Temporary driving ban

JRS · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:39

Well, not quite 'banned'.....but I might as well have been.

Had the knee in my clutch leg put back together yesterday, and have been told to take a few days off driving. I, of course, plan to take this advice in the manner that I always take advice off doctors.....or at least I was planning to do that right up to the moment I realised just how painful operating the Fiat's clutch is when your cartilage is held togther with some kind of glue.

Olds is off the road right now awaiting some TLC on the driver's door, so my only auto option is out. I can drive the Seicento clutchless for the most part, but obviously need it for pulling away or reversing.

And speaking of the Seicento - after ~six years, the factory exhaust finally blew. Bother. And she's developed a fluid leak somewhere - it isn't engine oil or coolant, but it is definitely coming out of the car. So I now have to spend the recovery period from my op performing surgery on the Fiat.

On the plus side - none of the car's problems are my fault as mum had it when the problems started, so I'm off the hook regarding buying parts

Zip · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:42

Clutchless gear changing for the win

Confused · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:48

Use right foot on clutch to pull away, providing the engine has enough power at biting point without needing throttle.

When slowing down, brake, and drop it into neutral, then repeat above for pulling away again. Alternatively try to plan your acceleration/braking so that you won't need to pull away from a stop, apart from at the very beginning of your journey

FakeSnake · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:53

I am having an Op on my left knee next Thursday, and have been told I am not allowed to drive for 7days by the docs and the insurance company, EVEN though I drive an Auto! At the moment, I am a bit upset at that, as I may not be able to drive the Cobra for a few more weeks, ad the clutch is exceptionally heavy

which will coincide with the RR meet.

Ahh well, will have to RR the Jeep.

JRS · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:55

ConfusedTA said:
Use right foot on clutch to pull away, providing the engine has enough power at biting point without needing throttle.

When slowing down, brake, and drop it into neutral, then repeat above for pulling away again. Alternatively try to plan your acceleration/braking so that you won't need to pull away from a stop, apart from at the very beginning of your journey

Just to point something out here - we're talking about a Seicento. A) there's no room around the pedal area for me to get my right foot over to the clutch and retain any kind of control on it and B) you need a pretty high level of control over the clutch to pull it away in 1st with no throttle due to it having 0* horsepower. Frankly, it's much easier to drive it mostly clutchless and put up with the searing pain when I'm forced to push the clutch pedal.

***edit***

That kinda sucks FakeSnake

* 39. But my point still stands.

Confused · 16 Jun 2006 at 13:58

JRS said:
Just to point something out here - we're talking about a Seicento.

* 39. But my point still stands.

Ahh, good point, I forgot you had a Seicento...

MNuTz · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:14

Use a wooden broom handle to push down on the clutch with

j/k

big_white_dog84 · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:26

[n000b]
How do you drive without using the clutch? How can you change gear?
[/n000b]

Zip · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:39

big_white_dog84 said:
[n000b]
How do you drive without using the clutch? How can you change gear?
[/n000b]

If you get the right revs the gears should just slot into place. Ive only managed it with 2nd 3rd and 4th and mostly changing up. I dont want to try too hard though because it can rape the gear box

One More Solo · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:42

Experience has taught me knees shouldn't be messed with, leave it to heal properly.

House · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:47

One More Solo said:
Experience has taught me knees shouldn't be messed with, leave it to heal properly.

Agreed

the second time i smashed my knee i was laid up for 4 months off work suffered some heavy physio from a Aussie girl who liked trying to make me cry like a 3 year old and lived on tescos deliverys and pizzas.

Hang on a min ..................

FakeSnake · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:54

One More Solo said:
Experience has taught me knees shouldn't be messed with, leave it to heal properly.

Dont talk daft

Experience has taught me, after 4 operations thus far, do not get hit by a volvo head on when on a motorbike. A sprain will probably heal with time.

Some things nature cannot take care of, I am currently looking at an op every 2 or so years for ever and ever. Unless I can justify the 20k for a replacement knee assembly.

Zip · 16 Jun 2006 at 14:56

FakeSnake said:
Dont talk daft
Experience has taught me, after 4 operations thus far, do not get hit by a volvo head on when on a motorbike. A sprain will probably heal with time.

Did you nacker your self on the fuel tank?

FakeSnake · 16 Jun 2006 at 15:04

Zip said:
Did you nacker your self on the fuel tank?

nope

knee hit the left handle, then followed through to the A pillar of the volvo

Zip · 16 Jun 2006 at 15:06

FakeSnake said:
nope
knee hit the left handle, then followed through to the A pillar of the volvo

Sorry to hear about that mate

You didnt even nacker your self to ad a small bit of humour for when looking back

Oracle · 16 Jun 2006 at 15:28

TBH, I just wouldnt even bother. If you did any of the above and were involved in an accident, you wouldnt be insured, and probably in more pain than you are now!

i had to wait three weeks after my knee op. GT3 on the PS2 saw me through!

Demon · 16 Jun 2006 at 15:37

Having just had a back op 3 weeks ago, I feel fit enough to drive, I'm in a much better condition then before the OP, but I was told until I am signed off by the consultant, I leave myself open to liability in the event of an accident, i.e. they may try and claim I was not fit enough to drive..

I've heard this a few times from physio's over the years, and finally my consultant reiterated it when I was discharged.. I'm not going to risk it personally.. I think it would be down to me proving I was fit before the accident, but if it screws my back up, I'm not going to be able to do that easily..

I'd say there is some common sense in that.. and driving while not being able to control the car 'properly' doesn't sound ideal..

D4VE · 16 Jun 2006 at 15:39

Automatic time maybe

JRS · 16 Jun 2006 at 19:16

D4VE said:
Automatic time maybe

I'd love nothing more than to have my auto car back working, just not on the cards right now with British weather having finally trumped American over-engineering after 22 years.

Had a quick drive into the village an hour ago, using the clutch only for going into 1st and for pulling away. It felt pretty much okay, but I'm going to leave it for a couple of days before doing anything more than that.

Regarding the insurance situation - I have it in writing that they don't actually care, and am coverered even if I'd just had my leg amputated :eek:

That worries me slightly, but at least leaves me clear to drive legally.

Zip · 16 Jun 2006 at 19:20

JRS said:
I'd love nothing more than to have my auto car back working, just not on the cards right now with British weather having finally trumped American over-engineering after 22 years.

Had a quick drive into the village an hour ago, using the clutch only for going into 1st and for pulling away. It felt pretty much okay, but I'm going to leave it for a couple of days before doing anything more than that.

Regarding the insurance situation - I have it in writing that they don't actually care, and am coverered even if I'd just had my leg amputated That worries me slightly, but at least leaves me clear to drive legally.

My friends mum only has one leg and is still allowed to drive around