Changing gear on level Crossing?
Discussion
My wife was taught to change gear when going over a train level crossing, the theory was that it smoothed the ride. Anyone heard of this theory?
Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Need a bit more context really as I can’t see how it smooths the ride (changing gear should be imperceptible to passengers anyway) and Roadcraft has always taught getting the car set up *before* the hazard and not during it.
Can you walk us through her approach to a level crossing - maybe there is something I’m missing?
Chris
Can you walk us through her approach to a level crossing - maybe there is something I’m missing?
Chris
Some level crossings were really rough in the past and the last thing I would have been interested in, while grimly hanging on to the wheel, was changing gear.
These days Network Rail have put in rubber pads (from old tyres?) between the rails giving a much smoother crossing so more time to deal with actual driving.
These days Network Rail have put in rubber pads (from old tyres?) between the rails giving a much smoother crossing so more time to deal with actual driving.
WilliamWoollard said:
Depressing the clutch disconnects the drivetrain from the engine thereby reducing wear/damage that may occur driving over uneven surface?
I've heard the same relating to speed bumps.
This is my understanding. I've heard the same relating to speed bumps.
We have no template for speed bumps here in Asia and, if I am not stopping momentarilly and then easing the vehicle over, I frequently slow so that the vehicle's inertia (just) takes it over the hump with the clutch down.
spikep said:
My wife was taught to change gear when going over a train level crossing, the theory was that it smoothed the ride. Anyone heard of this theory?
Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Hey folks,Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Interesting tidbit there! I've been driving for quite some time, and I've come across various driving theories, some of which might sound odd today. Changing gears while going over a train level crossing to smooth out the ride is a new one for me, but I can see where the thought might have originated, especially if taught by a police driving instructor back in the '80s.
Car technologies and road infrastructures have come a long way since then. Modern vehicles are designed with better suspension systems, and many train crossings have been improved over the years to provide a smoother transition.
Your son has a point about modern cars. There's arguably a greater risk of a hiccup if you change gears on the crossing itself, especially if it's unnecessary. While I respect traditional driving methods and the wisdom that comes from seasoned drivers, it might be worth reassessing some of these older techniques with today's vehicles in mind.
Would love to hear if anyone else has come across similar driving nuggets from yesteryears!
Cheers,
Ahmad
fawadalam4514 said:
spikep said:
My wife was taught to change gear when going over a train level crossing, the theory was that it smoothed the ride. Anyone heard of this theory?
Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Hey folks,Background
She was taught this when she learnt to drive in the 80’s by the then Lincolnshire Police driving instructor. Her father had also been the Lincolnshire Police’s senior Road Safety Officer.
My son was arguing that a modern car would not need to do this and that there is more potential for the vehicle to fail during the transition.
Interesting tidbit there! I've been driving for quite some time, and I've come across various driving theories, some of which might sound odd today. Changing gears while going over a train level crossing to smooth out the ride is a new one for me, but I can see where the thought might have originated, especially if taught by a police driving instructor back in the '80s.
Car technologies and road infrastructures have come a long way since then. Modern vehicles are designed with better suspension systems, and many train crossings have been improved over the years to provide a smoother transition.
Your son has a point about modern cars. There's arguably a greater risk of a hiccup if you change gears on the crossing itself, especially if it's unnecessary. While I respect traditional driving methods and the wisdom that comes from seasoned drivers, it might be worth reassessing some of these older techniques with today's vehicles in mind.
Would love to hear if anyone else has come across similar driving nuggets from yesteryears!
Cheers,
Ahmad
I forsee future debates about position/speed overlap
Reg Local said:
I’ve heard this old chestnut before. The truth is that changing gear on a crossing masks any roughness in the gearchange!
I get the "theory" there but isn't it as likely to make your clutch pedal wobble about adding roughness? Bit like if you accelerate way too hard in something spicy having not released the clutch and then that makes you release it too hard and then it bites and derp (maybe not explaining this well as you have to be doing something wrong for it to happen in first place)ScoobyChris said:
WilliamWoollard said:
Depressing the clutch disconnects the drivetrain from the engine thereby reducing wear/damage that may occur driving over uneven surface?
I've heard this but the OP specifically mentioned changing gear rather than just declutching?Chris
Stiggolas said:
Hmm, I think I get it...if you're trying to make a bit of progress, you may spin the wheels on a railway line or bridge expansion section and possibly lose control. If you change gear whilst driving over said obstacle, you're less likely to have issues. Makes sense to me.
Hope that's a jokeSomewhatfoolish said:
Stiggolas said:
Hmm, I think I get it...if you're trying to make a bit of progress, you may spin the wheels on a railway line or bridge expansion section and possibly lose control. If you change gear whilst driving over said obstacle, you're less likely to have issues. Makes sense to me.
Hope that's a joke
ks! 
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