going on my first propper drive on sunday
Discussion
Well....
Its at Pratts Bottom.
I had the welcome day at orpington but they have too many peolpe there at the moment and they asked me to move to pratts bottom. I didnt mind, it really dosent make any difference to me.
I was actually quite surprised with the welcome day. I wasnt as bad as I thought I was and I have been practicing most of the things thay told me to do (although finishing braking before changing gear is a habit thats hard to get into!)
Why?? well several reasons. Firstly, I dont think I am a good driver and I really dont want to kill anyone. Secondly, Its something I would like to take a bit more seriously. I would like a much better car than the Renault Scenic I am currently driving and could do with some money off the insurance! (I quite fancy a Z4!)
I signed on with the IAM for 6 months. and I am thoroughly looking forward to it!
Peter
Its at Pratts Bottom.
I had the welcome day at orpington but they have too many peolpe there at the moment and they asked me to move to pratts bottom. I didnt mind, it really dosent make any difference to me.
I was actually quite surprised with the welcome day. I wasnt as bad as I thought I was and I have been practicing most of the things thay told me to do (although finishing braking before changing gear is a habit thats hard to get into!)
Why?? well several reasons. Firstly, I dont think I am a good driver and I really dont want to kill anyone. Secondly, Its something I would like to take a bit more seriously. I would like a much better car than the Renault Scenic I am currently driving and could do with some money off the insurance! (I quite fancy a Z4!)
I signed on with the IAM for 6 months. and I am thoroughly looking forward to it!
Peter
Sorry I only just noticed your reply!
I think it went very well. Evryone seemed nice and friendly.
The drive itself went quite well. for the month beforehand I had been practicing road positioning and brakeing before I changed gear. (2 areas where I thought I could easily make a big improvement).
I think that allot of what is taught makes allot of sence when travelling down country B roads but I wish there was perhaps a little more emphasis on urban driving where there are times when I feel I am overloaded with information (for example driving through Grenwich on a friday night where any paderstrian is probably drunk and they can (AND DO!!) randomly walk out into the road!).
I do have to say that it has made travelling along the country B roads more fun. the road positioning really does make a huge difference. you really can see much further.
The lady that was observing me didnt mind the block shifting that I frequently do (I often go from 2nd to 4th) which I found interesting as it was one of the things I was picked up on on the welcome day! I find it much smoother when accelerating.
Sadly I am going to have to give the next one a miss. My stepdaughter is in the country and time with her is very precious. I am however feeling a bit guilty about this. of the 4 possible dates so far I have only been able to make 2 of them and I think it shows a lack of commitment on my part that is really not my style.
For the next month, I am going to concentrate on not crossing my arms when steering!
And I need to brush up on my roadsigns. I thought I was pretty good at them, but she quizzed me in the car and there were several I didnt know!
Peter
I think it went very well. Evryone seemed nice and friendly.
The drive itself went quite well. for the month beforehand I had been practicing road positioning and brakeing before I changed gear. (2 areas where I thought I could easily make a big improvement).
I think that allot of what is taught makes allot of sence when travelling down country B roads but I wish there was perhaps a little more emphasis on urban driving where there are times when I feel I am overloaded with information (for example driving through Grenwich on a friday night where any paderstrian is probably drunk and they can (AND DO!!) randomly walk out into the road!).
I do have to say that it has made travelling along the country B roads more fun. the road positioning really does make a huge difference. you really can see much further.
The lady that was observing me didnt mind the block shifting that I frequently do (I often go from 2nd to 4th) which I found interesting as it was one of the things I was picked up on on the welcome day! I find it much smoother when accelerating.
Sadly I am going to have to give the next one a miss. My stepdaughter is in the country and time with her is very precious. I am however feeling a bit guilty about this. of the 4 possible dates so far I have only been able to make 2 of them and I think it shows a lack of commitment on my part that is really not my style.
For the next month, I am going to concentrate on not crossing my arms when steering!
And I need to brush up on my roadsigns. I thought I was pretty good at them, but she quizzed me in the car and there were several I didnt know!
Peter
Block changing is fine. In fact it used to be one of the "rules for gearchanging" in the old Roadcraft. Something like "be able to select a chosen gear without having to take an intermediate gear"
I'm happy to be corrected on the exact wording, but I always encourage block changing either up or down the box where appropriate.
I'm happy to be corrected on the exact wording, but I always encourage block changing either up or down the box where appropriate.
Block changing up the box depends on a number of things to be successful. Your engine size, your gear ratios, from 2nd to 4th may be less acceptable than say 3rd to 5th based on the these considerations and of course are you travelling on the level or slight down hill where you are more likely to succeed in a smooth manner.
You will almost always need to use more revs in the lower gear to achieve a clean upwards block change but with practice it can be done nicely.
However its use in downchanges is more common on say the approach to a roundabout where you will have lost approach speed by the use of acceration sense whilst "planning to stop but looking to go" at the give way lines of the RAB, depending on your speed when you decide to go you may need to change from 5th to 3rd to accelerate through.
You will almost always need to use more revs in the lower gear to achieve a clean upwards block change but with practice it can be done nicely.
However its use in downchanges is more common on say the approach to a roundabout where you will have lost approach speed by the use of acceration sense whilst "planning to stop but looking to go" at the give way lines of the RAB, depending on your speed when you decide to go you may need to change from 5th to 3rd to accelerate through.
Edited by titian on Friday 18th July 08:30
titian said:
You will almost always need to use more revs in the lower gear to achieve a clean upwards block change but with practice it can be done nicely.
