The basic concepts of starting and shifting through the gears is a manageable process for just about anyone. To drive a manual, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the clutch, become comfortable with the gearstick, and practice starting, stopping, and shifting gears at various driving speeds.

Cars with automatic transmissions are very popular for both new and experienced drivers, as they are generally simpler to operate than manual transmissions and can be more comfortable for long trips. These simple steps will guide you in learning to operate an automatic transmission, but remember: before operating any motor vehicle, please make sure you have a valid driver's license and understand all local traffic laws.

Steering wheels lock in position as part of a vehicle's safety features. The main purpose of a locked wheel is to prevent vehicle movement when there is no key, or if the wrong key is inserted into the ignition. Unlocking a steering wheel requires turning your key in the ignition. Ignition tumblers experience a lot of mechanical movement and force over time which can cause them to fail, preventing the steering wheel from unlocking. If you find yourself with a steering wheel that won't unlock, attempt to unlock it using the ignition before contacting a mechanic or replacing the ignition cylinder.

Driving with your seat adjusted properly will make you more comfortable and safe. There are different ways you can adjust your seat, like moving it toward or away from the steering wheel, changing the incline of the backrest, and moving the headrest up and down. Once your seat is adjusted for comfort and safety, make sure you're sitting in it correctly. Remember to always wear your seat belt!

It is almost inevitable that once you start driving, you will need to park in a parking spot. Most people drive in and back out. However, once you master the art of backing in, you will find it is much more convenient to be able to pull right out. This is a learned skill, and will need a lot of practice off-site in a remote location. Once you have practiced, and learned the skill, you will be able to park almost anywhere.

Backing up a car can sometimes be a stressful experience. When you have something attached to your car, it gets even more nerve wracking. However, backing (reversing) a trailer is relatively simple, especially with a little practice. As long as you understand the concept of what you're going to do ahead of time, the process is easy.

Part of safe driving is letting other drivers around you know what you intend to do. Using your turn signals is not difficult, and it's generally required by law whenever you make a turn or change lanes. By providing a signal, you communicate to others on the road. This keeps you and other drivers safe and prevents accidents.

Have you ever been stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Do you want to be able to change a tire without having to ask for help? Fortunately, changing a tire is a pretty simple task, provided you're prepared and willing to exert a little effort.

Incorrect pressure can cause poor mileage, uneven tire wear, or a tire blow-out. To prevent these events from happening it is important to maintain proper tire pressure. Check your tire pressure every time you fill your car with gas to ensure that you're getting the most out of your tires - and that your tires are being treated well.

Ever wonder if it's time to replace your worn car tires? The performance of your tires is very important for maintaining the safety, performance, and efficiency of your vehicle. But at some point, your tires will start wearing out and lose their traction and braking ability. Luckily, if you're wondering when to start looking for new tires, there are a few tips that can help keep you in the know.

Starting a car for the first time can be a challenge especially when you're just learning to drive. Luckily, the process for starting a car is designed to be easy, whether your car has an automatic or a manual transmission. This article will walk you through both possibilities - just see Step 1 below to get started.

Every year, thousands of people lose their lives due to distracted driving. You can limit the danger of distractions by deciding on your route ahead of time, placing your phone on silent, and waiting until your car is parked to eat. Additionally, knowing how to drive with passengers is another great way to prevent distractions while driving.

Periodically checking to make sure your car has enough motor oil is the best way to keep your engine running well for a long time to come. Motor oil is the lubricant between the moving engine parts; if the level is too low, the parts will wear quickly and increase likelihood of engine seizure. Learn how to check your oil to keep this from happening.

One of the most important processes of riding a motorcycle is shifting gears. This may seem like a challenge to master, but shifting gears is really a simple process. How you shift gears, however, will depend on whether your motorcycle has a manual transmission or a semi-automatic transmission.

Knowing how to cool an overheated engine is an important skill for any licensed driver. Being able to diagnose and fix your own issues can get you back on the road quickly, prevent costly mechanical issues, and help you learn when to seek professional help.

The chassis number is the last six digits of your car’s Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), so you need to find the VIN to determine the chassis number. Cars and motorcycles list the VIN in different places, so where you look will depend on the type of vehicle you have. The engine number is the number that is stamped on your vehicle’s engine. If you are having trouble finding the VIN or engine number on your vehicle, there are several places that you can check.

