Current driving practices

nanospider

nanospider

nanospider

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Joined
23 Sep 2009
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324
I have a friend who is wanting to learn to drive and i have (been) offered to help out :rolleyes:

One thing i have noticed is that over the years certain things have changed and while i don't think a lot of it would have a negative affect on a driving test it'd be interesting to know what weird stuff the kids these days are being taught.

For example gear changing;
My dad was taught to shift sequentially in ~1972 (my usual preference tbh)
I was taught block downshifting in 2000
Some of my friends were taught to have both hands on the wheel as much as possible and avoid shifting in 2001/2 (which sounds retarded)
and in 2010???
 
They still teach block down shifting and to keep both hands on wheels as much as possible, but I have never heard of avoiding shifting, that just doesn't make sense. Avoiding shifting is just silly.

AFAIK there's no minor/major/fail for down shifting sequentially, however I think they prefer block shifting.

I'd recommend teaching your friend the basics - clutch control, taking roundabouts/corners properly etc., then leave it up to a driving instructor to teach him how to pass.
 
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to be honest that sounds like instructors making stuff up as they go along.

I certainly was tought in 2000 to change gear whenever necessary ( i actually got a minor for not taking 5th on a dual carraigeway) and to shift sequentially

But afaik you've never needed to downshift sequentially, block downshifting is what i was tought as well. Its pointless going from 3rd, to 2nd to 1st when you can just put your foot on the clutch. Come to a stop, and select 1st and come off the clutch as you pull off.
 
I rarely block shift because I actually enjoy shifting and being in the right gear for the right speed.

Mechanical sympathy to syncros aside there is nothing at all wrong with block shifting. Even then, I doubt the wear on syncros by block shifting will not be noticeable in the lifespan of a gearbox.
 
MrLOL said:
to be honest that sounds like instructors making stuff up as they go along.

I certainly was tought in 2000 to change gear whenever necessary ( i actually got a minor for not taking 5th on a dual carraigeway) and to shift sequentially

But afaik you've never needed to downshift sequentially, block downshifting is what i was tought as well. Its pointless going from 3rd, to 2nd to 1st when you can just put your foot on the clutch. Come to a stop, and select 1st and come off the clutch as you pull off.
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With stuff like shifting I think instructors just try to show you their personal preference/what they think is right.

Another example is: I was told pulling the handbrake up without using the button (i.e. so it makes the clicking noise) will wear it out quicker, however when I was learning other people were told it doesn't matter if you don't hold the button in.

All the stuff that's not going to make a difference when passing your test will vary across different instructors.
 
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'm currently learning to drive and was taught to block shift however nothing is said if I shift sequentially, I feel the latter is better actually as it will still leave you in the correct gear to move quickly if your presented with a hazard.

As far as avoiding shifting I'm told shift when required such as increasing speed and gear at 10mph intervals, IIRC its actually a serious fault for avoiding shifting as its incorrectly using gears
 
Sin_Chase said:
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.

!
Click to expand...

Surely the point of the button is just for releasing it, what purpose does pressing it when putting the handbrake on serve?
 
Learning at the moment as well and I was taught block shifting, again though I don't think it really matters... However with regards to not shifting, apparently the practical is soon going to include an economical part to the test, ie right gear right speed and revs.

I'd second the second poster too, teach your friend to drive, let the instructor teach them how to pass their test...
 
agw_01 said:
Don't worry Sin_Chase. Ignore these haters. I'm with you on this :p
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Aye, me too but more from an annoying noise point of view :D

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.
 
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