If you are soon to be taking your driving test, you are about to move onto a new chapter of your life, and with car ownership comes a level of freedom that is tough to beat. You do, however, need to have a basic understanding of the workings of a car, and with that in mind, here are the basics to get you started.
Energy
Every motor vehicle needs fuel, which might come in the form of a gasoline or diesel fuelled engine, then there are ‘hybrids’ – vehicles that run an electric motor in conjunction with the regular fuel, switching from one to the other – which saves energy. Electric cars are touted to be the future – as we finally move on from fossil fuels that cause so much pollution – and if you are in the market for a car, you should be looking at the latest technology for electric cars.
Vehicle Maintenance
From the day the car is driven out of the showroom, it is in a constant state of decay, and on average, a car should be serviced every 5,000km or thereabouts. The engine oil is changed, the air filter cleaned and all belts and chains are checked for correct tension, while things like brake pads must also be monitored. Every car has an owner’s manual, which contains all the information the owner would need, plus there is a section at the back of the book, where all the service details are logged, so do use this for reference when booking the car in for a service.
Safety
Of course, safety is paramount, and prior to commencing any journey, the driver should walk around the vehicle, checking the tyres for inflation and any bumps or tears. When the time comes, there are affordable tyres in Brisbane, both new and partly worn, and when changing tyres, you either change the pair (front or rear) or all four tyres, to ensure even wear. The brakes are another critical aspect of safety, and the pads need to be replaced every 35-50,000km, depending on your style of driving and the quality of the brake pads. You must always wear your seat belt when driving, as this prevents you from moving forward due to inertia, and never exceed the speed limits and be careful when driving in wet conditions.
The Drive Train
It is very helpful if you understand how the power is created and transferred to the drive wheels (which might be the front, the back, or all 4 wheels) via the gearbox and driveshafts. Simply put, the engine turns the crankshaft, which is connected to the gearbox, which transforms the speed of the power delivery, and this is finally driven to the wheels by way of coupling joints and driveshafts.
Once you have a good understanding of how a car works, you will be able to make sure that the vehicle is always in good order, and with regular servicing, you will have a reliable car to use whenever you wish.
