8 Ways Petrolheads Can Spend Today’s Extra Second

Today will be the longest day we’ve had in quite a while. Why? Because, for the first time in three years, an extra second will be added to the official time set by atomic clocks. It’s all to do with the fact that the speed of the Earth’s rotation fluctuates over time, and is gradually slowing down.

The last minute before midnight tonight in Coordinated Universal Time will be 61 seconds rather than 60, so now that you know you have more time to play with today, how will you spend it? Here are our suggestions:

1. Post up an extra pic of your car

If you have a sweet ride, you should share it with the world as much as possible. Today gives you time for one extra image on Instagram, Facebook and, of course, Car Throttle.

2. Spend more time mourning the loss of Top Gear

Even though it’s highly likely Clarkson, Hammond and May will front a brand new car show, it was still rather emotional watching the trio under the Top Gear banner for the last time on Sunday. Today’s extra time might be just what you need to get over the immense feels…

3. Practice good road karma and let someone out of a side turning

It’ll only take a second of your time to be friendly and let someone in front merge onto a busy road, so today is the perfect day to practice a little good road karma.

4. Give VTEC more time to kick in

If you’ve owned a Honda with a high-revving VTEC engine for a while, you’re probably a little tired of changing down gears so often. However, now there’s an extra second in the day, you’ve the time to leave it in whatever gear you have selected and wait a little longer for that sweet VTEC kick to arrive.

5. Spend longer trying to get to 60mph in your 1.2 Polo

However, if you’ve - for some reason - sold your VTEC Honda for a VW Polo with a small engine, you’ll need all the time you can get your hands on to dispatch the benchmark 0-60mph sprint. That extra second might just give you enough time in the day…

6. Browse Car Throttle for just a little bit longer

We’re a little biased, but one of the best ways of spending your time is browsing Car Throttle. With that extra second, you could check out one more post, or leave one more comment.

7. Allow more time for car part browsing

Who knows, by spending just one extra second browsing for car parts before you throw in the towel, you might just spot exactly what you’re looking for.

8. Give your car more love

Whether your daily needs a service or your project car is awaiting fresh parts, today’s the day. Sure, you won’t be able to do much with that additional second, but it’s as good an excuse as any to give your car the love and care it deserves.

Any more time-spending ideas you can suggest? Hit the comments section!