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 Previous issues: (ESPAÑOL)

Number 1 / Sep 28, 2007
  - Which is the proper driving position? (1)
  - Using automatic transmissions
  - What is a vehicle policy good for?
Number 2 / Oct 4, 2007
  - Which is the proper driving position? (2)
  - What to do when the engine overheats
  - Evaluate and train drivers
Number 3 / Oct 11, 2007
  - How to brake correctly (1)
  - How to distribute load in trucks
  - The reasons why road research is necessary
Number 4 / Oct 18, 2007
  - How to brake correctly (2)
  - Tips to conserve the battery
  - Auditing vehicles
Number 5 / Oct 25, 2007
  - How to brake correctly (3)
  - How to maintain tires in good conditions?
  - Managing vehicle risk
Number 6 / Nov 1, 2007
  - How we adjust car mirrors?
  - How to prevent the engine from overheating?
  - Accidents study
Number 7 / Nov 8, 2007
  - Precautions when driving at night
  - Fifth Wheel and King Pin (1)
  - Trip planning, a combining tool
Number 8 / Nov 15, 2007
  - Braking with air brakes
  - Fifth Wheel and King Pin (2)
  - Repair shop audits
Number 9 / Nov 22, 2007
  - The overtake manoeuvre (1)
  - Tire maintenance (1)
  - 24hs driving safely recording
Number 10 / Nov 29, 2007
  - The overtake manoeuvre (2)
  - Tire maintenance (2)
  - Taking responsibility for the hired driving
Number 11 / Dec 6, 2007
  - Driving when it rains
  - Understanding tire markings
  - Access control
Number 12 / Dec 13, 2007
  - Driving with Anti Lock Braking System
  - Coupling system safety
  - Safe driving, Values and Culture
Number 13 / Dec 21, 2007
  - When it's better to avoid driving?
  - Safety chains for coupling systems
  - Management rules and certification
Number 14 / Dec 27, 2007
  - Overspeed brakes' trailers
  - Air conditioning maintenance
  - Where to start from
Number 15 / May 14, 2008
  - Driving Definition
  - Clutch maintenance
Number 16 / May 28, 2008
  - The Attitude's influence when driving
  - Gear box oil
Number 17 / Jun 11, 2008
  - Driving through curves
  - How to choose the best tires
Number 18 / Jun 25, 2008
  - Anxiety effects in driving
  - Maintained shock absorbers, safety vehicles
Number 19 / Jul 10, 2008
  - Driving backwards
  - Prepare your vehicle for cold weather
Number 20 / Jul 23, 2008
  - Sleeping well, better driving
  - Exhaust fumes colour diagnosis
Number 21 / Aug 6, 2008
  - How to ascend and descend slopes safely
  - The engine cooling system
Number 22 / Aug 20, 2008
  - Dysfunctional beliefs in women and men driving
  - Safe Load in Tank Trucks
Number 23 / Sep 3, 2008
  - Driving in the fog
  - Safe lights
Number 24 / Sep 17, 2008
  - Driving in the fog - Second part
  - Hydraulic brakes safe maintenance (1)
Number 25 / Oct 1, 2008
  - Bad habits and their influence in behaviour
  - Hydraulic brakes safe maintenance (2)
Number 26 / Oct 15, 2008
  - How we learn to drive
  - Reducing tire air pressure
Number 27 / Oct 29, 2008
  - Crossing junctions
  - Dangerous alterations and modifications on heavy vehicles
Number 28 / Nov 12, 2008
  - Driving and distraction
  - Common transmission failures
Number 29 / Nov 26, 2008
  - Two different ways of understanding "Driving"
  - Safe lights
Number 30 / Dec 10, 2008
  - Preventing distractions
  - Failures easy to be detected
Number 31 / Jan 14, 2009
  - "Accident", its definition
  - Electronic Stability Control
Number 32 / Jan 28, 2009
  - Fatigue, the driving enemy
  - The steering on vehicles
Number 33 / Feb 11, 2009
  - Perceptual phenomena
  - Steering regulation
Number 34 / Feb 25, 2009
  - Car drivers and bikers, an intelligent coexistence
  - Progress in steering systems
Number 35 / Mar 11, 2009
  - Wrong horn usage
  - How the clutch works
Number 36 / 25 Mar, 2009
  - Driving in snowy roads
  - Clutch maintenance
Number 37 / 8 Abr, 2009
  - Understanding signposting
  - Expiring dates
Number 38 / 22 Abr, 2009
  - Rage control
  - The importance of the engine's torque when driving (1)
Number 39 / 6 May, 2009
  - Can we improve our driving techniques?
  - The importance of the engine's torque when driving (2)
Number 40 / 20 May, 2009
  - Driving and antidepressants, a dangerous combination
  - Correct 4x4 transmissions usage
Number 41 / 3 Jun, 2009
  - The attention degree can be improved
  - Maintenance: the key to extend the engine's service life
Manejo Inteligente Manejo Inteligente
 www.drivingconsultancy.com
Info Manejo August 6, 2008
 number 21
We are glad to send you the 21st INFO MANEJO 's issue . This time you will learn how to ascend and descend slopes and how to maintain safely the engine's cooling system.

