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You may be mistreating your car without knowing it.

The driving habits that we adopt over the years may be spoiling our vehicle, being able to cause premature wear on the mechanics of the car.

That is why we are going to show ten simple healthy habits recommended by the DGT that should be put into practice to extend the life of our vehicle:

• Depress the clutch pedal when starting. This simple measure helps us to cut the transmission at the time of starting so that the gears of the gearbox and the clutch disc do not move. New vehicles generally cannot be started without stepping on the clutch fully.
• Start without accelerating. At the time of starting, it is not necessary to step on the accelerator. It is harmful to the vehicle, since this when the accelerator operated, sends fuel that ends up being diluted and losing properties by not burning properly. Besides, this unnecessary acceleration causes greater wear of engine parts that are not lubricated.
• Do not keep your foot on the clutch. Many drivers have the habit of leaving their foot in the clutch while driving. This seemingly harmless practice can play tricks on us. The pressure exerted by the foot on the clutch pedal causes premature wear of the thrust bearing. If this part breaks down, we will be obliged to change the clutch kit completely, since the transmission of the vehicle would have to remove.
• The hands behind the wheel. One of the most widespread customs among drivers is to support the right hand on the shift lever. This practice causes us to exert some force without realizing it, which over time can cause slack in the gears, or even that the gears do not enter with the corresponding smoothness.
• Refuel before arriving at the reserve. Rushing until it is in reserve for refueling can cause impurities in the bottom of the tank to reach the engine and cause damage to the pump or fuel injectors. The replacement of these pieces is a great financial outlay.

• Try not to hit curbs. It is advisable not to bang the wheels against curbs, or park with the tire raised to the sidewalk, as it may cause a modification in the suspension settings or the imbalance of the wheels. If it is necessary to climb a curb or go through a bumpy road, it is advisable to do it as slowly as possible to avoid the above damage.
• Progressive braking Abusing the braking system increases the wear of the brake pads and discs. That is why it recommended using the reduction of gears to brake so that it is the engine that performs the braking, progressively. Moderate and leisurely driving avoids system overloads.
• Moderate steering wheel turn. The steering wheel can turn two, and a half turns on each side. But turning the steering wheel as far as it will go can damage the steering and suspension, so it is advisable to leave a small margin whenever possible before reaching the end of the total travel of the steering wheel.
• Slow driving style. The driving style is decisive when measuring vehicle wear. As we have already explained, the brakes, the gearbox, the engine, the tires, etc., suffer more deterioration when the driving is rough, with excessive accelerations and braking. And of course, the type of driving is also reflected in the fuel consumption, being able to increase from 2 to 4 liters per 100 km. Therefore it is recommended to carry out smooth and quiet driving.
• Use of neutral. It is convenient to bring the lever to be neutral and remove the clutch foot when we stop with the car at a traffic light or momentary stop. The habit of keeping the clutch fully depressed can play a trick on us, as it can cause premature wear of the clutch collar.

And you, did you know that these habits were harmful to your car? Do you have any of these vices?

Tell us if your vehicle has suffered because of any of these bad habits.

Thousands of trips expected for this summer, and that is why the DGT has already started the first “outgoing operation” to prevent accidents. It mostly caused by speed and distractions: according to a DGT study, in 2017, driving distractions were the first cause of fatal accidents (33%), followed by speeding (29%) and intake of alcohol (26%).

Therefore, from RO-DES, we want to give you some tips to make your car trip safer.

The first thing to keep in mind is the safety of all the vehicle occupants depends on you. As a driver, you are responsible for obeying and enforcing the rules for the rest of the passengers. It is not advisable to make sudden movements at the wheel or drive while tired or under the influence of any medication incompatible with driving.

• Say NO to WhatsApp. The use of instant messaging applications on the mobile phone is very dangerous. According to a University of Granada study, answering a Whatsapp at the wheel increases the accident risk by up to 134% over 55 years.
• Don’t take phone calls either. According to the National Observatory of Road Safety of the DGT, a phone call causes changes in the heart rate, deceleration of walking, slowness in reacting, and distraction concerning road signs.
• Currently, mobile phones already have a system to avoid driver distractions by managing notifications and incoming calls. If you do not have this system, there are specific apps that are also free, such as Putting.
• Organization of the trip. It is advisable to check the route to be traveled before departure, in case there could be works. Besides, it is also advisable to plan the stops that will make to rest and to refuel.
• Comfortable ride . Especially if the journey is long, it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It is also important to correctly adjust the seat so that your legs are in a comfortable position and in which the clutch foot reaches the bottom.

