[Marc]

You know how it is when you get a new car (or, at least, new to you) and you're super-careful about how you drive it?

I've been enjoying my new wheels these past few weeks, and I've definitely noticed that I'm being much more careful and mindful with it. No doubt this will wear off over time!

But I did come across this RAC guide to the 'ten driving habits that damage your car' and have to confess I learned a few things.

Resting my hand on the gearstick? Yep.

Riding the clutch? Guilty!

Is it just me or do others also drive 'badly' out of habit?

[Drivingforfun]

The only one I do is engine braking, which being bad for the car is news to me!

I was always taught to use the engine/low gears when going down very long hills as the brakes can fade.

My Dad also did some advanced driving with the police and was taught to engine brake, though this was 30 years ago now, plus, the instructor did admit that they taught officers what is best for speed and safety, mechanical sympathy came second.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

The only one I do is engine braking, which being bad for the car is news to me!

I was always taught to use the engine/low gears when going down very long hills as the brakes can fade.

My Dad also did some advanced driving with the police and was taught to engine brake, though this was 30 years ago now, plus, the instructor did admit that they taught officers what is best for speed and safety, mechanical sympathy came second.

I think your dad may have been among the last to be taught that. Decades ago the police started to teach the use of the brakes in preference to changing down through the gears. Brakes had greatly improved, and were much cheaper and quicker to replace than clutches and gearboxes!
As always, the police's methods filtered down via the DSA (as it then was) to the driving instruction industry, teaching the (Police) System of Car Control: Position - Speed - Gear - Acceleration, in that sequence.

FWIW my copy of 'Roadcraft: the Police Driver's Handbook' says:

"Use the brakes if you need to make more than a gradual adjustment in road speed", and

"Engine braking is also useful on long descents in hilly country, but for normal driving it is inadequate for more than gradual variations in speed".

[Drivingforfun]

Thanks Beelzebub, very interesting to know!

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

The only one I do is engine braking, which being bad for the car is news to me!

I was always taught to use the engine/low gears when going down very long hills as the brakes can fade.

My Dad also did some advanced driving with the police and was taught to engine brake, though this was 30 years ago now, plus, the instructor did admit that they taught officers what is best for speed and safety, mechanical sympathy came second.

My dad taught me to engine-brake too @Drivingforfun
And I think it was only last year when I was driving a brand new Polo for two weeks (it was a replacement car after mine got written off) that the dashboard kept 'telling me off'. 🤣

This means you're using the brakes more and putting it into neutral as you approach a stop?

[Santa]

Originally Posted by Beelzebub

Brakes had greatly improved, and were much cheaper and quicker to replace than clutches and gearboxes!

Exactly what I was told when I learned to drive an HGV.

Mark's clutch/gear lever problems don't apply to me since I drive a two-pedal automatic, but I do tend to allow my hands to drop to the bottom of the steering wheel sometimes and I have been known to eat and drink while cruising (sandwich, not roast dinner 😊)

[Beelzebub]

Another thing I was taught (in the 1960s) was always to press the button when applying the handbrake. Not to do so was a Bad Habit. It avoided unnecessary wear to the mechanism.

Then about 30 years ago the manufacturers all started telling us* the exact opposite. Not pressing the button was in fact a Good Habit. The rationale was to ensure that the ratchet actually locked - a triumph of safety over economy.

* = Or at least, telling those owners who actually read the handbook.

[Rolebama]

The only bad habit I am aware of is not putting all passengers in straight jackets and gagging them!

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

The only bad habit I am aware of is not putting all passengers in straight jackets and gagging them!

Haha yes indeed @Rolebama I'm sure we've all been tempted 🤣

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Beelzebub

Another thing I was taught (in the 1960s) was always to press the button when applying the handbrake. Not to do so was a Bad Habit. It avoided unnecessary wear to the mechanism.

Then about 30 years ago the manufacturers all started telling us* the exact opposite. Not pressing the button was in fact a Good Habit. The rationale was to ensure that the ratchet actually locked - a triumph of safety over economy.

* = Or at least, telling those owners who actually read the handbook.

Which button was this @Beelzebub ?

[Rolebama]

My daughter's Audi has a little flappy thing which operates the handbrake. Horrible thing. Gives no sense of feel.

[ElCapitain]

Two for me as well;

• Resting my hand on the gearstick
• Accelerating in a high gear

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Marc

Which button was this @Beelzebub ?

Back in the days when the parking brake was manual rather than electronic (hence HANDbrake,),there was a button on the end of the lever, which had to be pressed to release the brake.

[NMNeil]

Gearshift, clutch!!!!
What are those 🤣

[Marc]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

Gearshift, clutch!!!!
What are those 🤣

Some of us don't have the luxury of a decent range of automatics! Though I'm sure there's a list of bad driving habits for those too 😅
Have you always had automatics @NMNeil ?