Silly question regarding gears!!

LadyMayBelle · 27-10-2009 9:56pm #1

Okay this might sound daft but I'm not sure about it.. sometimes I feel like my car is going to conk when I'm going slow in 2nd gear...is it ever okay to change to first when moving? My instructor says no, but sometimes the car is going so slow I'll change, but again he says never while the car is moving...

Anyone enlighten me?

rcdk1 · 27-10-2009 10:06pm

Don't know about it never being ok to change down into first while moving but certainly it shouldn't be necessary. Most cars are perfectly capable of moving off from a standing start in 2nd gear.

If you do feel the engine is going to cut out, press the clutch. If you're accelerating when you release the clutch again, the car will drive off.

LadyMayBelle · 27-10-2009 10:10pm

when I go from slow-take off in second gear the car chugs...even tho my foot is on the clutch...hmm maybe need to master the technique!!

jimmyw · 27-10-2009 10:22pm

It depends on the ratio of each gear and car whether it stalls or not. You should't use first when the car is moving, its only for moving off from a complete standstill.The car chugs because its a slightly higher gear. Think of a bicycle gear arrangment, if you started off in a higher gear there would be a little more effort needed from a standstill.

Wishbone Ash · 27-10-2009 11:24pm

jimmyw wrote: »

You should't use first when the car is moving, its only for moving off from a complete standstill

I would have been of that view for many years until I got my present car (an E60 520 6 speed manual). It will not move along in 2nd without stalling.

Alanstrainor · 27-10-2009 11:47pm

That's the thing it does very much depend on the car. When i was driving a Saab 9-3 2.0t i found that it was happy to stay in first at low speed and 2nd gear just didn't cut it. But for most low power cars 2nd gear should be more than enough. There is no "one rule fits all" though, so i wouldn't be afraid to pop the car into first if you think you need to.

Permabear · 28-10-2009 12:14am

This post has been deleted.

BostonB · 28-10-2009 12:25am

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Okay this might sound daft but I'm not sure about it.. sometimes I feel like my car is going to conk when I'm going slow in 2nd gear...is it ever okay to change to first when moving? My instructor says no, but sometimes the car is going so slow I'll change, but again he says never while the car is moving...

Anyone enlighten me?

It depends on the situation. While it would be uncommon to need to do it, there no reason you can't do it in the right situation.

LadyMayBelle · 28-10-2009 8:05am

Would I fail a test because of it? I guess that is the question..

NothingMan · 28-10-2009 8:28am

I think the general consensus is you take off in first gear and immediately move to second gear.

I drive a 206 and you would have to be going very slow to not be able to move along nicely in at least second gear. If you do find yourself in heavy slow moving traffic then one of 2 situations should be possible.

Either it's slow but constantly moving, then you should be able to go along in second gear.

Or it's stop start, so you are moving only a few metres at a time, in which case you use first to take off, but it's already time to put the clutch back in to stop, so you don't need to get to second, although you may be doing this stop start thing repeatedly, you're not actually driving in first.

I don't think you should ever be driving in first, just that initial roll off and into second, or that initial roll off and clutch in and stop, repeat.

leahyl · 28-10-2009 9:18am

jimmyw wrote: »

You should't use first when the car is moving, its only for moving off from a complete standstill.

Isn't there an exception here though? I've experienced this recently when i am going up a hill and i start off in first gear and then a quick change to second but there is an obstruction ahead or traffic is going slow on the hill and so i slow down but too much so that i'm nearly cutting out in second so my dad says to change down to first? So in this instance you are changing to first while in motion if you know what i mean.....i don't know sure i'm only a learner!! Please enlighten me!

NothingMan · 28-10-2009 9:22am

Yes in this situation I would say you would need to get the revs up in first before going to second. So basically do what you normally do but don't move to second immediately. Get the revs up a lot higher then move to second.

brian076 · 28-10-2009 9:28am

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Would I fail a test because of it? I guess that is the question..

Your instructor is wrong, it's perfectly ok for you to change into 1st while moving, and you will not fail your test for doing so.