While it may be difficult to tell whether a black shape in front of your headlights is a deer or a pedestrian when you're driving late at night, it's not hard to see why night driving can be so daunting for many drivers. Despite the fact that the majority of driving is done during the day, about 40-50% of accidents occur at night. Luckily, there's no reason that night driving has to be unsafe — with a few simple precautionary measures, you can drive safely, keep your visibility high, and even enjoy the unique experience of an immersive night drive!

Merging onto the highway is one of the more stressful lessons we all learn in driver's ed. Because highway conditions (and other drivers) are unpredictable, it's difficult to apply the same rules to any given situation. Understanding traffic laws and having good driving reflexes are key to merging on the highway safely. See Step 1 to learn all you need to know about how to merge without crashing.

Tailgating is when another driver follows too closely behind another car. There isn’t a specific distance that defines following as tailgating, it’s based more on your comfort level and the probability of having an accident. If you feel there is a driver who is following you too closely, you can try a number of things to resolve the situation and make things safer.

Stopping at a gas station to refuel may be second nature to most motorists, but exercising common sense in regard to your safety when there is always important. Here are some tips for staying safe when refuelling.

Car (motion) sickness is a common problem faced by many people. Motion sickness is caused by a disagreement between the eyes and the inner ear. The inner ear tells the brain that the body is moving, but the eyes say that the body is motionless. This conflict leads to the many symptoms of motion sickness. Though there is no cure for this problem, there are some ways to make it less unpleasant.

You don't need to be a mechanic, or even a car enthusiast, to perform basic maintenance on your car. You can save money and hassle by learning a few easy-to-remember steps and fixes to keep your car in good working order year-round. No more emergency calls to the mechanic on the weekend. No more desperate roadside AAA service. Perform regular inspections and tune-ups and your car will be reliable, safe, and road-ready.

Car batteries stay charged by harnessing the extra power of the car's engine, and most can go for at least five years without needing to be replaced or recharged. But even the best car batteries will run out of power eventually — or lose their charge prematurely when you leave your lights on too long. It can be a serious inconvenience to find yourself with a dead battery, but recharging one can require very little in terms of tools or mechanical experience.

Some people say they don't like driving or are afraid of getting behind the wheel. If you find that you're extremely afraid of driving to the point that it's causing you distress, you may have a phobia of driving. This specific phobia might make you feel as though your life is in danger when you're driving or riding in a car. You might even experience panic attacks, racing heart, rapid breathing, or feelings of terror. If your anxiety behind the wheel is controlling you and preventing you from driving with ease, or even at all, it's important to face the phobia. This way, you can get back behind the wheel and take control of your life.

Wiper blades are made of rubber, so they naturally wear out after several months of wiping snow, rain and dust from your windshield. You could take your car to the mechanic to have them changed, but it's just as easy to change them yourself. The fitting process is identical for the vast majority of cars on the road.

Driving in reverse can be intimidating to inexperienced and seasoned drivers alike. Because the wheels you use to steer are in front of you as you move backwards and your vision is obscured by the vehicle, backing up can be one of the tougher tasks faced by drivers. By driving slowly and paying close attention to your surroundings, you can improve your ability to drive in reverse.

Car accidents happen all the time – one drive down the freeway can attest to that. To avoid getting into one yourself, you need to account for yourself as a driver and for those around you, too. Not only will this lead to safer driving, but it can also save you time and unnecessary expenses.

Your car's brake system is one of several automotive hydraulic systems. When you push down on the brake pedal, fluid is delivered through the brake lines from the master cylinder to the brake drums or discs, slowing the car through friction. To make the system work properly, you need to have enough brake fluid in the system, and it needs to be in good enough condition to do its job.

Having your bike seat adjusted to the right height is essential for a comfortable ride, efficient pedaling, and avoiding injury. Luckily, adjusting your seat is easy on almost all bikes, and you can make simple adjustments to get everything just right.

