On multi-lane streets, the correct lane depends on the direction you wish to take at the next junction. Generally, left for left, right for right, and centre for straight on.
You are entitled to change lanes once (!) in order to get into the correct one. Get in it as soon as possible, and stay in it – even if the other lanes have shorter queues.
On multi-lane highways, always drive on the left-hand lane…except when overtaking.
When you are driving along a road, you have certain rights of way. You are entitled to accelerate, to brake, to adjust your road position, to indicate, to expect others to take their turn – to give way and to react to your signals and manoeuvres.
In principle you are absolutely entitled to them...while making adequate progress.
If, however, you stop on an otherwise open road, to buy a paper or to let out or pick up a passenger etc., however briefly you stop and whether or not you actually get off the road, you immediately forfeit ALL your Rights of Way. You have relinquished your place. You have zero priority.
If you want to stop on an open road, indicate, get off the road and stay off the road until you can return to the flow without forcing any other road user (including pedestrians) to change speed or line.
Keeping your battery clean will help it work better and last longer.
Keeping your battery clean will help it work better and last longer.
Wash corrosive fur off the terminals with boiling water, check they're tight and clean, and smear them lightly with grease or petroleum jelly. Wipe the outside of the box with soapy water; top, sides and underneath.
Make sure no washing water gets in through the tiny ventilation holes in the filler caps, either with great care or by taping over the holes.
If the caps are filthy, wipe away surrounding dirt carefully with a dry cloth; then remove the caps and wash and dry them separately. Replace the clean (and dry) caps – tight – and tape up the holes while you wash the rest of the battery. Be sure to remove the tapes afterwards so the battery can "breath" – when a battery charges (even from the car’s alternator) it generates gas that must be allowed to escape.
Fuel leak
If you get a small crack or hole in your petrol tank while on safari, do not look for a welder! Welding a petrol tank (even an empty one) is like playing soccer with a hand-grenade. Welding requires the tank to be emptied and flood-rinsed with water and dried inside, to ensure there is no flammable vapour whatsoever in it.
On safari, syphon/drain all the fuel out if you can (to save it and keep it out of the way while you patch the area). Scrape a bar of soap over the crack to stem the flow long enough for you to clean and dry the surrounding metal.
Then stick a puncture repair patch or strip of inner tube (the bigger the better to maximise the glued area) over the crack, using a good epoxy adhesive (the one where you mix resin and a hardener). Done well, it will last the longest safari. Chewing gum does not work – petrol dissolves it.
Just the soap will usually stem or stop a small leak for a while. On safari, soap and/or rubber and epoxy are basic essentials in dozens of situations.