One scenario where this would used is when approaching a T junction which has poor visibilty but has a Yield sign. You may not necessarily have to stop, but you don't want to go out in 2nd gear as you'll be going too fast to take proper observation.

In such a case, as you approach the junction, change into 1st but make sure your doing less than 10kmh, release the clutch slowly to the drive point, then peep & creep and continue on if the main road is clear.

There are other times where you may change from a higher gear into 1st while moving, these would include when in slow moving traffic, you may be able to keep the car in 2nd without it chugging, but if the traffic slows down more you may have to go back into 1st, and this can be done while still moving.

Jock Strap · 28-10-2009 12:05pm

brian076 wrote: »

One scenario where this would used is when approaching a T junction which has poor visibilty but has a Yield sign. You may not necessarily have to stop, but you don't want to go out in 2nd gear as you'll be going too fast to take proper observationg.

In that scenario, you should just stop to be honest. T junctions can be lethal.

BostonB · 28-10-2009 12:29pm

If you were on a hill or had a full car, or had a trailer, you might indeed need 1st to creep.

In the test I'd stop at a yield. You need to make a song and dance about things like that in the test. Make it really really obvious. Without taking ages, otherwise you'll be caught for progress.

brian076 · 28-10-2009 3:29pm

Jock Strap wrote: »

In that scenario, you should just stop to be honest. T junctions can be lethal.

There is no need to come to a complete stop if you can safely emerge from a junction while peeping & creeping. Agreed there are plenty of junctions without Stop Signs where you definitely have to stop, but there are others which can be safely negotiated at very slow speeds.

BostonB wrote: »

In the test I'd stop at a yield. You need to make a song and dance about things like that in the test. Make it really really obvious. Without taking ages, otherwise you'll be caught for progress.

You could be marked for lack of progress if you stop at a yield whether you take ages or not. If the tester deems that there was no reason to stop you run the risk of being marked.

redhugh · 28-10-2009 5:23pm

Get a Chauffeur and let them worry about things like that

Alanstrainor · 28-10-2009 5:45pm

redhugh wrote: »

Get a Chauffeur and let them worry about things like that

This isn't after hours, so i'd appreciate it if you would keep unhelpful comments like that to yourself.

LadyMayBelle · 28-10-2009 7:15pm

Thanks everyone..I tried while driving home this eve to keep the car (1.25l zetec Fiesta btw) in second whilst creeping in traffic..was fine, but going up the hill where there is traffic, the car felt ready to conk in 2nd so had to drop cos it would chug..

My cousin has a habit of dropping from 2nd to first when she approaches a roundabout, say when she is first in line and has to roll slowly (peeeping and creeping I guess). She drops when she is literally feet away from entering (unless she saw an all clear) and I picked up her habit I think..

DrivingInfo · 28-10-2009 9:50pm

Hi Penny

For your own sake, use the gear which suits the situation.

YOU WILL NOT fail your test if you use the gear needed. If your car is going to "chug" change down or "clutch in the case of needing to stop"

DO NOT LET YOUR CAR CHUG,

As Brian pointed out your Instructor is wrong.

Your instructor is wrong, it's perfectly ok for you to change into 1st while moving, and you will not fail your test for doing so.

Advice for you:
When you change down to first gear "lift clutch gradually" so that it will engage nicely.
Coasting no longer applies, when in first it is clutch control, up and down with your clutch to control the required movement of your car.

I hope this helps
Regards

BostonB · 28-10-2009 11:43pm

brian076 wrote: »

There is no need to come to a complete stop if you can safely emerge from a junction while peeping & creeping. Agreed there are plenty of junctions without Stop Signs where you definitely have to stop, but there are others which can be safely negotiated at very slow speeds.

You could be marked for lack of progress if you stop at a yield whether you take ages or not. If the tester deems that there was no reason to stop you run the risk of being marked.

I see what you mean. But I think you have to be more obvious about it myself.

