Are my driving instructions correct?

robj20 said:
What a load of rubbish. 100% if you're stationery you should put it in neutral, handbrake on, let Stop/Start do it's thing.
It's specifically against the law technically, Rule 124, "you MUST not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road"
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So you're saying that everyone without stop/start sitting at the lights with their engine still running is breaking the law?
I don't think that's what that rule means...
 
Surely when stationary you put the hand brake on and pop in neutral?

What if you're in traffic an hour?
 
robj20 said:
What a load of rubbish. 100% if you're stationery you should put it in neutral, handbrake on, let Stop/Start do it's thing.
It's specifically against the law technically, Rule 124, "you MUST not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road"
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As already explained in an earlier post, this is specifically while stopped at traffic lights (as per the OP) or a similar situation where you will be moving off within about 30 seconds.
This is NOT used for every situation where you've actually stopped for any notable length of time, ie parking.
 
tom_e said:
So you're saying that everyone without stop/start sitting at the lights with their engine still running is breaking the law?
I don't think that's what that rule means...
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I'm not saying anything merely stating a fact. You're an adult I presume, interpret how you like.

For instance one of my cars says to engage Stop/Start if your going to be stationary for 3 seconds or more. The other car you can use Stop/Start at all times even for a second. Why would I waste fuel sat not moving.
 
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Spannerhead said:
On point 3, I always told not to keep first gear on and clutch engaged when stationary for too long, as supposedly it wears the clutch out

If the instuctor is telling her to keep it in gear at lights when not moving , she will get in the habit of doing this for long periods of time. Replacing a worn out clutch is damn expensive. Sadly I found out with my first car.
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The main problem with this is if you get rear-ended, your foot WILL come off the clutch and you'll be out of control.
 
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robj20 said:
What a load of rubbish. 100% if you're stationery you should put it in neutral, handbrake on, let Stop/Start do it's thing.
It's specifically against the law technically, Rule 124, "you MUST not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road"
Click to expand...

"However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic".

Not sure if you are referring to an older version of the highway code or purposefully missed off that bit.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
I doubt it has anything to do with the UK Highway Code wording - these cars are sold around the world and I'd imagine the same text appears in the user guide for all market versions. It's just the word they've picked to describe the functionality in an easy to understand way, that it doesn't contradict the UK highway code is a co-incidence.

Other manufacturers use the word Coasting for the same functionality - my user manual and also the cars menu system where I can enable or disable the feature, uses the word 'Coasting' and not 'Sailing' to describe the same functionality in my car.
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Fair but minor point.
 
adam cool dude said:
If you are changing gear fine then your clutch will not wear out. You can even change gear without using the clutch did you know that? ;)

What wears out the clutch is hard launches and riding it not using the gears to slow down the car.

Using brakes to slow down a car is nothing but wasted energy in heat. Using your gears and coasting to slow the car down increases MPG.
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If you use a coasting technique in a driving test then I am certain you will fail
 
Op, you’re forgetting that the driving instructor’s job is get her to pass her test. His instructions will involve doing the simplest, easiest things he can teach her in order pass her test. If these things come at the expense of extra motor maintenance, that‘s not his consideration.

i don‘t like sitting at junctions with the clutch in and with the foot brake on. I think it’s dangerous and inconsiderate to drivers behind me, but again, if the DVLA allow people to do that on their test, that‘s not the instructor’s problem.
 
lunar said:
If you use a coasting technique in a driving test then I am certain you will fail
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I took my test 25years+ ago, back then, it was fine to slow the car using gears, but not okay to coast with the clutch in.

tbh, there’s no reason to coast with the clutch in anyway, clutch in uses fuel (engine is idling) clutch out uses none as momentum turns the engine.
 
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