When driving long distances, especially at night, it is common to feel tired. If you need to stay awake while driving, make sure to get energy before a long drive by having a short nap. On the road, drink caffeine and have small, healthy snacks. You can also do things like listen to music or radio shows to stay alert. If you are too tired to drive, pull over and rest. It is extremely dangerous to drive when you're unable to stay awake.

Purchasing a used car can seem confusing, and with so many things to consider, it can also feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to feel that way! Before you purchase a used car, take some time to check the exterior, interior, and underneath the hood to make sure there aren’t any major problems. Take the car for a test drive to see how it handles on the road. Last but not least, check the vehicle’s history and negotiate a reasonable price before coming to a final decision.

If you cannot see out your windshield, it is not safe to drive. In fact, in the UK; by law you must be able to see out your windows, and have your number plate clearly visible and legible. Always remove snow and ice from your car's windshield, greatly increasing visibility and improving the safety of you and any passengers. If you live in an area with terrible winter weather, there are even steps you can take to prevent ice buildup.

When driving in snowy or icy conditions, snow chains can be extremely helpful for safe handling and control. On steep roads or in mountainous terrain, they may even be required to travel at all. Although installing and removing snow chains may look intimidating, the basic idea is really simple. Fit the chains over your tires, drive forward slowly, and tighten them up. They can be difficult to install during bad weather, so putting your snow chains on your tires before you reach snowy roads will make things much easier.

Hydroplaning happens when your tires encounter more water than they can scatter, so they lose contact with the road and skid along the water’s surface. The water pressure in front of the tire forces a layer of water underneath the tire, reducing friction and causing the driver to lose control of the car. Learning how to avoid hydroplaning and regain control when it does happen will help you stay out of danger the next time driving conditions are wet and slippery. Although it can be a scary experience, the most important thing is to remember to stay calm.

Driving in the rain can be both scary and dangerous, and it's important to take wet weather seriously when you're on the road. There are lots of things you can do to make driving in the rain safer, including being prepared by making sure your car is ready and ensuring you can always see properly. But most importantly, you have to drive according to the conditions, and adjust a few of your habits to avoid sliding, skidding, or being involved in a collision.

Getting stuck in the snow - whether your car veered off the road or it snowed while your car was parked - can be frustrating. However, while it may seem difficult to get your car out of the snow once it is stuck, there are a lot of things you can do to help free it. By removing snow from around your car, helping your car gain traction, and carefully driving your car out, you’ll have a better chance of getting your car out of the snow.

Fog is one of the scariest things to drive in, especially if you're unfamiliar with it. It is a dense 'cloud bank' that rests on the ground. Here is how to drive safely in fog.

Fog gathers on your windshield when air of different temperatures meet. This means fog in the summer is caused when the hot air outside hits your cool windshield. Winter fog gathers when the warm air in your car meets your cold windshield. Understanding how the fog is created can help you get rid of it depending on the season. You can also take steps to prevent your windshield from fogging, saving yourself some time.

Hooking up a trailer to your car or truck is an easy way to increase the storage capacity of your vehicle. However, failing to attach your trailer correctly can lead to damage to your own car, the trailer, and other vehicles around you as you drive. By securing the couple to the hitch ball on your vehicle, making sure it’s locked in properly, and wiring up the lights, you can hook up a trailer safely and easily.

Learning to ride a motorcycle can be fun. The best way to learn how to properly ride is in a safe and controlled manner. Always practice safety first and be sure you have appropriate safety gear for the type of riding you will do. Beginners can enroll in motorcycle safety courses that give you the tools to be a proper rider.

Hollywood movie images are full of horrible demonstrations of how to steer a car. No doubt this is because safe steering techniques are visually less dramatic. Keeping both hands on the wheel and keeping both eyes on the road are two key components of safe steering.

There are plenty of ways to save money on gas, but the most effective way is to actually reduce the amount of gas you use. When we find we must use the car to reach our destination, there are tricks that might cut back on gas consumption.

Riding a horse can be a fun experience. However, it takes a great deal of training and experience to learn to ride a horse properly. Make sure you know how to mount, steer, and signal your horse to move properly. Also, you must know how to train your horse and do groundwork with them before riding! Groundwork is the most important thing about riding horses and you must do it every time before riding your horse. Groundwork helps calm your horse and lets your horse know that you're the boss before you get on them!