A commentary on commentary
Discussion
Becca,
Nice to see you are still 'seeking'...you will post when you pass?
If you get a higher mark on the Special Assessment than me one day...I might go right off you!
Good Luck...
BOF.
PS - Reg, I meant to thank you for your reply...Becca waylaid me...thanks!
Nice to see you are still 'seeking'...you will post when you pass?
If you get a higher mark on the Special Assessment than me one day...I might go right off you!
Good Luck...
BOF.
PS - Reg, I meant to thank you for your reply...Becca waylaid me...thanks!
Edited by BOF on Monday 9th July 20:58
Major Bloodnok said:
Another great post, Reg. I think your posts have done more for my driving over the past few months than anything else. A couple of questions if I may:
1) I notice that your cockpit drill above doesn't include a handbrake test. This is something that we've always included as part of the drill in our group, and its purpose was explained to me once, but I can't remember what it was. I usually just tell associates that they're listening for any strange "boings" or other indications that the cable's about to do something nasty, but that doesn't feel right. Any thoughts?
You should be releasing the handbrake to ensure that the warning light goes out. That's because the light serves two functions. The first is that it warns you that the handbrake is 'on', the second is that it tells you if there is a fault with the brake circuits. Releasing handbrake & light off = circuits fine. Releasing handbrake & light stays on = fault in brake circuits. 1) I notice that your cockpit drill above doesn't include a handbrake test. This is something that we've always included as part of the drill in our group, and its purpose was explained to me once, but I can't remember what it was. I usually just tell associates that they're listening for any strange "boings" or other indications that the cable's about to do something nasty, but that doesn't feel right. Any thoughts?
Major Bloodnok said:
2) The sequence far-middle-near is fine most of the time, but how do you adjust commentary when you're in fairly heavy traffic, and there's no real far (or even middle) distance view? I find it a particular problem, being low down in the MR2, so how would you adjust the commentary if you were in, say, rush-hour traffic in the Eunos?
I'd concentrate on getting the gap right between you & the vehicle in front. Sell primary information, (that is what is ahead of the vehicle in front of you - secondary information is what you gleam from him in relation to those hazards) & what you anticipate from them as a result of their position & speed with regard to those hazards. Sell how you plan to cover what they are going to do safely & systematically, particularly with regard to how what they & you do will affect what is behind you. The larger any threat to you, the greater your emphasis of it should be within your commentary & how you're are going to neutralise that threat.Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 7th July 23:37
Course I'll post. If I pass...R_U_LOCAL said:
Above all, don't bore them - keep them interested, and don't be afraid of introducing a little humour every now and again.
Indeed. When I did my test last August I did a commentary for pretty much the whole drive (and was complimented on it afterwards 
) - partly because it helped me focus, partly because it's a good tool to point out your thinking to the examiner with observation links and the like and partly because in the words of a wise chap at Southport IAM "If you keep talking, the bugger can't get a word in edgeways with awkward qestions!!" 
And as for humour in the drive, certainly - if it fits your character. Don't try & do a stand up act! As I was nearing the end of my drive, there's a long 40 limit which even though it leads to a local cop shop (Copy Lane in Netherton for those around these parts) tends to get used as a bit of a race track. Speeds of 70+ are not uncommon down there - not a good idea with side turnings into housing estates and all along this road there was a car inches from my back bumper.
The commentary went something like...
"...maintaining 40, watching for emerging traffic from the housing estate, eye on the kids with the football heading for the grassed area. The one following has come even closer from his position along Copy Lane, don't want him in the luggage bay so mindfull to ensure larger than normal braking distance when we come upto the lights at the end of the road...."
With a roar of an overworked engine, Mondeo comes steaming past somewhat recklessly
"...and easing off and braking to allow the overtaker to clear us safely into the non-existent gap - AHH, it's a taxi and therefore exempt from the rules of physics..."
Raised a chuckle from us both anyway.
Apologies for digging up an old thread, but its good, especially the bit on the start drill by Reg. I dont have an official copy of my local groups drill, so I have been using this as a memory jogger. However there are a couple of differences which I would like your opinion on:
1. You put seatbelt is number 5 on your list, well before starting the engine. Our group advocates putting it on after the engine is started. Personally I agree with Reg on this, I think you are better off with it on, should the car lurch forward when you start due to mechanical failure in the clutch, or if someone hits you when you are stationary. Our group maintains that if there is a fault in the engine when you start, you may need to get out fast. Personally I think you are better off in the car in the majority of possible occurences. Your thoughts?
2. Once the engine is started, we do a transission check which involves raising engine speed to 1500rpm and slowly releasig the clutch in nuetral. I think this is a worthwhile addition.
I also think that an inertia reel test on the seatbelt before fitting it is a worthwhile addition but would appreciate your thoughts.
BB
I am a member of Dumfries and Galloway IAM group, but my thoughts here are my own and nothing to do with the group.
1. You put seatbelt is number 5 on your list, well before starting the engine. Our group advocates putting it on after the engine is started. Personally I agree with Reg on this, I think you are better off with it on, should the car lurch forward when you start due to mechanical failure in the clutch, or if someone hits you when you are stationary. Our group maintains that if there is a fault in the engine when you start, you may need to get out fast. Personally I think you are better off in the car in the majority of possible occurences. Your thoughts?
2. Once the engine is started, we do a transission check which involves raising engine speed to 1500rpm and slowly releasig the clutch in nuetral. I think this is a worthwhile addition.
I also think that an inertia reel test on the seatbelt before fitting it is a worthwhile addition but would appreciate your thoughts.
