Pro racer shares road tips for young drivers

MANILA, Philippines - Young, first-time drivers understandably want to spend as much time as possible on the road, but they should never forget the cardinal responsibility of safety. This is the timely message of pro racer Gaby de la Merced, who knows all too well the precious feeling not just of being in control of a speed machine, but of being a first-time car owner in her teenage years.

Gaby, who learned how to drive at the age of 16, started her professional racing career not long after in 1999. “I fell in love with driving when I played my first car video game,” she says. At 14, she kept bugging her father about wanting to learn how to drive. Her dad, being a car enthusiast and a second-hand car dealer, must have also influenced her early on.

Today, she leads a multi-faceted life not just being a professional circuit racer of prototypes for the South Korean Team Champions, but also as a commercial model, actress and even an avid art patron. She has also been a trusted brand ambassador for such top motoring brands as Prestone.

She believes in the brand’s advocacy on guiding first-time car drivers and owners on the right path to safety and responsibility. This demographic is mostly comprised of teenage males and females who usually receive the old family car as a hand-me-down. Gaby’s first car herself was their family’s two-door RAV 4.

The most important tip Gaby starts off with regard to first-time driving is to “’be the car.’ That’s what my dad kept on saying,” she said. It means getting a feel for the vehicle, “understanding the car and how it drives, feeling the size and motion of the car.” Especially for manual transmission vehicles, basics such as getting the right mix of the clutch and accelerator pedals is important.

This allows first-time drivers to gain experience slowly but confidently and surely. “Slower will get you faster—one of my mottos in life,” Gaby says with a smile. Interestingly enough for a professional racer, she says “I drive really slow, they always tease me about it.”

Of course, the basics are also important. Gaby basically espouses the ideals of defensive driving—“be cautious and courteous,” she says. “Know the traffic rules, stay in proper seat position, and always wear your seatbelt,” reminds Gaby.

Preventive maintenance is key

Perhaps the most interesting insight Gaby shares as to safety on the road, concerns not just physical behavior or control of a vehicle while driving, but taking care of the vehicle itself. Indeed, a car that performs well on the road decreases the chances of accidents and mishaps due to mechanical failures.

Complicated engine checks and repairs can be relegated to the mechanic or shop, but Gaby stresses the importance of being hands-on when it comes to basic maintenance and troubleshooting. One of the most important aspects to look after is the car’s brake system. Obviously, it is the primary mechanism for reducing speed and preventing collisions or accidents.

Gaby, being a race car driver, knows first-hand the importance of a reliable and strong brake system. She explains that maintaining a reliable brake system starts with the habit of “flush and fill.” This habit means testing and replacing your brake fluid annually especially for cars two years and older.

To determine if there is a need to completely drain and replace the brake fluid or to simply top up, there is a convenient brake fluid test that car owners can avail of. Prestone has even partnered with selected service centers nationwide where car owners can avail of the brake fluid test for free.

Next, Gaby says: “Always check your oil and water pressure.” For the latter, Gaby pertains to achieving a proper cooling system, which actually necessitates the use of coolant. A well-accepted habit especially among Filipinos is the use of plain water in car radiators, which teenage drivers may unwittingly acquire from their parents or family drivers. This actually causes harm in the long run because water boils easily and is most likely to cause overheating, as well as rust and corrosion of the radiator and other metal parts.

Prestone Ready-to-use coolant is the most convenient to use for top-ups when the reservoir indicator is below maximum level. Gaby advises first-time car owners and drivers that they can never go wrong with such trusted motoring products as Prestone—products that they know their family members, friends or trusted mechanics actually use and recommend.

If all else fails, “talk to someone who knows and who will guide you,” advises Gaby. Don’t be afraid to ask around for help or advice. (Visit the official Prestone Philippines page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrestonePhilippines for more maintenance information and tips.)

Armed with new knowledge, Gaby is sure that young drivers and first-time car owners today would enjoy driving as an even more pleasant experience—building a good foundation for being law-abiding and responsible adult drivers, and role models to the next generation of eager, young drivers and vehicle owners.

Pro racecar driver Gaby de la Merced trusts Prestone products such as brake fluid and coolant for preventive maintenance of her own vehicle

Gaby dela Merced inspires young, first-time car owners and drivers to be safe and smart on the road—starting with responsible preventive maintenance of their vehicles, especially by using convenient and high-performance additives from Prestone