Micra Driver wrote:How would I select the gear? Do as above, but then slot it in 1st or reverse? Or would I just stop in my gear (normally 1st or 2nd) and then turn off the engine with the clutch still pressed in (as most of my family does)? I understand lower gear = better, something to do with the engine compression thing.
martine wrote:Micra Driver wrote:How would I select the gear? Do as above, but then slot it in 1st or reverse? Or would I just stop in my gear (normally 1st or 2nd) and then turn off the engine with the clutch still pressed in (as most of my family does)? I understand lower gear = better, something to do with the engine compression thing.
Don't think the sequence is important. Personally I don't leave it in gear - though I might if it were parked on a very steep hill. I guess if you were looking for the optimum gear I suppose the highest gear (5th) would be better as it would provide more resistance.
Micra Driver wrote:1. When parking the car, my driving instructor always said "handbrake on, into neutral, feet off pedals, engine off". Yet, when I asked him a few days before my test he was like "oh i always pop it in gear" which is fair enough, in case the handbrake fails bla bla. But why would he teach me to leave the car in neutral?
How would I select the gear? Do as above, but then slot it in 1st or reverse? Or would I just stop in my gear (normally 1st or 2nd) and then turn off the engine with the clutch still pressed in (as most of my family does)? I understand lower gear = better, something to do with the engine compression thing.
Micra Driver wrote:2. When trying to follow "the system" (bearing in mind, I have only mused through the Roadcraft book and watched the DVD once or twice, I have not taken any official advanced training as of yet) I am finding it hard to lose the brake-gear overlapping and separating everything out. I can do the system smoothly most of the time (rev matches when appropriate, braking in plenty of time etc) but sometimes I find myself braking again as I approach, say, a roundabout. Maybe that's lack of observation, but most of the time its small diddy town roundabouts where you can't really see what's approaching until you're mostly on top of the line. Should I be overlapping in such a scenario (safety over system etc)?
Micra Driver wrote:3. When trying to match revs, my father - a mechanic in the army - tells me to 'blip' the throttle, much like is shown on the Roadcraft dvd. Yet my uncle teaches me to keep my foot on the gas pedal and just work the clutch/gear stick to change gears. He calls it "constant throttle downshifting" (never heard of it myself). Both appear smooth, but which would be better?
James wrote:Only leave it in gear if there is a reason to, such as a slope or camber.
The wider, more accepted method is the former. Blipping the throttle is called "sustained revs" and matches engine speed to road speed. It is also the current method of police driver training. I have never heard of the other method.
SammyTheSnake wrote:I have to leap in here. You *definitely* want the lowest gear available (same as when driving, the engine has the greatest effect on acceleration in the lowest gears)
SammyTheSnake wrote:Also, welcome to the forum, "Micra Driver"
Cheers & God bless
Sam "SammyTheSnake" Penny
By instructor, I meant my driving instructor for the DSA test. "ADI", never heard that expression beforeNigel wrote:If, by driving instructor, you mean adi, and you are just learning to drive, don't even consider bgol, they teach you to actually overlap, and this is what is expected on your dsa test.
I have, thankfully, passed the DSA test and have been driving for about two years. I fear I have picked up many a "bad habbit" and am striving to get rid of them. I am still inexperienced when it comes to driving (obviously!!!) but the whole advanced driving thing really does appeal to me to making me a better driver.Nigel wrote:Get used to driving, have you passed your test yet ?
Dry steering? Not heard that one before... I assume its turning the wheel whilst stationary?James wrote:Only leave it in gear if there is a reason to, such as a slope or camber. Also think about pointing the wheels towards the curve, but watch for dry steering! Place it in gear after having turned off engine.
Is this for extra security, or is it just habbit? My father always leaves his car in gear, but then again that is how he was taught how to do it in the army.crr003 wrote:Why not on the flat? I always leave in gear.
Micra Driver wrote: I meant my driving instructor for the DSA test. "ADI", never heard that expression before
Is this for extra security, or is it just habbit? My father always leaves his car in gear, but then again that is how he was taught how to do it in the army.crr003 wrote:Why not on the flat? I always leave in gear.
Don't think so.If I was to come to a stop (clutch pressed to the floor, footbrake on) and just apply the handbrake and engine off, would I be damaging anything?
Micra Driver wrote:Dry steering? Not heard that one before... I assume its turning the wheel whilst stationary?
crr003 wrote:James wrote:Only leave it in gear if there is a reason to, such as a slope or camber.
Why not on the flat? I always leave in gear.The wider, more accepted method is the former. Blipping the throttle is called "sustained revs" and matches engine speed to road speed. It is also the current method of police driver training. I have never heard of the other method.
Well, the defintion I've seen is different. Sustained revs (constant throttle) means leaving your right foot on the accelerator pretty much exactly where it was in say 4th gear, take neutral, engine revs naturally increase, take 3rd, drive on.
Blipping the throttle has been described as "agricultural" compared to sustaining, as the big application of the right foot overcomes the finesse required with sustained revs.
Even with sustained revs, there can be a slight modification to the throttle position, but it's supposed to be subtle.
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