What you need to do to become a successful car owner?

The road can be a daunting place; after all, sharing it with some of the most hot-headed, ill-mannered and senseless motorists has the potential to bring out the worst in you as well.

But more than what you show on the road, being a good motorist combines responsible ownership and being a law-abiding citizen behind the wheel.

What are the traits of a good car owner? Do you possess all of them, or are there a number of areas for improvement on your end? Use this Philkotse.com article as a scorecard of sorts to find out if you have what it takes to be an ideal motorist. 

1. Exercises practical decisions

Let’s face it: owning a car is a major, albeit expensive, a milestone in your life. Although some individuals have the money to splurge on some of the most luxurious cars out there, others make do with considerably less.

If you are one of those who have a tight budget but still sees the impact and benefits of having a car, you’ll consider the following critical factors in owning one.

Budget

Good car owners will assess their own financial capability. If the car will be purchased on an installment basis, can your salary cover the monthly auto loan and other expenses such as repairs, insurance coverage, and registration fees?

What about upgrades and customization options? If the projected costs exceed your present income, you might as well be prudent enough to forego purchasing a car in the meantime (or at least go for a pre-owned unit as opposed to brand-new).   

A good car owner will always evaluate and assess his financial resources and capabilities

>>>Read more: Do's And Dont's: Essential Guidelines In Buying Your First Car.

Purpose

There’s always a difference in wanting and needing something, and cars are no exception. If you consider a car a luxury that you can easily do without, you might actually not need one at the moment.

However, if going anywhere via public transport has become such a headache for you, then you might find a car to be an essential commodity.

There’s always a difference in wanting and needing something, cars included

Lifestyle

Some people are just fine with commuting, considering the hassles of rising fuel costs, traffic jams and finding parking on a regular basis. Take Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, for instance; he enjoys getting around by train and interacting with his fellow commuters, even if his lifestyle easily affords him some great set of wheels.

But the caveat there is that the public transport system he uses is a great ways more reliable than the one we have. You’ll need to evaluate whether or not your own lifestyle permits you to have your own car that you can use for work, for school or for leisure.

Your lifestyle should permit you to have your own car

>>> Related post: 5 practical habits to make you a good car owner-slash-driver in the Philippines

2. Willing to learn and discover new things

When you become a car owner, you’re not expected to know everything there is about cars right away, but you will be expected to learn the basics as time goes by.

Many drivers neglect the important step of familiarizing themselves with their car, whether it’s the features, the capabilities, limitations or even certain quirks that are specific to the model they own.

Imagine how much you can save on maintenance from being able to troubleshoot your car for simple problems, instead of bringing it to the shop for something as simple as a busted light bulb. 

Apart from being knowledgeable on basic traffic rules, good car owners are also able to take stock of their own driving capabilities: what they are good at, what they need to improve on, what are the things that affect their behavior on the road, whether good or bad.

Technical know-how is a requirement most drivers would overlook

3. Be skillful and constantly aware

As we said, conditions on the road are unpredictable: you may encounter a smooth cruise in the morning and have a rough drive in the afternoon. And as if that’s not all, the weather is another factor that can test even the most seasoned motorists out there.

Handling various types of driving conditions is an ability that takes experience and patience, elements that not all drivers possess.

Awareness and vigilance are also skills that few have taken hold of; it’s easy to get distracted when your phone rings as you’re driving, or listening to your favorite tunes might make you oblivious to other cars honking out a warning as you get close to a particular hazard.

Good drivers are aware of the space they move in, constantly scanning the road ahead for possible danger so that they can react ahead of time.

Being skilled in handling various driving conditions is an ability only a few can master

>>> Worth reading: 6 hacks to make your drive more comfortable and enjoyable

4. Have the right attitude

One of the most dangerous things you’ll encounter on the road is a driver that has no regard for other road users, as evidenced by many a road rage incident. Always remember that your driver’s license is a privilege to use and operate a vehicle, not a right that can be abused.

Speaking of attitude, what characteristics should you portray when you’re on the road?

Patience

As much as traffic, heat and erring motorists are the banes of a driver’s everyday existence on the road, they are also inevitable i.e. beyond our control, and exercising patience helps you stay calm and collected in spite of them.

Taking three or four deep breaths and keeping a cool head are preferable to the alternative: impulsive behavior that leads to catastrophic consequences such as accidents leading to injuries, property damage, or worse.

Always remember that your driver’s license is a privilege to use and operate a vehicle

>>> Also check: Tips to stay calm behind the wheel and avoid road rage.

Considerate

Good drivers are considerate, taking into account that they share the road with other users. For instance, consideration is when you let the other person pass your vehicle as they may be in a hurry or in an emergency (provided that conditions permit the maneuver and that it is not illegal).

Another is following the speed limit despite being in a rush yourself. Being considerate is also possible even when you’re not on the road, as in parking properly and not blocking any vital passageways.  

Staying on the defensive 

Being aggressive on the road brings nothing but heated arguments, accidents, and in the worst cases, loss of life and limb. That’s why it’s important to always take a defensive stance and for what might happen next.

Assuming that everyone else follows the same line of thinking you do only makes it easier for you to be frustrated.

Being aggressive on the road brings nothing but heated arguments, accidents, and in the worst cases, loss of life and limb

>>> Check out: 7 must-know tips for every Pinoy driver to avoid car accidents.

So it’s best to anticipate that everyone will make a mistake at some point: that car right in front of you might neglect to signal a turn, or the truck that you’re steadily cruising behind might suddenly stop without warning.

Foreseeing what could happen reduces the risk that you will be caught unaware when an adverse situation arises, apart from saving you from a world of pain.

Having these traits isn’t a guarantee that you’ll emerge from the traffic completely unscathed, but they will at least increase your chances of being safe on the road.