We also invite you to visit our new web site where you will find previous INFO MANEJO issues, in their Spanish and English versions.

Manejo
   How to ascend and descend slopes safely
It's important for light and vital for heavy vehicles to admit the personal and vehicle limits before driving through positive (descending) or negative (ascending) slopes.

When climate conditions are normal, we see the main consequences that influence in the way we use the vehicle controls, and when facing a slope, we notice that these are different according to the way we drive through flat terrains and are safety critic when climatic conditions are adverse.

We must sum up to these variables the ones referred to parking safely in slopes, which we will deliver in the next issues.

To ascend:

1 Evaluate if we have the previous knowledge to face the slope, first plan -the inclination percentage, height influence, kind of soil, road width, climate, adaptation of our vehicle, etc.- and if in doubt, do not take risks.

2 Place the gear that allows us to ascend in the maximum torque, with speeding reserves, avoiding changing gears during ascension.

3 Increase the following distance.

4 Do not overtake another vehicle unless it's completely necessary and keep a following distance that allows us more visibility, sufficient to prevent an emergency maneuver.

For descends:

1 Also to descend we must plan and ponder the situation characteristics.

2 For automatic transmission vehicles, verify if there is an engine retarder and if it functions correctly.

3 The vehicle ascending is the one with the passing priority.

4 A well known rule says to use the same gear we would use if ascending, complementing with the engine's braking action, having more control of the situation.

5 Following distance should be increased because the stopping distance is longer.

Important: Avoid descending in neutral, nor pressing the clutch, because we would eliminate the engine's retention and if we use only the brake to regulate speed, we not only have less control, but also due lose braking capacity and the braking system could even become useless due to the heating of its components -fadding or vaporlock effects-.

light / heavy vehicles Manejo
    The engine cooling system
The objective of the internal combustion engine's cooling system is to evacuate part of the heat produced, in order to improve its performance, because it prevents overheating and losing the lubricant effect, avoiding premature or abnormal worn out.

Generally, a belt propelled by the engine's crankshaft activates the pump that triggers the coolant in the circuit. This fluid circulates around the cylinders, the valves guides, the injectors and the chambers.

When the engine is cold -temperatures under 80ºC/100ºC- a thermostat maintains the circuit closed. When the engine reaches its optimum functioning temperature and the coolant liquid reaches 80ºC/100ºC, the thermostat opens and allows the water circulate through the radiator, where there is a fan that helps the circuit to cool down.

We can prevent system defects and avoid unpleasant moments if we take these precautions:

+ Verify the coolant system following the maintenance manual instructions. Warning: There can be different levels in the pressurized circuits, depending on the engine's temperature.

+ Check the coolant level in room temperature. The expansion deposit must be on the corresponding level. Warning: The watch or indicator does not measure the engine's temperature, but the coolant's. Therefore, it might not mark with precision when the circuit is incomplete or empty.

+ Regularly check:

    - The water pump and the fan's triggering belt, check if they show ageing, cracks, tightening.

    - The circuit liquidtightness.

    - The handles state.

+ Refill the circuit with coolant authorized by the manufacturer, using it throughout the year. Warning: Use water only in emergency cases.

+ Control the coolant concentration before the low temperature season start. Warning: If the coolant freezes, it enlarges its volume and there is a risk of cracks in the engine or in the cooling system. It's recommended to replace it every two years maximum.

+ Have the radiator's plates be checked by a specialist once a year and preferably before the summer starts.

+ If we notice a leak or losing cooling liquid regularly, we should check the system under a high pressure test in an authorized garage.

+ Permanently control the engine's water temperature while driving and increase this control when passing through mountain or difficult roads.

+ After circulating through muddy roads, check that the radiator is not blocked with mud.

+ Do not open the cooling circuit when the engine is hot, the expulsed vapor might cause serious burns.

+ At the moment the hand passes the normal temperature indicator, or in case you notice overheating, we must:

1. Do not stop suddenly and pay attention to traffic before stopping the vehicle in a safe and proper place.

2. Do not rush to turn off the engine, first lift the lid and check if while the engine functions at its minimum speed -idle- the temperature tends to diminish.

3. Then after the engine cools down, control:

    - The cooling liquid level;

    - The fan functioning, and if possible, the thermostat;

    - The tensing, loosing or damage of the pump triggering belt.

Be a clever driver, practice the preventive mechanic and maintain your vehicle in proper conditions.

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Driving Consultancy - Av. Rivadavia 2031 - 3º 6 - CABA - Argentina - info@drivingconsultancy.com - (54 11) 4951-3274