this thread is for owners to post the little tips-n-tricks that they've found for when they're just driving the car. (not maintenance tips, or racing tips, or anything like that-- just daily driving tips)

here are a few I've found that work for me:

1) when driving with a hat, the wind tends to blow the brim up, and tries to blow the cap off my head. I've found that by having the driver's window down, but the passenger window up, it minimizes the cabin wind for the driver. (I have the stock windscreen, and no Rick's headrests or anything)

2) when driving at night, or especially at dusk with the top down and other drivers are starting to use their headlights, I've found that flicking the rearview mirror up doesn't really work because it now faces the sky or the streetlights, and really isn't as effective as it is in a hardtop car. instead, flick it downwards-- that is to say, flip the tab towards you and adjust the rearview mirror for normal viewing, and when night comes around, push the tab away from you (pointing the mirror more downwards)-- the opposite of hardtop cars. this seems to work well, despite the fact that my instincts tell me that it shouldn't work at all. somehow the light is refracting in the mirror is just right to work in this reversed configuration as well.

3) a great place to mount your extra garage door opener is under the dash on the left side. run your hand down under the dash and you'll find that it goes back with a nice flat area. tape your garage door there, with the button facing outwards of course. it's a handy, hidden and slick (IMO) place to mount it.

4) for those of you new to driving a car with such a long hood (like me-- my beater car is short-nose CRX) and have found yourselves occasionally scraping the front, remember that in relation to other cars, you are driving from approximately where the rear seats are. (back-seat driver jokes aside) check it out the next time you park next to a 4-door. and while we're on the subject, somebody once posted that it's better to park next to 4-doors if you need to park next to a car, since their doors are shorter and less likely to ding your car. of course, parking in BFE is the best bet to avoid door dings.

5) the paint on our S2000 is really delicate. pathetically delicate, IMO. I've scraped it just by walking by and rubbing it with a gym bag. I've also keyed my own trunk just by having the key in my hand and lifting the trunk with the same hand. it takes almost no pressure with any kind of abrasive material to scrape paint-- and yes it was paint-- another wash-n-coat with Zaino failed to remove the scratch. be aware when next to your car with stuff in your hands.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tritium_pie
[B]
5) the paint on our S2000 is really delicate.

 

It also doesn't take much pressure to dent your car, like when passenger's close the door make sure they use the door cup area to close the door. Don't lean too hard on the fender areas while working on the engine.

 

don't knwo what BFE means...but

1) Always park in a rightmost parking spot at the end of the line if possible. Most cars dont have passengers.

2) If you forget to latch your top down and end up on the freeway at 80mph, the top will start to rise up because of the wind. You've got about 1 sec to grab the center handhold and yank that sucker down....or it's bye bye top. oh yeah...work out your right arm for this.

3) Your arm will dangle nicely over the center console, so that you can hold hands with your gf. No immediate benefits to this, but they will come later.

 

re: BFE-- rather than spell it out, I'll just say it means "very far away"

 

I put a nice nick in the leather on the top of the steering wheel with my keys. I use my right hand to hold the wheel when I get out of the car, and that day I had my keys in my right hand when I did it. Now I transfer my keys to my left hand before getting out of the car.

I also make sure my hand is empty when opening/closing the door or trunk to avoid scratches.

 

this car is just a scratch-magnet! I let my sister ride in my car, and I don't know what kind of rings she wears on her hand, but the plastic panels in the door jam got all scratched and scraped by her putting her hand there to get out.

 

oh I forgot one that applies well to all cars:

6) keep a disposable camera in your car that has a flash. in case of an accident (God-forbid... please nonono...), having a cheap camera ready to take immediate pics before the cars have to be moved off to the side helps prevent any denial of the facts later. btw-- using a digital camera may not be as effective because digital photos can be modified more easily. and digi-cams are of course pretty pricey to be keeping in your car at all times.

 

Good ideas so far.

I keep a bottle of glass cleaner and a microfiber towel in the trunk. My windshield is a bug magent.

 

BFE = Beyond Fu*king Egypt (I'll say it)

I usually keep some glass wipes (as Ohio does - whadup Ohio!) - but I keep them under the pass seat.

I also have a WalMart / Target bought First Aid Kit that I keep in the trunk. It's size is perfect to fit under the floor "lid" where the jack is. This way, you can be prepared (if something comes up) and you won't hear the rattling of the kit when turning, etc.

Also, I keep a mini T.V. in the secret comp. - just in case I'm stuck in traffic on the 405.

Keep the CD case (125 CD holder - I think) under the driver seat. There's enough room under there to put all sorts of things.

I keep my briefcase in the trunk - for I used to have it in the front seat, but the little metal nubs kept leaving imprints in the leather.

I keep an old Calaway HX golf ball box in the glove comp. - the fit is perfect and I keep all my loose change in there (so not to clutter up the armrest)

Same stuff on the scratches, dents, parking, etc.

I think that's about it...