There's a reason your iPod has a HOLD setting.

Sure, putting your iPod on HOLD will keep it from skipping ahead a tune or four, or shutting off while you're listening. Especially if you just toss it loose in your bag while you use it.

You should also use the HOLD setting whenever you shut the iPod off.

It'll keep your iPod from turning itself on and wasting battery life. (Something you'll wish you had more of on hour 4 of that 12 hour flight.)

That's a good thing

An even better thing is that being turned off will keep your iPod hard drive from spinning when you're not using it. That can help save your hard drive. When, you say? If you leave it to bounce around for a few hours in the cargo hold of a plane, on the floor of a 4x4 traveling off road.

Ask us how we know!

Your iPod is tough, but there's no reason to make life a bit easier for it!

For the latest iPod news, reviews, hacks, tips and Podcasts, check out ExtremeiPod.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in ExtremeiPod.