• Good view. It is essential to clean the windshield before starting the trip. Also, if you wear prescription glasses, you should perform a vision check, you had changed your graduation. Remember to wear replacement glasses; According to the Vision and Life Association, poor vision multiplies the risk of an accident by 10.
• It recommended wearing glasses that protect from UV rays to protect from the sun.
• Precautions before starting the march. Regulate the height and distance of the seat, place the headrest 4 cm from the head and check all the mirrors on flat ground before starting.
• All protected. Make sure all passengers are wearing a seat belt. Always take the little ones in the safety seat and check that it is well fixed. Remember not to carry loose objects and pets inside the cabin. If you are going to take bicycles, let it be in the bike carrier; Carrying them inside the car can cause serious damage to the occupants in case of braking.
• At the wheel rested. Do not get behind the wheel after a day’s work. It is most appropriate to do so after sleeping at least 7 hours. We indicate what are the symptoms of fatigue so you can identify them and stop the march if necessary: ​​physical discomfort, constant blinking, automation of behaviors without realizing it, limb cramps.

Bonus: Are you going to travel abroad with your children? If you are going to leave Spain with your children, we recommend that you inform yourself of the regulations on child restraint in the country you are going to, as the legislation may change concerning ours.

If you follow all these tips, we are sure that you will not regret having invested a little of your time in your security.

The snow season has already begun, and more and more people enjoy or are interested in winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding. In Spain, we have some of the best ski slopes in the world, and due to the few options there are, the favorite means of transportation to reach them is the car. Therefore, it is important to take into account certain tips that will make travel much safer and that those who travel with their equipment. Do so responsibly to avoid that this luggage becomes a potential risk for the occupants of the vehicle.

Caution on the road:

With snow on the asphalt, the safety distance should increase, and it is convenient to know that visibility reduces, so maneuvers should be done gently at all times. Also, if the snow begins to set and the vehicle does not mount winter tires, it is very important to know how the chains placed since. When the weather becomes so adverse, doing so in the shortest possible time will be something that you will surely appreciate.

If the road is flat, without slopes, the newly fallen snow can overcome with caution without major problems. However, special attention should be paid to the steep slopes since it is there where snow accumulates and can cause the wheels to skid if they do not ride on winter tires or chains. With snow already set and in those cases where asphalt has already accumulated a few centimeters, it is advisable to follow the roads marked by the passage of other vehicles and monitor the outside temperature to be aware of the appearance of ice sheets.

This infographic that the DGT has published in its digital magazine shows how to act you find ice or snow on the road.

Transport the equipment safely

From the SEAT press team, we have received a statement in which they offer various tips so that carrying the ski equipment as luggage does not become a risk to the safety of those traveling in the vehicle. Placing and holding it proper is essential because in the event of a collision at a speed of 50 km / h, skis weighing only 5 kg, would weigh 150 kg. What should be taken into account to transport skis, snowboards, helmets, boots, or poles comfortably and safely?

Choose a ski carrier:

There are four different types of ski carriers on the market: roof, magnetic, wheel, or tow ball. Choosing the best one will already depend on the needs or tastes of each one. Generally, the magnetic ones are a good solution for occasional skiers since they placed in a very simple way. However, it must remember that with a magnetic ski carrier, you cannot exceed 90 km / h and that, in case of an accident, they are less safe than the rest.

Roof racks or those that placed on the towing ball are the most common among winter sports fans and wheel sports, among those who have a four × four-vehicle or use one to travel to the slopes. It is important to know that, if you choose a roof ski rack, the tips of the skis should always be oriented backward.

Carry skis or snowboard inside the vehicle:

Despite what many may think, it is permissible to transport skis or snowboard inside the vehicle, although always taking into account certain guidelines. Although not mandatory, the covers highly recommended as they facilitate the securing of the load and protect the edges. If you choose this form of transport and in case you make use of the folding part of the back seat so that part of your equipment occupies one of the vehicle’s seats transversely, remember that all objects must be firmly attached.

The rest of the material, in the trunk or a chest:

Boots, helmets, and canes must place in the trunk of the vehicle along with the rest of the luggage. It is convenient to place the heaviest elements at the bottom, and the bottom as this will prevent them from moving. The cases and canes can be placed above, but never on the trunk tray because, in case of sudden braking or crash, they would be dismissed.

Another solution, if the space inside the trunk is limited, opting for a chest can be a good solution since depending on the dimensions you have, it will surely serve to transport all the material together: skis or board, boots, helmets, and sticks.

Is it necessary to adapt the driving?

Of course. When driving with external elements (ski or chest carrier) or with heavy loads in the trunk, the driving can condition, so it is necessary to adapt it and take precautions. Before starting the trip, you must always check the tire pressure to check if it is adequate. Also, it must take into account that the higher the load, the braking time increased, so, as we have already mentioned at the beginning of this article, it will be necessary to circulate increasing the safety distance.

What do you think of these tips? What method do you use to transport your ski or snowboard equipment to the slopes? Would you add any more recommendations? Could you give us your comments?