According to advice from the Cuong Motor Vehicle Maintenance Center (Dinh Cong ward, Hanoi), manual transmission vehicles have a fairly simple structure, but improper use for a long time can cause the engine, clutch and gearbox to degrade quickly.
One of the common habits is to use a gear for multiple operating conditions. For example, the driver still keeps a high gear when the car is running slowly, climbing slopes, or carrying heavy loads.
At that time, the engine must work at high loads while the speed is low, making the car sluggish, difficult to accelerate and possibly hotter. In these situations, vehicle operators should actively switch to a low gear so that the engine has enough pulling force. When the car runs stably at a higher speed, it is possible to switch to a suitable gear.
The second habit is to only use the rear brake and almost ignore the front brake. When needing to slow down or stop the car quickly, using only the rear brake can make the braking distance longer and the rear wheel easily loses grip if braking too hard. The driver should combine both the front and rear brakes, increase braking power appropriately, and keep the steering wheel stable.
Some people also have a habit of shifting gears too strongly or gear operations that are not suitable for the car's speed. Continuously pedaling gears, shifting gears when speed and gas have not been adjusted may make gearshifting mechanical details and load-bearing clutch unnecessary. The appropriate use is to reduce the accelerator, operate the gear lever decisively but gently, and then increase the accelerator again.
When stopping at a red light, the driver should also not keep a high gear for a long time. Before the car stops completely, you can gradually switch to a suitable low gear so that when the green light comes, the car can easily start and accelerate. Shifting gears needs to be based on the actual speed, avoid switching to a high gear when the car has not reached the appropriate speed.
Finally, forget to replace engine oil. Degraded oil or lack of oil can reduce lubrication and cooling capacity, causing internal parts of the engine to be more resistant to friction and higher temperatures. The oil replacement cycle is not the same for all types of vehicles, requiring guidance from the manufacturer and the type of oil used.
In addition to maintenance, users should also consider when installing accessories. Items that are not really necessary, installed in the wrong position or interfere with the electrical system, operating mechanism can cause additional weight, hinder maintenance or cause errors. For manual transmission cars, accessories should prioritize suitability and safety instead of installing too much.
