5 Outdated Driving Tips
5 Outdated Driving Tips
The rules of the road have changed since the days of Driver’s Ed. Car safety improvements have changed how we should drive. Driving tips that were taught 20 years ago are no longer efficient or safe with modern vehicles. We put together a list of 5 outdated driving tips with the new tip to practice. Are you still using any of these outdated driving tips? It is important to stay up-to-date on the current rules and driving tips when operating a motor vehicle. Here are some surprising driving tips that have changed:
10 and 2
Hands on 10 and 2, as demonstrated in this photo, is no longer safe. Instead, put your hands lower on the steering wheel.
Everyone has undoubtedly heard of the “10 and 2” rule. It describes the right hand placed on the “2 o’clock” area of the wheel and left hand on “10 o’clock”. This rule has withstood the hands of time. But, this rule has changed. The new road rules reflect the proper hand placement on the wheel is “9 and 3”. Why the change?
This hand placement adjustment is due to airbag injury concerns. 10 and 2 was introduced before the first airbags were added to car steering wheels. Moving the hands away from the top of the wheel, the driver reduces the risk of injury from airbag deployment.
Press Gas Pedal While Starting
Pushing down on the accelerator at the same time as starting the vehicle is an outdated driving tip. This began with an engine part called a carburetor. Pressing on the accelerator would push fuel into the combustion chamber, mixing air and fuel. This would help with starting the engine.
Modern-day cars have eliminated this step entirely. Cars today have a push-start button or an automatic ignition. The ignition automatically places the right amount of fuel into the engine to start the car.
Pumping Brakes
This outdated driving tip circulated before anti-lock brakes were invented. Older cars were not equipped with an “ABS” system, or Automatic Braking System. Before ABS, a driver had to rapidly pump the brakes to stop quickly in conditions with poor traction.
The ABS system is stock in all modern-day vehicles and pumps the brakes for the driver. It is no longer required or safe for the driver to pump the brakes. Anti-lock brakes automatically pump the brakes better than a driver pumping the brakes manually. Of course, check if your car has anti-lock brakes before changing your driving habits.
Wheel Turning
placing your hands and arms in front of the steering wheel could cause major injuries
In the past, drivers were told to place “hand over hand” while turning the steering wheel. This is no longer the case. The proper way to make a turn uses the “push-pull” rule. As you turn the wheel to the right or left, one hand will pull the wheel down as the other hand pushes the wheel up. Additionally, this works well from the 9 and 3 positions.
State Farm’s auto insurance department informs drivers that: “Hand-over-hand maneuvers during turning should be avoided to prevent arms from being in front of a deploying airbag in the event of a crash. Serious injuries may result during such occurrences.”
AWD And Snow
It is a huge misconception that all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles are safer on snow and ice. We always hear they are safer than rear or front-wheel-drive cars. But, AWD vehicles do not show a significant safety or traction advantage on snow and ice.
It’s better to invest in a good set of snow tires regardless of what type of vehicle. Black ice and sleet do not discriminate against AWD, FWD or RWD. The only difference between the three are acceleration and efficiency patterns in handling an incline or slope.
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