A question about reversing..

dazftw

So the last few days I've been reversing into easy car park spaces to start getting a feel for them.

The thing is I usually just use the clutch for this if its on level ground, if not ill use the accelerator to get it going but ill keep my foot on the clutch also which I presume is coasting and something I shouldn't make a habit of?

I was with my mam tonight in the car and I reversed back but picked up a bit of speed. She thought I was trying to be cool and reverse in real quick :rolleyes: So she gives out saying slow down. I tell her that's the clutch and ask her is it the same as pulling off with the clutch and accelerator but going backwards? She says yes. I attempt this twice pick up a bit too much speed both times and when I take my foot of the clutch! She conks!

What am I doing wrong? I end up getting really annoyed and just have to get out of the car.. :mad:

Other than that driving is pretty unreal

stellarartois

Keep your foot on the clutch if you need to go slowly, you'll only end up crashing if you try to do it without the clutch, it won't cause any excessive wear on the engine and you'll have no problem in the test doing it like this, on a hill you will need the accelerator though!

DriveSkill

It is perfectly acceptable to control the speed when reversing by balancing the clutch and accelerator - you dont have to come fully off the clutch in this situation.

This is not coasting and you will not be faulted for this during the driving test. The only times when doing this with the clutch is acceptable is in reverse gear or first gear where you need to creep forward very slowly. At all other times - moving off and during normal gear changes etc - you should release the clutch fully and smoothly.

dazftw

That's great so! Big annoyance off my shoulders now! Thanks lads.

I'm guessing why I sped up was because I brought my foot off the clutch too much?

stellarartois

Thats right! the cars idle was enough to bring you up to that speed.