Driving Tips
No matter what your primary use is for your vehicle - commuting long distances, carpooling your children or hauling cargo - we have advice that can enhance your driving experience.
Defensive Driving Techniques
Planning ahead is crucial to safe driving. You should prepare yourself for the possibility of a situation in which you have to react evasively, think quickly, and keep yourself and your vehicle from harm at the hands of another driver.
Find yourself an empty parking lot or deserted, infrequently
traveled road and get to know how your vehicle responds to the following
tactics. Make sure to practice both in normal and slippery conditions.
With a little practice, you’ll have an emergency plan and the skills to
execute it.
Precautions
- Practicing defensive maneuvers should be kept to a minimum in order to avoid excessive wear on the vehicle – just enough to be comfortable with how you and your vehicle respond
- Stay alert to both obstacles and other vehicles while practicing
- Make sure that you and any passengers have securely fastened the safety belts at all times
- Check and double check your mirrors and blind spots, signal early and obey the laws of the road
- Do not practice quick stops more than once without letting the brakes cool off
Practicing defensive maneuvers
Quick stops. With your vehicle traveling at 25-30 mph, try to make as quick a stop as possible. Press firmly on the brake pedal to get a sense of just how effective your anti-lock brake system can be in an emergency.
Swerving. In your practice environment, steer your vehicle
quickly one lane over and back again to simulate maneuvering around an
obstacle.
Swerving while stopping. Next, try turning your vehicle quickly one lane over while pressing firmly on the brake pedal. This maneuver is best used to avoid a collision with an object or vehicle in front of you while giving a vehicle behind you enough room to stop as well.
Swerving while stopping. Next, try turning your vehicle quickly one lane over while pressing firmly on the brake pedal. This maneuver is best used to avoid a collision with an object or vehicle in front of you while giving a vehicle behind you enough room to stop as well.
Tips For Teaching Teenagers To Drive
You may not be ready for your teenage son or daughter to be on
their own behind the wheel, but you can – and should – help make sure
they're as ready as they can be.
Before you hand over the keys, talk to them about your expectations
for their driving behavior and for the proper care of the vehicle
they’ll be using.
It may not be as intimidating as the "birds and the bees" talk, but it can be just as important.
Introduce the Owner Guide. It’s crucial that they thoroughly understand the vehicle they'll be driving, but it doesn't have to be dry reading. Try making a quiz game out of it. You can even have gas money be the prize.
Explain the concept of maintenance. Kids should understand that a car can’t go on forever if it's not properly maintained. Well-maintained vehicles work more safely, more efficiently and retain their value longer, saving you – or them – money down the line. Make sure they know that they should visit the local Ford or Lincoln Dealership regularly for scheduled maintenance. You can even set up their first appointment for them.
Talk to them about potential distractions. Most teenagers make cell phones, MP3 players and text messaging a big part of their lives. Make sure they understand the dangers of trying to use them while driving. If the vehicle they’ll be using features SYNC®* technology, make sure to teach them how to use it – if they haven’t figured it out already, that is.
Establish an emergency plan. Your teenager should know what to do in case of an accident, break-in, road-rage encounter or a breakdown. Make sure he or she knows the numbers for Roadside Assistance, the local police and who to call if you can’t be reached, as well as the location of your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership in case the vehicle requires towing.
Practice defensive maneuvers. Even if your teenagers has already taken a driver’s education course, make sure they know how the vehicle they’ll be driving responds to real-world hazards by practicing these defensive driving techniques.
Help orient them. When driving with your teenager, point out major roads, landmarks and street patterns. Teach them to use maps and be comfortable with their routes before they go out on the road. If the vehicle they’ll be using is equipped with a navigation system, teach them how to use it and how not to be reliant on it – you want them to be able to find their way around without one, too.
*Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use mobile phones and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so.
Driving In Extreme Heat
When the temperature rises, treat your vehicle the same way
you treat yourself – take some extra precautions to stay cool and in
control to help avoid trouble.
Preparing your vehicle for hot-weather driving
The expert service technicians at your Ford or Lincoln Dealership are the best source for everything you need to get your vehicle ready for summer driving or a family road trip through the desert. Here’s what you can have them do:
The expert service technicians at your Ford or Lincoln Dealership are the best source for everything you need to get your vehicle ready for summer driving or a family road trip through the desert. Here’s what you can have them do:
Check engine coolant. If your coolant level is low or your coolant has lost its strength over time, you run a greater risk of overheating your engine.
Test the battery. Your battery may start harder in winter weather, but it may actually work more in hot temperatures. An inspection at your Ford or Lincoln Dealership will help reveal if your battery still has the power to perform reliably.
Test the battery. Your battery may start harder in winter weather, but it may actually work more in hot temperatures. An inspection at your Ford or Lincoln Dealership will help reveal if your battery still has the power to perform reliably.
Change your oil and filter. This is always a must for your
vehicle, and it’s especially important in hot conditions. Proper
lubrication with the right grade of clean oil and a fresh oil filter
helps your engine endure the stress of extreme heat.
You need your fluids. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid should all be topped off as a precautionary measure.
