What is Mechanical Sympathy?
Discussion
It's something I feel like I understand innately and that it's something think I must possess to a degree, but trying to describe what it is throws up problems..
(Or is there another reason why Mrs Zee's car plays up whenever she drives it yet behaves perfectly when I drive it?)
Thoughts?
(Or is there another reason why Mrs Zee's car plays up whenever she drives it yet behaves perfectly when I drive it?)
Thoughts?
Is that when you use a rubber mallet for repairs instead of a metal one?
Good question, difficult to answer!
I think it comes down to an understanding of at least the basics of how the car works (at a minimum) which enables you to look out for/listen/detect anomolies in its operation as you drive.
As an example, if you can't even imagine how a clutch works to transmit drive from the engine through the gearbox, then how on earth are you going to decide that something is labouring/slipping.
Also, it comes down to an interest and motivation to look out for these things. Many petrolheads are interested in how their car is performing and will make a point of monitoring it whilst driving. Many others simply don't have this interest (and I clearly wouldn't dare to put Mrs. CarZee in this group
) and so concentrate on other things....
I believe the single most valuable step towards mechanical sympathy is to understand how the key elements of the vehicle work.
I think it comes down to an understanding of at least the basics of how the car works (at a minimum) which enables you to look out for/listen/detect anomolies in its operation as you drive.
As an example, if you can't even imagine how a clutch works to transmit drive from the engine through the gearbox, then how on earth are you going to decide that something is labouring/slipping.
Also, it comes down to an interest and motivation to look out for these things. Many petrolheads are interested in how their car is performing and will make a point of monitoring it whilst driving. Many others simply don't have this interest (and I clearly wouldn't dare to put Mrs. CarZee in this group
) and so concentrate on other things.... I believe the single most valuable step towards mechanical sympathy is to understand how the key elements of the vehicle work.
ah yes..
jeremyc said:I believe the single most valuable step towards mechanical sympathy is to understand how the key elements of the vehicle work
- this big round thing makes it go round corners..
- these shiny glass things are for checking hair & makeup
- this lever is for hanging your handbag on..
etc..
That's what I started to write, then remembered that Mrs. CarZee was implicated so toned it down a little.
CarZee said:- this big round thing makes it go round corners..
- these shiny glass things are for checking hair & makeup
- this lever is for hanging your handbag on..
Glad you said it though - rather you than me.
Maybe it's afraid that if it doesn't behave you'll harp on at it for three weeks using unnecessarily long words
(Or is there another reason why Mrs Zee's car plays up whenever she drives it yet behaves perfectly when I drive it?)
Thoughts?
Edited for the sake of it
>> Edited by moleamol on Thursday 6th February 10:10
I think having mechanical sympathy is one of those things that comes and goes.
I mean like youll go out for a run and the gearchanges all happen at the best possible time, you match the revs to that gearchange perfectly, the speed you carry round corners is just spot on and the car responds to you it rewards you with a smile.
You know that feeling?
Other times it dosnt feel right, botched clutch take ups and stalling off the lights(oops)........
Thats my definition of it, a state of mind.
I mean like youll go out for a run and the gearchanges all happen at the best possible time, you match the revs to that gearchange perfectly, the speed you carry round corners is just spot on and the car responds to you it rewards you with a smile.
You know that feeling?
Other times it dosnt feel right, botched clutch take ups and stalling off the lights(oops)........
Thats my definition of it, a state of mind.
You definitely have something there Deltaf.. for the most part I can drive quickly and smoothly but some days things just don't go as sweetly..
I guess the better and more practiced you are, the more of the time you can attain mechanical nirvana
Jeremy - no Mrs Zee isn't implicated.. she is interested in cars and stuff and is happy to learn better driving techniques, but she's just never really had the need or opportunity to learn before about the mechanical side of things, and she doesn't want to be learning about them on the hard shoulder when she should be at work either which is why I'm in the Golf today
We're now looking for a more urbane replacement for the Golf.
I guess the better and more practiced you are, the more of the time you can attain mechanical nirvana
Jeremy - no Mrs Zee isn't implicated.. she is interested in cars and stuff and is happy to learn better driving techniques, but she's just never really had the need or opportunity to learn before about the mechanical side of things, and she doesn't want to be learning about them on the hard shoulder when she should be at work either which is why I'm in the Golf today
We're now looking for a more urbane replacement for the Golf.
Mechanical sympathy, is feeling sorry for something after you've abused it. Promise you won't do it again, give it a cuddle and a nice drink of fully synth...... until the next time
But really
It's the difference between using full throttle on a cold car at 1500rpm because "I shouldn't over rev it when it's cold" and changing down and doing 2200rpm @1/4 throttle because "it just feels better"
But really
It's the difference between using full throttle on a cold car at 1500rpm because "I shouldn't over rev it when it's cold" and changing down and doing 2200rpm @1/4 throttle because "it just feels better"
Oh yes..
It's been nice to your car, not dropping the clutch at 6000rpm, trying to avoid placing undue stress and strain on the mechanical components by driving smoothly, making sure you are in the right gear (PH hat for instance) and planning ahead so you have to have no silly brake stamping. Also things like avoiding drive train shunt and stuff.
Of course this is made increasingly hard by the number of 'traffic calming' measures springing up all over the shop. All these do is turn a nice road into a series of stop start (or in some cases short sprints) sessions, causing a lot of extra wear on the car and also using more fuel and creating more noise. Brilliant idea that one thanks very much...Tossers
D.
Edited to modify somewhat vague spooling
>> Edited by davidd on Thursday 6th February 10:39
It's been nice to your car, not dropping the clutch at 6000rpm, trying to avoid placing undue stress and strain on the mechanical components by driving smoothly, making sure you are in the right gear (PH hat for instance) and planning ahead so you have to have no silly brake stamping. Also things like avoiding drive train shunt and stuff.
Of course this is made increasingly hard by the number of 'traffic calming' measures springing up all over the shop. All these do is turn a nice road into a series of stop start (or in some cases short sprints) sessions, causing a lot of extra wear on the car and also using more fuel and creating more noise. Brilliant idea that one thanks very much...Tossers
D.
Edited to modify somewhat vague spooling
>> Edited by davidd on Thursday 6th February 10:39
Ok time for me to defend myself - I do have to mention the last noise that no one would believe me about for a month, because it was only there after the car had been going for 50 odd miles. Oh yes the Green flag man did chuckle when is wasn't there after I waited for him for an hour
Turned out to be a dry joint on the driveshaft, Oh and by the way madam, did you not realise that all the bolts are so loose they are about to fall out
Yes I have been treating my car with the respect it deserves - probably more than it deserves since it digs me in the back and doesn't even keep me warm
Turned out to be a dry joint on the driveshaft, Oh and by the way madam, did you not realise that all the bolts are so loose they are about to fall out
Yes I have been treating my car with the respect it deserves - probably more than it deserves since it digs me in the back and doesn't even keep me warm
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff