Getting the hang of things now!....Ish

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Well another driving lesson down (and a few tasks completed in town…) and my confidence a bit hit and miss I think!

To start with today it was a great feeling to start from my house as I did see a few peering eyes both from my house and neighbours quite funny to say the least as I set off without a problem although the old trick of going into 4th instead of 2nd appeared its ugly head again :laughing: ! Although soon fixed and off we went into the country lanes around whitley and womersley!

Well we’re still alive that’s saying much although my instructor has found out I have a heavy right foot :laughing: going through all the gears today even managing to do a couple block changes too and all the while very smooth changes especially as going through the lesson although approaching junctions I do need to work on a little bit as the first junction coming to I went way too fast into it but I could probably put it down to not paying enough attention :blush:

I even had my first two encounters of a roundabout today with the roundabout in Whitley just after where the market is held on a Sunday! Didn’t do too bad and in fact I handled it pretty well :smiley: A little nervous though doing 60 on a country road but in Pauls words it gets better in time as you tend to be nervous the first few times you go pretty ‘fast’ but certainly was an experience :smiley:

But over all in the little book I have which records the driving lessons as time goes on for what I’ve done I’m proud to say that 4 sections of the book has all green marks against them meaning I’m competent enough doing them without help whatsoever. Although I’m not saying I’m the perfect driver (Far from it IMO!) I’m getting good at it and it seems to be getting better and better as time goes on so a smile on my face for this lesson knowing even though I have things to improve IE approaching junctions in better time, to not look at my mirrors longer than I have to.

I think I shall be booking my theory test next month and try get that out of the way as I’m more confident with the written part just need to do a little more work on the HPT :slight_smile:

Cheers

Jonny :sunglasses:

2

Excellent critique & analysis -You have scored yourself 10/10 -Go to next level. :smiley:

3

jonnytruckfest:
the old trick of going into 4th instead of 2nd appeared its ugly head again :laughing:

I’m sure your instructor is on top of this, but your problem could be down to how you are grasping the gear lever when trying to find second.

Neutral in almost every manual car gearbox is between third and fourth - be it a four, five or six speed box. For second, you need to push the lever to the left, then backwards. If you don’t get enough left bias on it before it starts going backwards, you’ll get fourth - assuming that the neutral springs have been allowed to act.

I was retaught gear grip when I was preparing for my RoADAR advanced test, which eliminated my occasional ‘wrong gear’ moments. There’s a good demonstration of what I’m about to describe on the Roadcraft DVD, though I wouldn’t recommend watching that at this stage, as the topics it discusses are way too advanced for a new learner.

Those that have seen the Roadcraft DVD will undoubtedly remember the stand-out suggested observation link. (For those that haven’t seen it - pile of fresh manure in the road potentially means you will encounter a horse ahead).

For first and second, you need to turn your palm away from you before you touch the gear lever, i.e. “thumbs down”, which provides the left bias. Put your hand on the knob at around four o’clock for first and two o’clock for second. This makes much more sense with a gear lever in front of you.

You don’t turn your palm for the other gears - they’re all “thumbs up”.

For third and fourth, put your hand on the gear lever with your middle finger at twelve o’clock and the palm resting on the knob. Let the neutral springs centre the lever, then push forward with the heel of your hand for third and pull back with your fingers for fourth. Don’t try to guide the lever to the centre - you’ll probably finish up in the wrong gear.

For fifth, put the centre of your palm on the side of the knob at around eight o’clock - it’s the inverse movement of second. For sixth, if the car has it, put the centre of your palm on the side of the knob at around ten o’clock.

The aim with all of these movements is to guide the lever to the correct slot in one fluid motion without forcing anything. You should never grasp the knob at all (let alone tightly) and force it into gear - doing so can wear the selector forks in the gearbox.

You shouldn’t need to consciously move the lever left and back for second - if you follow this technique, it guides the lever round the gate for you with a single application of pressure.

This comes with a big warning, however. Go with whatever your instructor tells you in preference to any advice you receive elsewhere. There’s nothing worse than mixing instruction from several people and, unlike your instructor, I’m not an Approved Driving Instructor.

4

Thanks for that mate :slight_smile: And any advice I get I take on board and try piece bits together without getting confused. My instructor says the positioning on the gear lever with my hand is fine its just one of them things where you think you’ve put it far enough left and down for second but find i’ve put it in fourth by mistake :blush: But he said it’s common in the first few lessons to make that error sometimes it’s just a case of trying not to make that same mistake too many times :slight_smile:

But to add onto that positioning of the car is a lot better than last time, as with this time when parking next to a kerb etc I found that every time was on the money each time :smiley: But hopefully if I keep progressing at the pace I am there should be no problem with passing my test. I suppose it’s one of them things you take on board the things been told the previous lesson and it sinks in and the next lesson everything seems to click into place.

Next lesson is Monday at half 11 next week so a little later than normal but shouldn’t be too bad :slight_smile:

Cheers

Jonny :sunglasses:

5

Sound advice from DJW there.

You won’t go wrong using those palm techniques.

It is also possible that you are trying to rush gear changes. Slow them down.

Also possibly try the gear changes while stationery with engine off or if engine turned on make sure you have your foot on the clutch.

It all takes time and you are bound to struggle or make errors. It’s important you learn from them to progress.

Best of luck Johnny.

6

Cant add anything more to the advice except well done , heres to the next lesson :wink:

jx