BB
I am a member of Dumfries and Galloway IAM group, but my thoughts here are my own and nothing to do with the group.
RumbleBee said:
You put seatbelt is number 5 on your list, well before starting the engine. Our group advocates putting it on after the engine is started. Personally I agree with Reg on this, I think you are better off with it on, ....
Local IAM says put it on after starting the engine, "in case it bursts into flames and you need to get out". RoADAR said put in on before starting engine, as it was expected to always have one hand on the steering wheel if the engine's running, which makes putting the belt on tricky!RumbleBee said:
Once the engine is started, we do a transission check which involves raising engine speed to 1500rpm and slowly releasig the clutch in nuetral. I think this is a worthwhile addition.
What does this tell you then?I get in a car, first thing I do is put on my seatbelt.
Why?, airbags.
I won't even have only ignition on without belt on, driver or passenger.
Another reason, albeit pre airbags, my mother had just got into her parked car, luckily had put seatbelt on, almost immediately her car was hit from behind by another car, the driver claiming to be blinded by the Sun. My mother was fine but without the belt on?.
Why?, airbags.
I won't even have only ignition on without belt on, driver or passenger.
Another reason, albeit pre airbags, my mother had just got into her parked car, luckily had put seatbelt on, almost immediately her car was hit from behind by another car, the driver claiming to be blinded by the Sun. My mother was fine but without the belt on?.
WeirdNeville said:
"I am driving a BMW M3, It is a high performance vehicle driven through the rear wheels via a 6 speed semi automatic gearbox. It is equipped with traction control which will remain engaged through this drive, and safety features including seatbelts and air bags. Looking down the swage lines of the vehicle I can see that all the doors are shut. I have completed a full inspection of this vehicle prior to this journey, and I know that the tyres are in good condition and the pressures are correct, the oil and fuel levels are adequate, and that all the lighting is in full working order."
I had a demo police drive a couple of years ago, and asked the instructor whether following the system/commentary ever became of itself automatic, so you said the right thing without necessarily focussing on the thing you were talking about. He said no, the commentary keeps them aware...Except that on startup, and describing the vehicle he was driving, he described it as a Volvo 5-speed manual, and carried on... except it was 6-speed, and he was just parroting the words without checking.
Is there a mental tecnique to avoid such over-familiarity, and things becoming automatic even with a system in place?
Vaux said:
RumbleBee said:
You put seatbelt is number 5 on your list, well before starting the engine. Our group advocates putting it on after the engine is started. Personally I agree with Reg on this, I think you are better off with it on, ....
Local IAM says put it on after starting the engine, "in case it bursts into flames and you need to get out". RoADAR said put in on before starting engine, as it was expected to always have one hand on the steering wheel if the engine's running, which makes putting the belt on tricky!No matter, it's good to see that the IAM and RoADAR are taking opposing views on the seat belt thing. With them being equally dogmatic in different directions, the rest of us can please ourselves, and still claim to be right either way.
Vaux said:
p1esk said:
No matter, it's good to see that the IAM and RoADAR are taking opposing views on the seat belt thing.
I'm talking about one local group of each - I couldn't say it was dogma from the upper management.Size Nine Elm said:
WeirdNeville said:
"I am driving a BMW M3, It is a high performance vehicle.....
I had a demo police drive a couple of years ago, and asked the instructor whether following the system/commentary ever became of itself automatic, so you said the right thing without necessarily focussing on the thing you were talking about. He said no, the commentary keeps them aware...Except that on startup, and describing the vehicle he was driving, he described it as a Volvo 5-speed manual, and carried on... except it was 6-speed, and he was just parroting the words without checking.
Is there a mental tecnique to avoid such over-familiarity, and things becoming automatic even with a system in place?
I find with the vehicles I drive I need to have a quick sit and refresh my memory when I swap. I go from a powerful turbo RWD Coupe to an underpowered FWD hatch to a pedal cycle daily, a large shift in performance and handling. I'm soon to have a mid engined car in the stable as well, so that will be another car to familiarise myself with when I get in the hot seat. If I start driving the 200SX like I drive the Focus, I won't be driving for much longer!
Edited by WeirdNeville on Thursday 24th January 01:28
R_U_LOCAL said:
..........the traditional CID starting drill of "we're in, we're off".
Lots of mnemonics in use in my field of work. I once enraged an examiner by telling him I'd condensed every checklist, from arrival in the company car park to take-off, to 'FUFO' ('Fire Up, F*ck Off').It was worth doing just to see him rant
Gullible tw@t.Nice to see this thread going the same way as many in this section, nitpicking to the nth degree. Now it's when to do up a seatbelt? As long as it's before starting the engine...........who cares?!
Edited by Flintstone on Thursday 24th January 16:49
Well, obviously somebody cares. Just like in other educational establishments, they each have their own syllabus. You learn it, you stick to it and you pass the exam. As long as there is consistency within the same organisation, it matters not. Go to another place, they have a different syllabus.
Arguing about it seems pretty pointless, but in most areas of life, attention to details is usually what seperates the best from the rest.
Arguing about it seems pretty pointless, but in most areas of life, attention to details is usually what seperates the best from the rest.
RT106 said:
RumbleBee said:
Once the engine is started, we do a transission check which involves raising engine speed to 1500rpm and slowly releasig the clutch in nuetral.
I know someone else has already asked, but I really want to know what this check is supposed to tell you...?I suppose if you try this test and the car doesn't try to go anywhere, it means:
a) The clutch is faulty, or
b) The gearbox is faulty, or
c) You are actually in neutral, or
some other thing(s) that I haven't thought about.
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