contact patch
Yet again, in the interest of posting more frequently (and not having anything particularly compelling to discuss today), here are some of my driving habits/quirks:
- In order to maximize current to the starter motor and minimize initial load on the engine, all accessories, including A/C, are always turned off when I start the car. My only concession on this point is that I do put my foot on the brake pedal, even though I know electricity going to the brake lights is unavailable to turn the starter. Only after the car has “cleared its throat,” so to speak, by running for half a minute or so, do I turn on accessories like the A/C, stereo, headlights or defrost.
- I only turn on the A/C if I either:
- Have other people in the car, or
- It’s absolutely, unbearably hot outside.
- I hate long keychains flopping around while I drive. My keychains always detach so that only the car key and (possibly) the keyfob are dangling from the ignition.
- Everything must be buttoned down or tucked away in the car. Nothing loose. I want to put the car on like an article of clothing, and I want it to feel like an extension of my body–it just makes me feel more alert and in control, and thus a better driver.
- I always try to heel-and-toe and rev match when downshifting on a manual transmission car. This is (arguably) a bit harder on the clutch, but much easier on the transmission, and given the choice I’d much rather replace a clutch rather than a tranny. Besides, heel-and-toeing makes for a very smooth drive if done properly, and performing it well is very satisfying. I will say, though, that the mushy brake pedal on the E34 doesn’t make it as easy as it was in the E24. I think the brakes could use a good bleed.
- Despite my long limbs, I actually like to drive close to the steering wheel and pedals. The effort required to hold up my arms increases with the length of the “lever arm” when they’re extended, so it’s easier to drive up close. Not only that, but my first car (Twinkie) was very small and had very limited adjustability from the driver’s seat, so I drove for years in the “bent arms, legs splayed about the steering wheel” position. Guess I got used to it.
- My only major concession to James May-ish-ness, all vents must be aligned and in the center of their respective ranges of travel.
- Finally, I always use the handbrake when parked. It’s there for a reason!
Something I’ve often wondered and have never gotten around to looking up: With an automatic transmission, does it cause significant additional wear on the transmission to only use “Park” to keep the car from rolling? I’ll engage the parking brake on a hill for peace of mind, but that’s about it. Any substantial reason to engage the parking brake?
I’m definitely the same regarding the A/C. I don’t consider the detrimental effect on the car but rather the degradation of fuel efficiency.
Not significant wear, but it does cause some. When you select “Park,” the clutch packs in the transmission disengage and something called the “parking pawl” locks the output shaft to the tranny:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_pawl
Makes me cringe a little bit every time I see a car do that telltale rock back and forth when someone parks it and doesn’t engage the parking brake. I guess it’s not terribly detrimental, otherwise it’d be an ironclad “rule” of car life and we’d be hearing about this epidemic of auto trannies failing from lack of use of the parking brake, but this post is about being anal when it comes to car behavior, and that definitely qualifies. :)