Ok, let me clarify beforehand that I’m no Ms. Schumacher(let’s leave my dreams alone for a while, shall we?). Hey! So what? I’m a Driver, alright! and a fairly impressive one too coz so far I’ve just managed about 5 minor accidents(No Causalities, a nick there, a bend here, a scratch somewhere, a dent in the bonnet thanks to a dreamy BEST driver and yes! a fall of one of the tyres into a gutter.thanks to my height.:D) in 5 years of my driving experience.
I’ve been behind the wheels of my SUVs for almost everyday for as minimum as 10 minutes to a max. Of 2 hours on an average. So, keeping these experiences in mind, I hereby take the privilege to write this revu. I hope if nothing else, at least the first timers may gain some courage to grab those wheels by the mane(oops. that was an overdose of horse-riding!) and kick that accelerator. hey! U’re forgetting the clutch & the gear shift!
First of all, it is important to Love your vehicle. Be wary of it and I’m sure you’ll end up bumping it too often. Somehow, I’ve always found Murphy’s Laws working overtime in this case!(Just a personal observation!) Trust me, Half the battle?s won once you?ve gained the courage to sit confidently on that driver?s seat and say to yourself, ?I Have The Power!?(No? don?t continue and say, ?He-Man!?) and hey, U?re definitely not kidding coz U really have some horsepower(in ur SUV?s engine) at your command there! So, sit in style and let your confidence shine!
Secondly, Please remember to take a look at those mirrors. No, they?re not there only for the sake of grooming. They?re definitely there for a purpose and put them to their use! The 3 mirrors(2 side/wing & 1 rear) which can save a few scratches & dents when u take that reverse or try to catch up with a fellow driver who?s equally nervous. Also, make it a subconscious effort that you actually look into these mirrors at regular intervals while driving and don?t treat them as extra useless fittings!
Thirdly, Don?t forget to put that gear in neutral and check on the position of the handbrake. If you?re on a slope, you need to release the handbrake only when you?re on the verge of Get-Set-Go!
Now, whom are you kidding? Ignition Protocol? I meant, put your key and ignite the baby?oops, Car?s engine(I guess I?m pampering my SUV a bit too much)! Wait! Not yet! Don?t kick that accelerator as if you?re just about to fly off rather than, drive off. We have a few more checks to make!
First of all, when U turn the key in the ignition it usually happens with 3 clicks?the final one will make your engine roar?.Vroom! Well, before you hear that Vroom please take a note of the indications before your eyes. Those red & green lights highlighting various icons will show you Dipper, Headlights, City light, Seatbelt sign, Oil, Brake(Handbrake) and there?s the speedometer and the Fuel Dials right before your very eyes! Please make sure that you make this a religious practice to have a dekko at this before you leave the garage every morning!
Now what are you waiting for? It?s Vroom?Vroom time! Release the break, press the clutch with your left, shift to first gear, and now let go of that clutch slowly? SLOWLY?while you?re stepping in grace on that Accelerator with your right foot.
If your engine turns off automatically while your attempting the above(not necessarily for first timers), It?s Okay! That doesn?t make you a bad driver, trust me! It?s just that you?re still to strike a rapport with your baby?Ah! Now u know what I meant here?Car, of course! So, keep trying and I?m sure it?ll be fine!:)
Ok, those screeching, snarling starts are good enough for the action-thrillers, unless of course you want to catch someone?s eye(and that someone could be even your Traffic Police). Let?s keep it graceful, simple and yet, in style! So, we?re driving now!
Hey! I hope you shifted those gears to the upper levels after your car made the initial move on the first gear. Also, I?ve been told many times that fuel efficiency is at it?s best in the top gears corresponding to the driving conditions.
The mandatory Dos and DON?Ts:
DO read, follow and memorize those traffic sign manuals that you can grab at any learning school.
DO carry your driver?s license whenever you?re sitting in the driver?s seat, ready for your take-off!
DO make sure you have emergency call numbers(of your service station) in case of an unexpected breakdown
DO carry the necessary documents in the vehicle(RRC book, PUC card, etc.)
DO NOT play loud music while driving. It?s a nuisance, dangerous and sometimes gives a cheap rickshaw-wala feel to your baby if your system?s not rocking!
DO NOT indulge in rash driving
DO NOT Drink & Drive
DO NOT try Schumacher stunts if you are not on a racetrack. The road is by no means a race track?especially a few of the Mumbai ones!
DO NOT jabber on your cellphones while driving.it’s hazardous and apart from that will make the one honking behind you recollect all the swear words of a lifetime!
Always remember:
Driving is a Privilege, Not a Right! So, learn to respect your life as well as others? too.
Also, Don’t lose hope even if you’ve made a few scratches and dents and all. We would’ve never learnt to walk had we stiffened after the first fall!
I may have missed many a significant points in this review and I?d be glad if you point?em out in the comments section. So, we can complete this review together as long as the point is delivered!
Happy Vroom, Vrooming!