Lack of progress is one of those gray areas in the test IMO.

jamielanagh · 29-10-2009 12:11am

brian076 wrote: »

Your instructor is wrong, it's perfectly ok for you to change into 1st while moving, and you will not fail your test for doing so.

One scenario where this would used is when approaching a T junction which has poor visibilty but has a Yield sign. You may not necessarily have to stop, but you don't want to go out in 2nd gear as you'll be going too fast to take proper observation.

In such a case, as you approach the junction, change into 1st but make sure your doing less than 10kmh, release the clutch slowly to the drive point, then peep & creep and continue on if the main road is clear.

There are other times where you may change from a higher gear into 1st while moving, these would include when in slow moving traffic, you may be able to keep the car in 2nd without it chugging, but if the traffic slows down more you may have to go back into 1st, and this can be done while still moving.

Hi there, i agree with quote as above in relation to the instances in which you would almost "have" to use 1st gear. But to say you wont fail on it is incorrect. I failed my test in july for doing this and i was advised it was classed as "coasting". I suppose it depends on how well you can master it in order to do it without coasting! I would strongly advise a second opinion.... book another lesson with someone else. The RSA has a list of the highest rated instructors (i.e. % who pass from their lessons) Also feel free to ring the RSA and get advice on the matter - right from the horses mouth! Its better than having to redo the test.... but worst case senario and you fail the testers will go through what you failed on - don't be afraid to ask more specific questions. Your paying for it

Good Luck, and don't be nervous...ps look in your mirrors

BostonB · 29-10-2009 12:26am

If you are in first, and you foot is off the clutch, you are not coasting. You can't coast AND be in gear.

That said I have no faith in the test, or the examiners. Seems to be pot luck if people pass or not.

jamielanagh · 29-10-2009 1:52am

BostonB wrote: »

If you are in first, and you foot is off the clutch, you are not coasting. You can't coast AND be in gear.

That said I have no faith in the test, or the examiners. Seems to be pot luck if people pass or not.

Totally agree, made no sense... but who am i to agrue with an examiner eh... just makes things worse!
Anyways, got it second time round.... hopefully more to do with me being a good driver rather than pot luck, but who knows

dearg lady · 02-11-2009 1:19pm

jamielanagh wrote: »

The RSA has a list of the highest rated instructors (i.e. % who pass from their lessons)

do they really have this??? whats the link?

DrivingInfo · 02-11-2009 2:14pm

jamielanagh wrote: »

I failed my test in july for doing this and i was advised it was classed as "coasting".

Who advised it was coasting?

kazul · 02-11-2009 9:31pm

Maybe there's a problem with your car. If it's not maintining high enough revs you will chug. I can think of very few situations where you'd have to drop down to first on that particular car.
OR you're a little bit cautious on your throttle control and speed. Maybe you just need more practice.

kazul · 02-11-2009 9:33pm

BostonB wrote: »

That said I have no faith in the test, or the examiners. Seems to be pot luck if people pass or not.

That's an unsubstantiated sweeping statement and smacks of bitterness

confuseddotcom · 18-04-2010 8:53pm

I have to say I would be in high agreement here with BostonB. You endlessly hear different varied reasons of how and as a result why etc. that people pass their Tests i.m.o. Personally,I thought myself I did much better on tha Test that I was failed than Test I passed. I couldn't believe I had passed I was full sure it was gonna be another fail I did so crap in it, and I thought I did almost perfectly on tha 1 I had failed!

kazul wrote: »

That's an unsubstantiated sweeping statement and smacks of bitterness

BostonB wrote: »

If you are in first, and you foot is off the clutch, you are not coasting. You can't coast AND be in gear.

That said I have no faith in the test, or the examiners. Seems to be pot luck if people pass or not.

BostonB · 18-04-2010 9:22pm

Man this is an old thread. How did you find it!

I passed first time, but made a load of mistakes. Whereas many of the people I know to be much better drivers didn't pass. But usually for very weak reasons. That was many, many years ago, maybe its more black and white now.

Silly question regarding gears!!

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