Instructor's Driving style

dango

Hi I was wondering is it normal for driving instructors to teach skipping down gears? e.g. Driving at 52kms/hr in 5th, then slowing to 25kms/hr then changing straight down into 2nd to take a turn.
And is it normal to be told to drive to a stop? e.g. Driving to the traffic lights at an appropriate speed/gear (for example 3rd) stopping at the lights and then putting it into 1st.

Is this part of a new system? I always thought driving involved changing all the way down gears. Will it be okay to do this in the test?

Permabear

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Leeg17

Is it somewhat proper of my instructer that I've only been taught to gear down one by one as I'm slowing? I've seen nearly everyone doing what the OP does but basically nobody doing what I've been told to do

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

**Timbuk2**

When I started driving, I started changing down gears when I stopped. I did this because I felt it was hard to get a large change, such as from 5th to 2nd, smooth but it was easy to get smooth changes going down through the gears.

My ADI told me to not do this, as there is no need, and you are only spending more time with your hand off the wheel than you need to be. I got into the habit of stopping in the gear I'm in, and I think it's a better way. It also uses less petrol as each time you push in the clutch the revs go up a bit. (the savings are probably minimal, but doing it all the time might add up to something!?).

But either way is acceptable in the test. The first time I did my test, I changed down gears. I failed, but I didn't get any mark for gears or anything (it was lack of progress on the straight and turning right that failed me!) and the second time I didn't change down gears, and I passed (no marks for gears either).

Leeg17

Donegal, he's maybe 55?
I don't see any problem now as long as it won't be marked down in the test (which I remembered is Thursday, eep!) it's fine. I can always change my driving style once I pass the test as most people seem to agree it's easier to do as Timbuk2 does it.

User Friendly

OP there is only one correct way to change down the gears,and that is one by one, 5,4,3,2. you cannot change from 5 to 3 while breaking .if you do,you will incur a mark down on this.

Alanstrainor

User Friendly wrote: »

OP there is only one correct way to change down the gears,and that is one by one, 5,4,3,2. you cannot change from 5 to 3 while breaking .if you do,you will incur a mark down on this.

This is completely incorrect. Block changing is perfectly acceptable for test purposes. I would recommend it actually.

User Friendly; where did you hear this?

Rubberlegs

Yes, I'd agree that block changing of gears is ok. On my lessons I was told to go from 4th to 2nd on approach to roundabout, for example. Once your speed is down sufficiently, to 20k, the change from 4th to 2nd will be smooth.

beading

I have question- should i put gear in neutral before i stop the car ?

Jamie-b

I was just told by my instructor Ill get a mark for changing from 4th to second. I didnt slow enough, but i have to go 4th 3rd 2nd for my test

Alanstrainor

beading wrote: »

I have question- should i put gear in neutral before i stop the car ?

No. The car should be in gear, however you are allowed to stop in what ever gear you like. So for example, if you are coming to a complete stop (eg a stop sign) you may stop in 4th rather than going down through all the gears.

Jamie-b wrote: »

I was just told by my instructor Ill get a mark for changing from 4th to second. I didnt slow enough, but i have to go 4th 3rd 2nd for my test

This is not true, as has been said, both methods are acceptable for tes t purposes. However if you are not slowing down enough to change into second, you may incur a fault.

Reloc8

Another matter to bear in mind on the question of 'driving to a stop' is that if you do stay in say 4th gear all the way to a halt you will have to put the clutch down earlier. You may therefore incur a fault for 'clutch' as this can be considered coasting.

Aside from faults on the test, if you are indeed driving in this manner, you don't have great control over the car. Better in my opinion to get down into probably 2nd (and I agree block-changing 4th to 2nd is perfectly acceptable) to maintain full control of the car as you approach.