Current driving practices

[Thomas. PLease.]

People who don't push the button in when pulling the handbrake.....I want to strangle them. You can hear it from outside the car.


KKKKKKKKKZZZZH.

!

I so don't get this. One of the more retarded things you can get a minor for. Its got a ratchet mechanism, why not use it. No adverse effects come form using it at all.

I think the car would long be completely shagged before the ratchet mechanism

 

[Lopéz]

I was taught to drive in 1996, and block shifting (or simply dipping the clutch as you approach traffic lights etc) was the practice at the time.
In practice, since passing my test I've never really done this, I tend to downshift sequentially.

I'm pretty sure the handbook for the Manta doesn't tell you to press the button when lifting the handbrake. I do tend to do it from habit though, I've always used the handbrake primarily for handbrake turns, where the last thing you want to do is pull it up without the button in.

 

[lordrobs]

People who don't push the button in when pulling the handbrake.....I want to strangle them. You can hear it from outside the car.


KKKKKKKKKZZZZH.

!

It actually tells you not to push the button in the manual of some cars. Something to do with not over stressing the handbrake cable IIRC.

As for "avoiding shifting" I've been told by some people that passed their test after me that they were told not to take third going around large roundabouts for example and instead to let the car rev up in second and shift to third after exiting. Not sure if that is what you mean?

 

[PhillyDee]

Always told to not press button in when applying handbrake. Its for safety reasons.

 

[Trifid]

I so don't get this. One of the more retarded things you can get a minor for. Its got a ratchet mechanism, why not use it. No adverse effects come form using it at all.

I think the car would long be completely shagged before the ratchet mechanism

I didn't bother pressing the button in my driving test (February 2009) and didn't receive a minor for it. The manual in the Vauxhall Corsa said not to press the button when engaging the handbrake.

Aye, me too but more from an annoying noise point of view

Also, in response to OP; I believe on tests now you can receive minor faults for driving un-economically... I'm pretty sure that's how it was on my sisters test. i.e. changing gears too late.

I received a 'comment' about not driving very economically but didn't get a minor for it. I wouldn't even say I was driving not very economically either, just making good progress when joining roads.

 

[Mr Jack]

I don't get block shifting vs. sequential shifting as a stylistic thing? Surely it depends on circumstances: if I can see the traffic lights/blockage/whatever ahead I'll slow down gently, sequentially shifting as I go, if I need to brake hard, I'll block shift to the appropriate gear when I'm done.