I am confused - did that come out the way you meant it to? Making an upward block change the revs need to be allowed to drop further than when changing up one gear at a time. Is what you meant that you need to hold onto the lower gear a little longer than you might if intending to change up one gear at a time?In my (extremely flexible car) when not pushing on I often change either 1st to 4th or 2nd to 6th. In a less flexible car I often change 2nd to 4th or 3rd to 5th. When making the upward block change you have to consider pedal position and timing. I generally lift my accelerator foot only slightly, rather than right off the accelerator. As aids to correct pedal movement and timing, I hear the revs fall, and notice the movement of the rev counter needle out of peripheral vision. It is surprising how close the revs are when I let the clutch out to the engine speed needed in the new gear. (I find that the most difficult upchange to make smoothly and with mechanical sympathy if a 1st to 2nd change when trying to accelerate firmly - probably because the revs have so far to fall between 1st and 2nd).
Hi waremark
Yes it did come out the way I intended however I appreciate your confusion. What I was saying was that to achieve the required road speed in a lower gear you will need more revs to achieve a block change from 2nd to 4th than you would from, say, second to 3rd - to account for the loss of road speed during the change - that is in the "average" vehicle of course, one without super-flexibility. Clearlly you need then to match the revs to the gear chosen to achieve a smooth pick-up in the higher gear; your techique of balancing your right foot, feathering back on the accelerator, gives a wonderful result when executed expertly.
Specific circumstance must be taken into account and intellegent use of the technique made as may befit the circumstances.
Yes it did come out the way I intended however I appreciate your confusion. What I was saying was that to achieve the required road speed in a lower gear you will need more revs to achieve a block change from 2nd to 4th than you would from, say, second to 3rd - to account for the loss of road speed during the change - that is in the "average" vehicle of course, one without super-flexibility. Clearlly you need then to match the revs to the gear chosen to achieve a smooth pick-up in the higher gear; your techique of balancing your right foot, feathering back on the accelerator, gives a wonderful result when executed expertly.
Specific circumstance must be taken into account and intellegent use of the technique made as may befit the circumstances.
Hi Waremark,
I'm curious as to what car you change from 1st to 4th in? in most cars I have driven thrashing it from first to 4th gear speed would really be putting the engine and gear box under a lot of strain, never mind the noise, and fuel consumption. Could I suggest that you use 1st gear just to get you rolling, and that 2nd and 3rd are your "working gears" with 4, 5 and 6 as the cruising gears
I have recently been "coaching " company car drivers in "eco" driving, and it is very sad to report that for most their gear selection is very poor, some have really had a very heavy foot, but none have "boxed" from 1st to 4th. The fact you "box" change at all is good thing, and I shudder to think what your fuel consumption is staying in 1st for such a long time, and where are you able to accelerate up to about 30 mph to manage just the 1 gear change?
This post is not to criticise, just curious
I'm curious as to what car you change from 1st to 4th in? in most cars I have driven thrashing it from first to 4th gear speed would really be putting the engine and gear box under a lot of strain, never mind the noise, and fuel consumption. Could I suggest that you use 1st gear just to get you rolling, and that 2nd and 3rd are your "working gears" with 4, 5 and 6 as the cruising gears
I have recently been "coaching " company car drivers in "eco" driving, and it is very sad to report that for most their gear selection is very poor, some have really had a very heavy foot, but none have "boxed" from 1st to 4th. The fact you "box" change at all is good thing, and I shudder to think what your fuel consumption is staying in 1st for such a long time, and where are you able to accelerate up to about 30 mph to manage just the 1 gear change?
This post is not to criticise, just curious
watchnut said:
Hi Waremark,
I'm curious as to what car you change from 1st to 4th in? in most cars I have driven thrashing it from first to 4th gear speed would really be putting the engine and gear box under a lot of strain, never mind the noise, and fuel consumption. Could I suggest that you use 1st gear just to get you rolling, and that 2nd and 3rd are your "working gears" with 4, 5 and 6 as the cruising gears
I have recently been "coaching " company car drivers in "eco" driving, and it is very sad to report that for most their gear selection is very poor, some have really had a very heavy foot, but none have "boxed" from 1st to 4th. The fact you "box" change at all is good thing, and I shudder to think what your fuel consumption is staying in 1st for such a long time, and where are you able to accelerate up to about 30 mph to manage just the 1 gear change?
This post is not to criticise, just curious
The eco driving instruction would be to use a different car. It has a six litre v12, and pulls smoothly from less than 1,000 rpm. I don't hold 1st to 30. The most economical approach with this engine is to keep the revs low. The best sounding approach is a bit different. I'm curious as to what car you change from 1st to 4th in? in most cars I have driven thrashing it from first to 4th gear speed would really be putting the engine and gear box under a lot of strain, never mind the noise, and fuel consumption. Could I suggest that you use 1st gear just to get you rolling, and that 2nd and 3rd are your "working gears" with 4, 5 and 6 as the cruising gears
I have recently been "coaching " company car drivers in "eco" driving, and it is very sad to report that for most their gear selection is very poor, some have really had a very heavy foot, but none have "boxed" from 1st to 4th. The fact you "box" change at all is good thing, and I shudder to think what your fuel consumption is staying in 1st for such a long time, and where are you able to accelerate up to about 30 mph to manage just the 1 gear change?
This post is not to criticise, just curious
Edited to add: what works best changes from vehicle to vehicle. My point was that smooth block upchanges are not that difficult.
Edited by waremark on Saturday 26th July 11:19
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