The chances are you don't give too much thought to improving your driving skills or the basics of maintaining your car, but driving well can mean more than just keeping you out of trouble on the roads.
Little things can make a big difference when it comes to perfecting your ability behind the wheel, so elephant.co.uk has created three short films that could help you along the way.
Discover the secrets of driving like a pro as TV and radio's Tim Shaw shares the knowledge they never taught you in your driving lessons. Learn what your car can really do, why basic maintenance is so important and how driving with smooth efficiency can help your car perform at its peak and save you money!
Secret 1 - The skids are alright
It's long been argued that controlling a car in a skid should be one of the core skills of learning to drive - well now's the time for the lesson.
Find out how to control a car if you experience understeer or oversteer on the road. Watch Tim get in a spin as he tries to control a skid car better than some novice drivers and you'll never ignore your tyres again when you see what they do for the safety of you and your car!
Secret 2 - Feel the force
Compromise is good, right? Wrong! On the road, it's not. Find out why you should brake before a corner, rather than as you're cornering. It's all about centrifugal forces and how to work with them.
Every advanced and performance driver knows exactly what forces affect the car's movement and the importance of controlling your speed. In this film, Tim challenges the novice drivers to a steering test, where you'll learn the best way to corner safely, plus for good measure you'll also discover how to check your brakes and why it's important to look after them.
Secret 3 - Open your eyes
What's the biggest danger you face on the road? The answer any advanced driver will tell you is 'brake lights' which means driving is all about vision - the most important skill on the road.
In this video, Tim challenges two novice drivers to react quickly and brake effectively at speed. You'll see why vision and reaction will allow you to drive smoothly, safely and swiftly, whatever the road conditions and why modern braking systems require a different approach. You'll also find out how you can give yourself the best chance of seeing everything that's going on around you.
