5 Things Every Driver Should Know

Here are some tips for drivers. It's all stuff that my dad taught me before he let me drive, and I will teach any kids I have before I let them drive as well. These tips will keep you safe, and keep your car running relatively well, too.

Put gas in - This sounds obvious, but let me relate a story. I have a friend whose grandmother has never put gas in her vehicle. She will pull up to a gas pump and just sit there until someone does it for her. If you're going to take it upon yourself to drive, then take the responsibility to know how to do the most basic of things that will need to be done with your vehicle. The pumps all have instructions on them. Follow the instructions, and you'll be just fine.Check oil and other fluids - Know where your dipstick is for your oil, and your transmission fluid. Know how to check if there is enough antifreeze in your reservoir, and be able to check your wiper fluid too. Really, if you're going to drive you should have a basic understanding of how your car works. Keep some tissues or napkins in the car for this.

Check tire pressure - To prevent the next step (changing a tire), keep an eye on the pressure in your tires. Low or high pressure will cause the car to handle badly, and will cause uneven wear on the tires, which isn't good for them! Check your owner's manual to see what pressure (PSI) you need your tires to be at, and keep a tire gauge in the car, too. Many of the gauges attached to pumps at gas stations don't work correctly, or at all.

Change a tire - You'll need this. I don't care where you drive or who you are, learn how to change a tire by yourself. Know where to put the jack, how to make it work, and where your spare tire is. Never drive without it! Many newer cars have specific places underneath where the jack needs to go. Refer to the owner's manual for where that is. If you put the jack elsewhere, it might damage your car.

Jump start a car - It's not a hard thing to do. Always have jumper cables, which come with instructions most of the time, and you won't have a problem. You might also come to someone else's rescue with it.

Be safe on the road.