Can you learn to Drive with a Racing Wheel (in a video game)?

Rezident

Rezident

Rezident

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I need to learn to drive (as in a real car) and I was wondering if using a wheel in a game (e.g. DIRT 2) would help? I don't have an actual car yet so I was hoping to learn to drive on my PC, if possible?

Also, can anyone recommend any particular wheels, I've been gaming for years but never used a wheel (and 'driving' with a keyboard in games is tricky e.g. GRID).

Many thanks.

Rez.
 
To an extent no

their are many factors in Real life driving that games cannot compensate for and i dont think you will be thrashing a subrau impreza on your driving test

Forza 3 / Gran Turismo 5 series maybe worth a look

Ask parents to get insured for a leaner driver get some L plates and do it for real
 
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Only thing I can see it helping with slightly is getting used to gear changing, if you have a wheel with the full monty (gear knob / clutch)

But other than that..it's a lot different driving for real.
 
If you have the fullsetup with gear shift and pedals it might help you get used to chaning gears, but it is far better to buy some lessons and get out and drive on the road
 
It might help with knowledge of what the controls do and are used for but other than that no. Though playing racing games did teach me to throw in opposite lock when I ended up in a drift on loose gravel some years ago :)
 
nah, you will learn the wrong stuff. Best to get a family member and insure yourself on a car and learn in a empty car park. Get the basic right like control of the car, gear change , biting point and parking etc

Instructers are good for road awarness and high way code etc, you want to be a part of the car before hitting the road as you will not have the time and concentration to deal with road awareness and look down at the gear lever to change gear.
 
No help at all really.

Perhaps the closest thing to real driving of ordinary cars, on ordinary type roads, that I've played on a PC would be Test Drive Unlimited. I've only played it with a pad though so can't say how it is with a wheel. But it is semi realistic to some extent.
 
Not a chance, a good simulator will help you racing lines etc. But nothing, I mean nothing can prepare you for the feel of actually controlling the machine.

20 quid on a lesson to know is cheaper than 30 quid on a racing game. Go!
 
Rezident said:
I need to learn to drive (as in a real car) and I was wondering if using a wheel in a game (e.g. DIRT 2) would help?
Click to expand...

Sorry, in what way exactly do you think DIRT 2 resembles road driving? No, it wouldn't help. The similarity ends at "wheel". I'm sure there are some programs out there somewhere which are passable driving simulators, but frankly, nothing is going to teach you how to drive except driving lessons.

In a car.

A real car.
 
So that's an emphatic 'no'. Ah that's a shame, I don't really need a car, I just thought it might be time to learn, I can always put it off. I just though the wheel might have a bit of realism, thanks anyway.
 
Helped me, first time i stepped into a car after a few years of sim racing i took to real cars like a duck to water, didn't even need someone to teach me(on private land of course)
 
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