Mechanical sympathy

31 March 2023

Mechanical sympathy.

According to Google, it’s using a tool or system with an understanding of how it operates best. In the auto world we can expand on that, and understand that everything on our vehicle has a breaking point.

Getting the best out of a vehicle leads to improved reliability, reduced operating costs and a safer vehicle for a longer period.

Racers, and commercial and passenger service drivers need mechanical sympathy in spades. So do mechanics and engineers but, never fear, you don’t have to be one of those to ‘get it’. You just have to have a connection of sorts with your vehicle – so that a noise, feeling or smell can be picked up. 

Here’s a few tips:

Where rubber meets road: Check your car’s feel for an under inflated tyre. Tyre pressure not only impacts your ride and safety, having tyres correctly inflated can improve fuel efficiency too.
Correct juice: Check your fuel gauge regularly and top up before you hit empty. Fuel tanks can contain contaminates that might ruin your fuel injection or pump systems. 
Habits: If you drive a manual car, get your hand off the gear lever while driving. You could be wearing out expensive gearbox synchros. And use your gears – manual and automatic – to induce engine braking on steep declines, which will lessen reliance on brakes. Get into a lower gear when ascending big hills. It’s not good for the engine, chugging uphill in top gear.

The above won’t win you a Formula 1 championship, but it will save your vehicle, and some money to boot. 

If in doubt – take it to a trained TACC mechanic and have it checked out. Look for the orange sign.

Words: TACC State Manager Bruce McIntosh. As featured in the Mercury on 31 March 2023.