[Wishbone Ash]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Also - let the gears slow you down, as you release the clutch after changing down a gear, by releasing the clutch slowly you will feel the car pull back slightly. Now when I'm on long stretches of road with no one around, or coming to a red light with no one behind me I practice slowing to almost a complete stop without using the brake, simply by using 4 - release, 3 release, then finally, 2 release, brake, clutch, brake. (Or more specifically slight brake, clutch -just as car feels it might begin to shudder, brake

Why on earth do you slow down without using the brake? That's what it's for! Gears to go - brakes to slow!

Brakes pads are a lot cheaper than a new clutch.

Try slowing down an articulated vehicle using the engine and you'll find yourself in hospital or laid out.

[spaceylou]

Wishbone - your not my instructor by any chance are you haha - her mantra is pretty much "brakes to slow - gears to go" was nearly saying it in my sleep after the first few lessons!!!

I'm still learning to drive (applying for test in next week or two) so I'm no expert but after reading the thread - why would anyone keep the clutch in going around a corner?? When the clutch is in, the car isn't in any gear and you have feck all control.....and the same when you are going down the gears if you keep the clutch in while you are moving the gear stick and not letting the clutch out then none of the gears are actually connecting (probably is a more technical term) so why bother wasting your time moving the gear stick around for no reason just go to the gear you are aiming for!

[Overature]

the most likely reason that they will fail you is
1: not making progress (driving slowely)
2: road position (be on the left hand side of the left lane)

theres more but i cant remember at the moment

[daveharnett]

Originally Posted by spaceylou

why would anyone keep the clutch in going around a corner??

Many learners tend to change down too soon when decelerating, causing a little jerk when they release the clutch, as the engine matches it's revs to the wheels.
So, if they approach a corner too fast, they will keep the clutch (and possibly brake) down through the corner, rather than have the car jerk as they enter it.

The solution is to slow down sooner, choose an appropriate gear before starting the turn, and accelerate (gently) into the corner. This makes things smoother and safer.

[spaceylou]

so essentially what you are saying is that it is a bad habit that learners get into?? In which case I am glad it is not an issue I have - not to say i don't have other bad habits or difficulties with this driving lark!!

[meremortal]

Originally Posted by Wishbone Ash

Why on earth do you slow down without using the brake? That's what it's for! Gears to go - brakes to slow!

Brakes pads are a lot cheaper than a new clutch.

Try slowing down an articulated vehicle using the engine and you'll find yourself in hospital or laid out.

Wishbone Ash - I do not do it all the time, think you misunderstood me, its just when I'm practicing gearing down - obviously I use the brake the rest of the time! This thread is about coasting - I am just offering some advice on how to avoid it - in my thread I also highlighted what spaceylou said about gears not connecting - alot of learners drive in 5th, brake slowly and coast right along, gearing down, til they stop in 2nd.

[Alanstrainor]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Wishbone Ash - I do not do it all the time, think you misunderstood me, its just when I'm practicing gearing down - obviously I use the brake the rest of the time! This thread is about coasting - I am just offering some advice on how to avoid it - in my thread I also highlighted what spaceylou said about gears not connecting - alot of learners drive in 5th, brake slowly and coast right along, gearing down, til they stop in 2nd.

There is nothing wrong with say, stopping in fourth gear when coming to a complete stop, as already mentioned, gears to go, brakes to slow. Obviously There are situations where gearing down is needed, such as slowing before a corner, approaching slow, but moving traffic etc etc. But there's nothing wrong with stopping in a high gear when coming to a complete stop. Modern cars don't need the engine braking effect to assist them, as older cars did.