Most of us know of the website called Reddit, which is a social news website and forum where it’s 52 or so million users comment and discuss pretty much anything and everything. Reddit is basically a large group of forums in which registered users can talk about almost anything you can imagine. There are a couple of forums dedicated to cars and automotive, which is where I stumbled onto an interesting thread, called What's a pro tip all car owners should know? 

There are several thousand user-submitted answers, ranging from the sublime to ridiculous, so I have curated a few of them below and have credited the Redditor (that’s what you call them) who posted it. I have posted the answers verbatim. Some are more contentious than others, and I’d recommend going to Reddit  and viewing the full thread and sub-threads, where the context and caveats are more thoroughly fleshed out. These are real people’s submissions and should not constitute mechanical advice for your particular vehicle! Vehicle-specific advice should always come from your trusted mechanic.

Having said that disclaimer, here are the top comments:

On Avoiding Accidents

• Learn your vehicles limits. Go to a big empty parking lot in the rain. slam your brakes and try to turn as if avoiding a car spinning out in front of you, swerve violently as though a child ran out in front of you. Learn how your car reacts when it loses traction in a safe and open space. Then you might not be the next person on YouTube that swerves to miss someone that changes lanes without looking, only to get into an uncontrollable fishtail that results in damage to your car and or worse to your or another's life. A basic understanding of car control would eliminate the majority of accidents. (Submitted by Lp1965)

• Most loaded trucks WILL NOT stop on a dime like a car.
  If you can't see the trucker, the trucker can't see you.
  A truck tire blows up with the force of a grenade. Trucks always have the cheapest tires available, so when you're overtaking a truck STEP ON THE GAS! Don't dilly dally near the trailer tires waiting for one to explode and obliterate your passenger. (Submitted by Scotty3281)

• DO NOT SWERVE FOR ANIMALS. I like doggies and other furry things as much as the next person... but I'm not going to kill myself by dodging one and losing control. Calm breaking and hope the furry f*&!er moves to the side. A kid I worked with in the past actually did die from this. He was mudding in a pick up truck, and swerved for a squirrel and ended up dying. (Submitted by Ask_If_I’m_Satan)

On Regular Maintenance

• Check your fluid levels. If your car consumes oil, check it frequently. An engine without oil will self-destruct rather quickly. An engine without water will do the same. Stupid person that worked on my job had a leaky radiator hose. He put a photo of his girlfriend in front of the temperature gauge. I saw the remains of his engine. He borrowed money from his sister to buy the now worthless car. He can't default on the loan she gave him, and he doesn't have enough money to get a new engine. (Submitted by Catdude142)

• Regular maintenance, do it! Pay a little now, or a helluva lot later. (Submitted by Snake-Doctor)

• Cambelt changes are not optional!! Do them BEFORE the 5/10 years or the 60/100k mileage. This is arguably the most important piece of rubber that isn't for your safety. If it breaks then you are looking at anything from a few bent valves to a complete engine rebuild because you bent your crank and damaged the big and little end bearings, let’s not forget the lovely holes in the top of the piston too.(Submitted by Hobojoe_Dimaloun)

• Chains do need changing! This is the most common misconception I have heard. People think because it is a cam chain not a cam belt it will last forever. This is very wrong; the chain will wear and stretch over time. Usually the chains will last 100-150k miles but check the owner’s manual or ask a dealer/google for more information on your car (Submitted by Hobojoe_Dimaloun)

• The oil pressure light isn't just a reminder to check on in a few days. That's a pull you’re a$$ over now the engine is out of oil light. (Submitted by Goldbricker83)

On Washing Your Car

• Don’t use dish soap to wash your car. The chemical agents in dish soap used to help degrease cooking oils and whatnot from dishes and pans actually strip away the shiney protective layer of the car paint. (Submitted by ChizzMizz)

• NEVER wash your engine bay with a pressure washer. I don't care if it is caked in oil, you do it will a brush/sponge. Pressure washers force the water into places you don't really want it such as electrical connections, under the spark plug cover etc etc, all of which then corrode and within a year you will be sorry. (Submitted by Hobojoe_Dimaloun)

On Buying a Car

• There’s a BIG difference between buying a car and affording a car. wish I knew that at 18 (Submitted by Dirtyrayanandtheboyz)

• You do not have to love your car!!! This idea gets you into car payments. You do not have to have a car payment. Save up before you need a new car and then start shopping before you need a car. Buy a really really cheap car that you can live with. Drive that thing until it quits. Repeat. (Submitted by counsel8)

• Just because your car is having problems, forcing you to get maintenance, doesn't mean it is time to get rid of it. All cars go through wear and tear items, such as tires and brakes, part of the given of ownership. (Submitted by Mookids)

• Make sure the check engine light turns on when turning the key.

Sometimes the sleazy user car dealers will cut the cord on the engine light when things are sh!*ty so it looks like there's nothing wrong with it. (Submitted by MishonOne)

On Not Being Cheap

• do NOT cheap out on tires
• check your oil every at minimum once per month (depends on how reliable your car is in general, and it only takes a moment of your time)
• ALWAYS make sure your spare tire is well inflated and you have all the proper tools on you for safely changing your tire
• keep jumper cables in your trunk or a portable jump pack
• keep a first aid kit in your car at all times (Submitted by IVIustangGT)

• Your brakes and tires are the two most important parts of your car in just about any driving conditions. Don't cheap out on either. When your brakes are worn, change them. When your ties are worn, change them. You're liable to kill someone on even a slightly damp day when you have bald tires and near nonexistent brake pads. (Submitted by TheStig1214)

And Some General Advice

• Small one, but amazing if you can ever use it. If your radiator hose blows a hole, there's a 90% chance it was at one end or the other near the clamps. If that's the case, you can cut the hose right below the hole, and stretch it back through the clamp. Good as new. (Submitted by Curse_at_bots)

• On your fuel gauge, there is a little arrow/triangle next to the fuel symbol which points to the side of the car the filler cap is on. Handy if it's not a car you usually drive (Submitted by many)

• Buy a portable 12V air compressor and keep it in your car somewhere. Infinitely valuable to be able to inflate your tires roadside...even if you need to put a spare on most people don't regularly check the tire pressure of their spare. Also keep a basic tire plug kit in your car (and learn how to use it). (Submitted by bbedward)

• Many manufacturers do not advise transmission flushes - reason is the flush could stir dirt and sediment up and send it places that could cause more problems. Many only recommend drain & fill procedures. Always use the proper compatible fluid (not the universal - one size fits most stuff). Yes, it's true a drain and fill only changes 30-40% of the fluid, if you want it thoroughly changed - do it a couple times. (Submitted by BrianTheLion)

• Your ignition doesn't like 10 lbs of keys and keychains hanging from it. It will wear out over time. (Submitted by hludwik204)

• protip for people lacking in strength, if you're trying to undo a tight nut on a tire, your legs are way stronger than your arms, set that tire iron at an angle and push down on it with your legs, it'll usually crack. (Submitted by InsaneFerrit)

So, there you have it. Take it or leave it. In many cases these people have paid the school fees so we don’t have it. Do you have a pro tip you would like to share? Let us know in the comments.