• #One: When you’ve got your windshield wipers turned up full notch and visibility remains poor, try putting on your sunglasses. Surprisingly, it’ll clear up your windshield and increase your visibility. While it may make things a tad darker, it will get rid of frustrating streaks and blinding raindrops. If you get the chance, try on a pair of polarized sunglasses, which not only maximize your visibility in rainy weather but also eliminate strenuous water glare. This trick works just as well at night, and even better when you’ve got Corey Hart’s ‘Sunglasses at night’ on the dial.
• #Two: While there are many guidelines to assuming the correct driving position, there’s one trick that makes mincemeat of the process. It’s as simple as taking your left foot and placing it on the footrest to the left of the pedals. The key is to use your left foot to push back firmly into the seat, scooting your behind snugly into the seat arch. Odds are you’ll never have been grasped this firmly by your seat. You’ll feel supported and secure, and completely ready to tackle the most twisty and demanding of morning commutes. The last step is to reach out and adjust the steering wheel until your wrists break at the very top of the wheel. And that’s it. Easy as pie.
• #Three: Kick the habit of purchasing 89 octane gasoline. While there are a few engines, such as the 5.7L V8 Hemi, that suggest it for optimum performance, there is no sound reason to fuel up on 89 octane if your owner’s manual does not ask for it. This is mainly because 89 octane is a rip-off. Since 89 octane doesn’t exist, the fuel stations produce an 87-91 octane mixture on-site as you pump it into your car. While the octane level and price of this medium grade gasoline should lie smack dab between 87 and 91, the mixture is often skewed towards the less refined 87 octane while the price is skewed to more expensive 91 octane. So medium grade, 89 octane fuel is a scam. Therefore if you feel like treating your engine to a better fuel grade, don’t opt for 89, but aim squarely for 91 octane or higher. Mind you, BMWs all require 91 octane to operate at their intended levels of performance and fuel economy.
• #Four: Venture outside the safe confines of the law. Because how else will you reach the limits of your car? And how else are you supposed to learn what your car behaves like beyond those limits? We suggest you find a deserted parking lot, turn off the traction control, and let loose. While not overdoing it, you should try and get a feel for your car’s dynamics when making abrupt manoeuvres. This in turn will sharpen your reactions in the case of an emergency. For a more professional take on car control you can of course attend a more controlled driving experience program or track day event. In any event, the times spent behind the wheel purposefully losing control of your car will pay off in the face of imminent danger.

BONUS TIP: Better your gas mileage by turning off the AC and lowering the windows at low speeds. At high speeds, the opposite hold effect. Raising the windows and instead using the AC to stay cool will improve your gas mileage.