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Published on September 12, 2007

I remember back in 1967 - when I was 13 years old - how I really wanted to drive a car, but there were things I had to do before being allowed behind the wheel. I was ordered by my older brother to do many things with his car, and it all had to be done properly. I had to wash it and know how to wipe it dry without scratching the paint, understand how the brakes look and how they worked, know how to replace a fuse, including how to use cigarette-pack foil as a substitute when a fuse cannot be found - and many other operations.

I was also taught how to use the jack to prevent any accidents.

My elder brother loved rally racing, so I was taught how to check the engine and carry out some simple repairs. Most importantly, I was taught to diagnose any irregularities in the vehicle purely by listening to the noises, understand what would happen if one tyre was under-inflated compared to the other three, and so on. My brother was not a mechanic or a professor, but I was taught all these things anyway.

By 1970, I was assigned as a substitute driver when his team travelled to the jungle in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, as well as Mae Sariang, Omkoy, Vianghaeng and other exotic destinations. The vehicle I drove was often a Jeep CJ5 or the Jeep made by Mitsubishi.

After returning from the wilderness my job was to clean up the Jeeps, which were full of dirt and mud - and when I say clean up, I really mean it. I removed all the parts, from the canvas tops to the seats, including the air filters, which had been modified from the dry type to the wet type.

While at the wheel, if I ever attempted to cut over the crest of a hill my brother would hit me on my leg until it turned red. He said that I was not racing on a one-way circuit, and if there was oncoming traffic there could be an accident that led to injury or death.

Today, most people just find the money and then buy a car. Only after buying the car do they start to learn how to drive and look after it properly. Some wouldn't know what all the switches are for, and have no idea about the various systems in the vehicle. It is a pity that many owners don't really make full use of the car they have.

A good example is the overdrive (O/D) button, which is a simple feature in automatic gearboxes but many people have no idea when the function should be disengaged (O/D Off). Some don't even care about choosing the right transmission mode (Eco/Power). They usually get confused about which mode to use.

A large number of drivers also have no clue what to do when a tyre is punctured, and don't know how to use the jack, or where to place it in order to lift the vehicle. You often see people placing it in the wrong position and they fail to raise the car - or damage the body.

When speaking about basic maintenance, an even larger number of people have no idea what this is about. They don't know where the engine oil measurement stick is and when should the oil level should be checked, or when to change the water in the radiator.

I am not saying that it is the fault of motorists in the present, or that they are stupid. It is just that the lifestyles of people have changed and everyone is busy making a living. Very few have time to wash the car or check various systems. They just leave the work to the service centres.

It is probably all right if you don't know how to check the systems or maintain the car, but at least you should understand the various warning systems that are built in. You must know that when a particular warning light illuminates, what it means, or when a buzzer sounds, what you should you do. When the time for the scheduled maintenance comes, you must follow it strictly. You must keep your car in good condition and make sure it is safe, otherwise it could lead to accidents and injury.

Apart from knowing your car, you must also know the traffic rules and how to drive safely. You should also learn to forgive others and have proper driving etiquette such as never switching on the high beam while driving at night unless it is really necessary.

If you have been provoked by other drivers on the road, let the law handle them, not you. Don't go running after that car and try to cut it off. There is nothing wrong if you don't know much about engines, but proper driving manners are important.

n E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

Pattanadesh Asasappakij

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.