming Up the Car: Are you still idling your car for several minutes before hitting the gas? Discover why this age-old tradition might be doing more harm than good and how modern engines have evolved beyond the need for a lengthy warm-up.
2. Using Engine Braking: Engine braking has been a controversial topic for years. Find out the truth behind whether it's a smart technique or an outdated myth. We'll explore the impact on your vehicle and whether it's time to reconsider your approach to slowing down.
3. Embracing Hand-over-Hand Steering: Say goodbye to the hand-over-hand debate! We're highlighting the positive aspects of this classic steering technique. Discover how hand-over-hand can provide precise control and enhance your connection with the road, especially in tight or emergency situations. Master this skill for a smoother and more confident driving experience.
4. Using Cruise Control: Cruise control can be a game-changer on long drives, but is it always the right choice? We'll delve into situations where cruise control might not be your best ally and why staying engaged with your vehicle is crucial.
5. Thumbs Inside the Steering Wheel: The way you grip the steering wheel matters more than you think. Explore the debate between thumbs inside or outside the steering wheel and find out which method is recommended for optimal safety and control.
It's time to let go of outdated driving advice and embrace a safer, more efficient way of getting from A to B. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insightful content on navigating the roads like a pro!
00:00 Intro
00:16 Warming up
03:04 Engine braking
04:43 Feeding the wheel
06:08 Cruise control
08:19 Thumbs in the wheel
All Comments (21)
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Best emerging car channel on Youtube
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In Canada "warming up the car" means waiting for the windows to defrost enough to see where the hell you're going
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Engine braking . I am surprised so many people do not realize the accelerator can be used to both move the car and slow it down. Lift your foot off the accelerator, and as long as the gear is not in neutral engine braking will initiate.
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The thumbs thing is wrong. only a very, very zmall number of cars (like the cybertruck, or a very small number of toyota group luxury cars) - have steer by wire. Modern cars still have a direct, physical connection from steering column to steering wheel. The hydraulic or electrical power assistance is just that, an assistace to reduce the torque you have to apply, but a traditional mechanical link remains, largely as a safety feature to privide some emergency control of steering in the event of a loss of PS power or fluid. So if you did have a crash, yes a rotational force could transfer to the wheel. Does that mean you cant put your thumbs in the wheel? No, nonsense, it'll be fine. A crash severe enough to twist your steering that violently in a car with modern crumple zones etc will leave you with more things to worry a couple of broken thumbs.
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One thing I noticed when I started using cruise control was just how inconsistent most people are with their speed management. I see a lot of people float between 5-15mph around the speed limit constantly accelerating and decelerating but very rarely will they lock into a set speed like cruise control will do
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- quicktip from firefighter Thumbs on the inside of your steeringwheel isn't necessarily a risk. It's the moment you are in a crash and your airbag deploys with your thumbs still in that position which leads to your thumbs breaking.
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Thumbs outside the wheel also comes from off-roading. You never have them inside the steering wheel because if you hit a rock or slide sideways into an obstacle you will be injured by it violently turning.
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Warming up is still a thing, you just need to give it a minute for oil to circulate and then drive taking it easy until it warms fully. Its still good advice it just doesnt need to be done idling away for minutes on end.
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Its amusing when following someone downhill and they constantly press the brake and you've never touched the brake
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even though I'm driving in continental Europe (that is, on the right hand side of the road :), I find your British understanding and approach to driving a car very useful
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You are offering some good driving advice, but I can''t believe that you drove the car at one point with NO hands on the steering wheel!
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Not feeding the wheel is fine in slow manoeuvring, like in a car park, but it works brilliantly when driving on the open road. If you pull down with your left hand when going left, and pull down with your right hand when going right, you feel like you have much more control of the steering and, in turn, the whole car.
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Not having two hands on the wheel could make me fail my driving test
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The reason I was told about engine braking isn’t anything to do with the car, it’s because it doesn’t give the driver behind you any indication you are slowing down until they are already getting close to you, giving them less time to react
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You are absolutely correct mate, only thing I don't do, is use the cruise control, but that isn't because I think I'm better than it, I just love to drive and be in control of the car, if I am a little tired then I will use it, that's just a personal thing for me, there are times I will drive from where I live to Wales, and I drive the whole way, but I love it lol.
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Mick, I’m not sure if you answer questions or anything direct but I’m grateful for your videos. I’ve worked from home for years and not done much driving as a result . Next week I’m getting back into driving a lot, as my is returning to work. Your videos have helped me regain some confidence and enthusiasm for driving. Really appreciate the insights you’ve shared too. Best wishes from Australia.Adrian
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The only reason I never use cruise control is that I get sleepy and lose focus when I use it. There's something about keeping that tension in the right leg/foot that keeps me alert on the road.
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Wait... you mean there are people who don't engine brake like that? My Grandfather taught my father who taught me to avoid using the brakes if at all possible for better control, better efficiency, and less wear on the brakes... and for each of them they were in New Zealand... here in AB where we get ice you REALLY need to learn to be light on the brakes... even if you lose control AVOID THE BRAKES.
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Most cars have some mechanical connection between the steering and the wheels, so rather than thinking "the eletric motor isn't powerful enough to break your thumbs" think like "the eletric motor isn't powerful enough to absorb the shock on the front wheels that will break your thumbs"
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I've been driving for 60 years (yes, 60) and have been using these techniques almost the whole time because they just make sense. Cruise control wasn't available for a long time but was a godsend, especially for driving 3 days east/west across the USA which I used to do many times. My wife's driving makes me crazy because she only follows tip number 1. Fortunately for my mental health I'm almost always the driver.
