Habits shite has taught you?

[jakebullet]

My first car was a series 2a land rover, and then had a few fiesta mk 1's. So I've never really got the hang of using a 5 speed box properly. I tend to just use 1-4 unless it's a 40 limit and I can see I could keep to 40 for some distance. (Hangover from is it worth putting the overdrive in?).

 

What has shite taught you?

[Albert Ross]

Before starting the engine, check there's clutch and brake pressure. Don't put the seatbelt on until it's started.......... Look round the car before getting in... check for flats/graffiti/vandalism etc. Check the oil every day... Listen to rattles. Keep a coat in the car in case it rains. Always check headlights work by reflections off other cars before driving off. That kind of shizz. Oh yeah, my daily? A 1970 2a Diesel 109.

[autofive]

after driving a scimitar - always keep one eye on the oil pressure, temp gauge and dont exceed 4K revs

 

and after dring an auto - always try reverse when you first start the car, if theres no reverse, add ATF - and never park nose in, just in case theres no reverse.

[Morgan84]

Take care of it,and it will take care of you

[vulgalour]

The difference between a smell and a bad smell, a noise and a bad noise. It's subtle, but it's there.

[Rocket88]

Double de-clutch all the time

[Micrashed]

Double de-clutch all the time

 

This, and due to one of my cars not having a third gear generally not using third gear in anything I drive. Its not that often I set off in first either (Though Mrs Micrasheds C8 doesnt like it when i do that). Typical gear change goes 2nd, 4th, 5th.

 

I really should buy and auto.

[garethj]

Never approach a junction at warp speed and expect the brakes to haul you down in time. Approach a bit slower, be in the right gear before you get there which takes stress of the brakes, and if you can't slow in time at least you've got some punch to find a tiny gap.

 

If a warning light comes on, take action immediately. If the oil light comes on, bang the clutch in and knock the engine off, but leave the ignition on so the steering lock doesn't activate. I believe most drivers now keep going until the car goes to the dealers in 3 months.

 

Always be grateful when you arrive at your destination.

 

Always feel slightly smug when you pass a newer car broken down on the hard shoulder, but don't say anything because you know it could be you in 2 miles.

[skattrd]

Until you've had the car a while and know it well carry a decent toolkit and replacement fluids. This includes jubilee clips, gaffer tape, cable ties, fuses, bulbs, jump leads, spare battery and a trolley jack ... If the cars old, French, Italian or temperamental carrying the above is always advisable.

 

Always park in gear with the battery location (bonnet or boot) accessible for a jump start.

Rely on the gears for braking more than brakes. If the cars an automatic then brake well in advance.

Don't rely on the gauges, check things for yourself if you suspect something may be amiss.

[Shep Shepherd]

To never throw anything away, as it may be useful in the future

[scruff]

Double de-clutch all the time

 

Yep - or not using the clutch at all

[ashmicro]

Some good drills here. I'll add my own, which my ex-pilot Dad told me when I first started driving: "Always test your brakes on the runway". This entails setting off and getting up to about 5 MPH and trying the footbrake. If it doesn't work, at least the handbrake will stop you at that speed!

[rml2345]

Always putting it into second then first before setting off...

[Cavcraft]

If you have a Vespa and are planning on going more than 300 yards, take several spare clutch cables with you.

[HMC]

When in heavy summer traffic, if the cooling systems a bit marginal, crank up the heater. Never popular with passengers!!!

[Micrashed]

To never throw anything away, as it may be useful in the future

Sheps Law states the point at which something ceases to be taking up space and useless junk is generally half an hour after you have taken it to the tip/the binmen have taken the rubbish away

[Skizzer]

On arriving home, park in gear with the handbrake off. Then when it won't start and it takes four months to fix it, at least the handbrake won't be seized on.

 

Don't have the stereo on loud, you might miss a new knocking sound.

 

Know all the quiet back roads that run parallel to your chosen route. They won't be quicker, but if there's a traffic jam then at least you can keep the airflow going through the radiator.

[FredTransit]

Take lots of water with you. Never leave home without tools. Lots of tools. At the very least a multi tool......

[dollywobbler]

Always putting it into second then first before setting off...

Yup. 2CV got me into that habit. Avoids a crunch, especially after a fast drive. The BX taught be a slightly different habit for the same reason. Select fifth before reverse. Also avoids a crunch!

[Lord Sterling]

Collect as many parts for it as you can, this includes trim panels as well as mechanical parts.

 

Keep an eye on the oil/water/brake fluid levels. Old cars arent as water/oil tight as they once were.

[worldofceri]

Take the battery out every other day and charge it in the kitchen, substituting for a spare battery in the meantime.

 

OK, that's not a common habit, and one I quickly got out of, but I did it for literally months when the dynamo packed in on my Beetle.

[DSdriver]

When turning right out of a side turning never assume that the car is going to reach the far side without stalling in front of the oncoming truck. Best wait until said truck and the queue of traffic it is holding up have passed and you are crossing a clear road.

[PhilA]

SU fuel pumps operating is a luxury, not a necessity, and the tool to make them work again must always be carried onboard.

