The facts:

• You don't see many elephants on the motorway, but if you count just two it'll help you keep a safe distance from the next car. One elephant. Two elephants. That'll put two seconds between you and the car in front.
  Steve Goymer, RAC Patrol
• There’s nothing like a few hours behind the wheel to make your back play up. A rolled-up towel in the small of your back is magic at taking the pressure off.
  Andy Waters, RAC Patrol
• If you’re driving, don’t tuck into a heavy meal before you set off. It’ll mean you avoid that post-dinner sofa drowsiness while you’re in the driving seat. But for everyone’s sake, no beans please.
  David Bennett, RAC Patrol
• Every day around 400 people put diesel in a petrol car. So if you’re one of them don’t feel silly. But whatever you do, don’t turn the engine on - unless you want a £3000 garage bill.
  Chris Webster, RAC Patrol
• There’s nothing lucky about bird poo if it lands on your car. It’s acidic so you need to clean it off as soon as possible.
  Phil Butcher, RAC Patrol

Kids in cars

• Reading books can often make children travel sick. Try audio books instead. They can listen to them on their own MP3 or CD player, so you’re free to listen to your ‘boring’ music with no complaints.
• The more toys you give young children in the car, the more end up on the floor. And the more you have to constantly retrieve. Try tying a few of their favourite toys to their seat. No more tantrums for them, or back ache for you.

Travel sickness

• If your kid gets travel sick easily in the car, try putting them in the middle of the back seat (if the seatbelt is suitable for a child). Encourage them to look out the front window. Focusing on the horizon helps stabilise them. And their stomachs.
• Ginger is great for preventing and treating mild sickness. Ginger tea or powder is the most effective, but not the most child-friendly. Ginger snap biscuits should go down a lot better.

Long journeys

• If you’re driving for a few hours, especially at night time, choose your music carefully. Go for something upbeat. Slow music lowers your adrenalin levels and can make you drowsy.
• When driving at night, you’re often dazzled by another driver’s headlights that appear to be at full beam. Most of the time it’s just the alignment that’s incorrect. Make sure yours are in the correct position.

Save fuel, save money

• When you’re driving on motorways, stick to the speed limit. As well as being a safer speed, slowing by 10mph saves 40p on fuel for every 10 miles.
• Switch off your air con and open your air vents . Air conditioning increases your fuel consumption.
• Avoid sharp braking and accelerating. You’ll save as much as 30% on fuel costs.

Buying a car

• If you’re thinking of buying a new car and are visiting a dealer, try not saying anything for a few moments. The silence turns the tables and puts them under pressure to speak. After all, it’s their job to sell, not your job to buy.
• If you’re looking at a used car and there’s no service history, check the seats and pedals for wear and tear. They can give away its age more accurately than the odometer. And it’s definitely more reliable than kicking the tyres.

We’ll leave you to decide whether these tips work for you or not. However, please let common sense prevail at all times.

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