At 30 years old, Nguyen Hoai Viet found himself caught in a whirlwind of administrative work, clocking in 45 hours every week, even on weekends. As an IT staff member at a relatively large tech company in Hanoi, Vietnam, he shoulders the responsibility of a demanding job, trading his time for a stable income to provide for his family and afford a daily commute by car.
Despite having obtained his driver’s license two years ago and driving for over a year, Viet considers himself a novice in this domain. His initial lack of thorough research led to some detrimental misconceptions about car maintenance and driving.
Mistakes in Car Maintenance
Initially, Viet admits he didn’t develop the habit of thoroughly inspecting his car before embarking on long-distance journeys. On multiple occasions, he found himself on the highway only to realize his car was low on coolant, washer fluid, or had a flat tire. The most memorable incident involved a punctured tire that he neglected to address, resulting in a scratched rim.
“In the beginning, I just used my car without paying attention to maintenance schedules or warning signs,” Viet shared. “It was only when the car started acting up or error lights flashed that I took it in for a check-up. It was then that a technician diagnosed excessive engine wear due to old oil, which prompted me to become more proactive about car care.”
Viet also acknowledged another common mistake among new drivers like himself—abrupt braking and acceleration, which can cause unnecessary heat and friction in the car’s engine. In such cases, using premium engine oil like Castrol MAGNATEC can significantly help reduce engine wear thanks to its unique ability to cling to metal surfaces, minimizing friction between engine components.
Driving Mistakes
According to Viet, driving skills are just as crucial as car maintenance. When he first started driving, he struggled with using mirrors and blind spots, which led to minor collisions in the city. “During rush hour in Hanoi, any lapse in attention can lead to an accident,” he said. “My car has had its fair share of scratches, but thankfully, insurance covered the costs.”
Over time, Viet cultivated the habit of diligently checking his mirrors and blind spots, improving his driving skills and proactively avoiding unnecessary collisions.
“It’s impossible to maintain 100% focus while driving,” Viet added, “so maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles is crucial. When I first started driving, I tailgated and had to brake suddenly when the car in front of me did the same, resulting in a damaged rear bumper and broken lights. Of course, I had to pay for the damages, but the time lost waiting for insurance and police to resolve the issue was frustrating, especially if I had somewhere to be.”
Viet shared that when he was new to driving, he often braked or accelerated abruptly, which could be dangerous and impact the engine. Additionally, panicking in unexpected situations was a common mistake.
“Once, a motorcycle suddenly appeared from a blind spot, and I instinctively hit the accelerator instead of the brake,” he recounted. “Fortunately, I quickly corrected my mistake and avoided an accident.”
Viet suggests that new drivers develop the habit of observing their surroundings and anticipating potential scenarios to build a calm and confident mindset while driving. Safe driving, he emphasizes, is not just about skill but also about attentiveness, practice, and a deep understanding of one’s vehicle and its maintenance needs.
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