Give it a walk round to look for a flat, a burned light, random droppage of fluid onto the floor overnight, before setting off.

The instrument cluster is more of a guide rather than indicating what's actually going on under the hood.

Fuel gauges aren't accurate. Speedometers aren't working properly unless the needle wobbles and/or the cable clicks.

Never park anywhere you can't push the car out of.

Load the toolbox in before each run longer than the end of the road and back.

When pulling out across traffic, never change gear where you may find it won't engage another and leave you stranded. Level crossings ditto.

[eddyramrod]

Park facing downhill, with some clear space in front of you. More space if your car supposedly has power steering...!

[jonny69]

The usuals. I hadn't considered the 5-speed box thing, but every car I've owned had had a 4-speed or fewer, apart from my hotrod, but that had a dog-leg first gear anyway, so 5th was where a conventional 4th gear is anyway. It does feel alien pulling it out of 4th, pushing the stick against a spring and engaging another gear which feels like 3rd.

 

Indicator stalk on the right on most of mine and I never get used to it being on the left, so the wipers usually go on a few times when I jump in anyone else's car. Looking over my shoulder is something I'm used to doing - useless when there is a sodding great pillar in the way and, for some reason, my car stays in a straight line when I do it, but her modern always swerves around.

 

Always feel slightly smug when you pass a newer car broken down on the hard shoulder, but don't say anything because you know it could be you in 2 miles.

Definitely this.

 

I haven't done the second-before-first trick for some time, but I haven't had a box without synchro in first for about 3 years. Carrying certain tools and the box o' useful bits is a usual of mine, which grows in size if the journey grows in size.

[idiotboy]

Erm

 

Be wary of high speed duster ingestion if you run an Air cooled car.

 

Always check that the sump plug is fitted before pouring slick 50 and new engine oil into an engine.

 

Always check your Sump\crankcase for latex gloves on a freshly rebuilt engine - before you run it up for the first time.

 

Always carry a fire extingusisher.

 

Be careful if polishing a car with stainless steel bumpers so that you don't lose fingers.

 

Always check that the chuck key is removed from the lathe before you start it.

 

Always carry a junior hacksaw with a number of spare blades.

 

Remember that a bulb kit kit is not much use if your car has sealed beam headlights.

 

Always check that the parts fit your car before bidding on them on ebay.

 

When wax injecting with a compressed air line, do not obstruct the end of the wand, otherwise you get a backwash of wax.

 

Do not kid yourself that Waxoil in your hair is really expensive hair gel.

 

When helping a friend in his workshop do not get the airline confused with the Argoshield line. Otherwise your mate will think that his hangover is really bad and causing his dreadful welding, whilst you are unwittingly filling your tyres up with Argon.

 

Do not buy a car from a museum.

 

Do not buy a C-Matic Citroen GS

 

Do not trust English Expats selling cars in France.

 

In the event of your new purchase catching fire on the Vendors Drive. Demand your money back. Do not accept any other subsititute.

 

Measure twice, cut once.

 

Always see if you can insure a vehicle before buying it.

 

I think that's about it.

[skattrd]

Erm

...

...

In the event of your new purchase catching fire on the Vendors Drive. Demand your money back. Do not accept any other subsititute.

...

 

Thx for that I now have to clean the coffee off my computer screen.

 

Oh, and wtf? catching fire on the vendors drive, did I miss that thread/post somewhere??

[willswitchengage]

Always be sure to remember how long ago you parked the car.

 

<5 mins hot start: crank normally

5mins - 1 hour: crank whilst slowly depressing pedal

1-4hrs: pump then crank whilst slowly depressing pedal

4-24hrs cold start: pump then crank

24+hrs: lots of running the primer pump, pedal pumps and glad you've got a decent battery for all that cranking!

24+hrs and it's snowing outside: accept defeat

 

I has carburettor problem longtime

[idiotboy]

Erm

...

...

In the event of your new purchase catching fire on the Vendors Drive. Demand your money back. Do not accept any other subsititute.

...

 

Thx for that I now have to clean the coffee off my computer screen.

 

Oh, and wtf? catching fire on the vendors drive, did I miss that thread/post somewhere??

 

Hi Skattrd

 

Did a silly thing, bought a DS whist pi55ed on holiday in France from an English expat swine. Looked at car (very shiny), looked through history, got blinded by romance of the thing and the home brewed eau de vie, handed over money. Fell asleep.

 

Woke up in Morning, groaned saw car in full sunlight and noticed lots of flaws that I didn't previously. Get in car with then Girlfriend, turn key and learn to bail out of vehicle as the interior fills up with smoke and the wiring loom catches fire. Then once the fire was put out I foolishly let the Vendor put the car right and wait 6mths for him to deliver it to me. He lends me his car to get home. Then 6mths later he arrives a day earlier than planned, dumps my car off which is still dead and does a runner with his car, whilst I'm not there to ask questions.

 

It was not a great moment in my car buying history, but I learned a lot from it.

[Morgan84]

Avoid squirting water at windows and panel gaps as they will leak,and carwash is a no no - gentle handwash and rise off gently will save filling it up inside. Keep the pressure washer for the patio !