Police driver training

[turbomachine]

Hi there, I was just thinking about police driver training and thought, why do the traffic cops down my way use bmw 530d auto's? and not manuals- cos i presume they go through an awful lot of training esp gearchanges, then to drive an auto? Just didn't make sense to me, can anyone fill me in. Maybe 530d doesn't come with a stick shift?

Cheers

[vonhosen]

turbomachine said:

Hi there, I was just thinking about police driver training and thought, why do the traffic cops down my way use bmw 530d auto's? and not manuals- cos i presume they go through an awful lot of training esp gearchanges, then to drive an auto? Just didn't make sense to me, can anyone fill me in. Maybe 530d doesn't come with a stick shift?

Cheers

They have to be competent in both, they have manuals & autos on the fleet.

Edited by vonhosen on Friday 17th August 16:18

[MK4 Slowride]

turbomachine said:

Hi there, I was just thinking about police driver training and thought, why do the traffic cops down my way use bmw 530d auto's? and not manuals- cos i presume they go through an awful lot of training esp gearchanges, then to drive an auto? Just didn't make sense to me, can anyone fill me in. Maybe 530d doesn't come with a stick shift?

Cheers

The Auto boxed on the 5 series do have a manual function, up or down clutchless change. You just move the lever left into m/s mode & your away.

[WilliBetz]

Turbo diesel engines and automatic transmissions work very well together, and I'd expect residuals to be better for that combination.

[R_U_LOCAL]

I imagine the maintainence costs will be lower on the autos too - manual Police cars tend to go through a lot of clutches, particularly in urban forces.

[BOF]

The punter who allocates IAM Associates to me, as an auto driver of many years and a Senior Observer, e mails me that he has an 'Invalid Car' for me when an auto comes along.

The Class 1 London Met RoSPA Examiner who tested me this year reported;



""The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.

An excellent, high standard drive.""

In some ways, if you handle the auto box 'enthusiastically', you need to get brain in gear a wee bit earlier...not a bad thing?

BOF.

(2.5 X Type auto - AWD)

Also tested on manuals - changing gears without clutch gives age away...

Edited by BOF on Friday 17th August 17:53

[MK4 Slowride]

R_U_LOCAL said:

I imagine the maintainence costs will be lower on the autos too - manual Police cars tend to go through a lot of clutches, particularly in urban forces.

Quite right, the torque converter in the autobox of a BMW is virtually indestructible so will save on a costs. Only trouble with it is the slight delay in getting the gear change you desire.

[WilliBetz]

vonhosen said:

They have to be competent in both, they have manuals & autos on the fleet.

R_U_LOCAL said:

I imagine the maintainence costs will be lower on the autos too - manual Police cars tend to go through a lot of clutches, particularly in urban forces.

[R_U_LOCAL]

WilliBetz said:

vonhosen said:

They have to be competent in both, they have manuals & autos on the fleet.

R_U_LOCAL said:

I imagine the maintainence costs will be lower on the autos too - manual Police cars tend to go through a lot of clutches, particularly in urban forces.

Competency (or lack of) isn't the main factor affecting clutch wear in Police cars. These vehicles are on the road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, racking up sometimes as much as 70,000 miles per year (motorway unit cars can do upwards of 120,000 miles per year). Combine that with loads of stop-start driving in urban areas, the extra stress that is created through response and pursuit driving, and, yes, the cack-handedness of some Police drivers, and you've a recipe for numerous clutch changes.

[WilliBetz]

Fair points, well made.

[Hooli]

R_U_LOCAL said:

WilliBetz said:

vonhosen said:

They have to be competent in both, they have manuals & autos on the fleet.

R_U_LOCAL said:

I imagine the maintainence costs will be lower on the autos too - manual Police cars tend to go through a lot of clutches, particularly in urban forces.

Competency (or lack of) isn't the main factor affecting clutch wear in Police cars. These vehicles are on the road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, racking up sometimes as much as 70,000 miles per year (motorway unit cars can do upwards of 120,000 miles per year). Combine that with loads of stop-start driving in urban areas, the extra stress that is created through response and pursuit driving, and, yes, the cack-handedness of some Police drivers, and you've a recipe for numerous clutch changes.

i'd assume the amount of 'crap' they have in the boot doesnt help either.

[iLiekCarz]

Why not just have all police cars as automatics?

[vonhosen]

iLiekCarz said:

Why not just have all police cars as automatics?

Why not have all cars as automatics ?

[TripleS]

vonhosen said:

iLiekCarz said:

Why not just have all police cars as automatics?

Why not have all cars as automatics ?

Some people might still prefer a bit of old fashioned 'proper' driving, although automatics can certainly be much easier and more pleasant in long periods of slow moving or stop/start traffic. I'm aware that automatics have developed a great deal in the 20 years since I last owned one, but even in 'manual' mode I don't see how they can really give the same satisfaction as using a normal clutch and gearbox.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[time2react]

Read my threat "Are they trying to make us lazy".
There is only one reason why the Police vehicle user groups are choosing BMW 5 series. Saving money !!!!!
I'd Stay with the Volvo S60/v70 any day.

[Sheriff JWPepper]

I guess it's one less thing to have to think about for the driver when they are on route to a job. Amoungst other things they already have to be thinking about the job they're going to, assimilating & clarifing info passed over the radio and dealing with people who lose their heads when they see a flashing blue light or not as the case may be.

Police response driving is about making controlled & safe progress though traffic rather than ultimate point to point times so I guess the advantage of a manual isn't that important.

ETA: Autos also free up a hand for the inevitable doughnuts.

Edited by Sheriff JWPepper on Wednesday 22 August 12:03