Inspect the air conditioner. If your climate control isn’t working properly, you and your passengers can get very uncomfortable. A dealership service technician will check for leaks in the A/C system and add refrigerant if needed.
Check the wipers. Extreme heat and sun exposure will wear down the effectiveness of your windshield wipers. If they streak or smear, it’s time for new wipers.
You need your fluids. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid should all be topped off as a precautionary measure.
Inspect the air conditioner. If your climate control isn’t working properly, you and your passengers can get very uncomfortable. A dealership service technician will check for leaks in the A/C system and add refrigerant if needed.
Check the wipers. Extreme heat and sun exposure will wear down the effectiveness of your windshield wipers. If they streak or smear, it’s time for new wipers.
Make sure tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires rob you of gas mileage and are also a safety hazard. Overinflated tires can also wear out tires prematurely and create unsafe handling. Check your tire pressure frequently to make sure you’re within the manufacturer’s recommended limits, since tire pressure can actually increase as the temperature rises or road friction builds up heat. Also check your spare tire regularly to keep it properly inflated.
Cold-Weather Driving Tips
Before you hit the road this winter, be sure you and your vehicle are ready.
A little knowledge and preparation can be the difference between being in an emergency and avoiding one.
Preparing your vehicle for winter drivingYour
Ford or Lincoln Dealership can help you with all of the following. Or,
if you have the time, there are a few items you can perform yourself:
- Have your battery tested
- Get your brakes and transmission inspected
- Have your exhaust system checked
- Check your wipers and replace the blades if they are split, leave streaks or skip
- Make sure your headlamps and taillamps are working
- Examine your tires for any signs of wear
- Check to make sure your brake fluid, oil and power steering fluid reservoirs are full
- Add windshield washer fluid and make sure you have more on hand
- Consider snow tires if you expect to encounter a lot of snow or ice
Tips for safe winter drivingCheck the weather first.
A little common sense can go a long way. Before you even venture out,
listen to your local radio or TV station or check the Internet to see
what weather and road conditions you should expect. If you can postpone
your trip, it's always safer to wait out any potentially hazardous
weather.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Fuel gives added weight to the vehicle and this also helps ensure that you won't run out of fuel in adverse weather. It can also help keep ice crystals from forming inside your fuel line.
Keep a closer eye on your tire inflation. Your tire pressure can drop one pound per square inch for every 10°F drop in the outdoor temperature.
Clear your view. Be sure your windows are all free from snow, ice and frost. Don’t forget to scrape your sideview mirrors too.
Know your vehicle’s features. If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control™, the feature will automatically detect and control your wheel spin to help maintain the stability of your vehicle in slippery conditions, such as snow and ice. If your vehicle is equipped with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), you can give yourself extra traction in slippery conditions by shifting into 4WD. Consult your Owner Guide for details.
Give other vehicles extra space. Err on the side of caution when it comes to your speed. Accidents often happen when drivers travel too close or too fast for wintery conditions.
Know what to do if you start skidding. Sometimes skidding or sliding on icy, snow-covered roads is unavoidable. If your vehicle starts to skid, take your foot off the accelerator, gradually turn your vehicle in the direction you are skidding and gently apply steady pressure to your vehicle's brakes. Don’t pump them, as it may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Don’t spin your tires if you get stuck in the snow. This won’t help you regain traction and will only create a rut. Instead, use a shovel or ice scraper to remove any snow or ice from underneath the tires. Pour sand or gravel (or salt if you have it) under the drive wheel tires to help improve your traction. Then turn off your vehicle’s Traction Control™ (if equipped) and try accelerating gently both forward and in R (Reverse). If none of these techniques work, call for assistance.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Fuel gives added weight to the vehicle and this also helps ensure that you won't run out of fuel in adverse weather. It can also help keep ice crystals from forming inside your fuel line.
Keep a closer eye on your tire inflation. Your tire pressure can drop one pound per square inch for every 10°F drop in the outdoor temperature.
Clear your view. Be sure your windows are all free from snow, ice and frost. Don’t forget to scrape your sideview mirrors too.
Know your vehicle’s features. If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control™, the feature will automatically detect and control your wheel spin to help maintain the stability of your vehicle in slippery conditions, such as snow and ice. If your vehicle is equipped with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), you can give yourself extra traction in slippery conditions by shifting into 4WD. Consult your Owner Guide for details.
Give other vehicles extra space. Err on the side of caution when it comes to your speed. Accidents often happen when drivers travel too close or too fast for wintery conditions.
Know what to do if you start skidding. Sometimes skidding or sliding on icy, snow-covered roads is unavoidable. If your vehicle starts to skid, take your foot off the accelerator, gradually turn your vehicle in the direction you are skidding and gently apply steady pressure to your vehicle's brakes. Don’t pump them, as it may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Don’t spin your tires if you get stuck in the snow. This won’t help you regain traction and will only create a rut. Instead, use a shovel or ice scraper to remove any snow or ice from underneath the tires. Pour sand or gravel (or salt if you have it) under the drive wheel tires to help improve your traction. Then turn off your vehicle’s Traction Control™ (if equipped) and try accelerating gently both forward and in R (Reverse). If none of these techniques work, call for assistance.
Ref : Ford
