You know you're an advanced driver when...

[dmp]

I have a Renault Scenic with an electronic handbrake, saves any arguments but it did take a little time to get used to. My next car is a C4 again with an electric handbrake but this time it's placed in the centre of the dash, not the most convenient place but again I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Dave

[waremark]

The Ford Fiesta handbook says something along the lines of: 'To apply the handbrake, pull the handbrake lever in without pushing in the button'. There is no further explanation. I reckon the writer thinks that if they don't put it that way, a foolish driver might pull the lever up with the button pressed, and release it with the button still pressed - I don't think there is likely to be an engineering reason for making a noise with the ratchet. I always press the button while raising the lever, but satisfy myself the handbrake is firmly engaged on letting go. I treat the Fiesta's handbrake in exactly the same way.

I remember John Lyon taught to press the button in while raising the handbrake, then to let go the button and raise it another couple of clicks.

I am cursed with a foot operated parking brake on a Merc. I believe these infernal devices are designed to suit Americans who traditionally enjoyed bench front seats, and had auto gearboxes so never needed the 'emergency brake' for hill starts. With this brake, to engage it without a ratchet noise, or to disengage without a clonk requires coordination of left foot and right hand. I generally put up with the noises.

[ExadiNigel]

....I remember John Lyon taught to press the button in while raising the handbrake, then to let go the button and raise it another couple of clicks.

Who's he? God?

I am cursed with a foot operated parking brake on a Merc. I believe these infernal devices are designed to suit Americans who traditionally enjoyed bench front seats, and had auto gearboxes so never needed the 'emergency brake' for hill starts. With this brake, to engage it without a ratchet noise, or to disengage without a clonk requires coordination of left foot and right hand. I generally put up with the noises.

The Mercedes parking brake works well - in an automatic! In a manual it is totally unpractical requiring you to select neutral before you apply it!

On one car (Renault 14) the ratchet did wear away so there is an argument for pushing in the button but I do find weaker pupils can apply the handbrake more firmly by not pressing the button - many that do press the button seem to relax their arm before they let go of the button so the handbrake lever lowers slightly before settling.

Nigel

[Gareth]

Who's he? God?

Close.

[jbsportstech]

I taught my partner to pull the handbrake up with the button in and even in the st she could get it on with suffcient force and she is only 5'5 small build so that not the case in all cars. Then an adi managed to unteach her all the good habits I taught her within a few lessons.

The electronic handbrake was invented to solve a problem that didn't exist. Even now I have a 08 passat with auto hold I still miss a standard handbrake. The fly off one in my uncles aston is nice

[ExadiNigel]

Who's he? God?

Close.

Yeah right!

Nigel

[TripleS]

Who's he? God?

Close.

Yeah right!

Nigel

It sounds as if you belong in the renegade / sceptics thread.......along with me.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[jbsportstech]

Who's he? God?

Close.

Yeah right!

Nigel

You seem sure that he isn't as good as hype you may of heard.

May I suggest you reserve judgement till you have him seen him in action.

His coaching ability runs to more than teaching a primary school student how to ride a push bike!

[ExadiNigel]

You seem sure that he isn't as good as hype you may of heard.

May I suggest you reserve judgement till you have him seen him in action.

His coaching ability runs to more than teaching a primary school student how to ride a push bike!

So what have primary school kids to do with this? Are you suggesting that teaching roadcraft to primary school kids is worthless? If you are then I will disagree, big time! When you consider many attitudes to road safety are set by the age of 11, I aim to influence as many as possible!

As I understand it John Lyon over hyped his own qualifications and had to change his website after Trading Standards became involved! If this is true then I think it is hilarious!

Nigel

[jbsportstech]

You seem sure that he isn't as good as hype you may of heard.

May I suggest you reserve judgement till you have him seen him in action.

His coaching ability runs to more than teaching a primary school student how to ride a push bike!

So what have primary school kids to do with this? Are you suggesting that teaching roadcraft to primary school kids is worthless? If you are then I will disagree, big time! When you consider many attitudes to road safety are set by the age of 11, I aim to influence as many as possible!

As I understand it John Lyon over hyped his own qualifications and had to change his website after Trading Standards became involved! If this is true then I think it is hilarious!

Nigel

I have not heard that about john lyons.

There was no roadcraft when I did cycling proficiency and as I understand they can't make there mind up how you deal with roundabouts on a push bike inside/outside etc.

'People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones ' You have all but your inside leg measurement on the bottom of your sig so you seem to hype up your qualifications such as the roadar diploma which has become commercialised by adi's like yourself who want to brag about the title.

I have a BTEC ND in Computer Science should I state that my sig and my HNC in Construction and Civil Engineering or my membership of RICS and my Tech RICS and proffesional surveying qualification, I know its not driving related but you come accross as a box ticker and trumpet blower!

[TripleS]

Yeah right!

Nigel

You seem sure that he isn't as good as hype you may of heard.

May I suggest you reserve judgement till you have him seen him in action.

His coaching ability runs to more than teaching a primary school student how to ride a push bike!

It seems to me that Nigel is reserving judgement. I would have thought that was clear enough. He just hasn't yet bought into the hero worship mentality that seems to afflict some people.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[ExadiNigel]

You seem sure that he isn't as good as hype you may of heard.

May I suggest you reserve judgement till you have him seen him in action.

His coaching ability runs to more than teaching a primary school student how to ride a push bike!

So what have primary school kids to do with this? Are you suggesting that teaching roadcraft to primary school kids is worthless? If you are then I will disagree, big time! When you consider many attitudes to road safety are set by the age of 11, I aim to influence as many as possible!

As I understand it John Lyon over hyped his own qualifications and had to change his website after Trading Standards became involved! If this is true then I think it is hilarious!

Nigel

I have not heard that about john lyons.

There was no roadcraft when I did cycling proficiency and as I understand they can't make there mind up how you deal with roundabouts on a push bike inside/outside etc.

No roadcraft? How old are you then? There has been roadcraft (lower case 'r') since roads were used by horse and carriage.

'People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones ' You have all but your inside leg measurement on the bottom of your sig so you seem to hype up your qualifications such as the roadar diploma which has become commercialised by adi's like yourself who want to brag about the title.

What have I over-hyped? I have ALL of those qualification I have mentioned in my signature, there is nothing there that Trading Standards could possibly have an issue with. Nothing to do with bragging it is relevant to the forum I am on. If I was on a computing forum I may mention IT qualifications rather than driving/coaching qualifications. Is there something wrong with doing the RoADAR Diploma? It has been one of the most valuable courses I have ever done - it changed my approach to teaching people to drive & cycle greatly.

I have a BTEC ND in Computer Science should I state that my sig and my HNC in Construction and Civil Engineering or my membership of RICS and my Tech RICS and proffesional surveying qualification, I know its not driving related but you come accross as a box ticker and trumpet blower!

Put whatever you like in your signature, it is entirely down to personal choice and I wouldn't presume to tell you what you should or shouldn't put there.

I take a great interest & enjoyment in coaching road users and I attend courses as a way of improving my skills, not as a way of ticking boxes.

Nigel

PS, never played the trumpet, have you?

[TripleS]

Steady on, James. At this rate you'll be no better at diplomacy than I am.

Best wishes all,
Dave.