Tips for driving in the city

For many, driving in traffic is a flat-out, anxiety inducing nightmare. Cars cutting you off, races from light to light, no parking, rude drivers – you name it, there’s plenty to worry about.

 

There’s plenty you can do however, to make that experience a little easier on you. Here are some tips for driving in the city that can make your experience a whole lot easier.

 

Get the right car

 

Here’s where we come in. If you’re driving in the city, do yourself a favor and don’t rent a big car. Get something like a sedan or compact car that can zip in and out of small spaces and can fit into nooks and crannies. If you’re in the city, chances are you’ll be headed there for something specific so don’t worry about glitz and glam. Focus on practicality and having something that’s going to work in that space.

 

Go full auto

 

Stick shifts are fun and save you money on your rental, but they’re completely impractical for the city. Especially in hilly places like San Francisco, they just add an element of parking you don’t need to worry about. Keep it simple and go with an automatic transmission.

Figure out how much you’ll be driving

 

MPG is a thing to consider depending on what city you’re in. If you’re here in Tampa or a more spread out city like Los Angeles, you’ll want something that gets good gas mileage because it’s not as easy to get from place to place and things are a bit more spread out. If you’re in a more compact city or one like New York with narrow streets, it’ll be less of a concern.

Get assistance

 

Having a few tools can go a long way in the urban jungle. Make sure your car has a full-blown security system because you’ll have to worry about things like break-ins a little bit more. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Also explore the option of parking assistance. It’s especially handy when you’re parking in tight spaces with a lot of pedestrians around who won’t hesitate to walk right out in front or in back of your car.

Use navigational tools

 

In the city you have to make decisions faster, so having a GPS or something like it on board makes a colossal difference in your experience and can also help you find those hard-to-discover places you might be headed to. Sure, it might cost a little bit extra, but it’s worth it!

 

 

Finally, the best advice we can give you is to not sweat the small stuff. Cabbies will cut you off, people will walk in front of your car and drivers might be rude – but just keep your cool. If you’re going be late, be late. It’s not the end of the world and your safety and sanity is what’s most important. Good luck!

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